something to think about....
Von: , Frage gestellt am Do, 20. Jun 2002
THE CRACKED WATER POT
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on opposite
ends 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, perfect to the end 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 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 it 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
the grace of his house."