[Sdpg] Permaculture mythology

[Wesley Roe and Marjorie Lakin Erickson]

This story struck me as a good pc parable.

Scott Pitmann

CRACKED POTS
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole 
which he carried across his neck.
One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and 
always delivered a full portion of water.
At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot 
arrived 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 house.
Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for 
which it was made
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 2 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. I have been able to deliver only half my load because 
this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.
Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get 
full value for your efforts"
The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on 
your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I 
have always known about your flaw, and I planted flower seeds on your side 
of the path.
Every day as we walk back, you've watered them. For two years I have been 
able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you 
being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."
MORAL:
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But, it's the 
cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so interesting 
and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are, and 
look for the good in them. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be 
bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the different people in your 
life!
Blessings to all my crackpot friends

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