The Purple Mug

Hanna’s purple mug wasn’t just any mug. It was special. It had her name written in gold on the side, surrounded by tiny painted stars, and it had been a gift from her favorite teacher, Mrs. Langley. “For being curious and kind,” the note inside the mug had read. Hanna treasured it more than anything else in the world.

And because it was so special, there was one unbreakable rule: No one else was allowed to use it.

The first test of her rule came on a lazy Sunday morning. Hanna walked into the kitchen to find her older brother, Jake, pouring hot chocolate into her purple mug.

“Jake!” she shrieked, snatching the mug out of his hands.

“What’s the big deal?” Jake asked, startled. “It’s just a mug.”

“It’s not just a mug,” Hanna said, clutching it to her chest. “It’s my mug, and it’s special. Use another one.”

Jake rolled his eyes and reached for a plain white mug. “Fine. But it’s not like it would’ve broken.”

“That’s not the point!” Hanna said, carefully rinsing the purple mug and setting it back on its special shelf. “This one isn’t for anyone else.”

The next near-miss came later that week when Aunt Marie stopped by for tea. As Hanna set out cups for everyone, Aunt Marie reached for the purple mug.

“Oh, what a lovely mug!” Aunt Marie exclaimed. “May I use this one?”

“No!” Hanna yelped, grabbing it before Aunt Marie could. “That one’s not for guests.”

Aunt Marie blinked, surprised. “Oh, I didn’t realize it was so important.”

“It is,” Hanna said firmly. “It’s from my teacher. She gave it to me because I was curious and kind.”

“Well,” Aunt Marie said with a small smile, “it seems you’re also a little protective.”

Hanna didn’t mind. The purple mug went right back on its shelf after Aunt Marie left.

Even Dad wasn’t immune. One evening, Hanna walked into the living room and froze. There he was, sitting on the couch, sipping coffee—from the purple mug!

“Dad!” Hanna gasped, rushing over. “You can’t use that!”

Her dad looked at her, puzzled. “Why not? It was the only clean mug in the cabinet.”

“Then wash another one!” Hanna said, snatching the mug. “This one is off-limits.”

“Off-limits?” Dad chuckled. “It’s a mug, Hanna.”

“No, it’s my mug,” Hanna corrected, taking it to the kitchen to clean. “You wouldn’t understand.”

Hanna’s mom finally stepped in after witnessing one of her purple mug rescues. “Hanna, I think you’re getting a little too worked up over this,” she said gently. “It’s just a mug.”

“It’s not just a mug,” Hanna said for the hundredth time. “Mrs. Langley gave it to me because she believed in me. It’s special.”

“I understand,” Mom said, smiling. “But maybe it’s okay to let people you care about use something special. It doesn’t make it less yours.”

Hanna frowned. “But what if it breaks?”

“Then you’ll still have the memory,” Mom said. “And that can’t break.”

The next day, Hanna thought about what her mom had said. When her best friend Chloe came over after school, Chloe reached for the purple mug. For the first time, Hanna didn’t stop her.

“Are you sure?” Chloe asked. “I know how much you love this mug.”

Hanna hesitated, then nodded. “It’s okay. Just be careful with it.”

Chloe grinned. “I promise.”

As they sat together, sipping tea and laughing about their day, Hanna realized something. Sharing her purple mug didn’t make it less special. If anything, it made the moments with the people she loved even better.

From then on, the purple mug still had a special shelf—but every now and then, Hanna let someone she trusted borrow it. Because as much as she loved the mug, she loved the memories they made with it even more.

One evening, after everyone had gone home, Hanna rinsed the mug and placed it back in its spot. It was still her favorite thing, but now it reminded her of something else, too—that some things are even better when they’re shared.

Phrasal Verbs & Example Sentences

Reach for – To extend one’s hand toward something.

  • Example: “Aunt Marie reached for the purple mug.”

Snatch away – To grab something quickly.

  • Example: “Hanna snatched the mug away.”

Set out – To place or arrange items for use.

  • Example: “Hanna set out cups for everyone.”

Step in – To intervene in a situation.

  • Example: “Hanna’s mom finally stepped in.”

Give in – To yield or agree to something.

  • Example: “For the first time, Hanna didn’t stop her.”

