Water was scarce in a
remote Indian village. A poor farmer had to bring water from a distant river
for his domestic activities. He had two old metallic pots. He hung the pots to
the ends of a strong stick. He rested the stick on his shoulders across his
neck so that the pots hung on either side of the farmer. He filled the pots to
the brim with water from the river and returned to his house. Soon he observed
that there was a hole in one of the pots and water was dripping out
continuously through the perforation. By the time he reached his house, the
leaking pot was half-empty. The other pot was perfect and delivered a full load
of water. As it was difficult to buy a new pot, he continued to use the
combination of the perfect and leaking pots to carry water from the river to
his house every day.
Three years later, a close friend of the farmer paid a visit to this village.
He accompanied the farmer to the river and back. He discovered the leak and
promptly pointed out the fact to the farmer. The farmer smiled and said that he
was aware of the leak, right from his first trip from the river. "Then,
why didn't you replace the defective pot by a flawless one?", the friend
enquired.
The wise farmer drew the attention of the guest to the
side of the path watered by the leaking pot. There was a long stretch full of
flowering plants on that side of the path, displaying a large number of
beautiful flowers with a fine fragrance. Colorful butterflies were flying
around them and buzzing bees moved from flower to flower collecting nectar. The
farmer explained that he had been hanging the leaked pot to the same side of
the path every day and he had planted a variety of flowering plants all along
the way, so that they get watered regularly by the leakage from the damaged
pot. The blossoms have made the place bright and beautiful. The flowers are
being used to decorate the temple and the church in the village. The blossoms
have tremendously increased the yield of honey in the beehives of the village,
enhancing their prosperity. He sends a lot of flowers for sale in the local
market. Thus the water that leaked from the pot has provided beauty and
utility. The visitor acknowledged the wisdom and ingenuity of the farmer.
Every person has unique features and attributes which are often misinterpreted
as imperfections and flaws. But these special qualities may turn out to be
blessings in disguise. Looking at the weaknesses we may feel depressed. But no
one is useless. There is some good in everyone. The imperfections of
individuals create variety in society and make social life rewarding and
colorful. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be broken down or bent
out of shape. Let us learn to appreciate the variety and diversity among
individuals. Let us observe harmony in variety and unity in diversity in the
beautiful and wonderful creations of God.
"When I look at the sky, which you have made, at the moon and the stars,
which you set in their places - what is man, that you think of him; mere man
that you care for him? Yet you made him inferior only to yourself; you crowned
him with glory and honour. You appointed him ruler over everything you made;
you placed him over all creation" {Psalms 8: 3-6}.