Tree-ear is a young boy orphaned by the bandit raids in his village in ancient Korea. He travels to the town of Ch’ulp’o to find work and support his sick grandmother, but he is turned away by merchants and guilds because of his ill-fitting clothes and inexperience.
Chapter 2: Min
Meanwhile, in the bustling kiln workshops in town, a renowned celadon craftsman named Min observes the difficulties workers face in creating flawless, translucent porcelain bowls prized by the nobles. Min is known for his mastery in creating these bowls but is burdened by the expectation of creating a perfect bowl to present to the king on his birthday.
Chapter 3: Celadon
Tree-ear stumbles upon Min’s workshop where he witnesses Min’s expertise in shaping clay into beautiful bowls. Min senses the boy’s potential and takes pity on him, offering Tree-ear a job alongside his skilled workers.
Chapter 4: The Potter’s Wheel
Tree-ear quickly learns the basics of pottery but struggles with the complexities of controlling the potter’s wheel. Min patiently teaches him techniques and imparts wisdom, while also sharing stories of his childhood struggles and his passion for pottery.
Chapter 5: Secret
As Tree-ear begins to improve his skills, Min shares a secret with him—he is unable to create a perfect celadon bowl due to a mysterious flaw that always appears during firing. Tree-ear becomes determined to help Min overcome this challenge and perfect the bowl.
Chapter 6: Friendships
Tree-ear bonds with Min and his fellow workers, including the kind-hearted potter Kang and the mischievous apprentice Chulsan. Together, they form a close-knit community within the workshop.
Chapter 7: The Royal Kiln
The time comes for Min and Tree-ear to journey to the royal kiln, where the king’s emissary will inspect their best bowls and select one for presentation to the king on his birthday. Min is anxious about facing this crucial test of his skill.
Chapter 8: The Competition
At the royal kiln, Tree-ear and Min come across talented potters from across the kingdom. The competition is fierce, with some participants trying to sabotage Min’s chances. Tree-ear stands by Min, offering support and encouragement.
Chapter 9: The Flaw
During the firing process, Min’s bowl develops the same mysterious flaw that has plagued his previous attempts. Tree-ear suggests an unconventional idea to fix the flaw, risking both their reputations in the process.
Chapter 10: Perfection
Min decides to trust Tree-ear’s intuition and implements the proposed fix. The result is a celadon bowl that surpasses all others in beauty and perfection. The emissary is awed by the bowl and declares it worthy of presentation to the king.
Chapter 11: Recognition
Min’s flawless bowl earns him recognition and reward from the king, ensuring a prosperous future for the workshop. Tree-ear is celebrated as the one who helped Min achieve perfection. Their bond as master and apprentice grows even stronger.
Chapter 12: The Journey
In the final chapter, Tree-ear takes his leave of the workshop and sets off on a new journey, eager to share his knowledge and passion for pottery with others. He carries the lessons and experiences from his time with Min, forever grateful for the opportunity that changed his life.