The Two Pots

Chemar · 10-08-2006, 01:14 PM

The Two Pots (author 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 of water to his house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, 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 2 years of what it perceived to be 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 my water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water 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, we would not have such beauty."

CoolAngel26 · 10-08-2006, 02:32 PM

Very nice,Chemar...A very pleasant read.

cybil_who · 10-08-2006, 05:45 PM

i guess i will water a lot of flowers thru out my life

Idealist · 10-09-2006, 12:53 AM

A very nice story...

I most liked the part at the end about a friend knowing the song in your heart. Sigh... if only that were true more often...

sallyb · 10-28-2006, 08:23 AM

Thanks...this was truely meant to be shared...and I did.

sally

Chemar · 10-29-2006, 09:17 AM

Glad you were also blessed by it Sally

Chemar · 04-12-2010, 05:13 PM

I was thinking about this story today and decided to bump it up for anyone feeling broken and imperfect

remember how much God loves you, just the way you are

mrsD · 04-12-2010, 05:23 PM

Thanks for the bump up, Chemar!

Yes, we often times are never thanked, or measure ourselves against others who appear to be more successful or whatever.

And then there are children who are raised by parents, who demean them and they may lose their way as well.

Everyday is new, and each day gives us the opportunity for doing a new thing, helping someone, or loving someone.

I like this parable very much. It has living words, that we can all use at times.

Thanks for bumping it up. I missed it the first time around.

Friend2U · 04-12-2010, 07:38 PM

Yes, thank you for the story, and thanks for bumping it up.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this story....Lesson well learned!

Chemar · 04-12-2010, 08:24 PM

I was reminded of it while hearing someone say they felt they were useless and a burden because of their illness...........yet this person is so caring and kind and encouraging always to others.

Made me think of the visual I got in my mind when first reading this parable

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