Springtime Tea Trauma

A springtime tempest in a tea cup inspired by a young boy who came with his grandma to my former tea store which is now a handbag shop. He wanted a colorful tea book for his birthday.

My parents were at work, I was on spring vacation, and my uncle was here. I was excited to show off my tea making skills and prepare a fine cup for the family's adult connoisseur.

When I was still seven, Grandma took me to a tearoom, and I saw this gorgeous book about tea with colorful photographs from exotic places; it was captivating, and I had to have it. Grandma looked a little concerned about me, but I persuaded her to get me that book for my upcoming birthday.

I found out when I was eight that tea calms me down. My teacher said I was doing much better, and my mom started giving me tea money every month. When I was nine, I decided to buy a tea cup just for me. I asked my mom to take me to the tearoom, but when we got there it was a handbag shop. Mom said not to worry, and she took me to a second hand store. There were lots of vintage cup and saucer sets there, but most had flowers all over them, and though I like flowers a lot, I didn't want anything too girly. Then I saw this beautiful Salisbury bone china set, with a green color that made me think of pea soup made from fresh peas, and that's the one I bought, and I've had my tea in it ever since. I particularly enjoy the cup in springtime when green springs back into action and the first peas are harvested. For my thirteenth birthday, I've decided that I'll get three more cup and saucer sets so that I'll have one for each of the four seasons.

For my uncle, I decided to brew a single estate tea from the Kandy area of Sri Lanka. My dad told me that Uncle was very particular about his tea and that I should let him make it. No way! I figured he'd be surprised that I even knew about single estate teas; in fact, I was betting that he drank blends.

I always take my afternoon tea in the breakfast nook of the kitchen as the window there looks out onto the garden. The daffodils outside the window had come and gone, but some tulips were blooming, red and yellow ones. I told Uncle that I was going to make our tea and that I'd invite him to join me in the nook. Uncle said he'd heard all about my tea skills from my dad, and he was looking forward to it.

I called Uncle to tea and fixed my own cup while I was waiting for him. I poured him his cup after he sat down, and he immediately bent toward the cup and sniffed. He looked up and smiled at me, nodding in approval. I picked up the little crystal bowl with the sugar cubes.

"Sugar?"

He just glared at me, saying nothing, so I put down the sugar bowl and picked up the little white ceramic jug.

"Milk?"

I simply couldn't have been prepared for what happened next. Uncle exclaimed, in a hurtful tone, "Boy, you're not worthy!", and with that he picked up his cup and left the kitchen, closing the door less than politely on the way out.

I reached for my green Salisbury and picked it up, but my hand was shaking so badly that I had to put it back down. I was in a bit of a dilemma: tea calms me down, but this time I had to calm down before I could drink it. I get nervous easily.

I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing. In my quietude I heard the high pitched sing-song call of a male warbler trying to attract a mate. When he took a break, I thought I heard a faint background noise. I listened intently. Bees were buzzing. It must have been warmer outside than I'd thought. It's a nice spring day when the bees are out. Then suddenly I held my breath. Could it be? I waited, and there it was again: the call of a cuckoo staking out its territory. It was my first cuckoo call of the season!

The kitchen door opened quietly, but it was enough to break my reverie, and I opened my eyes. My uncle had come back in, and he gently placed his cup next to mine. His tea, like mine, was untouched.

I could tell that he'd been crying.

Reviews

[Patricia Wedel]

dearest Roland... I am enamored by your story of
discovering Tea. I learned to enjoy tea from my Mother-in-law
whom we called “Mom-Mom”. She lived in an old and elegant home in a
Place called Washington Grove full of old Oak Trees. Through the years I have enjoyed ☕️ Tea in lovely Cups with friends as we watch the Birds feed outside our large Window. tenderly, Pat

[Roland Petrov]

Thank you, Pat. I grew up in England, but I discovered the joy of tea at friends homes as my parents belonged to a Christian cult where tea was considered to be an evil drug. I had an early passion for antiques, so I enjoyed bone china English tea cups whether there was tea in them or not.

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Roland... I know what you mean by "Christian cults". There are times when young people may choose a different view of being a Christian. I left an "opening" for my children by explaining that many people have Traditions for their Faith. We gave our children the experience of learning and feeling the "Holy Spirit"; however, we told them that every baby born has a beautiful Spirit and that we innately feel that is part of the Holy Spirit, and it is up to every individual to discover this for themselves. I love the Prose tha someone wrote entitled Desiderata by Max Ehrmann first written in 1927. I love the religion that my parents raised me to be, however, it confused the young people by saying that "dancing" is a Sin and that Women should not wear any makeup or Jewelry.
It is more important to have a pure soul. truly, Pat

[Roland Petrov]

Dancing is a sin, and you shouldn't wear makeup or jewelry. Were you perhaps raised in the same religion an I was? It's called Seventh Day Adventist. On the other hand, all the new Christian cults that originated in America in the 1850's have similar rules and regulations. I don't think that young people are confused as much as their parents are. The problem with Faith is that the definition is belief without cause. While this is a topic that may take another thousand years or so to sort itself out, tea will probably still be there to enjoy in whatever cups or vessels the times may provide. Cheers, Pat.

