Story of Two Pots ... Thx Paul C!

Subject: How could I resist sending this one

>>
>>> An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends
>>> of a pole which she carried across her 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 walks from the stream to the house, the
>>> cracked pot arrived only half full.
>>>
>>> For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing
>>> home only one and a half pots of water.
>>>
>>> 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 could only do half of what it had been made to do.
>>>
>>> After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke
>>> to the woman one day by the stream.
>>>
>>> 'I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water
>>> to leak out all the way back to your house.'
>>>
>>> The old woman smiled, 'Did you notice that there are flowers on your
>>> side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?'
>>>
>>> 'That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted
>>> flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk
>>> back, you water 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.'
>>>
>>> Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws
>>> we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and
>>> rewarding.
>>>
>>> You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for
>>> the good in them.
>>>
>>> SO, to all of my cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember
>>> to smell the flowers on your side of the path!