It was a bright, sunny morning when Lala woke up full of excitement. The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air as Mom was already busy in the kitchen. Lala had been looking forward to going to the market for days. She had saved her allowance and made a little list of things she wanted to buy: fresh fruits, colorful ribbons, and perhaps a small toy she had seen at the corner stall last week.
“Mom! Can I go to the market today?” Lala asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Mom looked up from kneading dough and smiled gently. “Lala, today isn’t a good day to go to the market. There’s too much work at home, and you have your homework to finish.”
Lala’s smile faltered. She had been so excited, and now it felt like someone had pulled the rug right out from under her. Her little fists clenched in frustration. “But Mom, I’ve been waiting all week! I’ve saved my money! Please!”
Mom knelt down and placed her hands on Lala’s shoulders. “I know you’re disappointed, sweetie, but sometimes we have to wait. We can go tomorrow, I promise.”
But to Lala, “tomorrow” felt like an eternity. She turned away, crossing her arms and pouting. Her cheeks were flushed, not just from sadness but also from the anger bubbling inside her.
The morning dragged on painfully. Every time Lala passed by the window, she saw people bustling through the streets, carrying baskets and bags full of colorful goods. Her heart ached as she imagined herself wandering between the stalls, choosing the juiciest mangoes, the plumpest strawberries, and maybe even that little plush cat she had wanted. Instead, she had to sit at the kitchen table, doing her schoolwork while Mom prepared lunch.
Lala’s anger started to simmer into a storm. She whispered under her breath, “It’s not fair! Mom never lets me do anything fun.” She wanted to stomp her feet, throw her pencil, maybe even run out of the house, but she knew that would only get her in trouble. Still, the frustration was overwhelming. She could barely focus on the math problems in front of her. Each number blurred together as her mind wandered to the market she couldn’t go to.
By noon, Mom called out, “Lala, come help me set the table for lunch.” Lala trudged to the dining room, dragging her feet. She set the plates silently, refusing to make eye contact. Mom noticed the frown on her daughter’s face and sighed. “Lala, I understand you’re upset. But you can’t always have what you want immediately. Sometimes patience is important.”
“I’m not just upset, Mom! I’m angry!” Lala blurted out. “I wanted to go to the market, and now I can’t. It’s not fair!”
Mom knelt down again and looked Lala in the eyes. “I know, sweetie. It’s okay to feel angry. But what matters is what you do with that anger. You can let it control you, or you can use it to do something creative, something good.”
Lala crossed her arms stubbornly. She wasn’t ready to see her anger as anything positive. After lunch, she went to her room and slammed the door. She sat on the floor, hugging her knees and glaring at the wall. Her mind replayed every moment she had imagined herself at the market, picking out fruits, smelling the flowers, and greeting the vendors she liked. She felt cheated, trapped in her room while the world outside was alive and vibrant.
Hours passed. Mom knocked on the door gently. “Lala, can I come in?”
Lala didn’t respond at first, but then she mumbled, “I guess.”
Mom came in and sat beside her. She didn’t scold or lecture. She simply handed Lala a small notebook and some colored pencils. “I thought maybe you could draw the market,” Mom suggested. “You can draw everything you would have bought, all the colors, all the smells… everything you imagined.”
Lala looked at the notebook and then back at Mom. She was still angry, but something about drawing made her curious. With a huff, she took the notebook and pencils. Slowly, she began to sketch. At first, it was just a few scribbles of baskets and fruits. But as she drew, her imagination took over. She drew herself walking between the stalls, choosing ripe bananas, juicy oranges, and even a bunch of flowers to take home. She drew the sun shining brightly, the birds chirping, and people smiling. By the time she finished, her anger had softened, replaced with a quiet sense of satisfaction.
When she showed Mom her drawings, Mom smiled warmly. “These are beautiful, Lala! You turned your anger into something creative.”
Lala felt a small spark of pride. She had been angry, yes, but now she saw that maybe Mom was right. Waiting didn’t have to be terrible. Maybe patience could lead to other ways to enjoy the things she wanted.
As evening approached, Mom said, “How about we bake a small cake together? You can choose the flavors and decorations. It will be our little celebration for your patience today.”
Lala’s eyes lit up. Baking the cake wasn’t the same as going to the market, but it was something fun she could do now, and she realized she could still enjoy herself even without the market trip. Together, they mixed the batter, chose the toppings, and decorated the cake with colorful sprinkles and fruit. Lala laughed when a little frosting ended up on her nose.
After the cake was ready, they sat down to enjoy it. Lala felt happy and content. She understood that while sometimes things didn’t go as she wished, it didn’t mean the day was ruined. There could still be joy, creativity, and love right where she was.
Before bed, Lala hugged Mom tightly. “Thank you, Mom. I’m still a little sad I couldn’t go to the market, but today wasn’t so bad after all.”
Mom smiled, tucking Lala in. “I’m proud of you, sweetie. You learned something important today—how to manage your anger and find happiness even when things don’t go your way.”
Lala closed her eyes, thinking about the market, her drawings, and the cake. She realized that while she had been sad and angry earlier, she had also learned a valuable lesson: sometimes, waiting and finding other ways to enjoy life could bring unexpected happiness.
As she drifted off to sleep, she thought about the market again, but this time, it wasn’t with frustration. It was with hope. Tomorrow, she would finally go, and in the meantime, she had found a little magic in patience, creativity, and the love of her Mom.
And so, though Lala had started the day sad and angry, by the end of it, she discovered that emotions, even the strong ones, could be transformed into something beautiful. She learned that while life didn’t always go as planned, she had the power to make the most of each moment—even when it seemed unfair.
