The Greatest Treasure by: Demi (multicultural literature)

Pang was a rich man who spent all day counting his coins. He never spent time with his family. Li was a poor farmer who spent a lot of time which his family playing his flute. Pang was annoyed that he could hear Li playing his flute everyday, so he thought that if he had coins to count like him, Li would not have time to play his flute. Li excepts the gift, and then realizes that his new found wealth takes away from his happiness. Li returns the coins to Pang, and also gives him a gift -- his very own flute. In the end Li and Pang both learn what's important to them and what makes them happy.

I would read this book in my classroom, and then ask my students which things in their life make them the happiest. I would then have them make a list of the most important things in their life, and then pick one of them to write a story about.