For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only
one and a half pots full of water in his master's house.  Of course, the
perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end 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 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 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.
 

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 he expressed his feeling to the water bearer.
 

He replied by saying, "Did you notice that flowers were 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."