My Cup of Tea

Question

My Cup of Tea

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
Which BEST explains why Grandma Nini was ecstatic to find a frog-shaped ceramic paperweight in a secondhand store?

A.
Nini collects ceramic paperweights and did not have one shaped like a frog yet.

B.
Nini was shopping for an inexpensive and silly gift to take to the holiday party.

C.
Nini's favorite items are shaped like animals, such as a frog paperweight and a pig teapot.

D.
Nini knew her friend Lila would like this gift and was excited to give it to her at the holiday party.

Answer 1

The best explanation for why Grandma Nini was ecstatic to find a frog-shaped ceramic paperweight in a secondhand store is:

B. Nini was shopping for an inexpensive and silly gift to take to the holiday party.

This aligns with her intention of participating in the White Elephant gift exchange, where the emphasis is on bringing a quirky or humorous gift.