I think Caleb's friend has learned a valuable lesson - JWs are ungrateful. Imagine if the scenario was reversed. Caleb gave his friend something that he spent his own money on to please his friend, and the friend just discarded it. Poor Caleb would be hurt, but he'd also learn that 'Worldly' people are thoughtless etc.
Interesting way of looking at it. I actually had this happen with my JW girlfriend (now wife) when I bought her a locket back when we were dating. It a very pretty locket but because it had a cross on it, her mom said that she could not have it and she even went and returned it in front of me. That made me feel pretty bad.
Stupid cult.