My nephew cried for 10 minutes because I wouldn't give him the penguin plush off my backpack, and now my whole family thinks I'm a monster. It wasn't just 'a toy.' This little penguin was a gift from a close friend who lives far away, given right before he left. It's a reminder of him, always on my bag, and it means a lot to me. My 8-year-old nephew saw it and wanted it. I said no, but offered to get him a similar one. He started sobbing, saying 'but this one is already my friend!' Then the adults started giving me strange looks. My mom quietly told me it was 'just a toy on a bag' and my sister later said I made him cry over a 'stupid plush toy' and could have just given it to him. Excuse me? It just makes me so mad that my personal, meaningful gift became 'just a toy' simply because the adults found it uncomfortable to hear a child cry. Why do I have to give up something important to me to avoid family drama? I love my nephew, but that penguin stays with me.