Ping is a little boy who loves flowers. He tends his plants carefully, and becomes a very good gardener. When the Emperor decrees that the child who can grow the best flower in a year from seeds he distributes will become the next Emperor, Ping jumps at the chance. But though he cares tenderly for his seed all year, nothing happens. Everyone has beautiful flowers—except the best gardener himself! What will the Emperor say when Ping has nothing to show but an empty pot? But the Emperor just may have a surprise for Ping....