[Patricia Wedel]

You may remember George Vandeman who had the TV show “It is Written”... his son George was our Class President in the
Academy in Takoma Park, Maryland. My parents both worked at the Review and Herald Publishing House (next to the General Conference— the Headquarters of the SDA religion around the World. The Holy Spirit is available to those who Believe. I am proud of my Heritage. Other religions who are not a Cult believe in the Holy Spirit. The SDA religion is not a cult in my opinion. There are Baptist’s that keep Saturday as there Sabbath. It is embedded in my heart and soul. However, I have respect for many people who share our faith in many of our doctrines. I also later in life worked for The Salvation Army and love the story of William Booth who was a Methodist and actually originated The Salvation Arny. I am proud that the SDA religion is known for their Hospitals and training of Nurses and doctors around the World. My son was born in the SDA Hispital in Takoma Park, Maryland.. by Dr. Douglas Z. Lord who studied at Loma Linda University in California. My personal Faith embraces many religions that are not evil or a cult. Lovely to meet a Kindred Spirit. truly, Pat

[Jacob Clifford]

This story is ripe with childish joy. The love the exclamatory excitement throughout. Unfortunately, this story doesn't seem to be your uncle's cup of tea.

[Roland Petrov]

Thanks for reading! Uncle certainly over reacted to his tea not being served the way he perceived that tea should be, but the tears were produced by his realization that he'd gone and hurt his nephew. That's how I envisioned it, at any rate.

[Lee Bakes]

Hello from a fellow tea enthusiast!! If I may call myself that haha. I live in a city called Calcutta which is very close to Assam (Indias biggest tea state) and in my family tea is a big thing too, so naturally growing up I was exposed to various kinds of tea, I came to love it even more in my college days away from home because it was so rare to find a nice good homely cuppa! Your story, is very sweet in that it really is relevant if one likes tea I suppose, because even for me, tea is something associated with calm relaxation and I almost always have to have a good cuppa with either good music or complete solitude and with a great view! I really like how you can make one story so culturally diverse like with your explanations about Sri Lankas Kandy estate and the people who have blends as compared to single estate teas (haha). ALSO that teacup that looked like fresh pea soup!! I think I know what I am going to go hunting for at the vintage store now *wink wink*. On the whole your story was very interesting and entertaining from beginning to end! Although I will admit that the reaction of the uncle crying did make me wonder whether something much more morose had happened although inwardly I understood that the milk sugar and tea was a catastrophe (my eyes literally widened cause I thought WHY?!). I guess if the ending was a little less dramatic it would have driven the point home to me more clearly, however the angle you have adopted, may even help you take the story forward to maybe suggest a manic obsessive problem the Uncle may have had which in turn led to rage issues? However THANK YOU for this awesome read!! I will come back to this many more times, fondly :)
Regards
Lee

[Roland Petrov]

Thanks, Lee! The uncle had very strong ideas about the correct way to serve tea, but the crying was disappointment with himself for hurting his enthusiastic nephews feelings. He was NOT crying because his teas wasn't served correctly!

[Lee Bakes]

Yes, I see that. Im sorry, now that I re read my comment, I figure that I was unable to express what I mean! I meant that the reaction of the uncle crying because he may have hurt his nephews feelings, that is what I found dramatic (maybe I haven't had a long enough tryst with crying or grumpy uncles? At my place the crying to tongue lashing ratio is around 1:100 haha! ) . However, that is purely just what I think and it is just feedback :)

[Roland Petrov]

The crying to tongue lashing ratio sounds about right! Hey, thanks so much for such a nice and witty review. Much appreciated.

[Lee Bakes]

Pleasure, Master Wine ! (pun intended) :D

[Samuel Dickens]

Although I sometimes drink tea, I've never become such a big fan as you. It's not a big part of the culture around here, but is growing. My youngest son and some of his friends would love to come visit you for tea, I'm sure. I can't understand your uncle's behavior. It seems extreme, but I know there are many who hold such views about all sorts of things. I knew a guy who wouldn't buy a badly-needed motorcycle part because the seller was a cross-dresser. "Most illogical, " Spock would say. Excellent writing, Roland.

