0:00:05 > 0:00:10Here they come, my two intrepid explorers.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Charlotte and Lokesh.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15I'm their Great Aunt Lizzie, you see.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18And I wonder which one is coming to see me today?
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Ah, so it's Charlotte.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26- Hello, Charlotte! - Hello, Great Aunt Lizzie!
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Once upon a time, I travelled the world,
0:00:35 > 0:00:39discovering treasures from long ago and far away.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44And no end of stories to remind me.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47But my most precious possession of all
0:00:47 > 0:00:51is my extraordinary collection of teacups.
0:01:04 > 0:01:05Here we are!
0:01:07 > 0:01:10No time to count the clouds.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12Let's have a nice cup of tea and a story.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15But, first, we need the teacup.
0:01:16 > 0:01:17But which one?
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- That one.- Ah!
0:01:34 > 0:01:36The owl skyphos.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38What's an owl skyphos?
0:01:38 > 0:01:40It's a type of drinking cup.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44So, this is a picture of a cup on a cup?
0:01:46 > 0:01:48What about the owl?
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Well, in Ancient Greece, the owl represented the goddess Athena,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55who was supposed to bring protection and good luck.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59So, this owl skyphos, is it a tea cup?
0:01:59 > 0:02:03No. The Ancient Greeks didn't drink tea.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07They drank wine and water in their special owl cups.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09So, are you ready?
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Ready.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15Then shall I tell you the story of Charlotte And The Owl Skyphos?
0:02:17 > 0:02:20The story began in ancient Greece.
0:02:20 > 0:02:21Early one bright morning,
0:02:21 > 0:02:25in a quaint little village surrounded by vineyards.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46The sun was already beginning to warm the air
0:02:46 > 0:02:49and make the pretty white houses dazzle.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51Charlotte walked into the village.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55She wandered along until she came to an open doorway.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59As she looked through it, she saw a man who seemed very busy, indeed.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01- Kimon, I need you.- Yes, mistress.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05There's always so much to do for the Festival Of Arrephoria.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Yes, mistress. I've swept the floor, prepared the table,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12arranged their chairs and the food will be delivered soon.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15I've still got to eat, have my bath, do my hair and face,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17that's before I've thought about dressing!
0:03:17 > 0:03:19So, I'm not nearly ready yet.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Oh, I just want everything to be perfect tonight.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- This party is very important. - Yes, mistress.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29Oh, no! The owl skyphos! We've forgotten the owl skyphos!
0:03:29 > 0:03:32- I got it out earlier, mistress. It is here.- But is it clean?
0:03:32 > 0:03:36- Have you checked?- I was just about to do that, mistress.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39It needs to be pristine and perfect for me to take the first drink
0:03:39 > 0:03:42to honour the goddess Athena.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- Please make sure it is. - Yes, mistress.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47As Kimon, the servant,
0:03:47 > 0:03:52began to scrutinise every millimetre of the owl skyphos,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55Charlotte came forward, curious.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Excuse me. What exactly are you looking for?
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Well, this skyphos must be absolutely perfect
0:04:02 > 0:04:05for my mistress, when she takes the first sip
0:04:05 > 0:04:07to start the party in honour of Athena.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Then she passes it among her guests.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13But there must be no blemishes or cracks.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15- It's very beautiful.- Yes, it is.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19- Oh, no.- What?
0:04:19 > 0:04:21There is a crack in the glaze.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24- Where?- Along the rim here. Look.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31I must get some black paint to cover it.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Would you please hold this very carefully?
0:04:34 > 0:04:36What an unusual cup it was.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39With handles pointing in different directions,
0:04:39 > 0:04:43and a wide-eyed owl on each side,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46staring out between two olive branches.
0:04:46 > 0:04:51But Charlotte still couldn't see the crack in the glaze, until...
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Oh, I can see it.
0:04:54 > 0:04:55Argh!
0:04:55 > 0:04:58This is a disaster!
0:04:58 > 0:05:00I've completely run out of black paint.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04And I've got so much to do before the party this evening!
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- I could go get some for you. - Would you? Oh, thank you!
0:05:08 > 0:05:12And you must take the owl skyphos so you can match the paint.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- OK.- It must be exactly the same shade of black,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19otherwise my mistress will notice.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Now, the merchant who sells the paint is in the next road,
0:05:22 > 0:05:25not far from here.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26I'll be as quick as I can.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36She'd only just stepped in the door, when she heard...
0:05:36 > 0:05:38Achoo!
0:05:38 > 0:05:41- Bless you!- Oh, thank you.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I have the most terrible hay fever today.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48I just can't seem to stop sneezing! Achoo!
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Now, how can I help you?
0:05:50 > 0:05:54I'm looking for some black paint, to match this.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59- To mend a crack in the glaze.- Oh, I've got the perfect colour. Achoo!
0:05:59 > 0:06:04Oh! I'll just get it for you.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Charlotte was relieved. In no time at all,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10she would be on her way back to Kimon with the black paint.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Here it is.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Ah-ah...
0:06:14 > 0:06:15But then...
0:06:15 > 0:06:18A-A-choo!
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- Disaster!- Oh, no!
