Once upon a time there was a steamroller that helped build dependable roads for the traffic of future generations to drive on. The steam roller was heavy, strong, in good shape and capable of doing the job it was supposed to do:
To pack down the earth and fill dirt to make a foundation so the road wouldn't slip down the hill, or sink as the years go by.
To pack down a compact, sturdy, even under pavement of gravel so the topping could go on smoothly and last even under future heavy loads and the freezing and thawing of time.
To pack down, compact and smooth out the asphalt for a smooth easy ride.
But the steam roller chose top soil for the fill dirt and as he rolled over it, the top soil cried, "No! God meant for me to nourish the flowers," but the steam roller never heard him, "Dirt is dirt." The dirt gave up trying ot do what the creator had meant for him.
He chose diamonds for the under-pavement. "Wow, this will be good and last forever. Nothing is stronger than this." The diamonds wanted to be recognized for the beautiful glittering they produced, or even for their durability, but no, "that is what is expected of them - their job - why recognize something so insignificant as their glittering beauty when they will soon be covered over by the asphalt?' So he continued on.
And then for the asphalt top. As he starts his engine the steam roller says, "Hey, there is a marble monument that had stood nearby for many years. Now that would make strong asphalt." And before the statue could say, "I would like for you to notice what I am cut out to do," the steam roller ran over him, crushed him and forced him into the mold that seemed best to the steam roller. Anything to reach the goal. "Anyway, what use are statues?"
He never heard the cries of the soil, the diamonds or the statue. He only saw the dependable road he had made. He didn't see the crushed spirit of the top soil, the misplaced use of the diamonds strength or the importance of the statue.
Yes, he had accomplished his purpose. But in doing so he had unknowingly hindered them from fulfilling their potential. How much richer the world could have been.
