Thursday, April 25, 2013

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.                        
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© 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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