“The Cracked Pot” is an enchanting fable that reminds us that our perceived imperfections hold remarkable potential to bring joy, beauty, and unexpected blessings to our lives and the world around us.
The Cracked Pot
Once upon a time, there was a water bearer who carried water from a nearby stream to his master’s house every day. The water bearer had two pots, one on each end of a pole. One of the pots was perfect and always delivered a full load of water to the master’s house, while the other pot had a crack in it.
Every day, as the water bearer made his way to the master’s house, he noticed that the cracked pot leaked water along the way. Feeling ashamed of its flaw, the cracked pot said to the water bearer, “I’m sorry I’m not as perfect as the other pot. I’m not good enough, and I always disappoint you by losing water.”
The water bearer smiled kindly and said, “Don’t be so hard on yourself, my friend. Look at the path along which we walk.” The cracked pot looked down and noticed a beautiful trail of flowers growing along its side of the path. The water bearer continued, “I knew about your flaw, and I used it to our advantage. I planted flower seeds along your side of the path, and every day, you watered them with the water that leaked out. That’s why we have these lovely flowers.”
Explanation
This heartwarming tale of the cracked pot carries a beautiful life lesson that we can all cherish. Just like the cracked pot, you might sometimes feel flawed or inadequate, comparing yourself to others and believing that you are not as perfect or capable. But everyone has their unique qualities and imperfections, which make them special and valuable in their own way.
This story teaches us that we should not be too hard on ourselves or focus solely on our imperfections. Instead, we must recognize and embrace our strengths and the positive aspects we bring to our relationships and endeavors.
Sometimes, our perceived weaknesses can lead to unexpected blessings and opportunities. Like the cracked pot unintentionally watering the flowers, your unique qualities can nurture beauty and growth in ways you might not even realize. This reminds me of the Mark Shuttleworth article, in which he says he is not afraid of failure. Instead, if things don’t go according to plan, he looks for insights, unexpected joys, beautiful discoveries, and serendipity.
And so, embrace your cracks because they are a part of your beautiful, unique self. And know that there are people who see your potential and appreciate the positive impact you have, even in ways you might not be aware of.
