A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the two ends of a pole that he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other 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. But each time the cracked pot arrived only half full.
After years the cracked pot said to the water bearer, "I am ashamed of myself... this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house.Because of my flaws, you don't get full value from your efforts".
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 sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on one side of the path.
The bearer then said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of our path, but not on the other? That's because I planted the flower seeds on your side, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.
For 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 had this beauty to grace his house."
Each one of us has our unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. Some of us are old, some not so smart, some fat, some bald, some physically challenged, but it is these cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.
