Indian Folktale with Moral Lesson | Satyavati & The Potter

Once upon a time, there was a potter’s son named Saatvik. Potter worked hard day and night but could earn enough money to live on. Potter’s family consisted of his wife, daughter Satyavati, and son Saatvik. Saatvik desired to help his father.  His father wanted him to assist him in pottery. But Saatvik lacked the skills of a good potter, nor was he inclined to be one. He enjoyed music and wanted to learn to play the flute.

One day, Potter decided to teach him how to make a small bowl. Saatvik listened and saw him attentively. Satyavati, too, observed him. She wished her father taught her also. Her mother ordered, ‘Satyavati, go make some sweets for your brother; he is working so hard today.’

This disrupted her, and she got up and resumed her work in the kitchen.

Saatvik started practising it, but he needed help to make a small bowl. Satyavati served him sweets, but he refused to eat. Satyavati offered Saatvik help and started making a bowl. Once the potter got home, he was delighted to see the small, colourful bowl.

‘Good job, my son. I am proud of you,’ said the potter.

Saatvik revealed that he did not make it; instead, it was his sister’s hard work.

This made Potter very angry, and he threw Saatvik out of the house. Saatvik started crying and reached his uncle’s village. He stayed there for a week and then returned home. When he got home, his father was not there. His mother and sister were overjoyed to see him.

Just then, his father arrived. He looked pleased. He took his son in his arms. Elated, Potter then shared the reason for his happiness with his family.

He said, ‘King Yayati liked the flower vase I made for Minister Dhanush, and he wants me to make a hundred flower vases for each room in his castle.’ As soon as he finished the sentence, he started dancing. The entire family rejoiced, and the potter’s wife declared a small feast for dinner. The potter’s daughter, Satyavati, illuminated the lamp in a temple built inside the house. She thanked God for the life-changing opportunity. The potter looked at Saatvik with a lot of expectations.

‘I have to present a hundred flower vases in seven days,’ said the potter.

‘I will help you,’ said Satyavati. The potter ignored Satyavati’s words and turned to his Saatvik instead.

‘You and I will do it together,’ said the potter to his son.

‘I think you should take Satyavati’s help; besides, she is so good at it,’ said Saatvik.

This made the potter fume, and he took the plunge to make a hundred flower vases without help.

‘Satyavati will marry and go to her home, then who will take my business ahead,’ fumed the potter.

He worked round the clock. This had an effect on his health, and he fell ill on the second day.

Saatvik felt terrible for his father, but he was not cut out for pottery.

Seeing her father depressed and not able to recover because of anxiety, Satyavati took the onus. She started creating flower vases. Saatvik, too, helped her by sourcing mud and colours. Mother took Potter’s care. 

On the seventh day, Minister Dhanush arrived to collect the flower vases. Satyavati and Saatvik helped the royal servant load the flower vases on the horse cart. Minister Dhanush thanked Saatvik and appreciated him. Saatvik accepted the appreciation and said his sister Satyavati deserved it as she made them; he only helped her. Minister Dhanush congratulated the potter for having children like Satyavati and Saatvik. The potter realized his mistake and trained Satyavati without any inhibitions.

Moral: Inhibitions always create limitations.

Happy Reading!

Check out Nisha B Thakur's highly appreciated novel, The Unexpected Trail.