INTRODUCTION
Our obsession with unrealistic social ideals and standards narrows and limits our perspective; it causes significant blindspots. We are unable to see the full picture of who we are, especially our belovedness. This wisdom story invites us to use a much wider lens to view our imperfections and growth edges. Here's the possibility: What we perceive as an unfortunate imperfection might, unbeknownst to us, in fact be a gift.
Our obsession with unrealistic social ideals and standards narrows and limits our perspective; it causes significant blindspots. We are unable to see the full picture of who we are, especially our belovedness. This wisdom story invites us to use a much wider lens to view our imperfections and growth edges. Here's the possibility: What we perceive as an unfortunate imperfection might, unbeknownst to us, in fact be a gift.
The Cracked Jar (a wisdom story from Asia)
Once upon a time, there were two water jars used by a peasant to draw water from a well to his house. One jar was perfectly new, while the other one was old and cracked. The jars hung on opposite sides of a pole that the owner put over his shoulders.
The old jar was feeling sorry for itself for being, old, worn and having a crack. So, one day, it spoke to the owner: “I’m sorry for all of your hard work you are doing each day to bring water to your family. However, I continue to be unhelpful and useless. Because of my crack, I spill the water that you carry from the well to your house.”
The owner replies: “Tomorrow when you get water from the well and walk back to the house, I want you to look at your side of the path and notice what you see.”
Once upon a time, there were two water jars used by a peasant to draw water from a well to his house. One jar was perfectly new, while the other one was old and cracked. The jars hung on opposite sides of a pole that the owner put over his shoulders.
The old jar was feeling sorry for itself for being, old, worn and having a crack. So, one day, it spoke to the owner: “I’m sorry for all of your hard work you are doing each day to bring water to your family. However, I continue to be unhelpful and useless. Because of my crack, I spill the water that you carry from the well to your house.”
The owner replies: “Tomorrow when you get water from the well and walk back to the house, I want you to look at your side of the path and notice what you see.”
So, on the way back from the well, the jar did the usual spilling of its water on the path.
But the owner reminded the jar: “See on your side of the path? It is filled with beautiful flowers. I always knew about your crack, so I threw flower seeds on your side. And because of the water you’ve spilled, the seeds have grown into flowering plants. I have picked these flowers, placed them in a vase in our house for my family to enjoy. So, if it were not for your crack, how could my family have benefitted from the flowers that you have provided all these months?”
But the owner reminded the jar: “See on your side of the path? It is filled with beautiful flowers. I always knew about your crack, so I threw flower seeds on your side. And because of the water you’ve spilled, the seeds have grown into flowering plants. I have picked these flowers, placed them in a vase in our house for my family to enjoy. So, if it were not for your crack, how could my family have benefitted from the flowers that you have provided all these months?”
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Which part of the story did you find most important? What resonated with you?
- What could the crack really be?
- What could the seeds and flowers really be?
- Which part of the story is about you? Where are you in the story?
- What seeds and flowers do you tend not to notice or see?
- Who gave you guidance and wisdom so you can see?
Guide for Facilitators of Spiritual Care Support Groups
Practice the Spirit Play storytelling:
- Spirit Play materials
- SCRIPT
