Chapter 2: The Pot Maker (The Pot Maker)

No. The clay must be carried from a riverbank sixteen kilometres away, down a sheer drop and uphill; pounding stubborn clay is tedious; shaping needs great skill; the kiln fire must be tended carefully; it takes months for a batch, and the reward is only a few rupees.

Yes, it seems likely. She is passionate, keeps learning by watching expert potters, and the village council has told her parents it is their duty to teach her.

Yes. Mesoba promised the council that Sentila would soon make "the best pots in the village", and the elders reminded Arenla of her duty; so they would have to support her.

Yes. Onula noticed she was too tense, calmed her ("Don't worry, little one"), showed her how to shape a pot and gave her confidence. She also told her to watch her mother shape the mouth, which led to her success.

Yes. Onula noticed she was too tense, calmed her ("Don't worry, little one"), showed her how to shape a pot and gave her confidence.

The clay was mixed with water and pounded. The potter pushed the left hand into the softened lump, rotated it deftly and shaped it with a spatula in the right hand. After two or three days the pots were touched up to keep the shape and test consistency, then dried in the sun, arranged in a kiln on a bed of hay and dried bamboo, covered and fired with careful tending of the fire.

The clay was mixed with water and pounded.

To remind Arenla that it was her duty to teach their daughter the skill handed down through generations, since such skills belong to the community and must be passed on to anyone who wishes to learn.

Seeing two identical rows of pots, Onula realised that Sentila had matched her mother's skill on the very day her mother died. The mysterious passing of the skill from mother to daughter amazed her, and she needed time to understand it.

Seeing two identical rows of pots, Onula realised that Sentila had matched her mother's skill on the very day her mother died.

That traditional crafts are the collective heritage of the community. They carry its identity, so experts are only guardians who must pass them on.

That traditional crafts are the collective heritage of the community.

The old pot maker (Arenla) has died and a new one (Sentila) has emerged with equal skill. It shows the continuity of tradition, the fulfilment of Sentila's dream and the cycle of life.

The old pot maker (Arenla) has died and a new one (Sentila) has emerged with equal skill.

Perseverance turned Sentila's dream into reality. Despite her mother's reluctance, she watched potters secretly; despite a year of failure, she kept practising alone in the dormitory; she followed Onula's advice and studied her mother's hands. Her persistence finally made her an expert.

Perseverance turned Sentila's dream into reality.

bankrupt : unable to pay debts – The firm went bankrupt after heavy losses. credit : buying now and paying later / money in an account – The shop sells on credit. currency : money in use in a country – The rupee is India's currency. debt : money owed – He took a loan and is now in debt. fiscal : relating to government revenue – The fiscal year begins on 1 April. inflation : general rise in prices – Inflation has made vegetables costly. investment : putting money to earn profit – Education is the best investment. interest : money paid for borrowing or earned on savings – The bank pays 7% interest.

bankrupt: unable to pay debts – The firm went bankrupt after heavy losses.