#8 - The Empty Pot by Demi


Summary: The Emperor of China needed to choose a successor to his throne. Because he loved flowers so much, he decided to give every child in the kingdom a seed. The Emperor proclaimed, "Whoever can show me their best in a year's time will succeed me to the throne." Anything Ping planted virtually burst into bloom, so he was sure that he could grow the most beautiful flower of all.


Ping tended to his seed very carefully but nothing grew. All of the other children rushed to the palace with their beautiful flowers, hoping to get chosen. But a smile spread across the Emperor's face when he saw Ping hugging his empty pot. All of the seeds had been cooked, so it was impossible for any of them to grow. Ping was the only child who had been honest enough to return with an empty pot.   



Suggested Activity: Seed Finger Play

I plant a little seed in the dark, dark ground.
(flat hand palm up for ground; plant a seed)

Out comes the sun, big and round.

(Hands in a circle over head)

Down comes the cool rain, soft and slow

(Fingers wiggle and move them toward the floor)

Up comes the little seed, grow, grow, GROW.

(Stand up & bring hands up into flower)
 
   
Curriculum Area: Listening and Speaking (hears and discriminates the sounds of language, expresses self using words and expanded language)

Appropriate Age Group: 4 and up    

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