def get_version_from_file(path):
    """Find the VERSION_FILE and return its contents.

    Returns
    -------
    version : string or None

    """
    filename = os.path.join(path, VERSION_FILE)
    if not os.path.isfile(filename):
        # Look in the parent directory of path instead.
        filename = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(path), VERSION_FILE)
        if not os.path.isfile(filename):
            filename = ''

    if filename:
        with open(filename) as fh:
            version = fh.readline().strip()
            if version:
                return version
Find the VERSION_FILE and return its contents.

    Returns
    -------
    version : string or None