Two years passed.It was the 2nd September of 1781.Yusuf and Zehra woke up at dawn and kneaded the dough from flour and water.When the dough was ready,Selim woke up too and went directly to the kitchen.
-I will help you.What task do you have for me?
-You came in time.Just heat the oven with wood.-Zehra responded.
Soon,Yusuf put 10 pieces of dough in the big gray pot.This process took approximately 2 hours.Selim's parents baked 50 pieces of different kinds of breads.One of them was traditional Georgian bread-Shoti which Selim loved the most.This bread was baked in the deep oven that looked like the huge pit.He had been meticulously observing the preparation process and learned very well from Zehra and Yusuf how to bake distinguished sorts of breads.
But,that not was the only skill he learned.As Yusuf promised him,he taught Selim Georgian alphabet and spoken OttomanTurkish.Selim's talent surprised Yusuf.Selim learned 38 letters(Today's alphabet only consists of 33 letters due to reform by Georgian writer Ilia Tchavchavadze in 1879)in just 2 days.
This morning,after having breakfast with his parents,he had to go to the Ottoman Islamic school-Madrassie.Selim looked at both of his parents:
-Can you come along with me to the school?
-Certainly,Selim!-Yusuf answered.
-What will I learn there?
-Since you are at the primary level,you will study Arabic alphabet in order to write in Ottoman Turkish and Arabic grammar.In addition to these,you will learn Quran and recite the most significant verses.
-Will I be able to assist you in selling breads?
-You won't have any time for this.Forget it completely.You must study hard.You will have exams and you must not fail.Just help us in the morning during baking process.That's it.
-After studying,will you allow me to practice Georgian writing system?I want to write letters.
-Of course,you must do this.The environment may take everything away from you:family members,name,religion,but...you must never forget your mother tongue.If you can't speak and write it fluently,then you can consider yourself as nobody.You must always remember your origin.Always!Can you hear me,dear son?
-I promise you,father!I will never forget that I am Georgian and I will not let myself forget Georgian language.
The whole family finished breakfast.Zehra and Yusuf held Selim's right and left hands and they left the house together.After walking for a while,Zehra smiled at Selim and caressed him on his beautiful hair:
-Son,I have to go to our bakery shop.Tomorrow I will escort you towards your school.
-See you later,mother!-Selim waved her his right hand.