The little rap on frustration.

Early one morning, high up in a tree, A Parrot grew frustrated, "Who could that be?" THUD! THUD! THUD! Parrot peeked over his nest, Then he heard it again, "Who's being a pest?" He swooped down to see, quickly fanning his tail, As Confident Panda stormed past like a gale. BOOM! Panda hollered as the ball hit the rim, Through a hoop overhead, hanging right above him.

But Frustrated Parrot was far from impressed, Each bounce of the ball tightening his chest. "What is this racket?" Parrot squawked with disdain. Panda just grinned, "Come on, join my game!" Parrot puffed up, "I was trying to rest, And here you go putting me to the test! This can't be so tough," he said, feeling judged. He flapped and he pecked, but the ball barely budged. Panda just chuckled and picked up the ball, Then bounced it again, making Parrot feel small. Friends gathered round, Surprised Bear gasped out loud, Excited Duck flapped as she joined the crowd. "Oh, do it again!" Duck quacked with a squeal, "This bouncing is magic, it doesn't seem real!" But Parrot just squawked, feathers fluffed with distress, "Now everyone's watching, I have to impress!"

Confident Panda rolled Parrot the ball, "Try again, friend, there's no one size fits all! There are many ways to play this game, Or we could work together, you could be my aim!" Parrot's feathers flared up, his chest gave a huff, "No one takes me seriously, I've had enough!" He hopped on the ball, and it rolled to the right, Causing Frustrated Parrot to flap and take flight. Then he tried again, eyes narrowing tight, Wrapping his wings round the ball, "Is this right?" The ball gently lifted but pushed Parrot back, And he tumbled down squawking, "Ugh! No! Ack!" Inside his head, frustration spun tight, His chest felt heavy, his wings felt light. His heart beat faster, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP! His feathers felt sweaty, his fists made a clump. His jaw squeezed tight, his face turned red, "Why won't it BOUNCE?" poor Parrot said. His breathing grew quick, his thinking brain stilled, All he could hear was an alarm bell that trilled.

He stomped and he squawked, spinning round in outrage, Taunted by the ball that sat still on the stage. Determined Bee buzzed, "You've got this, Parrot! Just give yourself space, your approach has merit!" But Parrot was stuck, he just couldn't see, His frustration was blocking his best clarity. Then Calm Koala sidled up, gentle and slow, "I can see you're frustrated, but you can let it go. Just take a deep breath, feel the ground at your feet, Notice the ball, feel its bumps, its heat." Parrot breathed in, then out with a sigh, He examined the ball, the grass, the sky. His body relaxed, his heart slowed its pace, And slowly his thinking brain reclaimed its place.

He blinked, "Hmm, frustration's not just to annoy, It can help me adapt, find a new kind of joy. If bouncing won't work, maybe rolling will do, I can run on the top, or even pass it to you!" With a flutter and flap, he leapt on the ball, He zig zagged to Monkey who clapped most of all. Grateful Monkey cheered, "Look what you've done! You've found your own way to join in the fun!" Panda then grinned, "See, you're part of the team! Frustration can help us to chase a new dream." So now when Parrot feels feathers flare, He remembers the lesson learned in the air, Frustration's a signal, not the very end, It can lead to discovery with help from a friend.