It was a thought provoking question when he asked me if
I am still clay. I thought for a while and realized that yes! I have been
residing in my potter’s house since years, but I am still just clay. I always wanted
to become a beautiful pot but I was never submissive to my potter, my master. Because
being clay I was merry-making, tranquil, trouble-free, painless and easy-going.
Though I didn’t look beautiful, it didn’t matter to me much, since I never contemplated
my appearance. So I wanted to remain clay
forever and enjoy my life.
One day my potter bought an hourglass and he placed it
beside me. I looked into it carefully. And what I saw was my own reflection. I
was aghast. I waited for the sand to quickly trickle down so that I would hide
myself from this sickening reality. I
cried to my potter, “Why have you kept me in your house? I am such awful
looking clay”. Potter told me “Many times I tried to make you good-looking but
you were not ready to face any pains, so I did not hurt you” Inquisitively I
asked my potter “what do I need to do to become beautiful?” He explained me
with composure,
“Dear clay, you are presently in an unrefined form,
this is how I picked you from the earth. Several were waiting to be taken but I
chose you because I had a purpose for you. You need to be shaped. Once you are
molded I shall give you the desired form which will best suit you. You may
disagree to the stature I give you, it may not be looking fine in your sight
but trust me you will look stupendous in my sight. Once you are ready in appearance I shall heat
you in the inferno upside down to strengthen the cores. I know this will be
really tortuous for you to withstand but trust me I will not lead you through
anything that you cannot put up with. Once you pass the test of fire I will keep
you aside to cool down. I will give you all the rest you need. And when I see
that my pot has become strong from inside I will paint you with marvelous
colors of life. Each time I look at you
my heart shall brim over with delight. I
will feel proud at my masterpiece. People will adore my creation. And you will be called beautiful. Those who
see you shall venerate your creator. And thus my purpose shall be fulfilled “
I looked at my potter with tears rolling down, because
I knew if I wanted to be beautiful I will have to pass through this test of
fire, more precisely the trials and sufferings. But he made me comprehend the
depth of his love for me. I trusted him that he shall be with me through every
phase of these trials. From the conception he will mold me to perfection and
not abscond. His plans for me are incredible. I decided at once to endure the entire affliction with patience. I decided I shall no more be called clay. I decided to be willing to submit. I shall be called beautiful. His
own masterpiece.
