THE TEAPOT STORY
‘Don’t give up and quit!’
One afternoon, an elderly couple entered a lovely teashop. A busy waiter waved them to sit at a table in the far corner. On the table there was a beautiful teapot. Delicious looking scones, sandwiches and cookies surrounded the teapot. The man started to explain they didn’t have enough money for such a feast when the teapot began to speak.
‘Please, sit down and don’t be afraid. My master wishes you to be his guest. Take and eat whatever suits you while I tell you a story.’ Startled but curious, the couple sat down to listen to the teapot’s story. ‘You see, there was a time when I was just an old, hard, grey lump of clay. I was very sad because I felt so useless. One day, a master potter came along and picked me up. He began to pat, twist, turn and reshape me. It really hurt, so I asked him to please stop. But, he simply looked at me with a kind smile and said: “Not Yet.”’
As the teapot spoke, it poured out tea for the couple into delicate cups that never emptied or grew cold. The teapot seemed to glow and light the dark corner like a lamp as it continued its story.
‘Next, he put me on his wheel and he began to spin me around and around. I got so dizzy that I couldn’t even see where I was going and I began to feel ill. I begged him: “Please, let me off!” And he replied: “Not Yet.”
The worst was yet to come, however. My master put me into the oven. It was so incredibly hot that I cried to be let out. But, all he said was: “Not Yet”.
Finally, the oven door opened. He took me out and set me on the table. I thought: “Phew! Thank goodness, that’s over!” But, then, he began to paint me with an awfully smelling stuff. I could hardly breathe when he put me back into the oven for a second time. It was even hotter than before! I thought I would die for sure. Just I was ready to give up, he gently lifted me up from the oven.
After a long rest, my master came by and picked me up. I could clearly see my reflection in his eyes and saw that I had been transformed. I was now beautiful. He told me that it was my reward for being so patient and strong.’
The couple had tears in their eyes when the teapot finished its tale. They promised to share its story with others and come often to visit. This delighted the teapot and thought: ‘It may hurt a lot, but in the end it is worth it!”
Retold by Miss Nancy Gkitersou
Words to “I’M A LITTLE TEAPOT” song:
I’m a little teapot, short and stout.
Here is my handle, and here is my spout.
When I spy a teacup, then I shout,
Tip me over and pour me out!