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- I'm so sorry! Is really bad?- Yes.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30It's in pieces. I'll have to try and get a new one.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Oh. Well, the only people I know who have owl skyphoi
0:06:33 > 0:06:36are the maidens of Athena, at the Parthenon in Athens.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Athens? That's miles away.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43I tell you what, why don't I fix it for you?
0:06:43 > 0:06:46I've mended lots before. Now, it's not exactly brand-new,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49but when you're stuck...
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Could Charlotte make it to the maidens of Athena and back in time
0:06:53 > 0:06:57for the celebration? Or should she trust Dorian to mend the skyphos,
0:06:57 > 0:07:02after Kimon had already complained about the tiniest scratch?
0:07:02 > 0:07:05It was still mourning, and already the plan was in pieces.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Dust up here may well make you sneeze, Charlotte!
0:07:13 > 0:07:16I was thinking, couldn't Charlotte just go back and explain
0:07:16 > 0:07:19to Kimon about the broken owl skyphos?
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- She could. - It was an accident, after all.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25It was. And such very bad luck.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30The trouble is, Kimon's mistress
0:07:30 > 0:07:34might notice if Charlotte returned for the pot that Dorian has mended.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37She'd certainly notice, and she might be cross.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39That would be terrible.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42But it's such a long way to the maidens of Athena.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47Do you think Charlotte can get there and back before the party?
0:07:47 > 0:07:49I think she'd have a jolly good try.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- So do I!- One way or another, Charlotte couldn't go back to Kimon
0:07:53 > 0:07:56without the owl skyphos, now could she?
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Off went Charlotte in her hat, bag and boots.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Along twisting dirt tracks...
0:08:14 > 0:08:16..and over the hills.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27When she was almost out of breath...
0:08:29 > 0:08:31..the path ran out!
0:08:40 > 0:08:43There was only one way to get to other side.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Charlotte took a deep breath.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34Stretching out before her rose the majestic city of Athens.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41But there was no time to admire the view.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Charlotte had to get that owl skyphos.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52Charlotte climbed up and up to the Parthenon.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58At the top, she found a young woman fanning herself on the steps.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Excuse me? I'm looking for the maidens of Athena.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04You've found a very hot and bothered one!
0:10:04 > 0:10:06I need an owl skyphos as quickly as possible.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Join the queue! Don't you know, it's the Festival of Arrephoria?
0:10:09 > 0:10:14- I did know, but...- It seems everyone needs an owl skyphos today.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Someone told me the only place I could get one from
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- is the maidens of Athena.- It's true.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23That's why, on this boiling hot day, I've been stoking the kiln
0:10:23 > 0:10:26to get it hot enough to fire all those cups.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Oh, I'm sweating all over!
0:10:28 > 0:10:33- Would you like some water?- Thank you, that would be very welcome!
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Oh, thank you.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45The owl skyphos I had got broken. I really need to replace it,
0:10:45 > 0:10:47or a servant could get into a lot of trouble.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Well, I would give you one from the kiln,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53but they won't be cool enough to handle for ages.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Charlotte couldn't wait for it to cool down,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58or she'd never get it back for the party.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Then she had one of her brilliant ideas.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03I know. My winter hat.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05I always carry it just in case.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09I could put the hot cup in there, and it would cool on the way back.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Great idea! I'll bring it on a tray.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Charlotte held out her hat like an oven glove,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22ready to wrap up the precious skyphos.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26She was determined that this one would arrive safely back with Kimon.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- Thank you.- You're welcome. Enjoy the festival!
0:11:30 > 0:11:32I will. Bye!
0:11:39 > 0:11:41Back came Charlotte.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Down the hills...
0:11:45 > 0:11:48..and along the twisting dirt tracks.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Charlotte found Kimon looking very nervous, indeed.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- I got it!- Oh, thank you, Charlotte!
0:11:59 > 0:12:02My mistress has called me three times already.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05It took me longer than I thought.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- You mended the crack. - Actually, it's a brand-new skyphos.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17I got it from the maidens of Athena.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- In Athens?- Yes, that's why I took so long.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23I don't know how to thank you.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- Take it to her, quickly, before she finds out.- I will!
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Oh. It really is beautiful.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- Thank you.- You're welcome!
0:12:34 > 0:12:37May I?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41And that was that. The whole storm in a teacup.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44The story of Charlotte And The Owl Skyphos.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Except, it wasn't a teacup. It was a cup for wine.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- You're right, it was. - But your cups are for tea.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52They are. Tea and stories.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Which makes them very special, indeed.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Just like the owl skyphos.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Thanks to you and I, they're all clean and dust-free.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Ready to drink our tea out of. - Absolutely.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Have you ever broken a teacup from your collection,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- Great Aunt Lizzie?- I did once,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11but I managed to mend the crack so it was almost invisible.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13Oh, goodness me, is that the time?
0:13:13 > 0:13:17That story will have to wait for another time, Charlotte.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Your mum'll be here in a minute.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Now, how did that get there?
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Home time, Charlotte!
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- Thanks, Great Aunt Lizzie! - Cheeribye, Charlotte!- Bye!