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Found this and it made me think... your thoughts?
An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her 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 walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream.
"I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my si de causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."
The old woman smiled, "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, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
Each of us has our own unique flaw. 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.
SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!
31 Answers
- 1 decade agoFavorite Answer
Hi Taffy, what beautiful and insightful story. I am glad you took the time to write all of this down for it is everyday life. I was about to answer the question of a young girl with a lot of self-doubt but wanted to take more time to think, actually pray, some call it meditate, about it. So, I went on and found my answer to her in your writing. I hope you don't mind, but I am going to copy and past your story into my answer to her, to back up what I want to tell her. It's something a young person can understand and relate to. These days, the world is so full of negativity and my visits to this site proves it every day. I know, that makes me sound like a wise old woman, actually I am 44, but I have seen and lived through some tragedy and it gives me great pleasure being able to help other members through my answers to their often difficult questions. You seem to be very compassionate and I think you would understand why I wrote this to you. Take care my friend and keep your head up. The world, as sad as it may be, has a lot to offer if we "wait to smell the flowers". MsB.
- Taylor29Lv 71 decade ago
That's really nice. Just goes to show that there's a place for everything in this world....but I still can't help feeling sorry for the old lady who has to carry the pots! My first answer of the day, to a question that will set me up for the day. You have a good one too
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Hi, I received this same rendering a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was a lovely story the philosophy of which is that not everything is perfect and that there is always good and beautiful things which come out of something flawed. Beauty and wholeness are not always on the outside. Everything has a purpose.
- Psychic CatLv 61 decade ago
I'm so glad Jamie starred this, or I'd probably never have seen it. It's a wonderful analogy of a concept I've always had, but hadn't quite "thought" about having it. It applies to not just people, or "objects" but everything. Negative thinking doesn't go beyond the apparent "flaw" or see the "benefits." Perception is so important--we can see "bad" or we can see "good." & isn't it wonderful we have that choice? Thank you much. (I wish I knew how to "cut" & "paste"--I'd love to save it & send it on.) I can see by your answers that you contributed a lot to others. So, thank you, again! Beautiful.
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- ?Lv 45 years ago
OMG. you have maximum cancers? i'm so sorry, this is my worst concern. this is the type of poor factor to could desire to stay with. If I had a buddy with maximum cancers and heard she made it by way of surgical treatment, i could probably cry chuffed tears, and be in the waiting room so i will are available and supply them the plant life I introduced. i could experience extraordinarily sorry for them however, via fact no one merits this disgusting illness. i desire you get cured, and that i will desire for you.
- MinxyLv 51 decade ago
From one crackpot to another:
Taffy I just LOVED this. I did read it sometime ago but
I will copy and keep this. Have a star too. Minxy.
- Madame MLv 71 decade ago
(-: That's a really sweet story! I'll remember that next time someone calls me a crackpot.
- ?Lv 41 decade ago
Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful story. It helped me realize my cracks aren't so bad after all. :-]
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Thank you for sharing that story!
What a great way to start my day!
Peace be with you.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. I will in turn pass it on.
