I would like to share a story with you. I first came across this story about 10 years ago. I have kept it ever since, as every time I read it, it touches my heart.
Also, while I move through various stages and tribulations of my personal growth, I derive different meanings from this very simple and elegant piece of folklore.
Here it is:
Cracked Pots (Unknown author, retold by many).
A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hanging on the end 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 bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
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 two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the bearer one day by 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 bearer smiled and replied:
‘Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side?
That’s because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years, I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table and share with others.
Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty….’
Usually this story is followed by ‘and the moral of this story is….’ or ‘Each of us has…’.
I’m deliberately leaving no conclusions or explanations. I would like you to ponder over the meaning of this story in relation to your own life. I would like you to harvest the pearls of wisdom and treasure them.
I also hope you find courage and share your thoughts, as your insights could be life-altering gifts or amazing discoveries to all of us.