 

Phrasal Verb Quiz

Fill in the Blank with the Correct Phrasal Verb

  1. Aunt Marie ________ the purple mug, admiring its design.

  2. Hanna quickly ________ the mug before Aunt Marie could use it.

  3. Hanna ________ cups for everyone when guests came over.

  4. Hanna’s mom finally had to ________ and talk to her about sharing the mug.

  5. For the first time, Hanna ________ and allowed someone to use the mug.

Answers: Phrasal Verbs

  1. Reached for

  2. Snatched away

  3. Set out

  4. Stepped in

  5. Gave in

 

Idioms & Example Sentences

Off-limits – Not allowed or available for use.

  • Example: “‘This one is off-limits,’ Hanna said.”

Worked up – To become overly emotional or upset.

  • Example: “Hanna, I think you’re getting a little too worked up over this.”

Take to heart – To take advice or criticism seriously.

  • Example: “Hanna thought about what her mom had said and took it to heart.”

Make memories – To create meaningful moments.

  • Example: “She loved the memories they made with the mug even more.”

Every now and then – Occasionally.

  • Example: “Every now and then, Hanna let someone she trusted borrow it.”

 

Idiom Quiz

Fill in the Blank with the Correct Idiom

  1. Hanna insisted the purple mug was ________ and only for her use.

  2. “Hanna, I think you’re getting too ________ about this mug,” her mom said gently.

  3. After thinking about her mom’s advice, Hanna decided to ________ and let others use the mug occasionally.

  4. Hanna realized that sharing the mug helped her ________ with people she cared about.

  5. ________, Hanna allowed someone she trusted to borrow the mug.

Answers: Idioms

  1. Off-limits

  2. Worked up

  3. Take to heart

  4. Make memories

  5. Every now and then

Multiple-Choice Questions

Circle the correct answer.

  1. Why was Hanna’s purple mug so special to her?
    a. It was her favorite color.
    b. It was a gift from her favorite teacher, Mrs. Langley.
    c. It was the only mug in the house with her name on it.
    d. It was a rare and expensive collector’s item.

  2. What was the unbreakable rule Hanna had about her purple mug?
    a. It could only be used for tea.
    b. No one else was allowed to use it.
    c. It had to stay in the kitchen at all times.
    d. It could only be used on special occasions.

  3. Why did Hanna stop her brother Jake from using her mug?
    a. He accidentally chipped it.
    b. He poured hot chocolate into it without asking.
    c. He didn’t understand why it was special.
    d. He dropped it on the floor.

  4. What did Aunt Marie say about the purple mug when she visited?
    a. It was an ordinary mug.
    b. It was lovely and she wanted to use it.
    c. It looked fragile and shouldn’t be used.
    d. It reminded her of her own favorite mug.

  5. How did Hanna’s dad justify using the purple mug?
    a. It was the cleanest mug in the cabinet.
    b. He thought it didn’t matter who used it.
    c. He believed it was meant for everyone to enjoy.
    d. He wanted to see why it was so special.

  6. What advice did Hanna’s mom give her about the mug?
    a. It’s just a mug, and she shouldn’t worry about it.
    b. It’s okay to share something special with people you care about.
    c. She should keep it safe by never using it.
    d. She should buy another mug to replace it.

  7. How did Hanna feel the first time she let someone else use her mug?
    a. Nervous but willing to try
    b. Angry and upset
    c. Relieved and carefree
    d. Indifferent

  8. What promise did Chloe make when Hanna let her use the mug?
    a. To clean it after using it
    b. To only use it once
    c. To be careful with it
    d. To bring her own mug next time

  9. What realization did Hanna come to after sharing her mug?
    a. The mug wasn’t as special as she thought.
    b. Sharing the mug made moments with loved ones even better.
    c. She needed to get a new mug to avoid arguments.
    d. Mrs. Langley’s gift wasn’t meant to be used.

  10. How did Hanna’s relationship with the purple mug change by the end of the story?
    a. She stopped caring about it entirely.
    b. She kept it safe but allowed trusted people to use it occasionally.
    c. She gave it away to her best friend Chloe.
    d. She decided to stop using it to preserve its value.

Answers: Multiple Choice

  1. b - It was a gift from her favorite teacher, Mrs. Langley.

  2. b - No one else was allowed to use it.

  3. b - He poured hot chocolate into it without asking.

  4. b - It was lovely, and she wanted to use it.

  5. a - It was the cleanest mug in the cabinet.

  6. b - It’s okay to share something special with people you care about.

  7. a - Nervous but willing to try

  8. c - To be careful with it

  9. b - Sharing the mug made moments with loved ones even better.

  10. b - She kept it safe but allowed trusted people to use it occasionally.

 

Thought Provoking Question

  • Do you think Hanna’s mom was right when she said sharing something special doesn’t make it less yours?

  • Why do you think that?