Week 1 - September 2008
During the first week of term all classes heard the story of The Empty Pot, by Demi,
which we used to discuss the importance of integrity (from the PYP 'attitudes' and linked to 'principled' in the learner profile).
Demi's tale is set in ancient China, where the wise emperor is growing old and must choose a replacement to rule his empire. The flower-loving ruler devises a task for the children of China and announces that the most successful participant will be made his successor. Each child is given a seed to see who can grow the most beautiful flower. Young Ping, who is an outstanding gardener, has little doubt he will grow a great flower for the emperor. However, despite his great care and attention, Ping's seed will not grow. When the day finally arrives and the emperor orders all of the children to bring their flowers to be inspected, Ping is saddened to see so many children rushing by with their beautiful flowers. Ping is ashamed. His father tells him that his pot, although lacking a beautiful flower, is sufficient; he had done his best, and he must tell the truth. So young Ping goes to the palace with his empty pot. The emperor looks sadly at the beautiful flowers before him. At last he approaches Ping, and asks why his pot is empty. Ping explains that he did his best to grow the flower but it just would not grow. The emperor smiles and exclaims that he has found his replacement. He reveals that all of the seeds he had given to the children were COOKED and therefore could not grow. The test was not to find the greatest gardener, but a child with the integrity needed to rule wisely in China. (http://www.bu.edu/sed/caec/files/elemlesson.htm)
