The Pot Maker

Reflect and Respond

Q1. Look at the pictures given below and identify the vocations. Now, list at least five more vocations.

Answer:

The pictures likely show the following vocations:

• Potter — making pots from clay
• Weaver — weaving cloth on a loom
• Carpenter — working with wood
• Blacksmith — working with metal
• Farmer — working in the fields

Five more vocations:

• Tailor
• Baker
• Painter
• Electrician
• Plumber

Q2. Work in pairs. Discuss the following questions and share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. What is common among these pictures?
2. We refer to such skill-based work as v _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ s.
3. Mention a few differences between handmade and machine-made products.

Answer:

1. What is common among these pictures?
   All the pictures show people engaged in skill-based work or vocations that involve manual labour and craftsmanship. These are traditional occupations that require specific skills and expertise passed down through generations.
2. We refer to such skill-based work as v _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ a _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ s.
   The word is vocations. Skill-based work is called a vocation — a profession or occupation that requires specialized training and skill.
3. Differences between handmade and machine-made products:

   Handmade Products	Machine-made Products
   Unique and one-of-a-kind	Identical and uniform
   Time-consuming to produce	Produced quickly in large quantities
   More expensive due to labour	Less expensive due to mass production
   Shows personal touch and skill	May lack personal touch
   Preserves traditional craftsmanship	Efficient for large-scale needs

Margin Questions

Q1. Do you think pot making is easy? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Answer:

No, pot making is not easy. The story shows that pot making requires great skill, patience, and physical strength. The process involves:

• Digging clay from a riverbank sixteen kilometres away
• Climbing a sheer drop and carrying heavy loads uphill
• Pounding stubborn clay inside bamboo cylinders
• Shaping the clay with precision using a spatula
• Firing the pots in a kiln with careful temperature control

The mother, Arenla, mentions that the work is tedious and exhausting, often causing backaches and requiring months of labour for a single batch of pots.

Q2. Would Sentila be able to fulfil her dream of becoming a pot maker? Explain.

Answer:

Yes, Sentila would be able to fulfil her dream. The story shows that Sentila was determined and passionate about pottery. Despite her mother's initial refusal to teach her, she continued to watch expert potters and learn from them. She also received guidance from Onula, who helped her gain confidence and master the technique. At the end of the story, Sentila successfully made a row of pots that matched her mother's in quality, proving that she had become a skilled pot maker.

Q3. Do you think Mesoba and Arenla would support Sentila? Give a reason.

Answer:

Yes, Mesoba and Arenla would eventually support Sentila. Mesoba had already shown his support by explaining to the village council that Sentila would soon make the best pots in the village. Although Arenla initially wanted Sentila to become a weaver, she eventually taught Sentila the basics of pot making and gave her opportunities to practice. By the end, it is clear that Arenla was testing Sentila's determination and skill, and she would have been proud of her daughter's achievement.

Check Your Understanding

Q1. Do you think Onula's support helped Sentila? If yes, why? If no, why not?

Answer:

Yes, Onula's support was crucial in helping Sentila. Onula provided the guidance, encouragement, and confidence that Sentila needed to succeed. When Sentila was frustrated and tense, Onula taught her the proper technique and helped her overcome her fears. Onula's kind words — "Don't worry, little one, I shall teach you how to make a perfect pot" — gave Sentila the confidence she needed to try again. Without Onula's intervention, Sentila might have given up on her dream of becoming a pot maker.

Q2. Sentila observes her mother making pots. What does this tell us about her?

Answer:

Sentila's observation of her mother making pots tells us that she was observant, patient, and determined to learn the skill. She carefully watched every detail of the process — how her mother held her left hand and the spatula, how she slackened the rhythm when shaping the mouth of the pots, and how she added a strip of dough to make the rim. This shows that Sentila was not just passively watching but actively learning and absorbing the techniques that would help her become a skilled pot maker.

Critical Reflection — I

Q1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow. 1. Pounding the stubborn clay inside bamboo cylinders to soften it, is also tedious. So many times I've dropped the mould out of sheer exhaustion and have had to start all over again. It takes months to bring out a batch of pots after so much labour. And the reward? A few rupees. But if Sentila learns weaving, she can make much more money besides providing enough cloth for the family. Weaving is not messy like pot making and can be done indoors in all seasons. Also, the time spent on weaving one shawl is much less and the return is handsome. (i) Choose the correct reason for the given assertion. (A): The effort in making pots is far greater than the returns. A. The process of pot making is quite tiresome and long, and one hardly earns much. B. The process of pot making is exhausting, takes a long time, yet gives a sense of satisfaction. (ii) Why does Arenla want Sentila to learn weaving? (iii) State one advantage that weaving has over pot making, as per the extract. (iv) Choose the sentence that uses the word 'handsome' in the same way as in the extract. A. My father is a handsome man. B. They will make a handsome profit selling this property. (v) And the reward? What is the author's purpose of using a question mark here?

