When my Grandpa Wally passed away, Grandma Nini agreed to move in with my family. I volunteered to help her unbox all of her belongings. Hanging out with Nini is always amusing because she is full of fascinating tales. As we unpacked the final box, I found a mysterious treasure that sparked her most dramatic story yet.
While sitting on the floor surrounded by empty cardboard boxes, I grabbed something wrapped in an old newspaper. As I slowly peeled back the layers, I let out a gasp while simultaneously stifling laughter. How is it possible that I had never seen this ridiculous, impractical teapot before? It was shaped like a pig, standing up on its back legs, wearing a chef’s hat and wearing an apron with the words “AM I YOUR CUP OF TEA?” on it.
“Nini, where did you get this? I’ve never seen it before. It’s quite…bewildering since you don’t even like tea.”
“I was wondering when that little guy was going to show up! He is my most cherished keepsake, given to me by a secret admirer,” she said wryly with a twinkle in her eye.
“A secret admirer! Did Grandpa know?” I asked urgently as Nini bent down slowly to grasp the teapot, pulling it close to her.
As she placed it gingerly on the table, she recounted, “I was a junior in college, and my friend Lila implored me to attend her holiday party. She wanted to host a celebration before we all went home for winter break. Little did I know, she was participating in a scheme and subtly lending a hand to my secret admirer. I was wary until she revealed this was a special kind of get together – a White Elephant gift exchange.”
“Wait,” I interrupted, “what is a White Elephant gift exchange?”
Nini answered, “Well, each party guest brings a mysterious gift, something inexpensive and often silly. One person unwraps a gift from the pile of presents, and then the next person can either choose a wrapped gift or steal the first gift. Each person takes a turn. It’s so much fun, as people use strategy to end up with a gift they actually like. And so, I went to a secondhand store and was ecstatic to find this gaudy ceramic paperweight shaped like a frog on a lily pad. I wrapped it in colorful paper and embellished the package with a blue, sparkly bow.”
“I asked Lila to tell me who else was coming to the party, but she wouldn’t divulge the guest list. When I got to the party, Lila ran up to me exuberantly and started to introduce me to other party-goers. Later, I noticed a handsome young man that I knew from my Biology class. He had introduced himself to me at the beginning of the semester, and we had chatted a few times. Lila announced that it was time for the White Elephant gift exchange, and as we all gathered in the living room, he sat down next to me. I was so nervous, but after a few presents were unwrapped and stolen,” Nini giggled, “I relaxed and joined in the festive spirit.”
She continued, “After all the boisterous haggling and swapping was over, I was stuck with that hilarious pig teapot. When I wasn’t looking, Lila helped my secret admirer sneak something into the teapot, a note asking me on a date.”
Overcome with curiosity, I grabbed the piggie off the table, lifted his chef’s hat, and put my hand inside. My fingers touched a folded-up paper. Filled with anticipation, I gently pulled out the note and carefully unfolded it. The writing was faded, but I could still read that it was signed – “Hopefully, Walter.”
I stood up to hug my Nini, “Grandpa Wally was your admirer!”
She embraced me, with tears in her eyes, “Yes, for over 55 years, he was my cup of tea.”
Multiple Choice Question
White Elephant Gifts
Why are these interesting or strange items known as White Elephant gifts? Throughout time and across cultures, people have appreciated rare animals and sometimes think of these animals as religiously significant. Kings and other rich rulers might give one of these unique animals as a gift. This award would display the wealth of the king, but it could be a blessing or a curse!
In the ancient kingdom of Siam (modern-day Thailand), owning a white elephant was a sign of strength and prosperity. If a nobleman annoyed the king of Siam, he might receive a white elephant as a gift. Because the albino elephant was seen as a sacred animal, the elephant could not be used for labor. It could not be let go or given away as this would be an insult to the king. Elephants can weigh six to twelve tons and eat up to 600 pounds of food a day. Therefore, this extravagant present might be seen as an honor from the king or as a financial burden that could lead to ruin. Some historians presume this is merely a legend and believe no Siamese monarch would give anyone a sacred animal as a means of revenge. Regardless, the legend lends its name to a festive and fun party tradition.
Based on "My Cup of Tea" and the excerpt from "White Elephant Gifts," which BEST explains how a modern-day White Elephant gift is different from the gift of an albino elephant?
A.
A modern-day White Elephant gift is not meant to become a financial burden for the receiver of the gift, while an albino elephant was meant to cause financial strain.
B.
A modern-day White Elephant gift doe
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es not have any intrinsic value and is typically a silly or impractical item, whereas an albino elephant was a valuable and sacred animal.
C.
A modern-day White Elephant gift is always wrapped and exchanged during a party, while an albino elephant could be given at any time and often in a more formal manner.
D.
A modern-day White Elephant gift is usually chosen based on its humor or absurdity, while an albino elephant was valued for its rarity and significance.
The BEST answer is:
A. A modern-day White Elephant gift is not meant to become a financial burden for the receiver of the gift, while an albino elephant was meant to cause financial strain.
This option directly contrasts the essence of modern-day White Elephant gifts, which are meant to be fun and entertaining, with the historical context of the albino elephant, which could impose a significant financial burden on its receiver.
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