A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the end of a pole which he
carried across his neck. One of the pots was perfectly made and never leaked. The
other pot had a crack in it and by the time the water bearer reached his master's house
it had leaked much of its water and was only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half
pots full of water to his master's house. 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 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.
5
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 the pot
apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of
your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because 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."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it,
God will use our flaws to grace his table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to
waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause
of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.
From India, Madras
8carried across his neck. One of the pots was perfectly made and never leaked. The
other pot had a crack in it and by the time the water bearer reached his master's house
it had leaked much of its water and was only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half
pots full of water to his master's house. 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 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.
5
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 the pot
apologized to the bearer for its failure.
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of
your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because 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."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it,
God will use our flaws to grace his table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to
waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause
of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.
From India, Madras
Dear John Appreciate your concerns for posting this wonderful piece of story. I guess the same story line have been crafted in presentation format. Regards & Do keep posting.
From India, Mumbai
From India, Mumbai
Dear John,
Your story is quite true. One weakness is there only because strength is there. One should always think that only if strength is there then only weakness has occurred. We need to identify the way which will give us the knowledge of that strength.
I read a similar story few days back(of course on citehr). It inspired me to think the way explained by narrator. So I tried and it really worked for me. I used to think I have a bad habit of sleeping late. Due to this thinking, I was not able to concentrate on studies. Please read again, I said DUE TO THINKING! Yes! Though it is out of the boundary of subject, I firmly believe our thinking only makes what we are. So I started to study during the night. It was little troublesome initially. But as time passed, I gained some confidence. And you won't believe, I actually started loving the fact that I'm not able to sleep at night. Earlier I used to felt night should never come, and even now I wait for it.
I analysed the happening after few days. I felt the story really helped me. But wait, that was not all. I was little immature those days.I did not know it is possible to study at night, and so never even thought of doing it. I tried too hard to study during the day only. So after reading story, innocently, I felt I should do something about it AND I DID! This is what is required. I DID IT. Sometimes being mature prevents us to change our life positively. I really wonder had I not taken this as seriously as I took, I would have never enjoyed my life. So guys do think about your weaknesses And look towards them positively after reading this post.
Also I appeal to all the members of this site to share their experiences. Who knows same might be the present of someone which was your past. They can overcome, tackle the situation just you did. And you will definitely be blessed by them!
Regards
Sagar G.
From India, Mumbai
Your story is quite true. One weakness is there only because strength is there. One should always think that only if strength is there then only weakness has occurred. We need to identify the way which will give us the knowledge of that strength.
I read a similar story few days back(of course on citehr). It inspired me to think the way explained by narrator. So I tried and it really worked for me. I used to think I have a bad habit of sleeping late. Due to this thinking, I was not able to concentrate on studies. Please read again, I said DUE TO THINKING! Yes! Though it is out of the boundary of subject, I firmly believe our thinking only makes what we are. So I started to study during the night. It was little troublesome initially. But as time passed, I gained some confidence. And you won't believe, I actually started loving the fact that I'm not able to sleep at night. Earlier I used to felt night should never come, and even now I wait for it.
I analysed the happening after few days. I felt the story really helped me. But wait, that was not all. I was little immature those days.I did not know it is possible to study at night, and so never even thought of doing it. I tried too hard to study during the day only. So after reading story, innocently, I felt I should do something about it AND I DID! This is what is required. I DID IT. Sometimes being mature prevents us to change our life positively. I really wonder had I not taken this as seriously as I took, I would have never enjoyed my life. So guys do think about your weaknesses And look towards them positively after reading this post.
Also I appeal to all the members of this site to share their experiences. Who knows same might be the present of someone which was your past. They can overcome, tackle the situation just you did. And you will definitely be blessed by them!
Regards
Sagar G.
From India, Mumbai
I was once asked by the intereview. "What is your major weakness and Strength" for a minute i could not answer it clearly bcoz the question was un-expected. Then the interviewer went on with the next question. What could i have said for this question. Please answer.......
Thanks
Binuj
From India, Bangalore
Thanks
Binuj
From India, Bangalore
dear Mr. Binu,
An interviewer always looks for recruiting a confident candidate who doesn't have much weaknesses. Just stay positive.
Tel them about your strengths like Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure,
Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your
positive attitude,Note : if this thing suits u really. Don't reveal anything about your weakness. Let them find the bad points or weakness in u .hope this will give an idea.
warm regards,
John Edwin
From India, Madras
An interviewer always looks for recruiting a confident candidate who doesn't have much weaknesses. Just stay positive.
Tel them about your strengths like Your ability to prioritize, Your problem-solving skills, Your ability to work under pressure,
Your ability to focus on projects, Your professional expertise, Your leadership skills, Your
positive attitude,Note : if this thing suits u really. Don't reveal anything about your weakness. Let them find the bad points or weakness in u .hope this will give an idea.
warm regards,
John Edwin
From India, Madras
Community Support and Knowledge-base on business, career and organisational prospects and issues - Register and Log In to CiteHR and post your query, download formats and be part of a fostered community of professionals.
Strength & Weakness.ppt
Water-bearer-ch ina_529.jpg
WITHIN YOU IS THE STRENGTH.doc