Answer:

(i) The correct answer is A. The process of pot making is quite tiresome and long, and one hardly earns much. Arenla describes the process as tedious, exhausting, and time-consuming, with very little financial reward.

(ii) Arenla wants Sentila to learn weaving because:

• Weaving can bring in much more money than pot making
• It provides cloth for the family
• Weaving is not messy like pot making
• It can be done indoors in all seasons
• The time spent on weaving one shawl is much less, and the return is handsome

(iii) One advantage that weaving has over pot making is that it takes much less time to produce one item (a shawl) and the return or profit is handsome compared to the months of labour required for pot making.

(iv) The correct answer is B. 'They will make a handsome profit selling this property.' Here, 'handsome' means substantial or considerable, similar to how it is used in the extract to describe the return from weaving.

(v) The author uses a question mark in 'And the reward?' to highlight the contrast between the immense effort required for pot making and the meagre financial returns. It shows Arenla's frustration and suggests that the reward is so small that it is almost laughable.

Q2. 2. Onula saw her taking out some clay and the implements from her basket quietly. She watched Sentila's clumsy efforts to make a pot and noticed that Sentila was too tense. As a result, the clay seemed unable or unwilling to yield the right shape. When Sentila wearily let the misshapen lump fall flat on the ground, Onula went to her and said, "Don't worry, little one, I shall teach you how to make a perfect pot." Sentila watched in amazement as Onula fashioned a beautiful pot and asked her to try again. (i) Complete the sentence with an appropriate reason. Onula feels Sentila's effort at making a pot is clumsy because (ii) Choose the correct option to complete the following sentence. 'Don't worry, little one, I shall teach you how to make a perfect pot.' This shows that Onula was A. sincere and generous B. forgiving and thoughtful C. thoughtful and generous D. forgiving and sincere (iii) Which among the following is the effect of a cause? A. As a result, the clay seemed unable or unwilling to yield the right shape. B. Onula saw her taking out some clay and the implements from her basket quietly. (iv) 'Onula fashioned a beautiful pot.' Here, the word 'fashioned' means (created/styled) (v) How might Sentila have felt when she saw 'the misshapen lump fall flat on the ground'?

Answer:

(i) Onula feels Sentila's effort at making a pot is clumsy because Sentila is too tense. Her tension causes the clay to become unyielding and unable to take the right shape.

(ii) The correct answer is A. sincere and generous. Onula's words show her sincerity in wanting to help Sentila and her generosity in offering to teach her the skill.

(iii) The effect of a cause is A. 'As a result, the clay seemed unable or unwilling to yield the right shape.' The cause is Sentila's tension, and the effect is the clay's refusal to take shape.

(iv) The word 'fashioned' means created. Onula created a beautiful pot.

(v) Sentila might have felt frustrated, disappointed, and disheartened when she saw the misshapen lump fall flat on the ground. She had tried her best, but her efforts had failed. She might have felt shame and hopelessness, thinking she would never be able to master the skill.

Critical Reflection — II

Q1. Answer the following questions.

1. Describe the process of pot making followed by expert pot makers, as observed by Sentila.
2. What warning was given to Mesoba by the village council?
3. How did Sentila feel when she failed at pot making even after a year of training with her mother?
4. 'Onula stood there for a long time as if trying to absorb a new phenomenon'. Explain.
5. 'The tradition and history of the people did not belong to any individual,' what does this symbolise?
6. What is the significance of the concluding line of the story, 'A new pot maker was born'?
7. What is the role of perseverance in pursuing one's dreams? Elaborate with reference to Sentila.

Answer:

Describe the process of pot making followed by expert pot makers, as observed by Sentila.
Sentila observed the following process:

