Read in Reader's Digest.
There was an emperor who did not have any children. He decided to adopt a boy so that he could groom him to be the next emperor. Parents with a boy child approached the king to adopt their child. However, the emperor decided he would keep a test to decide upon the boy to be adopted.
The emperor distributed seeds to all the boys. The emperor instructed them to nurture the seeds with utmost care and whomsoever showed up with the most healthiest plant after a year would be the chosen one.
All the boys took care of the seeds and soon, they sprouted and grew up to be lovely plants. Except one little boy. No matter, how much he took care, the seed never sprouted. The boy grew sad. He did watered the seeded pot everyday. Yet, nothing sprouted.
Soon, a year passed. The emperor ordered the plants to be exibited. All the boys turned up with their potted plants proudly. Except this boy. He was hesitant to go. But his mother persuaded him to go. No matter what, it's okay to give it a try. The boy reached with an empty pot.
The emperor looked upon each pot and when he reached the boy with an empty pot, he asked the little boy,
"What happened? Why do you have and empty pot?"
"His Highness, I took utmost care the plant. Yet, they did not sprout. I am sorry."
"This boy is the chosen one!"
Everybody looked up.
The emperor continued.
"I had distributed boiled seeds. They will never sprout. This little boy is the only honest boy who showed me the truth. He deserves to be the next emperor."
Hence, the little honest boy was declared to be the adopted son of the emperor. Honesty is the best policy to be followed.
