Not fitting the norm?

'Mummy, I'm sorry I didn't paint the pot!'

These were the words of my four year old that accompanied a mother's day present from the nursery. I gave him a cuddle and said: 'Sweetheart, you don't have to apologise. I like it just the way it is!' 

  

These were the words that hit me hard. Is my little boy apologising for not fitting the norm? For being different? For not following instructions?

I don't care if this was the only pot that didn't get painted. But it saddens me that he felt he needed to apologise...