2013-29 Inspirational Story: The Cracked Pot
An
elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, which she hung on the ends of a pole
that she carried across her neck. Every day she would make the long walk to a
stream to fetch water for her home. One of the pots was in perfect condition,
and always delivered a full portion of water. The other pot had a crack in it,
from which water leaked. As a result, by the time the woman returned home, the
cracked pot arrived only half full.
For
two years the woman made her daily trek to the stream, each time returning with
only one and a half pots of water. The perfect pot was proud of its condition
and of what it could do. The cracked pot, however, was ashamed of its
imperfection and of the fact that it could do only half of what it had been
made for. One day, the cracked pot, overwhelmed by what it perceived to be its
bitter failure, spoke to the woman at the stream.
“I
am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out
all the way back to your house.” The old woman smiled at the pot and replied,
“Have you noticed that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on
the other pot’s side? I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower
seeds on your side of the path. Every day, on our walk home, you water them.
For two years now 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 our home.”
Each
of us has our own crack, our own unique flaw. It’s these cracks and flaws that
make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding, and it’s often these
cracks and flaws that enable us to do good. Accept
people for what they are; look for the good in them and the good that they do.
And don’t miss the flowers on your side of the path.
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