A water bearer in Nepal had two large pots that he would carry to the river to fill water everyday, each water pot hanging on the end of a pole, which balanced across his shoulders. One of the pots was perfect and always delivered a full measure of water at the end of the long walk from the river to the water bearer’s house. The other had a crack and would arrive only half full. One day the leaking pot spoke to the water bearer saying ‘I feel that I should apologize to you.’ “Why?” asked the water bearer. The leaking pot explained, ‘During these past two years, I have only been able to deliver half my load because this crack in my side causes the water to leak out all the way back to the house. Because of my flaw you do all this work and yet do not get full value for your efforts.’ The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot and said, “As we return to my house I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.” Indeed as they went up the hill, the faulty pot took notice of the beautiful wild flowers on one side of the path. When they arrived home the man asked the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other side? That’s because I’ve always known your flaw and put it to good use. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path and every day as we walked back from the river, you water them. For two years I’ve been able to enjoy these beautiful flowers. Without your being just the way you are, there would have been so much less beauty in my life. Thank you my friend.”
