Max clenched his fists as he glared at Big Blue, whose fur bristled and eyes shimmered with sadness, barely fitting between the tables. "It's your fault! You always show up when I get mad," he shouted, his voice trembling.

Big Blue let out a low, rumbling sigh, his gaze gentle, while Max crossed his arms and turned away. Every stomp and yell made Big Blue grow even more, his fur standing on end. "I can't help it, Max. I just grow when your feelings do," the monster murmured, but Max only scowled harder, feeling helpless and alone.

Ms. Lily smiled gently at Max, her patience a calming force. "Max, sometimes our feelings can feel really big. But there are ways to help them shrink again," she says, putting a stress ball into his palm. "How? Big Blue never goes away," he replies, his voice small and uncertain.

Ms. Lily guides Max through each breath, her count steady, encouraging him to squeeze the ball and name his feelings. She reminds him gently to use his words when emotions feel too big. "When you feel Big Blue getting bigger, you can try these things. It helps you and him," she explains as she points to Big Blue, who is getting smaller with each calming breath Max takes.

"Maybe it isn't all your fault, Big Blue. Maybe you just show me when my feelings are too big," Max says quietly, his gaze meeting Big Blue’s gentle eyes. Big Blue smiles, shrinking until he’s just the right size to sit beside Max, no longer pushing anything aside. "And maybe we can help each other, Max," the monster replies, his voice gentle and reassuring.

Max takes a deep, steady breath, feeling hope replace the heaviness inside. He knows now that Big Blue isn’t there to scare him, but to help him understand his biggest feelings. With Ms. Lily’s guidance, Max learns that sometimes, all it takes to shrink the largest monsters is a little help—and a friend to understand. With a big smile Max and Big Blue share a quiet smile, ready to face tomorrow together.