A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on each end of

a pole which he carried across his neck. One of these pots

had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and

always delivered a full portion of water at the end of a

long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked

pot only arrived half-full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer only

delivering one and a half pots full of water to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments,

perfect to the end for which it was made. 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. “I am

ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.” “Why?”

asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only

half of 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 do all of this work, and you don’t get

full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in

his compassion he said, “As we return to the house, I want

you to notice all of the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took

notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the

side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end

of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out

half of its load, and so again the pot apologized to the

bearer for its failure.

The bearer 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, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on

your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from

the stream, 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, I would not have

this beauty to grace my house.

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots

in some respect. But if we allow ourselves to take advantage

of our flaws, nothing goes to waste. Don’t be afraid of your

flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of

beauty. Know that in our weaknesses we find our strengths.

– Author Unknown