The Cracked Pot on the Veranda

AINS RECORD INFORMATION

Title: The Cracked Pot on the Veranda
Category: Short Story
Author: Ening Collection
Publisher: Ening Collection
Language: English
Number of pages: 1
Year published: 2026

DESCRIPTION

A gentle story about Amina, who learns to cope with the loss of her grandmother through an old cracked pot. The story shows children that love and kindness can continue even after someone we love is gone.

STORY

Amina loved spending her school holidays at Grandma Salmah’s little wooden house. Every morning, Grandma watered the flowers on the veranda using an old brown pot.

The pot had a long crack on one side. Water always dripped out before Grandma reached the last flower.

“Why don’t you throw it away?” Amina once asked. “It is broken.”

Grandma smiled and touched the crack gently. “Something does not have to be perfect to be useful.”

A few months later, Grandma became very ill. Amina visited her after school and read stories beside her bed. Grandma listened with her eyes closed and a peaceful smile on her face.

One rainy evening, Grandma passed away.

The house became quiet. The veranda felt empty without her soft voice and gentle footsteps. Amina missed her so much that even looking at the flowers made her cry.

One morning, Amina found the cracked pot under a wooden bench. It was covered with dust. She held it close and remembered Grandma’s words.

She filled the pot with water and began watering the flowers. As she walked, water escaped through the crack. Amina felt sad and thought the pot had failed again.

Then she noticed a line of tiny green plants growing beside the veranda. The leaking water had been feeding them for many months. Soon, small yellow flowers appeared along the path.

Amina finally understood.

The cracked pot had watered more than the flowers in Grandma’s pots. Without knowing it, the pot had created a beautiful little garden.

From that day, Amina used the cracked pot every morning. She also began helping her neighbours, reading to younger children and caring for stray cats.

She knew that she could never replace Grandma. However, she could continue Grandma’s kindness.

Whenever Amina felt lonely, she sat beside the yellow flowers and remembered Grandma’s smile.

“You were right, Grandma,” she whispered. “Even something broken can still give life.”

A soft breeze moved through the flowers. For a moment, Amina felt as if Grandma was sitting beside her again.

SUMMARY

After Grandma Salmah passes away, Amina feels lonely and finds her grandmother’s cracked watering pot. She discovers that water leaking from the pot has helped small flowers grow beside the veranda. Amina understands that being imperfect does not stop someone from doing good. She continues her grandmother’s kindness by helping people and animals.

MORAL LESSONS

We should remember loved ones by continuing their good deeds. Everyone has weaknesses, but everyone can still be useful and bring happiness to others. Kindness can grow in unexpected places.