The Matching Notch

Under the edge of the living room rug, I spotted a sturdy little cardboard tab peeking out into the morning light. Gripping its edges with both hands, I tugged free a stray jigsaw puzzle piece showing a patch of bright green moss. I carried my discovery over to the low board where an unfinished forest landscape was laid out. Crouching down beside the border, I scanned the interlocking cutouts until I spotted an empty gap right beneath a painted birch trunk. I aligned the two rounded tabs with the notches and pressed down firmly with both palms until it locked in with a crisp, flush click. Completing stray geometry is thoroughly satisfying.