The Wave in Dev's Bowl
After accidentally denting a friend's clay bowl, Ines finds the courage to tell the truth and help repair it.
Play the quiz as a gameAt the pottery room, Ines shaped a tiny clay turtle. Beside her, Dev made a bowl for his grandmother. Its soft sides rose like little hills.
When Dev went to wash his hands, Ines reached for a sponge. Her elbow bumped his bowl. One side folded inward. Ines froze. She wanted to slide her turtle in front of the dent.
Dev came back. Ines's cheeks grew warm. She could say nothing, but Dev might think his bowl had bent by itself. She took a slow breath.
“I bumped your bowl,” she said in a shaky voice. “I'm sorry. Can I help fix it?” Dev looked at the bent side. Then he nodded.
On the table lay a class book. Ines found the heading “Fixing Soft Clay.” Below it, a photo showed hands beside a clay bowl. The caption said, “Use damp fingers to smooth a dent.” Ines brought fresh water.
Dev gently pushed the side up while Ines smoothed it. The bowl was round again, though a little ripple remained. Dev traced the ripple with one finger. “It looks like a wave,” he said. “Grandma loves the sea.”
Ines let out a long breath. Her voice had trembled, but she had used it anyway. Next time she made a mistake, she would remember the bowl—and speak before her courage slipped away.