IMPERFECTION

There is a mistaken belief that in order to make a difference we need to be perfect or possess special talents. This is simply not true. Each of us is here for a reason and has something special to offer the world. The old fable that follows is a perfect illustration of this universal truth.

There was once man in India whose duty was to fetch water for his master’s house. He used two large pots, which hung on each end of a pole that he balanced on his neck. One of the pots 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 other pot, however had a crack in it and arrived only half full. For two year this went on, the man only able to deliver three-quarters of the amount he started with.

Of course the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishment. The poor cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection and miserable that is was only able to accomplish half of what it had been created to do. One day by the stream, the cracked pot finally spoke to the water bearer about its perceived failure,

“I am so ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?’ asked the young man, “What are you ashamed of?”

“For these past two years, I have only been able to deliver half of my load because this crack on my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. My flaw hasn’t allowed you to get the full value for you efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sympathy for the cracked pot and compassionately replied, “As we return to the house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed as they went up the hill, the cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on its side of the trail and this lightened its mood. But at the end of the walk, it still felt bad because it had once again leaked half its load. It apologized once more.

The man responded, “Did you notice that there were flowers on your side of the path and not on the other? That is because I have always known about your crack and took opportunity of it. I planted flower seeds on your side and every day while we walked back from the stream you have watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. With you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.