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Coelho's Universe
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The Cracked Jar and
Reflections of the Warrior of the
Light V
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by
Paulo Coelho
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The Cracked Jar:
An Indian  legend tells of a man who carried water to his village
every day, in two large jars tied to the ends of a wooden pole, which he balanced on his back.
One of the jars was older than the other, and had some small
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cracks; every time the man covered the distance to his house, half of the water was lost. For two years, the man
made the same journey. The younger jar was always very proud of its performance, safe in the knowledge that it
was up to the mission it had been made for, while the other jar was mortified with shame at only fulfilling half
of its allotted task, even though it knew that those cracks were the result of many years hard work.
It was so ashamed that one day, while the man got ready to fetch water from the well, it decided to speak to him:
- I want to apologize, but because of the many years of
service, you are only able to deliver half of my load, and quench half of the thirst which awaits you at your home.
The man smiled, and said:
- When we return, observe carefully the path.
And so it did. And the jar noticed that, on its side, many flowers and plants grew.
- See how nature is more lovely on your side? - commented the man. - I always knew you were cracked, and decided
to make use of this fact. I planted flowers and vegetables, and you have always watered them. I have picked many
roses to decorate my house with, I have fed my children with lettuce, cabbage and onions. If you were not as you
are, how could I have done that?
"All of us, at some point, grow old and start to acquire
other qualities. We can always make the most of each one of these new qualities and obtain a good result."
Reflections of the Warrior of
the Light V:
Valuing one's Companion
A warrior knows that his finest masters are the people with whom
he shares the battlefield. Asking for advice is dangerous. Giving advice is even more of a risk. When he needs
help, he tries to see how his friends resolve - or fail to resolve - their problems.
If he seeks inspiration, he reads on the lips of his neighbor, the words his guardian angel wishes to impart to
him. When he is tired or lonely, he does not dream of distant men or women; he seeks those by his side, and shares
his pain or necessity for comfort - with pleasure and without guilt.
A warrior knows that the most distant star in the Universe manifests
itself in the world around him.
Knowing how to ask for Help
When he suffers some injustice, a warrior generally seeks to remain alone - so as not to show his pain to others.
This behavior is both good and bad at the same time.
It is one thing to allow your heart to gradually cure its own wounds. Another is to remain in deep meditation every
day, afraid of appearing to be weak.
Within each of us there is an angel and a demon, and their voices are very similar. Faced with a difficulty, the
demon nourishes solitary conversation, by showing us how vulnerable we are. The angel makes us reflect on our attitudes,
and sometimes uses someone else's tongue to manifest itself.
A warrior balances loneliness and dependency, with the help of others.
Paulo Coelho
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Paulo Coelho a.k.a. the "Alchemist," a widely read and influential author is a winner of the 2001 'BAMBI Award, one
of Germany's most prestigious prizes.
The Cracked Jar and Reflections
of the Warrior of the Light V
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