A Story for a Crackpot

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots,

each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

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One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect.

It always delivered a full portion of water.

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At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house,

the cracked pot arrived only half full.

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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 side causes water to leak

out all the way back to your house.'► ◄
The old woman n smiled, 'Did you notice?

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

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. It's the cracks and flaws we 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, my crackpot friend have a great day

Remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

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