The Empty Pot by Demi

When customers ask for a book recommendation, I often offer them The Empty Pot by Demi. The problem is, I can’t seem to get through the telling of the synopsis without choking up. It’s very embarrassing. I have to pause a lot, swallow, blink rapidly, and use short sentences.

This is what I tell them: “The emperor decides to hold a contest to choose a successor, so he calls all the children in the kingdom to the palace and gives every child a seed. In a year’s time, they have to bring back what they’ve grown and the child who has grown the best plant will be the next emperor.

“So Ping gets his seed and brings it home. He’s a really good gardener, but he can’t get this seed to sprout.” Swallow. “He tries everything and tends to it with the greatest care, but it just doesn’t grow. Finally the day comes to present the plants to the emperor, but Ping’s pot is still empty.” Pause. Blink blink. “But his Dad says,” deep breath, “you did your best. Bring the pot to the emperor because there is no shame in showing that you have tried your best.” Long pause.

“When Ping gets to the palace, every other kid has these huge, beautiful, exotic flowers and Ping is really embarrassed. But he presents his empty pot anyway.” I look away, blink, swallow. “And the emperor says, I don’t know where all you kids got your seeds, but the ones I gave out were cooked. Ping was the only honest child, who brought his empty pot. And Ping became the next emperor.” Deep breath.

Usually, after I finish this plot summary, the customer buys two or three in hardcover. I don’t even think I tell the story that well. You really need to read the text and study Demi’s beautiful and tiny illustrations to appreciate the full value of the book. But a classic is a classic for a reason, and if any book about China (besides The Seven Chinese Brothers) is destined to become one, this really should be it.

The Empty Pot by Demi

tags: children's books book reviews Chinese folktales emperors Demi