Chapters 12 & 13

Chapter 12:

1. Why was Tree-ear amazed by the roof of the palace?

2. What was the reaction of the various guards and servants to Tree-ear's request to Emissary Kim? Why do they react this way?

3. How does Emissary Kim's actions when Tree-ear comes to the palace show that he is a wise and considerate man?

Chapter 13:

1. How does Min tell Tree-ear that he is going to teach him to become a potter?

2. Why is giving Tree-ear a new name such a significant event?

3. Why was the shard of pottery so important to the story?

4. Do you think Tree-ear will make a good potter? WHY?

NOTE: Answer the poll question to the TOP-LEFT of the BLOG***

CHAPTERS 9,10 & 11

Chapter 9:

1. How did the tradition of the sons of potters learning the skills and becoming potters themselves develop in Korea? (HINT: Crane-man's history lesson)

2. What did Crane-man mean when he said: "...the same wind that blows one door shut often blows another open." How did this quote apply to Tree-ear in the novel?

Chapter 10:

3. What disturbed Tree-ear as he slept while on the journey to Songdo? Why was this of great concern to Tree-ear?

4. How did Tree-ear discover that Kang's innovation to pottery had spread?

Chapter 11:

5. What were the robbers looking for on the top of the Rock of Falling Flowers? Why didn't the robbers take the vases?

6. Crane-man says,"Leaping into death is not the only way to show true courage." Give two examples of how Tree-ear shows courage after the robbery.

Chapters 7 & 8

Chapter 7:

1. The firing of pottery was extremely difficult in the 12th century. Why was that?

2. How did Tree-ear help Min with the inlay work?

3. "The idea belongs to the world now." What do you think Crane-man meant when he said this? Can you apply Crane-man's comment to the modern world? Give examples to illustrate your thinking.

Chapter 8:

4. Why did Tree-ear offer to travel to Songdo to deliver Min's work to Emissary Kim?

5. What was the advice that Crane-man gave to Tree-ear when he was scared of the distance and the journey to Songdo?

6. What was the reason that Min refused to teach Tree-ear to become a potter?

Chapters 5 & 6

Chapter 5:

1. How did Tree-ear solve the mystery of Kang's activities?

2. Should Tree-ear have spied on Kang? Why or why not?

Chapter 6:

3. Why did Min make several identical pieces of pottery and fire them at the same time?

4. How did Tree-ear know that the Emissary admired Min's work?

5. Crane-man says that if an idea is being kept secret, and it is taken by trickery or stealth, and then used, it is the same thing as stealing.
COMMENT on Crane-man's statement. Do you agree or disagree with him? Why?

6. Min does not compliment or praise Tree-ear when he does something well or has a good idea. Comment on Min's behavior and attitude.

Chapters 3 & 4

Chapter 3:

1. In the beginning of the chapter Min is angry with Tree-ear. Why is he angry? Who is at fault Min or Tree-ear?

2. On page 26-27, Crane-man offers to come and help Tree-ear with chopping the wood. Tree-ear said it would be more helpful to him if Crane-man stayed home and prepared the evening meal. Why do you think Tree-ear tells him this? What aspect of Tree-ear's character does it show?

Chapter 4:

3. How do you know that Min's wife knew the real purpose of Tree-ear using his own bowl?

4. What is the purpose or objective of draining the clay before using it to shape a pot?

5. Crane-man said that Tree-ear was aptly (appropriately) named. What did he mean by this?

6. Why did Tree-ear do a few chores around the house for Min's wife?

Chapters 1 & 2

Chapter 1:

1. How did Tree-ear come to live with Crane-man?

2. How did Crane-man get his name?

3. Ch'ulpo had become an important village. Why was that?

4. Tree-ear and Crane-man were poor, but proud, using text evidence prove this!

Chapter 2:

5. How did Tree-ear propose to repay Min for the loss of the box?

6. Masters had a duty towards thier employees. What was this duty?