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 2 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."
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...
Best wishes to all my crackpot friends!