The Tower That Waited
An original Tuck In Books story

Bo the beaver wanted a tower as tall as the table. He lined up six wooden blocks. One, two, three. The fourth leaned. The fifth wobbled. Before he could put on the sixth, the tower fell with a clatter.

“It never works!” Bo shouted. He pushed the last block across the rug. Aunt May sat near him. “You wanted it tall.” Bo’s cheeks felt hot. He looked away. Aunt May did not put the blocks back. She stayed.

For a while, Bo did not want a tower at all. He sat on the step by the window. Aunt May sat on the next step. A pigeon landed outside and bobbed its head. Bo watched it peck at a seed. The blocks were still on the rug.

“Can you help with the bottom?” Bo asked at last. They went back together. Aunt May held two wide blocks side by side. Bo added a third across them. This tower was shorter. It stood while he reached for another block.

The top fell again. Bo squeezed his eyes shut. “That bit is hard.” “It is,” said Aunt May. “Shall we leave it here or try a different block?” Bo chose to leave it. He put a little wooden bird beside the tower.

After snack, Bo came back. The bird was waiting. So was the tower. He found a flatter block for the top. It stayed. Bo smiled, then went to show Aunt May. He could take a break, ask for help and come back when he wanted. The tower did not mind waiting.

The End

A few words for tonight
- Read when the difficult task is over for now.
- Ask which choice Bo could make next.
- Let the story end with a pause if your child prefers.

Read more: https://www.tuckinbooks.com/stories/frustration/
Free for personal family reading.