[Roland Petrov]

Thanks so much, Samuel. In this story, I portray Uncle as a tea fanatic, and fanaticism never ends well. At least I have him feeling very sorry for his behavior.

[Woody]

shoot! I'm definitely loosing it, Roland. I could've sworn I'd left a review first time I read this. unless you've deleted it! kidding.
interesting idea to write about the English national beverage. I love the way you ended the story. intriguing at first but, being clever an' all, I think I figuered it out :)

[Roland Petrov]

You wouldn't put sugar and milk into green tea with mint either, would you now! I'm sure this type of story isn't exactly up you alley, but I'm very diverse in my writing. When it comes to publishing, though, I stick to cookbooks. Thanks for dropping by, habibi!

[Woody]

our tea is so much different from yours. ever had Tunisian tea? stronger, always with sugar. never with milk. preferably with mint and a slice of lemon. mmmmm. we have that after a heavy meal or late afternoon in a beach cafe.
it took some time for me to get used to English tea when I went to Scotland. eventually, I learnt to enjoy "blend" English tea. no milk or sugar.
or tea. in a cracked cup an' all. (haha 4 Yorkshire men)

[Woody]

I meant bland, of course.

[Blossom]

Oh, Roland, it brought back many memories of the previous headquarter! I remember this heart-warming, well-crafted piece on one of my favourite beverages (that has more than once been the topic of my writing). I also recall coining the term Tearista and getting the chef's approval! Reading it again—though knowing what was to follow—entertained me just as much as it had back then. By the by, I also try to have my cuppa by a ‘window with a view’.

[Roland Petrov]

Life's too short not to have one's cuppa by a window with a view (or in my case, outdoors in the cactus garden; hot tea in winter, iced in summer). Yes, I feel your nostalgia; too bad that wonderful site was founded by such an a*s.

[wolfshrew]

My favorite past time is looking at tea cups in second hand shops and garage sales.
My grandmother gave me spare change and made me count it out loud when I found a cup I'd like to buy. She wanted me to try and bargain for it, but I was shy as a mouse.

This also reminds me of all my times of trying to keep calm in the midst of similar interactions with women in my family. Tender feelings of wanting approval and the sting of anxiety.

I loved this.

[Roland Petrov]

Could it be that I failed to acknowledge this nice comment? I haven't been active on this site for a while, but thank you so much Wolfshrew. I am rather shy myself, not to mention all the wine I have to supplement my tea with!

[mattavelli]

Hey, Roland, that uncle is a serious tea drinker! I hope the child isn't too hurt.

[Roland Petrov]

Lovely comment! I think the uncle, upon reflection, was more hurt than the kid. It's fiction, but a very smart seven-year-old did come into my tea shop, and he did want a colorful illustrated tea book for his birthday.

[Taylor]

Hi Roland: Thanks for alerting me to this posting. As you know when I critique, I try to be helpful, though of course mine is only one opinion -- and thus, may or may not be worth considering. I found the concept behind this story to be quite interesting, yet I think the story needs to be fleshed out a bit more in order for the reader (me) to really "get it." I''m not sure that a first person child narrator gives you enough leeway to give adequate background/explanation. As written, I'm not sure that the voice really is that of a child -- even though the child you are describing is quite unusual. Also, I found myself scratching my head and wondering why the uncle left. Was it because sugar and cream are anathema to a connoisseur tea drinker (is there a formal term for such a person)? I suspect that this really is an outline for a slightly longer and engaging story. You have that wonderful touch -- just let it flow. Other reviewers have hammered home with me that I need to grab the reader in the first paragraph -- I wonder whether your first paragraph does that. Could the beginning actually be that the uncle storms out and then the rest of the story winds around to explain that, revealing much more about the MC as well as the uncle? It intrigues me that the uncle was crying -- he certainly over-reacted to the child. What's that about? I'd like to see some dialogue between the uncle and the child, illustrating their relationship. Was the uncle his mentor? So, I don't know if any of this is helpful but of course my hope is that it is. Also, feel free to tell me I'm all wet; after all, I sometimes take milk and sugar in my tea (but not always)!

[Roland Petrov]

Not wet at all! I agree with you on the first paragraph; I'll definitely think about that. You got why the uncle left, so I succeeded there. The child is 12 years old, and the uncle felt terrible about his over-reaction to the kid not being a tea purist. Dad knew his brother well enough to warn the kid, but he insisted on forging ahead anyway. For the record, if I'm drinking plain black tea, I almost always have it with milk and sugar! Thanks for your help, Taylor.

[mattavelli]

I figured the uncle had experienced some trauma which he associated with tea... maybe tortured with hot honey.

[Roland Petrov]

"Tortured with hot honey" is a line I'm going to steal!

[mattavelli]

Sure, just don't put it in the tea!! :p