There was once an Emperor from China who had no children and needed to choose a successor.
Thousands of children from across the kingdom came to the palace and were surprised when the Emperor exclaimed that he was going to choose one of them. He gave them all a seed. They were to go home to their villages, plant the seed in a pot and tend it for a year. When they return in a year, the Emperor would judge their efforts and choose his successor.
There was a boy named Ling who received his seed and returned to his village.
His mother helped him to choose a pot and put some soil into it.
Ling watered his pot every day.
Once a week, the children of the village would get together to compare their plants. After a few weeks, there were signs of life in all but Ling’s pot.
The weeks passed and Ling continued to water his pot every day.
After a few months, the pots really came to life. Some had trees starting to grow, some had flowers and some had leafy shrubs. Poor old Ling still had nothing growing in his pot, leading the other children to make fun of him.
Ling continued to water his pot every day.
A year passed and it was time to return to the palace to show what had grown and decide on the new heir.
Ling was anxious as his pot still showed no signs of life. “What if they punish me? They won’t know that I’ve watered it every day, they’ll think that I’m lazy.”
His mother looked him in the eye and explained that whatever the consequences were, he had to return and show the Emperor his barren pot.
Ling and the other children entered the palace gates. By now, some of the plants were looking magnificent and the children were wondering which one the Emperor would choose.
Ling was embarrassed as other children looked at his lifeless pot and scoffed.
The Emperor came out and started to make his way through the crowd, looking at the many impressive trees, shrubs and flowers that were on display. The boys all puffed their chests out and tried to look as regal as possible, hoping that they would be chosen as the heir to the empire.
Then the Emperor came to Ling. He looked at the pot then he looked at Ling.
“What happened here?” He asked.
“I watered the pot every day, but nothing ever grew.” Ling muttered nervously.
Then he grumbled something to himself and moved on.
After a few hours, the Emperor finally finished his assessment.
He stood in front of the children and congratulated them on their efforts.
“Clearly, some of you desperately want to be Emperor and would do anything to make that happen, but there is one boy that I would like to point out as he has come to me with nothing. Ling, come here please.”
“Oh no,” thought Ling. He slowly sauntered to the front of the group, holding his barren pot.
The Emperor held up the pot for all to see and the other children laughed. Then the Emperor continued, “A year ago, I gave you all a seed. I told you to go away, plant the seed and return with your plant. The seeds that I gave you all were boiled until they were no longer viable and wouldn’t grow, but I see before me thousands of plants and only one barren pot. Integrity and courage are more important values for leadership than proud displays, so Ling here will be my heir.”
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52 comments
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January 3, 2012 at 11:48 pm
sagbotgamot
it was the mother who persevere in teaching ling… she should be the emperor.
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January 6, 2012 at 7:12 pm
Darren Poke
It’s a good point, perhaps she should.
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October 5, 2018 at 3:16 pm
Bored
Only a weak parent would take credit for their child’s success
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April 1, 2019 at 11:20 pm
daddy
nooooooo ling is my boyfriend
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October 21, 2019 at 12:13 am
Karthik
Such an excellent story……. It was nice in listening and reading these type of moral stories ……….But it was impossible to follow this moral values in real life ,especially in this generation.
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June 24, 2012 at 6:51 pm
chrizaine
it was a very good story
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June 24, 2012 at 8:24 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Chrizaine
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June 15, 2014 at 11:41 am
Dingo
Nice
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June 15, 2014 at 11:45 am
Darren Poke
Thanks Dingo
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November 13, 2012 at 8:59 pm
oyinhusein
While i give credit to the mother for her upstanding character, i think there is much to be said on the integrity of the boy. he was honest. he could have done what the others did as well.
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January 2, 2013 at 3:19 pm
Lady Gwendolynn
That took determination and courage on Ling’s part. What a wonderful story. I love it!
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January 2, 2013 at 3:48 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks LG
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June 1, 2013 at 6:59 pm
Dedy
do you know what’s the name of the emperor? Thanks
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June 4, 2013 at 2:55 pm
Darren Poke
Sorry Dedy, I don’t know the name of the emperor.
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October 18, 2013 at 1:04 pm
jenifer
I love this story i remember it from elementary school and i especially love the comments bcause no one said anything disrespectful 🙂 its not too often you see that on the internet
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October 18, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Darren Poke
Thanks Jenifer, I appreciate all of my readers (including you) because they have helped to make this a very positive site.
