You may have brother or sister or cousin of about your age. Both of you have the same family background and most likely the same religion. Surely there are many differences between you. But you accept the differences and accept each other because what you have in common is important, more important than the differences. When you find it difficult to accept or like another person because he or she is different from you, remember that no two people are alike. Try not to make judgments based on appearances alone. There is goodness in everyone. The challenge is to learn to accept or love others as we love ourselves. Love enables us to look beyond outward differences and see the real worth of people. When differences are accepted and respected, life is beautiful and rich. Imagine how dull it would be without these varieties.
The cracked pot
A water-bearer had two large pots. He carried one on each end of a pole on his shoulders and used them to deliver water from the stream to his mater’s house. One of the pots had a creak in it. The other pot was undamaged. It always delivered a full pot of water. The cracked pot arrived only half full.
For nearly two years the bearer delivered only one –and-a half pots of water to his master’s house. The perfect pot was proud of itself, but the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection. It felt miserable that it was able to do only half of what the other pot was doing.
After two years, it said to the water-bearer, `I am ashamed of myself and I am really sorry.’
`Why?’ asked the bearer. `What are you ashamed of and why are you sorry?’
`For these past two years I have been able to deliver only half the load because water leaks out through this crack all the way to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to work so hard, and don’t get full value for it’, the pot said.
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 side? I know you are a little broken. I have taken advantage of it. I planted flowers seeds on your side of the path, and every day on the way 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 had those flowers in his house’.
Think
Each of us is unique. Some of us may be like the cracked pot. Imperfect pots are voluble too, provided they do the best that they can do. We are different, but all of us matter and we need each other.
Some people light candles on festival days while others light lamps or diyas. But they all do so for the same reason. It is important to keep in mind that though ewe may be different from others, these differences do not have to cause conflict. Learn to appreciate the people around you will find that wonderful things exist this world.