I came across this story at Kay’s Ephemeral Thoughts, and thought it really quite beautiful. It has a powerful message for all of us with imperfections — that would be all of us then!
One pot was perfect. It was always full of water at the end of the long walk from the stream.
The other pot was cracked. It leaked, and always arrived at the house only half full.
One day by the stream it spoke to the woman.
“I am ashamed of myself,” it said.
“Why?” the woman asked.
“Water leaks out the crack in my side all the way back to your house,” the pot said. “Because I’m not perfect, you can’t bring home two full pots of water. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts. I’m a failure.”
“You should not feel that way.” the woman said. “You are not a failure. You are a wonderful pot. As we return to the house today, look carefully alongside the path. When we get home, tell me what you saw.”
All the way home, the cracked pot paid attention to everything it saw. At home the woman asked, “What did you see?”
“Flowers,” said the cracked pot. “I saw lots of flowers.”
“Yes you did. Aren’t they beautiful?”
“Yes,” said the pot. “But, once again, half the water I was carrying leaked out. I’m sorry.”
“There is no need to be sorry,” said the woman. “Tell me, did you notice where the flowers were growing?”
“Well, yes,” the pot said, “They were only on my side of the path.”
“For all these years,” the woman said, “I have planted flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day as we walked back from the stream, you’ve watered them. This would not have been possible without you being exactly as you are.”
My ongoing health issues stop me from doing a lot that I would want to do. But also enable me to do things I just wouldn’t have the time for if I were fit and well, and working. I’m not sure that I would think of them in terms of “grace”; though people have been very kind and appreciative of the help I’m able to give them.
About Paul Sibley
Andrew Gosden (now 18) has been missing from his Doncaster home since 14 September 2007. The search continues.
Elizabeth Jackson on 
I’m so glad you liked that story!
I have health issues too, and I think they’ve helped me connect with those that I might not have been able to otherwise. It gives us something in common and the ability to empathize.
It is a wonderful story.
I’ve been quite amazed by some of the connections I’ve made over the internet — connections that wouldn’t have been possible when my health was good; I was always far too busy. There are a lot of people around who, because of their health, rely heavily on the internet for communication with others. I think you’re right Kay, the ability to empathize is key and that comes from having something in common.