Egyptian Pottery: The First Art Form
Egyptian Pottery: The First Art Form — an illustrated stories story, set in Egypt. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
Petra skipped through the Grand Egyptian Museum, her eyes wide with wonder. She stopped abruptly in front of a glass case. "Valentina, look! It's a piece of pottery," she exclaimed, pointing to a reddish-brown jar. As Petra gazed at the jar, the room began to spin, and the ancient clay seemed to glow.
Page 2
"Where are we?" Valentina asked, her voice filled with alarm. Petra looked around, astonished. They stood in a field of golden wheat, beside a wide, shimmering river. Anuket, a woman with kind eyes and sun-weathered skin, approached them, carrying a basket overflowing with clay.
Page 3
"Welcome, children," Anuket said, her voice gentle. "I am Anuket. You have arrived in the time of my ancestors, long before even the great pyramids." Petra tilted her head, studying Anuket's hands, noticing the clay caked beneath her fingernails. "What are you doing?" she asked.
Page 4
"I am a potter and a farmer," Anuket replied. "From the mud of the Nile, we create vessels to hold our food and drink. We shape the very earth to sustain us." She gestured to a small fire pit beside her. "This is where we harden the clay, making it strong and lasting."
Page 5
Valentina picked up a piece of broken pottery, examining the patterns etched into its surface. "These designs are beautiful. Did you paint them?" Anuket smiled. "Yes, child. We use natural pigments from the earth to decorate our pottery. Each symbol tells a story."
Page 6
Petra carefully observed the potter. 'What if the pot breaks?' she inquired. Anuket sighed and explained, 'Even broken pieces tell a story. We grind them into powder and add them to new clay. Recycling the old, it strengthens and binds the new.'
Page 7
"My ancestors were just like you!" Anuket exclaimed, handing Petra a small lump of clay. "They too, learned to work with their hands. I'm sure you have heard of the pharaoh Narmer who united Egypt, he started out as a farmer, just like me." "Clay connects us to the past, and to each other," she added softly. "What will you create?"
Page 8
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble. "What's happening?" Valentina cried, grabbing Petra's arm. The river shimmered strangely, and the wheat field began to fade. Anuket smiled knowingly. "It is time for you to return. Remember what you have learned here."
Page 9
Petra clutched the lump of clay tightly in her hand. "But... I don't want to leave yet!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with disappointment. As the world dissolved around them, Petra remembered what she'd learned about recycling clay. A broken pot has value.
Page 10
Back in the museum, Petra stared at the pottery jar, now understanding its true significance. "'The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing,'" she whispered, remembering Socrates's quote. "I thought it was just a pot, but it's so much more!" Valentina smiled, nodding in agreement.
About this story
- Location: Egypt
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)