The Pot and the Ministry

“The Pot and the Ministry”

A king was once passing through a region where people drank water directly from a canal. They bent down, scooped water in their hands, drank, and moved on. Watching this, the king paused for a moment, then turned to his minister and said,

“These people go through such effort just to drink water. It would be better if we placed a pot here. Everyone, young and old, could drink easily.”

Saying this, the king continued on his journey.

It was a royal command, so action began immediately. Officials rushed to buy a large clay pot and selected a place near the canal to install it.

Just then, a clever official said,

“Your Excellency, since the pot is being placed for public welfare and at the king’s command, it must be properly protected. Someone might steal or damage it. I suggest we appoint a guard.”

The suggestion was approved, and a sentry was appointed.

But another official remarked, “Who will fill the pot with water? The guard’s duty is to watch over it, not to fetch water. And since there are seven days in a week, we can’t burden one person alone. Let’s appoint seven guards and seven water carriers so the work continues smoothly without interruption.”

That idea, too, was approved.

Then came another problem. Carrying the filled pot from the canal to its spot was no small task. One hardworking officer said,

“This is heavy labor. Neither the guard nor the water carrier should do this. We must appoint seven porters to carry the filled pot carefully each day, cover it properly, and set it in place.”

That proposal was accepted as well.

Now that so many people were involved, there had to be a system for wages, attendance, and duty schedules. So an accounting division was established, with clerks and supervisors to manage the records.

Another wise man observed,

“This is all well and good, but who will make sure everyone is doing their job properly? We should create a Department of Personnel and Administration.”

And so, that department was formed.

Then someone else raised a new concern.

“With so many employees, conflicts and disputes are bound to occur. Who will investigate them or ensure justice? We should have a Legal Affairs Department to handle violations and disciplinary actions.”

Thus, the Department of Legal Affairs for the Pot came into being.

Finally, a senior advisor said,

“Your Majesty, with so many departments, so many workers, and such responsibility — we must have a head to oversee everything.”

So, a Director General for Pot Affairs was appointed, a distinguished man with vast experience.

Time passed. A year later, the king again traveled through that region.

When he reached the canal, he was astonished. Where once there was only a simple stream, now stood a grand building spread across many acres — marble floors, golden doors, walls glowing with lights. Above the entrance, a large board shone brightly:

“Ministry of Administrative Affairs for the Pot”

The king entered, amazed.

Inside, there were offices, meeting rooms, and corridors full of employees. In a grand office sat a dignified man with silver hair behind a massive wooden desk. The nameplate before him read:

“Professor Dr. So-and-So, Director General for Official Pot Affairs”

The king, puzzled, turned to his minister.

“What is all this? This ministry, these offices, this huge building — I only ordered one pot to be placed for the people’s ease!”

The minister bowed and replied,

“Your Majesty, everything you see here was established in obedience to your command. The pot was installed for public welfare, and to maintain and manage it, these departments became necessary.”

The king said nothing.

He stepped outside and went to see the pot he had once ordered.

What he saw left him speechless.

The pot was cracked and empty, covered with moss, and inside it floated a dead bird. Around it lay several employees resting in the shade. In front of them stood a large signboard:

“For the repair and restoration of the pot,

Please donate generously.

Ministry of Administrative Affairs for the Pot.”

The king stood silently for a long time, then murmured,

“This is not just the story of a pot — this is the story of our nation.”

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The End

📘 A simple order meant for public good turned into a mountain of bureaucracy. The pot broke, but the departments thrived — a mirror to how systems can bury purpose under paperwork.