THE CRACKED POT
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of
a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack
in it, and 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
masters 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 in his masters house. Of course, the
perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end 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 two years 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.
Why? asked the bearer. What are you ashamed of?
I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load
because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back
to your master's 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 water bearer felt
sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said...
As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful
flowers along the path.. Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot
took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path,
and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had
leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side
of your path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known
about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the
path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.
For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate
my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots.
Nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws.
Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty.
Know that in our weakness we find our strength.
Neat huh?
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