A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a
pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in
it, and 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
master’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 full of water in his master’s house. Of course,
the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
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 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 my
load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way
back to your master’s 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 master’s house, I want you to
notice 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 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 your 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 master’s table.
Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty
to grace his house.”
MORAL:
Do not underestimate yourself by comparing yourself with others. It’s our differences that make us unique & Beautiful.