What the difference between "a bucket of water" and "a basket of water"? Part of the story: Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. 【here】The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into the river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Grandpa, it's useless!"