What is the main idea of the fable?

The plain cup shows that useful service can matter more than spotless appearance. (The plain cup gains marks while helping people, which changes the painted cup’s judgment.)

Why does the painted cup change its mind?

It sees the plain cup help people in important ways. (Watching the plain cup carry water and soup reveals a kind of value the painted cup ignored.)

What does “admired” mean?

looked at with approval (The blue cup values its appearance and expects people to choose it, so admired means looked at approvingly.)

What does the plain cup carry to the child?

water (The story says the plain cup carries water to a child.)

The Two Clay Cups: Level 1 Reading Comprehension Questions

A potter made two clay cups. One cup had a painted blue rim. The other was plain. The painted cup teased its neighbor on the shelf.

“Everyone will choose me,” it said. “You have nothing to show.”

Soon, a traveler bought both cups. At camp, the blue cup held flowers beside the tent. The plain cup carried water to a child, then soup to an elder. By night, its surface bore scratches from use. “You look worse than before,” said the blue cup.

The plain cup answered, “That is true. I also know whose thirst I eased.” The painted cup watched the flowers close in the dark. It no longer mistook being admired for being useful.

Comprehension questions