1. • Clay was mixed with water and pounded
   • Potters pushed their left hand into a lump of softened clay
   • They deftly rotated the lump as they shaped it with a spatula held in the right hand
   • The regular tap, tap of the spatula on the clay was music to her ears
   • After two or three days, the pots were given a final touch-up to retain shape and test consistency
   • The pots were then dried in the sun
   • They were loaded onto a kiln on a bed of hay and dried bamboo and covered with another layer
   • The kiln was fired with careful attention to prevent over or under firing
2. What warning was given to Mesoba by the village council?
   The village council warned Mesoba that it was Arenla's duty to teach her daughter the skill that was handed down from generation to generation. They told him that skills such as pot making did not 'belong' to any individual and that experts were obliged to pass on their skills not only to their own children but also to anyone who wished to learn.
3. How did Sentila feel when she failed at pot making even after a year of training with her mother?
   Sentila felt ashamed and frustrated. She hung her head in shame and frustration when she could not even hold the lump of dough properly. Despite a year of training, she felt she had learned nothing from her mother.
4. 'Onula stood there for a long time as if trying to absorb a new phenomenon'. Explain.
   Onula was amazed and moved by what she saw in the work shed; two neat rows of newly-made pots standing side by side, with no difference between them. She realized that Sentila had produced pots that matched her mother's in quality, which was a profound and surprising revelation. She stood there absorbing the significance of this moment, understanding that a new pot maker had been born.
5. 'The tradition and history of the people did not belong to any individual,' what does this symbolise?
   This statement symbolises that traditional skills and crafts are not personal property but cultural heritage that belongs to the entire community. It emphasises the importance of passing on skills to future generations to preserve traditions and ensure the survival of crafts. It also shows that knowledge should be shared freely for the benefit of the whole society.
6. What is the signiicance of the concluding line of the story, 'A new pot maker was born'?
   The concluding line is significant because it marks the culmination of Sentila's journey; from a child with a dream to a skilled pot maker. It shows that Sentila had finally mastered the skill and could carry on the tradition. The line also suggests a sense of continuity, the tradition of pot making would continue through Sentila, who would pass it on to future generations.
7. What is the role of perseverance in pursuing one's dreams? Elaborate with reference to Sentila.
   Perseverance played a crucial role in Sentila's journey. Despite her mother's refusal to teach her, Sentila continued to watch expert potters and learn from them. She faced numerous failures and frustrations but never gave up. With the help of Onula, she kept trying until she succeeded. Sentila's story shows that perseverance is essential for achieving one's goals without it, talent and desire alone are not enough.

Vocabulary and Structures in Context

Q1. I Read the highlighted words in the following sentences from the text. 1. She taught Sentila how to dig the clay with dao, load it on to her carrying basket... 2. Sentila was a quick learner and turned the clay into malleable dough. Pounding the stubborn clay inside bamboo cylinders to soften it ... The highlighted words describe the tools and materials required in the process of pot making. Now, classify the words/phrases given in the box as shown in the table below. One example for each category has been done for you.

Tools/Implements	Raw Materials	Process
dao	dough	pounding

Words/phrases: 

dao	dough	pounding	bamboo
clay	kiln	spatula	basket
cylinders	rotating	bed of hay	shaping

Answer:

Here is the classification of words/phrases into the three categories:

Explanation:

• Tools/Implements: dao (digging tool), spatula (shaping tool), basket (carrying tool), kiln (firing oven)
• Raw Materials: dough (softened clay), clay (raw material), bamboo cylinders (for pounding), bed of hay (for firing)
• Process: pounding (softening), rotating (shaping), shaping (giving form)

Q2.  Notice the use of the following words in the text. These words relate to livelihood and economic aspects that are crucial for any enterprise/business/vocation. Work in pairs and find the meanings of the following words related to economy. You may refer to a dictionary. Now, frame sentences using each word.

Answer:

Meanings and Sentences:

Q3. III Read the following sentences from the text. The main clause has been underlined and the subordinate clause has been circled. ... she realised that the pot was ready. She intuitively sensed that something momentous had happened. 1. Complete the following sentences with suitable noun clauses. (i) The elders emphasised that____________________________________________. (ii) Mesoba explained why_______________________________________. (iii) Onula's promise was that__________________________________________. (iv) Sentila observed her mother carefully when she was shaping the mouth of the pot, which____________________________________________________. (v) The kiln, where_____________________________________________________ , required careful attention to prevent over-or-under firing.

Answer:

Completed sentences with noun clauses:

1. The elders emphasised that all traditional skills must be passed on to the next generation.
2. Mesoba explained why Arenla was reluctant to teach Sentila the art of pot making.
3. Onula's promise was that she would teach Sentila how to make a perfect pot.
4. Sentila observed her mother carefully when she was shaping the mouth of the pot, which required great precision and skill.
5. The kiln, where the pots were fired, required careful attention to prevent over-or-under firing.

Q4. 2. Read the following sentences from the text. Underline the main clause and circle the subordinate clause. 1. Arenla took Sentila to the riverbank where the grey and red clay was found. 2. She started on the next one, and like a sprinter who had suddenly found momentum... 3. ... skills such as pot making, which not only catered to the needs of the people... 3. Complete the following sentences with suitable relative clauses. (i) Sentila, whose , practised the craft diligently. (ii) The village council, where , sought an explanation for Arenla's reluctance. (iii) The potter's hands, which , shaped the clay into beautiful creations. (iv) Arenla, her mother, wanted her to learn weaving, which (v) Mesoba went home and discussed the matter with Arenla, who

Answer:

3. Completed sentences with relative clauses:

1. Sentila, whose mother was a pot maker, practised the craft diligently.
2. The village council, where the elders gathered, sought an explanation for Arenla's reluctance.
3. The potter's hands, which moved with great skill, shaped the clay into beautiful creations.
4. Arenla, her mother, wanted her to learn weaving, which she believed would bring more income for the family.
5. Mesoba went home and discussed the matter with Arenla, who eventually agreed to teach Sentila the art of pot making.

