A small bus arrived one morning, and a whole class of children stepped out. They told us they had never seen pottery being made, and that they thought pots were simply bought ready-made from a shop.
We sat them around the wheel, put the lump of clay in the middle, and began to turn. When they saw the clay rise between our fingers and become a jar in front of their eyes, they all cried out at once. Then every one of them wanted to try.
A first jar is never straight, and that is lovely
We put our hands over their small ones and turned the wheel gently with them. The pots came out leaning and uneven, but every child carried their jar as if it were treasure. We told them: this is how we began too, and the first thing we made was not straight either.
We love these visits, because the craft only stays alive if those younger than us see it.
We ask one thing of schools and tourist groups: contact us before you come. When we know you are coming we prepare the clay, the wheel, and room for everyone, so the visit is better and each of you gets a turn.