The Way of Ping: Journey to the Great Ocean (Hardcover)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: bamboo frontier, useless trees, young frogs, Great Ocean, Toad the Elder, Bamboo Teachings (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This slender sequel to Ping: A Frog in Search of a New Pond is another Zen-inspired entrepreneurial parable, at once trite and profound. Gold, former COO of the Republic of Tea, does not belabor the business aspect of his tale, which can be read as an insightful guide to internal growth and transformation. In this book, Ping visits a pond whose inhabitants have never ventured outside their small habitat. Two young frogs, Daikon and Hodo, daring to aspire further, ask Ping to take them to the ocean, which represents enlightenment. The book becomes a quest, with plenty of opportunity for Ping to instruct the youngsters on the Way (e.g., The Way is the path of strength.... Always possess the courage to continue the journey, even if you are scared to pieces). The frogs navigate a boulder in their path, hop up 100-foot shoots of bamboo and trudge through an eerie Slither Swamp. Finally, from the heights of a mountain, they view both dawn and the ocean. While the first book, where the young Ping is instructed by an Owl, may have been more spontaneous and compelling, this sequel is charming and effectively communicates its message. (Jan.)
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Review

"Gold's writings are a blend of business advice and spiritual teachings for the 21st Century entrepreneur." -- Newsweek

"PING combines the tradition of Who Moved My Cheese? with Jonathan Livingston Seagull...Stuart Gold's writing style is moving and witty." -- New York Post

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 90 pages
• Publisher: Newmarket Press (January 27, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557048207
• ISBN-13: 978-1557048202
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #341,650 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Frog's Story, December 7, 2005

By	Peter Hupalo (MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Ping: A Frog in Search of a New Pond (Hardcover)

If you enjoyed "Who Moved My Cheese?" you'll love "Ping: A Frog In Search of a New Pond." Ping is about a frog who loves to jump and spash around but whose pond dries up.

Ping sets out to find a new pond. But he's foiled by the dense forest.

Avery writes: "He felt defeated and disheartened, a sad, inept creature, doomed to a miserable life with no possibility for tomorrow, and that, quite simply was that. ...Who was he to think he possessed the abilities to get what he wanted out of life? ...it's probably safe to say there are limits to what a frog's psyche can endure...."

Just as he was most dejected, Ping meets a wise old owl who teaches him about life. Owl helps prepare Ping for a dangerous journey across Spat River. According to Owl, beyond Splat River is Emperor's Garden, a frog paradise.

Owl advises, "If the path you travel has no obstacles, it leads nowhere." (Oh, yeah, great advice coming from a bird). Owl says, "Too many wait for just the right time and just the right place to act. The very act of waiting actually pushes the desired events away. You must do in order to be."

Owl then gives Ping a crash course in risk analysis. "Owl explained that in order to experience wonder you have to experience the taking of risks. Risk converts opportunity into reality."

Then, it gets a bit weird. Owl puts Ping on a serious Rocky-type exercise regimen to get him into shape for swimming Splat River. Ping hangs from a tree with one pound rocks between his toes. And, of course, Ping does plenty of jumping jacks.

Eventually, Ping is ready to brave Splat River. Avery surprises us with a twist in the ending.

Ping is a well-written and clever book. It's illustrated with cute drawings of Ping. My favorite shows Ping sitting in a yoga-meditation position on a tree stump. This book is a great inspirational gift idea for the holidays.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Who Moved My Frog?, April 14, 2009

By	EgusHdus (Hua Hin, Thailand USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ping: A Frog in Search of a New Pond (Hardcover)

Oh, my. Everyone here raves about "what a great idea this is", "reminds me of...", "just like", "similar to ...."

Yeah, well that's the trouble. It IS similar to....

And this "Ping the Frog" is no traditional fairy tale character which make ME think it was the product of some WISEGUY, sitting around thinking, "H-m-m-m-, how can I write one of those crappy, throw-away mis-management books, without an original thought in MY head, and still make a bundle? I know! I'll STEAL really good concept, and then produce not one, but TWO books, and then try to spin off some marketing on the merchandising!

Isn't America great?"

Folks, boycott bad writing and thievery. Re-read "Who Moved My Cheese".

5.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes the simplest lessons in life tend to be the most profound and thought provoking ..., October 6, 2009

By	D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Ping: A Frog in Search of a New Pond (Hardcover)

Sometimes the simplest lessons in life tend to be the most profound and thought provoking. "Ping: A Frog in Search of a New Pond, by Stuart Avery Gold," is a story in parable form that asks us to consider change, overcome obstacles and experience spiritual and emotional growth. Ping was a frog who was simply content to while away the time dreaming of being the best he could be without really doing a thing about it. There was no doubt about it, he did have talent. However, without the encouragement to move forward he would always remain a big frog in a small pond.

Change is not easy, for some it remains an impossibility for some because they are afraid and without encouragement their lives may become stagnant. Ping was much the same until he met Owl, the one creature who would encourage him to become the one that he was meant to be. Ping begins to grow and learns many lessons along the way. After thanking him for his lessons learned Owl replies, "It is not what you have learned, but what you do with it that will create your difference. You can fulfill your destiny by helping others."

This book was a quick read, but one that can be picked up time and time again for encouragement. Each chapter has a lovely little drawing with a thought to reflect upon. "If the path you travel has no obstacles, it leads to nowhere." It was a simple book, at times reminiscent of the anticipation of opening a Chinese fortune cookie, but many will find it much more refreshing than books that lay out ways to "improve" our lives in a certain number of regimented steps. I found it to be an especially comfortable and cozy book.