The Cracked Pot

Once, a long time ago, there was an elderly Chinese lady who had two pots. They hung from each end of a pole slung over her shoulders. One pot was perfect, but the other had a
crack in it.

Each day the old lady walked to the stream to fill her pots. On the way back, the cracked pot leaked and was only half full when the old lady reached her house. The perfect pot was always full.

This went on for two years. The perfect pot was proud of always being able to deliver a full load of water. The cracked pot was ashamed and miserable because it could only deliver half. Feeling like a failure, it apologized to the old lady. “I’m sorry. This crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house. I’m so ashamed that I can’t do what I was made to do.”

The old lady smiled. “Did you notice that there are flowers growing on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side?”

“I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path. Every day on our way home you have watered them. For two years, I have been able to pick beautiful flowers to brighten my home. I am very glad indeed that you are a cracked pot.”

Read the text and answer the following questions. RESET

1. Describe the lady in the story in one line.

2. How were the two pots different?

3. What happened when the old lady filled the pots?

Read the text. Click and choose the correct option.

1. Why do you think the old lady carried the pots on a pole?

a. The old lady didn’t have a donkey cart.

b. The old lady didn’t want to get her hands wet.

c. The old lady could carry other things in her hands.

d. It was easier for the old lady to bear the weight on her shoulders.

2. How did the cracked pot feel?

a. The cracked pot felt sad because it couldn’t do what it was made to do.

b. The cracked pot felt happy as it only had to carry half a load.

c. The cracked pot felt pleased because the other pot did most of the work.

d. The cracked pot felt proud that it was imperfect.

3. What does ‘felt like a failure’ mean?

4. Which word does not mean the same as flaw?

5. Why was the old lady pleased that the pot was cracked?

a. She only had to carry half a pot of water.

b. The pot had watered the flowers by the path.

c. She was about to throw the cracked pot.

d. She would be able to buy a new pot.

6. What do you think is the moral of the story?

a. We should not pity ourselves.

b. We should never feel sad about anything.

c. We should accept people just the way they are and look for the good in them.

d. We should always sympathize with others.