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May 27, 2015 at 6:47 am
taytay
I loved the story
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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May 28, 2015 at 11:42 pm
Kasy
I think it showed a lot of integrity
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May 28, 2015 at 11:45 pm
Ava
ling was very responsible and did the right thing
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August 24, 2014 at 9:57 am
reyvia
Love it. I will use this piece for my storytelling contest this coming Wednesday: ),
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April 3, 2015 at 12:23 pm
vs
The emperor had no way of knowing how many people would be honest…what if there were three people who hadn’t faked the plant?
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March 7, 2016 at 9:07 am
Rhonda Q
All of the seeds were burnt. They replaced the seed
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October 12, 2015 at 1:06 am
Kimberly.adeleke
It is Avery interesting story
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April 6, 2016 at 11:52 pm
Mbali Valente
This story is one of a kind…It really makes you stop and think, and it make’s you ask yourself if your a good enough leader and gives you momentum to strive and do good.
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October 15, 2016 at 1:19 am
Cody Rothwell
Hi Darren. May I use this story in my coaching practice and presentations? I found this to be ideal in what I’m trying to teach about integrity!
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October 16, 2016 at 7:35 pm
Darren Poke
Hi Cody,
Yes, you may use this story, I’ve used it many times myself.
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June 6, 2017 at 11:01 am
Arthur
I’m very inspired by this short story. Thank u so much. I can’t wait to share it with kith and kin.
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June 12, 2017 at 3:05 pm
Jungkook
I like this story
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June 28, 2017 at 12:15 am
strikingsupernovas
I read it in 2nd grade. I really like it.
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November 1, 2017 at 8:33 pm
Deeksha
Hi.. this a very good story. We are preparing a Universal Ethics Curriculum for children based on values like honesty, care, compassion etc. We would like to use this story as part of 6 graders workbook. Please let us know if this is possible.
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November 1, 2017 at 9:18 pm
Darren Poke
Yes, please feel free to share this with your students
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November 2, 2017 at 12:23 am
upsciencecentre
Hi we are an NGO working on developing curriculum for children on Universal Ethics like honesty, integrity, compassion etc. Can we use this story in our children’s workbook acknowledging you as the author.
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November 2, 2017 at 11:13 am
Darren Poke
Yes, feel free to use this story. I can’t claim original authorship though, it’s an old tale that has been told for years
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June 26, 2018 at 1:28 am
Carly
Awesome story really shows the true meaning of integrity
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June 26, 2018 at 1:29 am
Carly
And honesty
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December 16, 2018 at 8:28 am
Sono Libero
Where can I fond the author of this story?
PS: sure the mother’s attitude was very relevant but the boy didi it, and it was the boy who learned the lesson and DID IT despites his fear!
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December 16, 2018 at 11:36 am
Darren Poke
I honestly don’t the origins of the story, but it’s one of my favourites
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January 20, 2019 at 9:05 pm
Solomon
I always hear this story, is it really a true story?
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January 20, 2019 at 9:06 pm
Darren Poke
Not sure of the story’s origins, but suspect that it is fictional
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February 5, 2019 at 10:27 pm
Nikhil
Excellent story on integrity
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February 5, 2019 at 11:02 pm
Nikhil
How does the emperor came to know Ling’s name while doing his assessment. Ling dod not told his name
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February 6, 2019 at 5:43 pm
Darren Poke
Maybe he had a name tag
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April 1, 2019 at 11:27 pm
Student
I think that this story is good for classroom discussions about integrity because this story is loved by children around the world. and it gives a good message.
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April 2, 2019 at 11:12 pm
Taylor
OMG STOP HITTING ON LING HES MINE
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July 15, 2019 at 7:05 pm
Karanpreet
Write a note on honest is best policy
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July 23, 2019 at 7:34 pm
Mechelle Anne
when i was on elementary this is the story i really like to read in hundreds of time… but who is the author of this story?
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July 24, 2019 at 5:50 pm
Darren Poke
I’m honestly not sure of the original author of this story
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December 17, 2019 at 3:07 am
I dont even know you
The story was well constructed
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May 17, 2020 at 7:50 pm
Azees A. A. Amusat
Honesty pays. It is the best policy. I salute the wisdom of the Emperor in choosing his method of selection. I equally appreciate the honesty of Ling and the encouragement given by his mother.
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August 27, 2020 at 11:58 pm
Brandon
estuvo muy bien escrito
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February 22, 2021 at 4:02 am
masroor
I loved it….
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March 2, 2021 at 4:50 am
sky
this was a amazing story. It has a good lessen!
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