The Broken PotA water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which he carried across his neck to fetch water from the stream. One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. But at the end of the long walk from the stream to the water bearer's 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 water to his house.
Of course, the intact 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 created to do. After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "Water bearer, I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I 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 house. Because of my flaws, you have to work hard, but you don't get all that your efforts deserve," the pot said.
The bearer smiled and said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only 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 walked back, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace my house."
Moral Each of us has our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. But it is the cracks and flaws we each have together that make our lives so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them. Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
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