It is said that around the year 250 b.C., in the ancient China, a prince from the North of the country was about to be crowned emperor, but according to the law, he first had to get married.

        Being aware of that, he decided to open a contest amongst the ladies from the court and any other lady that might be dignified of his proposal. On the next day, the prince announced that he was going to throw a special celebration for all candidates and would then launch a challenge.

        An old lady who had been a servant at the palace for many years heard the commentaries about the preparations and felt slightly sad as she knew that her young daughter was deeply in love with the prince.

        When she got home and told the fact to the young lady, she got really surprised to know that the girl intended to go to the celebration, and asked skeptically:

        My daughter, what are you going to do there? All the richest ladies and most beautiful girls are going to be there. Forget about it, I know you must be suffering, but do not allow your pain turn into madness.

        To what the daughter answered:

        No, dear mother, I am not in pain or insane, I know I will never be the chosen one, but this is my opportunity to be next to the prince at least for a few moments, and just this already makes me happy.

        During the evening, the young lady went to the palace. In fact, there you could see the most beautiful girls, wearing the most stunning clothes and jewelry, and having the most determined intentions. Finally, the prince announced the challenge:

        I will give a seed to each one of you. The lady that brings me the most beautiful flower within six months, will be chosen my wife, the wife of China’s emperor.

        The prince’s proposal had a lot to do with the traditions of his people, who believed that the cultivation of something such as habits, friendship and relationships was very important.

        Time passed by and the sweet young girl, who did not have much ability with gardening, looked after the flower with patience and tenderness, because she knew that  if the beauty of her flower came up as an extension of her love, she would not have to worry about the results.

        Three months passed by and nothing came up. The young lady tried all the methods she knew, but nothing bloomed. Day by day, she realized her dream was getting further and further away, but her love was always stronger.

        Six months passed by and it did not sprout. Conscious of her effort and dedication, the young lady told her mother that despite the circumstances she would go to the castle at the date and time arranged, as she would not give up the minutes she could have next to him up.

        At the arranged time, she was there with her empty vase, with all the other candidates, who carried the most beautiful flowers, of the most varied colours.

        She was astonished, she had never seen such beautiful scene before.

        Finally, the expected moment arrived, and the prince observed all candidates with a lot of attention. After passing by each of them, he announced the result and indicated the young lady as his future wife.

        People had the most unexpected reactions. Nobody could understand why he had chosen exactly the one that had cultivated nothing. The prince calmly explained:

        She is the only one that cultivated the flower that could turn her into someone dignified to become an empress. The flower of honesty. All the seeds I gave to you were barren.

*   *   *

        Honesty is like a flower weaved with threads made of light, which illuminates whoever cultivates it and spreads clarity around it.

Spiritist Moment Team based on text by unknown author.
July 17 2008.