# The Cracked Pot

- Link: https://dismasfellowshipnetwork.com/reflections/the-cracked-pot/
- Published: 2021-06-08T10:25:44-04:00
- Author: Paul Tuck

[[**The Cracked Pot** (Source Unknown)

A water bearer in China had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which
he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, 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 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 to his house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of 
its accomplishments, perfect 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, because this crack in my 
side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.”

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only 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 planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and 
every day while we walk back, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able
to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the
way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.”

**Reflection Question:  **_Do you have any “flaws” that you have come to realize
are not actually flaws at all?_  **OR**  _Is there something about yourself that
you used to dislike but have now accepted?_