The Potter

January 25, 2025
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In a small village near Alexandria, Egypt, a potter named Ammonius worked in his kiln, shaping clay into jars and bowls for the local market. Pottery was essential for daily life, used to store grain, water, and oil, and Ammonius was one of many artisans who made his living crafting these simple yet vital items.

Each morning, Ammonius rose early, before the sun fully warmed the Nile Delta. His wife, Thais, prepared flatbread and lentils for breakfast, and their young daughter, Herais, helped gather water from a nearby well. The family worked together—Herais would mix clay with her father, while Thais painted simple designs onto the pots to make them more appealing to buyers.

On this particular morning, a neighbor arrived with a request. “Ammonius, my water jar cracked yesterday. Can you repair it, or must I buy a new one?”

Ammonius inspected the jar, running his calloused fingers over the crack. “It’s a clean break,” he said, nodding. “I’ll seal it with fresh clay and fire it again. You’ll have it back by tomorrow.”

The neighbor smiled, grateful for the potter’s skill. For a modest fee—sometimes in coins, sometimes in grain or oil—Ammonius provided a service that kept the village running smoothly.

That afternoon, as the sun blazed high, Ammonius stoked the kiln. The intense heat shimmered in the air, and Herais sat nearby, molding tiny figures out of leftover clay. “Will these sell in the market?” she asked, holding up a small bird she had shaped.

Ammonius chuckled. “Perhaps. People like little things that bring joy.”

By evening, the repaired jar was cooling, and the family sat together by the fire, sharing stories of the day. Life in the village was simple but full of small connections—fixing a jar for a neighbor, teaching a child a craft, and finding beauty in the ordinary.