Fables

The Two Pots

TWO Pots had been left on the bank of a river, one of brass, and one of earthenware. When the tide rose they both floated off down the stream. Now the earthenware pot tried its best to keep aloof from the brass one, which cried out: “For nothing, friend, I will not strike you.”

“But I may come in contact with you,” said the other, “if I come too close; and whether I hit you, or you hit me, I shall suffer for it.”

“THE STRONG AND THE WEAK CANNOT KEEP COMPANY.”

Interpretations and Insights:

“The Two Pots” fable provides a clear message about the potential harm that can come from unequal relationships or associations, encapsulated in the saying “THE STRONG AND THE WEAK CANNOT KEEP COMPANY.” Besides this primary lesson, the story also has other nuanced and less overt teachings and insights.

The central lesson of this fable is to be mindful of the company we keep and the relationships we form. This is particularly crucial when there is a significant power or strength imbalance, which can lead to harm for the weaker party, even if unintentional.

Hidden Insights:

  1. Self-awareness: The earthenware pot’s awareness of its fragility and the potential danger of being near the brass pot speaks to the importance of understanding and acknowledging our own limitations.

  2. Prudence: The earthenware pot exhibits prudence, demonstrating that foresight and caution can prevent harm. Its attempts to keep distance from the brass pot is a preventive measure to avoid possible damage.

  3. Unintended Harm: The brass pot’s statement, “Fear nothing, friend, I will not strike you,” subtly indicates that harm can occur even without malicious intent, especially when there’s a significant difference in strength or power.

  4. Understanding Differences: The story illustrates the importance of recognizing and respecting differences, whether it be in strength, abilities, or circumstances.

  5. Risk and Consequence: The earthenware pot’s concern, “whether I hit you, or you hit me, I shall suffer for it,” illustrates the concept of risk and consequence. It is conscious that, due to its fragility, the outcome of a collision would be detrimental to it, regardless of who initiates the contact.

  6. Misplaced Assurances: The story exposes the potential folly in offering or accepting assurances when fundamental disparities exist. The brass pot’s assurance, while well-intentioned, is ultimately meaningless due to the inherent difference in their resilience.

Subtle Details:

The circumstances leading to their float downstream - a rising tide - is a subtle detail that can be interpreted as a metaphor for life’s unexpected situations that often force different characters into interaction. It also shows that external conditions can often bring together entities that would normally stay apart. This setting provides a rich background for the lessons that the fable conveys.

Additional Interpretations and Insights:

  1. Communication: The conversation between the two pots serves to highlight the importance of effective and sincere communication in managing relationships and expectations. The earthenware pot articulates its concerns clearly and effectively to the brass pot.

  2. Unintended Consequences: The story also brings out the idea of unintended consequences. Even if the brass pot has no intention of causing harm, the result of a collision would inevitably be damaging for the earthenware pot. It’s a subtle reminder of how our actions, even when well-intentioned, can negatively impact others.

  3. Resilience and Vulnerability: The two pots, made from different materials, symbolize resilience and vulnerability. The brass pot, made of a durable material, represents resilience, while the earthenware pot, being more fragile, represents vulnerability. This contrast further emphasizes the themes of strength and weakness in the story.