The Pottery Class

Hugo wants to try pottery. He joins a six-week course at the arts centre. On the first evening, the teacher, Mrs Lowe, shows the group the clay. “Too much water is bad,” she says. “Too little water is bad. You learn with practice.”

Hugo’s first bowl looks like a hat. “Don’t worry,” says Mrs Lowe. “The next bowl is better.” The bowls dry slowly. Nobody can paint them before they are dry.

At the end, Mrs Lowe puts the bowls in the kiln. “I send you a message when they are ready,” she says. “Come on Saturday and bring your receipt.”

The message arrives on Friday night. On Saturday at nine, Hugo opens the door. His bowl is on the shelf. It is not nice, and it is heavy, but it is his bowl. “I will put fruit in it,” he thinks.

Hugo wants a new course. “Practise every week,” says Mrs Lowe. “Then you get better.” Hugo smiles. He has a small notebook for his mistakes.