Day in, day out, Raoni turned the golden
handle in the temple. The greatest honor,
the elders said, because his turning
caused the sun to arch across the sky.
But he didn’t know that Nadi
had been busy in the solar vault.
She’d fixed a belt around the shaft
that ran to the sun machine,
and a pulley with an arm attached
stirred water in a tub of clothes,
to automate her washing.
historical note
After three thousand years, other pragmatists invented heavy-duty and delicates cycles.
artwork
Solar gear wheels—artificial brass, sky, light
Another great surprise ending!
Thanks 🙂