Explore today’s Strands puzzle with the theme “If all else fails...” inspired by Jiminy Cricket’s song.
Learn the meaning behind the spangram “Make a Wish” and today’s key words.
Celebrate the last Friday of November with a calming, hopeful puzzle experience.
The last Friday of November has brought a peaceful challenge in the form of NYT Strands. As the year comes to a close and the weekend approaches, Strands rounds off your day with a meditative break.
Furthermore, the theme of today’s puzzle, which is based on a classic magical moment, adds to the joy of solving the puzzle. It is just the right moment for a Friday mental workout before December.
Looking for a little help solving today’s puzzle? Well, here are the theme, clues, meanings, and full solution to guide you through.
Today’s Theme: If all else fails.
Hint: Think of Jiminy Cricket’s most famous song.
ST
DA
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CO
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MAKE A WISH: The expression ‘Make a wish’ is a common utterance we frequently witness in minor, desperate, but also ritualistic situations, like, for instance, blowing candles on a birthday cake, seeing a meteor, or throwing coins into a fountain after having found a fallen eyelash. It stands for a small but very powerful act of belief, a faith that such insignificant moments can still bring a bit of magic and luck.
STAR: A glowing, celestial body in the night sky, people often ‘wish upon a star.’
DANDELION: A yellow flower that becomes a fuzzy seed head; people blow on it for good luck by making a wish.
EYELASH: A small hair from the eyelid; when one falls out, many make a wish and then blow it away.
COIN: A small piece of currency; traditionally tossed into fountains or wells while making a wish.
FOUNTAIN: A Water feature where a person throws a coin and silently makes a wish.
LADYBUG: A small red beetle with black spots; to see one is believed to be lucky, and a wish is often made upon it.
SYMBOL: Something that stands for an idea; in this context, each thing represents the action of making a wish.
This brings us to the end of today’s NYT Strands, a puzzle that fits beautifully with the spirit of the last Friday of November. With its hopeful theme and nostalgic nod to wish-making traditions, it leaves you with a quiet spark to carry into the weekend. As November signs off and December waits in the wings, may today’s Strands remind you that a little wonder is always within reach.