Sparse text and contained drawings visually represent how truth, unadorned, lacks pretense but is firmly held by integrity. Ping's confusion while experiencing failure at something at which he normally excelled is an important part of this tale's lesson; he chose persistence over deception which proved the noblest decision. The Chinese emperor announces an unusual test to choose an heir--the child who raises the best flowers from a seed given by the emperor will be his successor. Ping, unaccountably, is unable to get his seed to sprout--but Ping's empty pot is best of all.