A Pebble in My Pocket

Jason was the kind of man people noticed. Tall, handsome, and always quick with a friendly smile, he drew attention wherever he went. But for Jason, that attention came with its own set of challenges. He couldn’t go anywhere without someone trying to play matchmaker. At work, at the coffee shop, even at the grocery store—there was always someone eager to introduce him to their “perfect” friend, daughter, or niece.

“Jason,” his colleague Liz said one day, cornering him in the breakroom, “my cousin just moved to town. She’s gorgeous, funny, and—”

“Let me stop you right there,” Jason interrupted with a smile, slipping his hand into his pocket. His fingers closed around the smooth pebble he carried everywhere. He held it up and said, “I appreciate the thought, but I already have a pebble in my pocket.”

Liz frowned, confused. “A pebble?”

Jason nodded. “Yep. It’s enough for me right now. Keeps me grounded, you know?”

Liz laughed awkwardly, unsure how to respond. Jason took that as his cue to leave, tucking the pebble back into his pocket as he walked away.

The pebble had become Jason’s signature response. He didn’t mean to be rude—he genuinely liked people and enjoyed their company—but he also valued his freedom. The pebble was his way of politely saying, “Thanks, but no thanks.”

It all started a few months ago when Jason was on a hike. He came across a stream, and as he sat by the water, he picked up a small, round pebble. It fit perfectly in his hand, smooth and cool. It was simple, unassuming—just a pebble, really. But to Jason, it symbolized something more: the peace he felt when he was alone, free to think and just be.

From that day on, he carried the pebble with him as a reminder. Whenever someone asked why he wasn’t dating or when he planned to “settle down,” he’d smile, pat his pocket, and say, “I already have a pebble in my pocket.”

One Saturday morning, Jason was sitting in his favorite park, reading a book. A young woman approached, her golden retriever wagging its tail excitedly. “Hi,” she said, smiling. “Sorry to bother you, but my dog seems to think you have treats.”

Jason chuckled and showed her his empty hands. “Sorry, nothing here but a book—and a pebble.”

“A pebble?” she asked, tilting her head.

He reached into his pocket and held it up. “Yep. It keeps me grounded.”

She laughed. “That’s different. I like it. I’m Emma, by the way.”

“Jason,” he said, shaking her hand.

Emma sat on the bench beside him, her dog settling at their feet. “So, is this pebble a metaphor or something?”

Jason smiled. “Kind of. People are always trying to set me up, but I’m happy on my own. The pebble is my way of saying, ‘Thanks, but I’ve got all I need.’”

Emma nodded thoughtfully. “That’s refreshing. Most people feel like they need someone to complete them.”

Jason shrugged. “I think if you’re not happy alone, you won’t be happy with someone else. The pebble’s my little reminder of that.”

Emma smiled. “Fair enough. But don’t let that pebble keep you from good conversations. You seem like someone worth talking to.”

Jason chuckled. “Noted.”

As the weeks went by, Jason and Emma ran into each other more often—at the park, the coffee shop, and even at the library. Their conversations were easy, filled with laughter and shared stories. And while Jason still carried his pebble, he found himself enjoying Emma’s company more than he expected.

One day, as they walked along the park trail, Emma teased him. “So, how’s your pebble doing?”

Jason smiled, pulling it from his pocket. “Still here. But you know,” he said, turning it over in his hand, “it’s starting to feel a little less important.”

Emma raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

He glanced at her, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Maybe I’ve got room for more than just a pebble.”

Emma laughed, nudging his shoulder. “Good to know. But don’t lose it entirely. Everyone needs a little grounding.”

Jason nodded, slipping the pebble back into his pocket. “Don’t worry. It’ll always be there—just like the reminder that being happy with yourself is where it all starts.”

As they walked together, Jason realized that his pebble hadn’t just been a symbol of solitude—it had been a way to make space for the right things. And as Emma talked about her latest project, Jason couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, his life had room for her, too.

Phrasal Verbs & Example Sentences

Come across – To find or encounter something by chance.

  • Example: “He came across a stream and picked up a small, round pebble.”

Run into – To meet someone by chance.

  • Example: “Jason and Emma ran into each other more often.”

Hold up – To lift or present something.

  • Example: “He held it up and said, ‘It’s enough for me.’”

Pat down – To touch something to confirm it’s there.

  • Example: “He smiled, patting his pocket.”

Slip into – To place something inside gently.

  • Example: “Jason slipped the pebble back into his pocket.”

