In the cozy playroom, Thistlehop stacked one more blue block on top of a very tall tower.
Wobble. Tip. Crash! Blocks clattered all across the rug. "No!" shouted Thistlehop, stomping one foot.
Thistlehop grabbed the blocks and built again. Faster and faster.
Then an extra-long block slid sideways and bonked Thistlehop right on the nose.
Click-click! Down it came again. Thistlehop squeezed both paws into fists and glared at the blocks.
With one big shove, Thistlehop swept the blocks into a messy pile.
A round block spun out like a wheel. Around the rug it rolled in a silly circle... and plopped over.
Thistlehop almost laughed. Then Thistlehop sat very still in a warm patch of sun.
The room was quiet. Tick-tick went the clock. Thistlehop took one slow, deep breath.
Then Thistlehop picked up one block, then another. "One... two... three..."
Press flat. Add the next. Thistlehop built slowly and let out a long whoosh of air.
One more block. The tower stood tall in the bright sun without even a tiny wiggle.
Thistlehop tapped the top block with one careful paw. It stayed up, straight and proud.
Thistlehop smiled and set a tiny block on top like a flag. "I did it," whispered Thistlehop.
