The Cracked Pot<\/p>\n
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 master\u2019s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.<\/p>\n
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master\u2019s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d asked the bearer. \u201cWhat are you ashamed of?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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 master\u2019s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don\u2019t get full value from your efforts,\u201d the pot said.<\/p>\n
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, \u201cAs we return to the master\u2019s house, I want you to specially notice the beautiful flowers along the path.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot noticed the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path. 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.<\/p>\n
The bearer said to the pot, \u201cDid you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot\u2019s side? That\u2019s because I have taken advantage of your flaw . I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you\u2019ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master\u2019s table. Without you being just the way you are and without your help , he would not have this beauty to grace his house.\u201d<\/p>\n