“The Cracked Pot”

A water bearer worked for a merchant who lived on top of a hill. Every day he had to walk down the hill to collect water from a stream. He would place it in two pots which he hung on each end of a pole and carried across his shoulders. One of the pots was perfect and had never lost a drop of water by the end of the long walk uphill. The other pot had a crack and would always arrive half full. The perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, whilst the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection. One day the cracked pot spoke to the water bearer. "I feel like I have been such a burden to you. This crack on my side has made me useless. I end up spilling half the water and I feel so ashamed". The water bearer smiled, and quietly said, "Did you notice as we walked up the hill that there were 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, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we’ve walked back from the stream, you’ve watered them. Without you being just the way you are, we would not have these beautiful flowers growing on the hill”. The cracked pot was overjoyed. It understood that the very thing it believed was its flaw had turned out to be a blessing.

When we compare ourselves to those around us we can overlook our own unique qualities. By recognising that each person has something special to offer, we can begin to appreciate the positive impact each of us makes on the world in our own way.

“The Cracked Pot” is a traditional short story originating from Asia.

Many thanks to Marlieske for hosting the DerelictWeek challenge.