The Poor Man's Reward
By Lynn
There once was a very rich emperor outside the city of Beijing who loved colors and flowers very much. He was very tired of the same types of flowers, with the very same colors. So, one day he had an idea. He made an announcement throughout the city. "Whoever finds me the finest, rarest, and of course, prettiest flower shall get a glorious reward."
All the people wondered what the reward was, and many people brought the emperor their flowers, but he turned them all down. He told them he wanted the best flower they have ever seen and to keep looking.
When the message of this contest reached Nan Yoi he was delighted. Nan Yoi called to all his servants. They hurried over to him knowing he brought an important message or request. "The emperor has set a competition. Whoever finds the most rare and most splendid flower gets a reward."
All of the servants frowned, knowing they would be doing the work, and Nan Yoi would get the credit and the reward. But they still went searching in the forest, flower shops, and fields. Many found lovely flowers.
One day, a very poor family heard of the news from a friend. The husband was delighted by the news. "I'll find the flower," he decided.
The wife had much doubt. "You? How would you get the best flower? I'm sure some rich friend will buy it."
The husband took another spoonful of rice and set out for the flower.
He searched in the hot sun, and grew tired. But the old man knew he had to work hard to find the best flower. So, instead of going back, he stayed out until nightfall.
Finally, when the old man returned, his wife was very worried. "Where were you? All day in the hot sun," she cried.
"I'm sorry to worry you, but I have found the flower for the emperor."
The wife looked at the tired man, seeing nothing in his hands. "Where?" she questioned.
The man smiled. "It doesn't have to be picked to win, my dear."
"So, you expect a rich emperor to go out in the fields, searching, with a peasant?"
"He'll come if he wants my flower. You'll see, too."
So days passed, and soon weeks, when the emperor asked all to come. Many came and brought roses, and many brought the fanciest flowers.
When the old man arrived near the palace, no one pointed at his hands for he did not hold a glass case with a flower inside. He was in dirty clothes that were old and faded. He wore ripped shoes, and his face was dirty from the hard work.
When the old man walked up the hill to the gate of the Forbidden City, the guard announced with a very stern voice, "We don't let everyone in the great Imperial Palace."
"Oh, but I'm here for the flower! I'm here to enter the competition. With the..."
"I know what it is, however, I do not see a flower. Besides, you do not qualify. You are but a peasant." The guard let a few other people past the gate.
The old man sighed, "You should not judge people based on their wealth or appearance. I'm sure if I came back in a fancy robe with gold all over me, you would be glad to let me enter with no questioning."
Another man came up to the guard. He was tall and dressed in royal looking clothes. "Why won't you let this man enter?" The tall man asked in a calm voice.
"He is a peasant!" The guard seemed angry that someone so rich and important would be against his decisions. However, the guard had to listen and opened the gate.
The poor man walked until he reached the building he had to go to. He walked into the building, and into the main room. He looked around and saw many men. They all held on to their flower as if they'd already won.
The poor man went up to the large desk where a man was writing in Chinese Calligraphy.
"Sir, where shall I wait? Which line?" he asked.
The man looked up, and pointed to a line. Then he looked back down. "Hurry, people are coming by the minute."
The poor man thanked the man at the desk, and walked into a line. He waited for a very long time, and soon fell asleep. He woke up several hours later and found himself staring up at the emperor himself. "Oh Emperor, I'm very sorry to keep you waiting." The man stood up.
"Don't worry, it was not long of a wait," the emperor smiled.
The poor man was very grateful, "Thank you very much, sir." The poor man then said, "Emperor, I have found the most wonderful flower. I've searched all over the land for very long hours. Please, will you come with me to see this flower?"
The Emperor was about to speak, but the crowd interrupted with yelling, "You're going to go in the field with a peasant to search for flowers?" They called.
Suddenly the large carved door to the palace opened. Nan Yoi stepped inside, followed by a few servants. He had in a large glass vase the most wonderful flower ever seen. It was all the colors of the rainbow, and it shined like the sun. The crowd turned silent once Nan Yoi entered. They knew he would have the best chance of winning since he was so rich and powerful. He walked right up to the emperor and placed the flower before him. "Emperor, I have found you not only the best flower in the city, but the best flower in the world. It took a very long time to find this for you, but I knew you would be very pleased."
The emperor smiled with delight, but then heard someone in the crowd. He thought the noise came from a servant, one of Nan Yoi's. He thought the servant said something like, "He's acting like he searched for days. He didn't do any work." Then, the emperor realized what Nan Yoi had in mind. He probably told his servants to find a lovely flower, and then act as if he did the work.
He then straightened in his chair and asked, "Tell me, Nan Yoi, how long have you looked for the flower?"
Nan Yoi looked puzzled, "What do you mean, Emperor?"
"Just what I asked. I know what you did, and I do not like when people use others to do their work."
Nan Yoi looked down, "Emperor, you think I am lying to you?"
The emperor looked back at the poor man, "I'd be glad to see your flower, sir." He stood up, and walked with the poor man. He was known to be the nicest emperor ever, but this was very supprising. Never has an emperor gone out in the fields with a peasent.
The emperor, the poor man, and the poor wife walked through forests and up hills. Finally, they reached the place where the poor man remembered the flower to be. He found it just the way it was before. "See it? Over there," he pointed to the flower. It was wonderful. Just as wonderful as Nan Yoi's flower. It shined in the sun, among the other wild flowers.
"Oh yes, this is wonderful. I believe you shall win. I'd be honored if you would live in the forbidden city with the royal families."
The wife looked at her husband. She was overwhelmed with joy, and she saw in the poor man's bright eyes, he was too. They agreed to the Emperor's offer. Not only did the emperor allow them to live in his city, but he treated them as real friends. The emperor and the poor man would exchange stories of their lives. That was the best gift the poor man and his wife got. It was not important to them what golds and jewels they now owned. However, that day on they enjoyed never had to go hungry again.
So as this stories shows, "the ripest fruit will not just fall into your mouth."
