Emma sat at the kitchen table, staring intently at the jigsaw puzzle before her. The pieces seemed to mock her, refusing to fit together no matter how she turned them. Frustration tangled in her chest.
"Come on, Elsa, why isn't this working?" Emma complained to the pieces as her older sister walked by. She gently tousled Emma's hair and offered, "It looks tricky, but don't give up. Let's try sorting the edge pieces first," suggesting a strategy. Emma nodded and rearranged the pieces.
After several attempts, Emma managed to connect a few edge pieces, a small victory that lifted her spirits. But as she delved into the more intricate center, the frustration resurfaced. "Why is this so hard?" she grumbled, her voice trailing off.
"It's okay to feel frustrated, Emma," her dad said, glancing over from the newspaper. "Sometimes puzzles are tough, but every piece has its place. Keep going, and you'll find where they fit." Emma took a deep breath and continued. Despite her efforts, the image remained disjointed, and her patience waned.
The room suddenly brightened as Emma's younger brother toddled in, wagging a piece he found. "Look, Emma!" he exclaimed, proud of his discovery. Emma chuckled and accepted the piece, fitting it perfectly into the puzzle. She felt a spark of joy, appreciating her brother's contribution.
"You did it, Emma!" Elsa cheered. Emma beamed, realizing that teamwork and perseverance led to success. The pieces eventually fell into place, forming a beautiful picture. "I didn't think it was possible, but it is!" Emma exclaimed, relief washing away her frustration.
The adults shared knowing smiles. Emma had learned that frustration didn't mean failure. It signalled a challenge and an opportunity to discover new ways of solving it. She hugged her family, grateful for their support and guidance.