Kidscorner

Monday 21 April 2008

The broken pot

Came along one of my favourite stories and had to post it, although I think many know this story. I read this one to my son when he was small and sad that he couldn't do some things like others do.

The broken pot
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 two 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, 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 a lot 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. Author unknown

17 comments:

  1. Marja, what words of wisdom!

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  2. What a beautiful story Marja. Yes we all have our cracks and imperfections but we also have our own uniqueness to add to the value of our individual worlds and those around us. I liked that the water bearer saw past the flaws of the cracked pot and instead focussed on it's values.

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  3. So true! I had never heard this story. Thanks so much for sharing. It's good to see a post from you!

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  4. I guess that makes me a
    "Crackpot"

    **rolling on the floor laughing **

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  5. Marja,

    Nice to see you back and I love this story.

    Keep writing!

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  6. Thank you for telling us this story. I had never heard of these words of wisdom.

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  7. Kia ora Marja,
    This is my first visit here, so much to enjoy! I just read this story to my 5 year old and my wife.0ne of those cool stories that makes you stop and think. Kia ora, hope you are well.
    Rangimarie,
    Robb

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  8. Hi marja,
    Yes--this is one of my favourite stories too. It is so beautiful and I too have shared it with my kids.
    How are you doing?
    Ps

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  9. Thanks for visiting my blog.. I keep visiting your blog since I subscribe to your blog's rss feed. So I am always in touch :)

    I was taught this story when I was young... we Indians are quite proud of this story and others from the panchatantra...the panchatantra is the equivalent to Aesop's fables of the western world. You should read them some time...quite awesome and full of morals. Very good to teach kids the importance of having moral values.

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  10. Marja, what a lovely story. It really. It really makes you think

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  11. Very nice and beautiful story,Marja!Have a nice day!

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  12. Thank you for the story with the reminder.

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  13. This is a wonderful story,it was new to me - I think it is very beautiful.

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  14. i love this tale, you refreshed my memory...thank you Marja, I left you a comment on the previous post, not sure if it came through, just wanted to let you know that I am glad to see you back...i loved the concept of raindrops and your interpretation and finally lots of hugs and love, UL

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  15. Hello dear!
    lovly story Marja! :)
    big kiss

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  16. What a beautiful blog you have. I found it through "For the People."

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Thank you!!