THE LEAKING POT
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. Colourful
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 colourful. 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}.
............................................................................................................
© By: Prof.
Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin University of Science &
Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala, India, Prof. Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's
College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public
School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil
John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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1 comment:
A wise man indeed.
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