🌸🪴 The Empty Pot
(Chinese Folktale – Easy English Script for Ages 4–6)
🎭 Character Descriptions
👑 The Emperor
A wise old man with a golden robe and long beard. He loves honesty more than riches.
👦 Ping
A kind boy with black hair and a red tunic. He loves growing flowers and plants.
👧 Children
Other boys and girls with colorful clothes and fancy pots.
📜 Script
NARRATOR:
Long ago in China, the emperor loved flowers.
He wanted to choose the next emperor—
but not by looks or money.
He wanted someone honest.
NARRATOR:
He gave one seed to each child.
👑 EMPEROR:
“Take care of your seed.
In one year, bring me what grows.”
NARRATOR:
Ping was happy!
He planted the seed in rich soil.
He watered it every day.
But nothing grew.
NARRATOR:
He tried new pots.
He moved it to the sun.
Still—nothing.
NARRATOR:
Other kids had tall plants and big flowers.
Ping felt sad.
But he still brought his empty pot.
NARRATOR:
The emperor looked at the pots.
He saw red flowers, green leaves, golden petals…
Then he saw Ping’s pot.
👑 EMPEROR:
“Why is your pot empty?”
👦 PING (quietly):
“I tried my best. I gave it sun, water, and love…
but it didn’t grow.”
NARRATOR:
The emperor smiled.
👑 EMPEROR:
“I gave everyone boiled seeds.
They couldn’t grow.
You are the only one who told the truth.”
NARRATOR (ending):
Ping became the new emperor—
not because of flowers,
but because of his honest heart.
THE END.
📚 Vocabulary
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Emperor – a king or ruler of a land
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Seed – a small part of a plant that can grow
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Pot – a container for planting
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Honest – telling the truth
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Grow – to become bigger or taller
🗣 Useful Expressions
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“Take care of your seed.” – A request to show effort and responsibility
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“I tried my best… but it didn’t grow.” – Admitting the truth even when it’s hard
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“You are the only one who told the truth.” – A powerful message about honesty
❓Comprehension Questions
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👑 What did the emperor give to each child?
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🪴 What did Ping do with his seed?
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🌼 What did the other children bring after one year?
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😞 How did Ping feel about bringing an empty pot?
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💡 Why did the emperor choose Ping in the end?