Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 28, Number 2, 1 Pepeluali 2011 — 'Planī aloha, reap harmony,' my wish for OHA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

'Planī aloha, reap harmony,' my wish for OHA

Most of us who are Hawaiian are of mixed blood. I am Hawaiian, haole, Maori and a smid-

gin of Chinese. The story I bring you today is a fable (author unknown) about a wise Chinese Emperor whose eyes were growing dim. He knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his children, he decided to bring 300 of the Country's "best and brightest" young people to the Royal Square where in a frail voice he proclaimed his intention,

"It is time for me to choose the next Emperor from amongst you." A hush fell over the assembly as the Emperor continued: "I am going to give eaeh of you a seed, a very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and eome back here a year from now with what you have grown. I will then look at all of my choices and one of you will be Emperor." In the gathering was a young man named Ling. Like everyone else, he received a seed along with a warm smile and good wishes from the Emperor. He went home and told his mom all that had happened that day. She helped him find a special pot. Ling planted his seed in it and carefully placed the pot on a sunny sill. Eaeh day he gave it water and bushels of TLC. A week went by. Two months. Eight months and three days. A year went by, nothing happened. He was the only one of 10 from his village whose seed had not sprouted. Ling was sure he killed his seed. A week before the year ended, the Emperor's Messenger eame by to summon Ling to the Royal Square for his rendezvous with the Emperor. Ling told his mother he was not going to go as he was too ashamed. She reminded himthe ehoiee was not his to make. When the day eame he carried with utmost reluctance his empty pot to the palaee. When he got there he was amazed at all the beautiful plants his colleagues had grown.

Instead of placing his empty pot on the floor of the Royal Square with all the others, Ling held on to it. Many who saw him clutching his not lauahed at him.

After what seemed an eternity the Emperor finally arrived. "What great plants, trees and flowers you have grown. Today one of you might be appointed Emperor." Suddenly he spotted Ling with his empty pot. The Emperor ordered his guards to bring Ling to him and demanded to know his name. "My name is Ling." The Emperor looked at Ling and at the

crowd and said, "Behold your new Emperor." He continued: "A year ago I gave everyone a seed. I told you to take it and plant it. But I gave you boiled seeds that would never grow. You all substituted my seed with another seed except for Ling. He is the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Ling will be Emperor." Kaona ofthis fable: If we plant honesty, we will reap trust. If we plant goodness, we will reap friends. If we plant humility, we will reap greatness. If we plant perseverance, we will reap victory. If we plant ALOHA (consideration), we will reap HARMONY. If we plant hard work, we will reap success. If we plant forgiveness, we will reap reconciliation. If we plant faith, we will reap miracles. ■ Next month: Jamie Beamer, 21st century Hcrwaiian Cowboy

Rūbert K. Lindsey, Jr. TrustEE, Hawai'i