The document tells a story through the perspective of a teacup describing its journey from a lump of clay through the shaping, firing, and painting process. Throughout each step, the teacup cries out in pain but the master responds "not yet" until it is finished. The master then explains that each painful step was necessary to create the teacup's strength, color, and personality so that it could withstand the pressures of life. The lesson is that we must go through pains in life to become better people.