This was the final session for working with clay. In the next two lessons, we’ll glaze and fire all the pieces. Students who chose to work on vases learned to polish their surfaces to a high shine. Others decorated their Christmas ornaments. Everyone was enthusiastic, and all the artwork is now ready for its first firing in the kiln later this week. As usual at the end of the lesson we completed the next chapter of our fairytail.
The spectacle
After two days, the twins returned to the Dragon’s Cave to get their ceramic animals. “I hope he’s in a good mood,” Mirko said to his sister. As they approached, they heard voices coming from the cave. “He’s not alone,” Marika whispered, relieved.
They entered the clearing in front of the cave and found the elf welcoming them with open arms: “Here they are, our artists!” With them were also the fairy Marilù and the nymph Giada. “Welcome to the spectacle,” roared the dragon, with a smile that lit up his eyes.
On the table, a myriad of colorful jars and a large jug of water intrigued the twins. “What kind of spectacle is this?” asked Mirko. “We are going to fire your animals,” replied the dragon. “But isn’t the firing already done?” protested Marika, confused. “Yes, yes, once, but we are going to fire it a second time to glaze your work,” explained the dragon.
The nymph invited them to prepare the glazes. “What colors should the bird and the shark have?” asked the nymph. “The shark blue and the bird yellow!” the twins answered in unison. With expert hands, the nymph mixed the colored powders with water. “I also brought some wax,” said the fairy, “for the parts that need to stay black.” With a brush, the twins began to cover the noses, tails, and fins.
Then it was time to apply the glazes. With her tongue between her teeth, Marika poured the glaze on the bird, and Mirko did the same. “And now?” asked Marika. The elf dug a hole in the ground and placed branches, moss, and dry leaves in it. “Let’s put the animals in here,” she said. “Now it’s the dragon’s turn,” she announced mysteriously.
The dragon rose up in all its majesty. “Everyone back!” he shouted. He took a deep breath and a huge flame came out of his mouth, setting the hole alight. He continued to blow, raising the temperature inside. Mirko and Marika watched with their mouths open. “It’s really a spectacle!,” Mirko exclaimed.
After an hour, the elf covered the hole with earth. Smoke began to come out. The twins gave a big round of applause. “We’ve finished the second cooking,” the elf announced. “Who wants some lemonade?” the nymph suggested. “Me!” they both shouted. “Now we have to be a little patient, tomorrow we’ll open the hole,” said the elf. “I can’t wait!” Marika exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.