A water bearer, bore two large pots, each hung on one end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and 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 master’s 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 of water in his master’s house. 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 I want to apologize to you. For the past two years, 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 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. 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.”
We are all unique in our way!
If you are someone who likes working on teams of people just like you, that may be a big mistake. Diverse teams bring different perspectives, skills and talents to the table. The best leaders understand that diversity on their teams is powerful. After all, think about what the world would be like if everyone was exactly the same. Not only would it be uninteresting, but not very creative either.
“We are sun and moon, dear friend; we are sea and land. It is not our purpose to become each other; it is to recognize each other, to learn to see the other and honor him for what he is: each the others opposite and complement.” – Herman Hesse
Simply Simple 
wow. you have a great writing skills! I tried writing myself too. you can check my blog if u want to. thanks!! 🙂
Hi Dan,
Actually this story in inspired by a incident in my office, where diversity and inclusion is a huge topic. I used this story there and everyone loved it, therefore I though to post it here also.
Thanks for you kind words.
Abdul