The 9-to-5 Official｜A Tiny Civil Servant Made of Clay

Here he is: a tiny little official working a humble 9-to-5.

He has no eyes, yet somehow looks focused.
He holds a scroll with both hands, as if awaiting the next document.
There’s a stick across his head — is it a hairpin? Or a beam of responsibility? Who knows.
But one thing’s for sure: he sits firmly, much more stable than I usually feel on a Monday morning.

A Lump of Clay, A Mood in My Hands
This little figure came to life on a quiet night.
No sketches, no plan.
I had just finished a long day at work, brain fogged and weary.
I thought, “Maybe I’ll make someone who’s still on duty, just like me.”

And slowly, in my hands, the little official took shape.

No Carving, No Color — But Full of Intention
People say he looks rough. And yes — I know.
The folds on his robe were pressed casually, and his face remains undefined.
But I feel he’s already whole.

He reminds me of so many people around us —
Not flashy, not perfect, but they show up, do their work, and hold their place.

He’s not about being “official.”
He’s about being present.

9-to-5 Isn’t a Compromise — It’s a Kind of Practice
This little official reflects something in all of us:
The daily routines of waking up, commuting, replying, packaging, reporting…
These seemingly repetitive actions are quietly shaping our steadiness — like clay being molded over time.

Little by little, we take form.
Little by little, we find balance.

After Work, Let’s All Make Some Clay
Here’s a thought I’ve been holding lately:
“Make time for things that don’t make money — for your hands, your heart, and a bit of clay.”

The official is off duty now.
And so am I.