Q5. 4. Read the highlighted words in the following lines from the text. Onula saw her taking out some clay... ... make as many pots as they could. ... did not belong to any individual.  Slowly she walked away from this place of wonder. . .. they would not have enough days of sunshine ... Here is a list of the most frequently used determiners —- a, an, the (Articles) this, that, these, those (Demonstratives) my, our, your, his, her, its, their, one's (Possessives) one, two, three, etc. (Definite numerals) some, any, no, all, both, much, many, few, less, several, little (Indefinite numerals) each, every, either, neither (Distributives) (i) Find out some more determiners from the text. (ii) Fill in the blanks with suitable determiners. The first two blanks have been done for you. A. The florist arranged five bouquets for her clients, that were displayed in _____________________ elegant floral shop. B. The carpenter crafted ________________ unique tables, and ___________________ became the centrepiece in ___________________ furniture collection. C.______________ of _____________________ apprentices in culinary class demonstrated knife skills during the intense cooking session. D.______________ of ___________________ sculptures were displayed at________________ art exhibition, showcasing _____________ diverse artistic skills.

Answer:

(i) Determiners found in the text:

• some (some clay)
• many (many pots)
• all (all pot makers, all seasons)
• both (both hands)
• any (any individual)
• few (a few rupees)
• this (this place of wonder)
• her (her mother, her basket)
• my (my troubles)
• several (several ways)
• every (every Wednesday)
• no (no joy)

(ii) Completed sentences with determiners:

A. The florist arranged five bouquets for her clients, that were displayed in an elegant floral shop.

B. The carpenter crafted several unique tables, each became the centrepiece in the furniture collection.

C. Many of apprentices in the culinary class demonstrated their knife skills during the intense cooking session.

D. Several of sculptures were displayed at the art exhibition, showcasing various diverse artistic skills.

Writing Task

Q1. Reflective Writing - Identifying Skills and Passion Reflective writing encourages introspection and thoughtful exploration of personal experiences, skills, and aspirations. It helps individuals gain 6deeper insights into themselves and their goals through structured reflection. Follow the steps given below to create a write-up about your skills and passions. Step 1: Introduction Reflect on your passions and the skills you currently possess or are developing. Consider why these activities or interests are meaningful and enjoyable to you. Step 2: Describing skills Describe specific activities or practices you engage in to nurture your skills. This could include hobbies, classes (art, music, coding, etc.), workshops, or personal projects. Step 3: Passion into profession Identify which of these skills you believe have the potential to turn your passion into a profession. Explain why you think these skills are crucial or advantageous in your chosen field. Step 4: Examples and reflection Provide examples or anecdotes that illustrate how your skills and passions complement each other. Reflect on how these experiences have shaped your career aspirations and personal growth. Step 5: Conclusion Summarise your reflections. Discuss any insights gained about yourself, your skills, and your career ambitions through this exercise.

Answer:

Reflective Write-up: My Skills and Passions

Step 1: Introduction

I have always been passionate about art and creativity. Drawing and painting have been my favourite activities since childhood. I find immense joy in creating something beautiful out of nothing. The ability to express my thoughts and feelings through colours and shapes is truly meaningful to me.

Step 2: Describing Skills

I actively nurture my artistic skills through various activities:

• I take drawing classes every Saturday where I learn new techniques
• I participate in art competitions at school and in the community
• I maintain a sketchbook where I draw everyday objects and scenes
• I watch online tutorials to learn digital art and graphic design

These activities help me improve my skills and keep me motivated.

Step 3: Passion into Profession

I believe my passion for art can become a profession in the field of graphic design or animation. These fields are in high demand in today's digital world. My drawing skills, combined with creativity and attention to detail, would be valuable in creating visual content for advertising, film, gaming, and web design.

Step 4: Examples and Reflection

Last year, I created a series of paintings for a school exhibition on the theme 'Nature's Beauty'. I spent weeks observing the changing seasons and capturing them through my brush. The experience taught me patience and the importance of observation. When I saw how much people appreciated my work, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction and realized that art could bring joy to others as well. This experience strengthened my resolve to pursue a career in the creative field.

Step 5: Conclusion

Through this reflection, I have realised that my passion for art is not just a hobby but a potential career path. I understand that success in any field requires hard work, dedication, and continuous learning. I am committed to developing my skills further and turning my passion into a meaningful profession.