Blog 2.0

To All Crack Pots!

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and 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 master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. 

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots of water to his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end 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."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer then said, "I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

The next day I decided to go back to the park, curious if the little girl would still be there.

Right in the very spot she was yesterday, she sat perched on high, with the saddest look in her eyes But today I could not just walk away, concerned only with my affairs. I found myself walking over to the little girl. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.

As I began walking towards her, I could see the back of the little girl's dress indicated a deformity. I figured that was the reason the people just passed by and made no effort to care.

As I got closer, the little girl slightly lowered her eyes to avoid my intent stare. I could see the shape of her back more clearly. It was grotesquely shaped in a humped over form.

I smiled to let her know it was okay, I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple "hello."

The little girl acted shocked and stammered a "hi" after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back.

We talked 'til darkness fell and the park was completely empty. Everyone was gone and we were alone. I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me and said, "Because I am different."

I immediately said, "That you are!" and smiled.

The little girl acted even sadder, she said, "I know."

"Little girl," I said, "you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent."

She looked at me and smiled slowly, she stood to her feet and said "Really?"

"Yes, dear, you're like a little guardian angel sent to watch over all those people walking by."

She nodded her head, "yes,"' and smiled, and with that she spread her wings and said, "I am. I'm your guardian angel," with a twinkle in her eye.

I was speechless, sure I was seeing things.

She said, "And when you began thinking of someone other than yourself, my job here was done."

Immediately I stood to my feet and said, "Wait, so why did no one else stop to help an angel?"

She looked at me and smiled, "You're the only one who could see me," and she was gone.

With that my life was changed dramatically.

When you think you're all you have; remember, your angel is always watching over you. Mine was....