1.2 The Overheard Complaint About Pot Making

Last updated at July 13, 2026 by

Extract from the Story

"I shall not teach her pot making as it has brought no joy to me and only a pittance for my troubles. The riverbank, where the grey and red clay required for making pots is found, is sixteen kilometres from here. I need to climb down a sheer drop to the riverbank and my back aches from carrying the heavy load uphill all the way to the village. Pounding the stubborn clay inside bamboo cylinders to soften it, is also tedious ... And the reward? A few rupees."

Summary in Bullet Points

  • Sentila overheard her parents talking one night, so she hid her interest at home.

    Sentila ne raat mein maa-baap ki baat sun li, isliye apna interest chhupaaya.

  • Arenla complained that pot making brought no joy and only a pittance . pittance = a very small amount of money received as income

    Arenla ne kaha pot making se koi khushi nahi, bas thode se paise milte hain.

  • The clay is found sixteen kilometres away ; she must climb down a sheer drop and carry a heavy load uphill.

    Clay 16 km door milti hai, neeche utarna aur bhaari load upar laana padta hai.

  • Pounding the stubborn clay to soften it is tedious , and the reward is only a few rupees. pounding = repeated beating; tedious = tiring

    Clay ko soft karne ke liye baar-baar kootna padta hai, bahut thakaane waala kaam, aur badle mein bas kuch rupees.

  • She felt weaving was cleaner, faster, possible indoors, and far more profitable.

    Arenla ko laga weaving saaf, jaldi, ghar ke andar ho sakti hai aur zyada paise deti hai.

NCERT Question (from the Textbook)
Critical Reflection. Extract 1 (NCERT Kaveri page 42 to 43)

Read the extract about pounding the clay and answer the sub-questions. See the full Critical Reflection extract in NCERT Questions

Board Pattern Questions Mapped to Exam Format
Short Answer. With Reference 1 mark
Why does Arenla feel pot making brought her "only a pittance"?
How to answer: Start with the key word from the question. Support your answer with specific details from the story. Write in complete sentences.
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Pot making demanded months of hard labour, long trips to the distant riverbank, and tiring pounding of clay, yet it earned her only a few rupees in return.

Mehnat bahut, kamayi bas kuch rupees. Isliye Arenla ko laga pot making se sirf pittance milta hai.

Multiple Choice Question 1 mark
Which of the following best describes Arenla’s tone in this part of the story?
(A) Proud and boastful
(B) Tired and discouraged
(C) Cheerful and hopeful
(D) Angry and bitter at her daughter
How to answer: Start with the key word from the question. Support your answer with specific details from the story. Write in complete sentences.
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Answer: (B)
  • Arenla lists the long distance, the back-breaking load, and the tedious pounding, all for "a few rupees."
  • Her words show she is exhausted and discouraged by the craft, not proud or hopeful.

Arenla thaki hui aur nirash lag rahi hai. Itni mehnat ke baad bas kuch paise, isliye uska tone tired hai.

Short Answer. Justify 2 marks - 35 to 40 words
Why does Arenla want Sentila to learn weaving instead of pot making?
How to answer: List the advantages of weaving that Arenla herself states: clean, indoor, fast, profitable, and useful for the family.
View Answer Hide Answer
Arenla wants Sentila to weave because weaving is not messy, can be done indoors in all seasons, takes less time, earns much more money, and also provides cloth for the family.

Weaving saaf hai, ghar ke andar har mausam mein ho sakti hai, kam time leti hai, zyada paise deti hai aur family ke liye kapda bhi banata hai.

NCERT Questions (from the Textbook)
Critical Reflection — Extract 1 (NCERT Kaveri pages 42–45)

This passage is Extract 1 in Critical Reflection. 5 questions are based on it. See Critical Reflection — Extract 1 questions

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