InspiredBreathing.

In the beginning (or once upon a time) everything was new under the sun. Smitten - and bug-bitten, count me novice blogger. Love to write; love to interact with thoughtful others; especially eager to learn about the spirit of humanity at a crossroads that feels about as dangerous as ever I've seen ...

My Photo
Name:
Location: New River Valley, VA, United States

On the path of an antiracist life. Love the music of Sweet Honey in the Rock (so sad that Bernice Johnson Reagon retired from that precious ensemble - check her out at http://tinyurl.com/nfs3a)

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Cracked Pot - Folk story for Whisper

Cracked Pots

A water bearer in India 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 2 yrs 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, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full
value from your efforts," the pot said.

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?

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots.

But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and look for the good in them.

Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.

Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!

Blessings to all my crackpot friends and family too!.

2 Comments:

Blogger ruthrap said...

Andrea, good to hear from your again, I've been looking for something new from you!! I love your little crackedpot story and you know something, I've thought the same about people, moreso as I mature spiritually, sometimes we have to accept the "cracks" in people, instead of trying to patch them.......we have to leave that job to a Greater One than us! Your story proved that something beautiful can come from even the cracked pots!

10:16 PM GMT-5  
Blogger ruthrap said...

andrea, wanted to comment on the possum post, but having a little problem with blogger so looks like it's going to let me comment here instead! anyway, thanks for filling me in on everything I need to know about possums and stuff I didn't want to know! Did you not freak out finding that when you got home? he could have been a bit more considerate and not have pooped all over..was that necessary for playing dead? how disgusting! I'm surprised your dog didn't finish him off. She was probably so repulsed she stayed clear!
that one should get an award for the performance he gave!

11:31 PM GMT-5  

Post a Comment

<< Home