Koa's Seed

by Carolyn Han

Long, long ago in Hawaii, an ali'i gathered all the men in the village and announced he would select a new leader - something that had never happened before.

To each, he gave one seed for planting. A young man named Koa took his seed carefully and lovingly tended it for a year. From this seed, Koa is taught a valuable lesson.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story about a boy taking care of a seed as instructed by his tribal Hawaiian leader. He gets frustrated and defeated when it never grows amongst so many beautiful plants of the other men in the village. We later find he's chosen as the leader because of his honesty. Boiled seeds can't grow, but everyone cheats. His integrity and honesty make his character worthy of the title. Great moral of the story/theme.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the ali'i (leader) of Koa's village announces he will select a new leader from all the young men of the village, everyone is shocked. Such a thing has never been done before. To each of the young men, the ali'i gives a seed for planting and instructs them to bring back the plant in one year.

Koa faithfully plants and tends his seed, but it won't grow. He waters it and watches it, but nothing happens. After a year, everyone presents gorgeous plants to the ali'i... everyone except Koa, who is ashamed and tries to hide his failure.

But the ali'i notices and calls him forward and then tells him that the seeds he had given all the young men had been boiled--none of them could grow. And so, because of his courage and honesty, Koa is proclaimed the new ali'i.

A great story reminding kids to be honest rather than ashamed of their perceived failures--accompanied by great pictures.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

hawaiian/tropical stories, important lessons, honesty