The Potter, the Apprentice, and the Clay

You know how God is the potter and we are the clay? Well, sometimes potters decide that their vase or bowl or cup or whatever needs to kinda change in form. The potter starts reforming the piece -- slowly breaking off parts, cutting others, adding a little bit of clay here or there. I can imagine that it is hard for the artist's apprentice to watch him “ruin” what seemed to be a beautiful piece. The apprentice tries to object and say that it was fine the way it was before. He doesn't think that there was anything wrong with it. The potter smiles and says, "Trust me. It will look even better this way."

"You are the potter. I am the clay."

The apprentice is doubtful but he watches closely. Eventually the potter sets down the piece and smiles to himself. The student looks at the master confused because the piece doesn't look like the original at all! Sure, there are some basic shapes and forms that are the same, but the contours, the intricate design, is nothing like it was. He is still confused because it doesn't seem like it is going to look as good as the original. But he forgets that there is one more step. 

The potter takes the clay and puts it in the fire. A lot of things happen while the clay is in the kiln. The clay goes from this soft, totally fragile substance to one which is rock-hard, impervious to water, wind, and time. Materials that make the clay weak are burned out and replaced with chemicals that make it strong. 

A while later, the master potter takes his creation out of the kiln. The apprentice is shocked by the resulting piece. It is beautiful. One of the best he had ever seen. The potter merely nods his head and places the piece among the rest of his creations. Each is unique. Each has its own story of how it once was an average cup in form, but was turned into a genuinely unique piece of art that has its own use once it was placed in the learned hands.

The apprentice realizes that the piece had to go through a lot of changing to become the incredible vase that it now was. Every change the master made had a purpose that was seen in the delicate, intricate designs. And now the master can use it in the way that he deems best.