The Cracked Pot

Once upon a time in a small village in India, a water bearer carried two pots. Each hung on the ends of a pole balanced across his shoulders. One pot was perfect, while the other had a crack in it. Every day, the man walked to the river, filled both pots, and carried them back to his master’s house. By the time he reached the house, the cracked pot had leaked out half of its water. This went on for two years. The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the cracked pot felt ashamed. One day, it said to the water bearer: “I’m sorry. Because of my flaw, you do double the work and bring back only half the results.” The water bearer smiled gently and replied, “Did you notice the flowers only on your side of the path? I knew about your crack, so I planted flower seeds on your side. Every day as we walked back, you watered them. For two years, I’ve picked those flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, there would be no beauty in his home.” Moral: What you see as a weakness may be your hidden strength.