This is a story for all the tea/teapot lovers, mainly Jemma Castle and my mum who first introduced me to teapots.
Last week I bought a teapot from the St Vincent de Paul. It was $2 which I thought was a bit of bargain but the volunteer didn’t seem to agree with me. She asked, “what do you want that for?” I told her I wanted to to make tea. She appeard somewhat perplexed and said, “well you can have it for a $1”. I only had a $2 coin so I gave her that and said I was happy to pay two.
So I took my new/old teapot and began my journey home. I was still pretty chuffed with my purchase, even if the woman didn’t share my enthusiasm. I had not requested a bag so had to walk all through Chatswood carrying my teapot, for the world to see. And then on the train it sat perched in my lap while I read my book. I admit I may have looked a little bit silly and I was feeling starting to feel somewhat embarassed when people started to look at me and my teapot but I was suprised at how suprised people seemed to be. It was as if they had never seen a teapot before.
I guess in this day and age where everything is so efficient and quick and busy is our mantra teapots must be out. I mean if one wishes to make tea with a teapot they must first boil the water (preferably from cold) and then pour it over the tea leaves. Then cover it with a cosy and wait for a couple of minutes for it to brew. Finally it is ready for pouring. Then if one wishes to truly enjoy their tea they must stop what they are doing, sit down and drink. It is true this takes much more time than having a tea bag but I am grateful for that. I am grateful that everything good is not necessarily efficient. I am grateful for this daily reminder to stop, to take a rest, and enjoy the simple things that God has given us.
Oh, oh, I love tea as well and I’m so glad there’s still some of us who appreciate its art. Slow things, like baking from scratch, sewing, making tea, can be so beautiful, and you’re right, they make us think, make us rest and share… it will be a sad day when kids start believing that tea only comes from little bags with tags. Maybe lots already do.
I can just see you Mil, sittng on the train with a teapot on your lap. What does it look like? And does it pour well? I hope it is a wonderful teapot for you and that you get many good hours of tea drinking from it. I look forward to sharing a cuppa with you soon.
LoveMum
Ha ha funny post. I read some to my friend Stella. The bit about the girl not knowing what the teapot was for and the bit about people on the train having never seen one. I think people just stare when they see someone carrying something out of a bag. My friend Stella who lives at Urban Seed loves earl grey tea which I thought was a beautiful coincidence.
You sounded like Leunigs duck Mil. very nice
In the spirit of being a good commenter. I like and appreciate this post for all it says about tea, teapots and slow things. Amen.
I agree with Keith – a very Leunig-esque image of you sitting on the train with the teapot on your lap and other passengers looking with bewildered faces.