Episode Overview

This episode gives children a gentle, memorable way to explore honesty, courage, and integrity. Ping’s story reminds kids that bravery is not only about big heroic actions—it can also mean telling the truth when we feel embarrassed, nervous, or afraid of disappointing someone.

Try This After Listening

Talk about “Empty Pot Moments.”
Ask your child: “Have you ever had a moment when it felt hard to tell the truth?” Keep the conversation calm and shame-free. The goal is to help children recognize that honesty takes courage.

Praise truth-telling, not just the outcome.
When a child admits a mistake, try saying: “Thank you for telling me the truth. That was brave.” This helps kids learn that honesty is valued, even when something needs to be fixed.

Practice with everyday scenarios.
Use simple examples:
“What could you do if you accidentally broke a toy?”
“What if you forgot your homework?”
“What if everyone else was doing something you knew wasn’t right?”

Create a family or classroom phrase.
Use the episode’s Belief Backpack takeaway:
“Tell the truth… even when it is hard.”
Repeat it during real-life moments when children need a reminder.

Discussion Questions

Why do you think Ping felt nervous bringing an empty pot?

What would have been easier for Ping to do?

Why was the Emperor happy with Ping’s empty pot?

Can telling the truth ever feel brave? Why?

What helps you tell the truth when you feel scared?

Extension Activities

Draw Ping’s Empty Pot
Invite children to draw Ping standing with his empty pot. Around the pot, write words like honesty, courage, truth, and brave heart.

Role-Play Truth-Telling
Act out small “Empty Pot Moments” and let children practice what they could say. Keep the tone light and supportive.

Grow or Not? Game
Visit faithfullyexplore.com for the companion Grow or Not? activity, where children can continue exploring why honesty matters.

“The Courage of the Empty Pot” is a powerful story because it reframes honesty as an act of courage, not just a rule children are expected to follow. Ping’s choice is difficult because he is not simply deciding whether to lie—he is deciding whether to face embarrassment, disappointment, and the fear of being misunderstood.

At the heart of the episode is this question: Who are we when no one else seems to be choosing the truth? Ping stands in a courtyard full of beautiful flowers, holding the one thing no one else has brought: an honest answer. His empty pot looks like failure, but it is actually proof of his integrity.

For children, this story creates a safe way to talk about real-life “Empty Pot Moments”—times when they may be tempted to hide a mistake, copy someone else, exaggerate, or avoid responsibility. For adults, it is a reminder that children are more likely to tell the truth when honesty is met with calm, connection, and guidance instead of immediate shame.

The Emperor’s lesson is also worth noticing. He does not reward Ping because Ping produced something impressive. He rewards Ping because Ping was trustworthy. In a world that often celebrates polished results, perfect appearances, and public success, this story gently reminds families and classrooms that character matters more than performance.

The episode’s Belief Backpack takeaway—“Tell the truth… even when it is hard”—can become a simple shared phrase at home or school. It gives children language for moral courage and helps them understand that truth-telling is not always easy, but it helps trust grow.

Adult Reflection:
Where do children in your care see honesty being practiced, repaired, and honored? How can you make truth-telling feel safe enough that children choose it even when their “pot” feels empty?

Honesty can be hard—especially when telling the truth means admitting a mistake, facing embarrassment, or standing alone. These picture books pair beautifully with The Courage of the Empty Pot and help children explore truthfulness, integrity, courage, and accountability in kid-friendly ways.

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The Empty Pot

by Demi

This is the perfect companion book for the episode because it tells the classic story of Ping, a young boy in China who loves flowers and must decide whether to bring an empty pot to the Emperor or pretend he grew something beautiful. The publisher describes it as Demi’s picture book about “an honest schoolboy,” and the story centers on courage, truth, and integrity.

Why it pairs well:
Children can compare the book version with the Faithfully Explore episode and talk about why Ping’s empty pot was actually the bravest and most beautiful thing he could bring.

Talk about it:
What made Ping brave? Why do you think it was hard for him to tell the truth?

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Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie

by Laura Rankin

Ruthie loves tiny things, so when she finds a little camera on the playground, she wants to keep it—even though it does not belong to her. This gentle and humorous story helps children see how even a “teeny tiny” lie can start to feel very big inside. Bloomsbury describes the book as a reassuring look at how standing up for the truth can make even a big mistake feel smaller.

Why it pairs well:
Like Ping, Ruthie has to choose between hiding the truth and doing the brave, honest thing.

Talk about it:
Have you ever had a small mistake feel bigger because you were afraid to tell the truth?

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Tell the Truth, B.B. Wolf

by Judy Sierra, illustrated by J. Otto Seibold

This playful fairy-tale twist gives the Big Bad Wolf a chance to tell the real story. It is a fun pick for talking about honesty, reputation, accountability, and second chances. The book is by Judy Sierra and illustrated by J. Otto Seibold.

Why it pairs well:
This story helps kids think beyond “telling the truth” and into what it means to own your choices and make things right.

Talk about it:
Can someone who made a mistake still choose to be honest later?

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Pig the Fibber

by Aaron Blabey

Pig the Pug is back, and this time he is telling lies to get what he wants—and to get Trevor the sausage dog in trouble. This silly, high-energy story gives kids a humorous way to see how dishonesty can hurt others and create bigger problems. Barnes & Noble’s description notes that Pig lies to get his own way and causes trouble for Trevor.

Why it pairs well:
Ping’s honesty builds trust. Pig’s fibs break trust. Reading both gives children a clear contrast between integrity and selfishness.

Talk about it:
How did Pig’s lies affect Trevor? What could Pig have done differently?

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Closing Thought

Each of these books gives children a different “Empty Pot Moment”—a time when a character has to decide whether to hide, pretend, blame, exaggerate, or tell the truth. Together, they make a wonderful honesty-themed book basket for families, classrooms, libraries, or companion reading after the episode.