The Leaky Bucket
An Adaptation of an Old Story
Once upon a time there was an old woman named Lyla who lived alone. She was happy with her simple life. As was true with most homes of her time, she had no running water. Instead of running water Lyla owned two buckets and a carrying yoke. A carrying yoke is a nifty rod that fits behind a person’s neck and allows them to place heavy things on each end. This makes carrying far easier than just using hands! Shoulders are able to support far more weight than hands.
Every morning after Lyla got dressed and had breakfast she would attach the buckets to each end of the yoke. Once the buckets were secured she would place the yoke on her shoulder and walk to the well. The well was a few hundred feet away from her house. Today we might consider that to be the length of a football field! At the well she would fill the buckets with water and then Lyla would return with her buckets.
For several months one of her buckets had been leaking. One day as she returned home with her buckets the leaky bucket said, “Lyla, I think you should replace me. I’ve enjoyed bringing your water but lately I’ve been leaking half of the water.”
Lyla said to the leaky bucket, “the water you have been leaking has caused flowers to bloom on your side of the path. I don’t need two full buckets of water, I’m just one woman. What I do need is the beauty from the flowers caused by the water you provide.”
Now the second bucket said, “Lyla, if that’s true, wouldn’t it be nice to have flowers on both sides? Perhaps you should replace me.”
At this Lyla chuckled, “what has gotten into you both. You’re usually so quiet. Yes, I value the flowers from the leaked water. I also need the water. While you both look similar, you each provide me a different value.”
Both buckets asked in unison, “are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m very sure! If either of you were battered I would repair you. You are both irreplaceable. I need you both in my life. You provide the beauty for my walks, the water for my drinks, washing, and ramen.”
With that explanation both buckets felt a deep relieving sense of belonging. They continued their days living happily ever after. The End!