Phrasal Verb Quiz

Fill in the Blank with the Correct Phrasal Verb

  1. While hiking, Jason ________ a stream and picked up a small pebble.

  2. Jason and Emma began to ________ each other frequently in the park and coffee shop.

  3. Jason ________ the pebble and explained its meaning to Emma.

  4. Before leaving, Jason ________ his pocket to ensure the pebble was still there.

  5. At the end of their walk, Jason ________ the pebble gently into his pocket.

Answers: Phrasal Verbs

  1. Came across

  2. Run into

  3. Held up

  4. Patted down

  5. Slipped into

 

Idioms & Example Sentences

Thanks, but no thanks – A polite way to decline something.

  • Example: “The pebble was his way of politely saying, ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’”

Feel like a burden – To seem like too much trouble or responsibility.

  • Example: “Jason didn’t want relationships to feel like a burden.”

Make room for something – To allow space for something new.

  • Example: “Maybe his life had room for more than just a pebble.”

Worth talking to – Someone interesting or valuable to converse with.

  • Example: “‘Don’t let that pebble keep you from good conversations. You seem like someone worth talking to.’”

Keeps me grounded – Helps maintain balance or perspective.

  • Example: “The pebble keeps me grounded.”

 

Idiom Quiz

Fill in the Blank with the Correct Idiom

  1. Jason used the pebble to politely decline setups, saying, “________.”

  2. He avoided relationships because he didn’t want them to ________.

  3. Over time, Jason realized his life might ________ for more than just a pebble.

  4. Emma told Jason, “You seem like someone ________, so don’t let the pebble stop you.”

  5. Jason explained to Emma that the pebble ________, helping him maintain balance.

Answers: Idioms

  1. Thanks, but no thanks

  2. Feel like a burden

  3. Make room for something

  4. Worth talking to

  5. Keeps me grounded

 

Multiple-Choice Questions

Circle the correct answer.

  1. Why did Jason carry a pebble in his pocket?
    a. It was a gift from a friend.
    b. It reminded him of the peace he felt when alone.
    c. It was a lucky charm for good fortune.
    d. It was part of a hiking tradition.

  2. How did Jason respond when people tried to set him up with someone?
    a. He politely declined and mentioned his pebble.
    b. He ignored them and walked away.
    c. He explained his busy schedule as an excuse.
    d. He avoided the conversation altogether.

  3. What did Jason tell Liz about the pebble in the breakroom?
    a. It was just an ordinary rock.
    b. It was enough for him and kept him grounded.
    c. It was a keepsake from his childhood.
    d. It symbolized his desire for solitude.

  4. Where did Jason first meet Emma?
    a. At his workplace
    b. In the park while reading a book
    c. At a coffee shop near his home
    d. While hiking near a stream

  5. What was Emma’s initial reaction to Jason’s pebble?
    a. She thought it was strange.
    b. She found it refreshing and liked the idea.
    c. She didn’t believe his explanation.
    d. She teased him about it.

  6. How did Jason explain the meaning of the pebble to Emma?
    a. It represented his reluctance to settle down.
    b. It symbolized his happiness and self-contentment.
    c. It was a way to avoid awkward conversations.
    d. It reminded him of his love for nature.

  7. How did Jason and Emma’s relationship evolve over time?
    a. They became close friends who often ran into each other.
    b. They started dating immediately after meeting.
    c. They kept their relationship strictly casual.
    d. They lost touch after a few conversations.

  8. What did Jason say about the pebble as he grew closer to Emma?
    a. It was no longer important to him.
    b. It was a constant reminder of his independence.
    c. It was starting to feel less important.
    d. He wanted to replace it with something new.

  9. What lesson did Jason believe the pebble symbolized?
    a. Solitude is the key to happiness.
    b. Being happy with yourself is where happiness begins.
    c. Relationships complicate life unnecessarily.
    d. Independence is more important than companionship.

  10. How did Jason feel about Emma by the end of the story?
    a. She was someone he enjoyed talking to but nothing more.
    b. He realized his life had room for her, too.
    c. He was unsure about where their relationship was heading.
    d. He decided to keep his focus on being alone.

Answers: Multiple-Choice Questions

  1. b - It reminded him of the peace he felt when alone.

  2. a - He politely declined and mentioned his pebble.

  3. b - It was enough for him and kept him grounded.

  4. b - In the park while reading a book

  5. b - She found it refreshing and liked the idea.

  6. b - It symbolized his happiness and self-contentment.

  7. a - They became close friends who often ran into each other.

  8. c - It was starting to feel less important.

  9. b - Being happy with yourself is where happiness begins.

  10. b - He realized his life had room for her, too.

 

Thought Provoking Queston

  • Do you agree with Jason’s belief that being happy alone is essential before being happy with someone else?

  • Why or why not?