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    A Simple Cup
    A Simple Cup
    A Simple Cup
    Ebook109 pages1 hour

    A Simple Cup

    By Michael Lane

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    About this ebook

    A Simple Cup is an allegorical story that tells of the relationship of a father, Josef, and his son, Joel, as the son learns the skill of pottery making becoming a master potter like his father. On his eighth birthday, Joel receives a gift: a cup made by his father. When he turns eighteen, Joel’s father is injured, obligating Joel to assume the responsibility for the family business. His first task is to complete, on his own, a large order for dishes placed by an innkeeper for use in his recently renovated inn. Even before the inn is open for business, the innkeeper receives his first reservation: A group of men traveling to Jerusalem for the Passover want to celebrate the Passover Seder in the inn. The innkeeper is elated, but disaster strikes. In the final stages of filling the innkeeper’s order, a cup is broken. Joel, honoring the commitment he made to complete the work begun by his father, decides to replace the broken cup with the cup given to him as a gift. The inn and the dishes are ready for the Seder, and the cup, passed by father to son, is used by the rabbi, the teacher, Jesus, officiating at the Seder table. A Simple Cup provides the reader with an understanding of Passover traditions and its foundation to the Christian understanding of the Last Supper. A Simple Cup is a work of fiction written for ages 10 and older.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMichael Lane
    Release dateJul 8, 2015
    ISBN9781310078910
    A Simple Cup
    Author

    Michael Lane

    Michael was involved in the death care field for thirty years. This experience has included every aspect of funeral service with over ten years’ experience involved in coroner/medical examiner investigations. His coroner/medical examiner experience included being a forensic embalmer (embalmer and autopsy assistant) in southern California and as an investigator in two rural counties.Michael holds a Bachelors’ degree in health education and a Master’s degree in public health. He currently works in health care at a large health care facility in northern California and enjoys long distance motorcycle rides.

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      Book preview

      A Simple Cup - Michael Lane

      A SIMPLE CUP

      by

      Michael Lane

      Copyright © 2015 Michael Lane

      All rights reserved.

      Distributed by Smashwords

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

      To Elyse, Caroline, and Ian,

      who are just beginning the wonderful journey of life and faith

      CONTENTS

      Prologue

      Chapter 1

      Chapter 2

      Chapter 3

      Chapter 4

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 6

      Chapter 7

      Chapter 8

      Chapter 9

      Chapter 10

      Chapter 11

      Chapter 12

      Chapter 13

      Chapter 14

      Chapter 15

      Chapter 16

      Chapter 17

      Chapter 18

      Chapter 19

      Chapter 20

      Chapter 21

      Acknowledgments

      Glossary

      Discussion Starters

      PROLOGUE

      21 Nisan 3793 — Thursday April 12, 0033 C.E.

      Joel sat on a bench in his parents’ garden, watching the sun set on the eighth day, the last day of Passover, This was his eighteenth Passover, and it held a special meaning for him. In addition to Passover itself—its recalling of the Jewish history of overcoming adversities—the weeks leading up to Passover had been transforming for Joel. This year, this spring, he had fulfilled a goal he’d set for himself as a young boy: He’d become a master potter like his father. As he watched the sky change from orange and red to violet, he reflected on events, some good and others challenging, that were seemingly unimportant at the time, but in retrospect were life-changing for him and for others. The past two months had been demanding. Much had been asked of him, and he’d had to fight back his fears and anxiety. Relying on what his father had taught him, he’d persevered and accomplished what was required.

      The sun was now a half-circle sinking into the horizon. With the growing darkness, he saw the light of the first star, then the second. With the appearance of the second star, the day and this year’s Passover came to an end. He drew his coat tight against the evening chill, smiling as he recalled the events of the past ten years and how they had brought him to this moment. It all started when he was only seven years old.

      CHAPTER 1

      6 Cheshvan 3783 — Tuesday, October 22, 0022 C.E.

      Joel was a little nervous and more than a little anxious. This morning at breakfast, his father had told him that today Joel would be doing more than watching him work—he would be helping his father make a piece of pottery. Joel’s father, Josef, was a master potter, and he enjoyed having Joel spend time with him as he made his pottery.

      Joel wondered what his father had planned for him. He would have to wait and see. And his wait was about to come to an end.

      Joel stood next to his father as he worked the clay on the potter’s wheel, something he had watched every day from when he was first able to sit up on a chair. And Joel loved coming to the potter’s shed: It was quality time shared by a father and a son. Joel loved everything about the place: the earthy smell of clay, the smoke coming from the fire in the kiln, the sharp odor of the glazes his father used to decorate his work. And most of all, he never tired of seeing the magic of a shapeless lump of clay becoming a useful object under the skillful hands of his father.

      Abba, what is it going to be—another vase or an oil jar? Joel asked.

      Patience, son. We have to gently coax out the beauty from the mud of the earth. Making something useful out of something so ordinary cannot be rushed. It takes time, and a gentle, loving touch.

      Abba, I can see it coming to life under your hands as the clay spins around on the wheel, but I can’t tell what it will become.

      I’m making a pitcher. You were close when you guessed it could be either a vase or an oil jar, but watch what I do after I stop the wheel from spinning. With the wheel stopped, Josef placed his hands on the clay. Look, Joel, as I use my thumb to push down on the lip.

      Joel stood on tiptoes for a better look.

      See, Joel, you now have a spout for pouring. But what is missing?

      Why, the handle, of course.

      Right you are. And now, you’ll help me by making the handle.

      All the fears of the morning rose to the surface. Me? I don’t know how to use the potter’s wheel. I only have watched you.

      But you’ve also watched your mother making challah bread, have you not?

      Yes, but bread is not clay.

      True. But both take the work of loving hands to make something simple into something that gives pleasure. Come over to the worktable and let me show you what I mean.

      Joel was both excited and a little uncomfortable to be asked to help his father make the pitcher. Although his father had let him work with scraps of clay, those were practice pieces. This was the first time he had been asked to make something usable, and the first time he had been asked to work on the big table, his father’s workplace.

      Here, son, take this piece of clay and begin to squeeze it in your hands, letting the warmth of your hands give life to the clay.

      This is the biggest piece of clay I have ever worked on. Joel squeezed and pushed the clay against the workbench the way he was taught. It’s hard to do. The clay is cold and stiff, and my hands are small.

      Patience, Joel. It takes time for the lifeless clay to take on the warmth of your hands. Stay with the task. It’ll come along. Even though your hands are smaller than mine, the clay will soften as it begins to warm up and relax, taking its new life from yours.

      Joel worked harder than he ever had before, squeezing and pulling the clay.

      I feel it. It’s becoming softer.

      Good. Now, keep working it until it’s soft enough to allow you to shape it as you wish.

      Joel continued to stretch and fold the clay, until his hands were cramped.

      That looks like it’s ready to become part of the pitcher, his father said. Now, watch as I show you how to make it into a handle.

      Joel watched as his father divided the clay into two pieces. Josef handed one of the pieces to Joel. Taking the other piece, he said, Now, son, do as I do. Lay the piece of clay on the workbench and begin rolling it under the palm of your hand. See how it lengthens just like when your mother prepares the bread for braiding into challah loaves?

      It looks like a snake.

      Now, pay attention, Joel. Find the middle of your clay and roll from the middle to one end so that half of the clay becomes tapered.

      Joel watched his father and repeated the process on his piece of clay.

      Am I doing it correctly?

      You’re doing very well for the first time. With practice, you will be able to make some pieces all by yourself.

      Then will I be able to use the potter’s wheel?

      "Soon, son. Your hands are large enough to make some small pieces. In time, you will grow taller and your hands

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