In Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club," a turtle imparts a profound lesson about the futility of crying. The turtle explains that tears do not alleviate personal pain; instead, they may bring joy to others. This suggests that expressing sorrow can often lead to a neglect of one’s own emotional needs. Rather than letting tears spill, one should learn to cope with their feelings internally.

This sentiment encourages self-reliance and emotional resilience. The idea that one's sorrows can inadvertently enhance someone else's happiness highlights the importance of personal strength in dealing with grief. The turtle's wisdom serves as a reminder to take control of one’s emotions and find ways to heal privately without relying on external validation.