I have a collection of these cans stocked full of diesel, because sometimes it’s not available where I live in West Africa, like right now. They are not cute. They’re greasy, because I usually spill diesel down the can, unless I’m cleverly siphoning it. They’re rusty, and my kittens liked to use them before they were litter trained. These are not cute cans. I don’t like to look at them, much less touch them, any more than I have to.
Imagine my surprise and delight when I found this tiny treasure
at my church garage sale. A cute little ceramic jerrican, for only 25 cents! A veritable tchotchke, as I like to call knicknacks, being a linguist who’s watched too many home decorating shows lately.
Yes, I am indeed going to use up some of my precious and ever shrinking luggage allowance to haul this thing back to Africa with me in a couple of months. Such a deal!