The
Cracked Pot
A water bearer in India had
two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always
delivered a full portion of
water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived
only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering
only one and a half pots full of water to his house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for
which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and
miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After 2 yrs of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one
day by the stream. I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been
able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out
all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and
you don't get full value from your efforts, " the pot said.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on
your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always
known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and
every day while we walk back, you've watered them.
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.
Moral: Each of us has our own
unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But it's
the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and
rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in
them.
Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!
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