An Ocean of Stories : Tale From India
The Tale of the Water Pot
Drawings by SEED student: Hendrik Gunawan, Indonesia
Retelling of story © Copyright 2006 Laura Simms
There was once a man whose job was to carry two water pots balanced on either side of a pole over his shoulders from his master's house to a well. This he did every day for many years. He grew old struggling under the weight of his burden. He used the same pots his entire life. One pot remained in perfect shape. But, the other pot developed a crack and leaked water onto the earth more and more every day.
One day the ruined pot, taking pity on his master, said, "You are my faithful friend, carrying me back and forth for years, giving me a useful job. But, I do not know why you keep me now that I am old and broken. I am of no use. I am not the good friend I was when I was new. I should be thrown away."
The water-bearer replied, "I would never throw you away. You are the cause of my good fortune. Over the years your usefulness has increased."
"How can that be?" inquired the pot, "I must cause you to receive less money."
The man laughed, "Have you ever noticed as we walk back to my master's house how many beautiful wild flowers grow along your side of the road? The water leaks to the earth from the crack in your side and it waters the flowers. You have made the way beautiful. And, each day I gather flowers and give them to my master to adorn his house. Your blemish is your perfection."
And so their friendship continued.
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Have you ever received flowers or a single flower as a gift? Can you write that event, or ask someone about a time they received a flower?
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