jtd@dec.uk.net

Barry and Bernice Duck were expecting their first ducklings and they were very excited. They took it in turns to sit on the eggs to keep them warm, while the other partner would go off to feed on riverweed and stretch their legs.

Late one evening, just as the ruby red sun was sinking in the western sky over Marchant’s farm, Barry was sitting on the eggs having a little snooze. Suddenly he felt something touch him. He opened his eyes and looked at Bernice.

"Why are you touching me? I’m trying to sleep!" he protested.

"I haven’t touched you," she replied.

Barry went back to sleep.

"You’ve done it again!"

"Done what?"

"Please leave me alone! I’m tired!" pleaded Barry.

A few seconds later he felt a stabbing sensation beneath him. Barry leapt off the eggs and looked at them. Bernice looked into the nest and they watched as a small hole appeared in the shell of one egg. Gradually the hole got bigger and before long they could the unmistakable shape of a duckling’s small, rubbery beak poking through the shell case.

Soon the head appeared and the tiny duckling said,

"Mummy! Daddy!"

Barry and Bernice were very happy and they chose to name their first-born son Edward.

Very soon four other brothers and sisters appeared and Bernice washed them in turn whilst Barry cleaned out the nest carefully disposing of the discarded, brown eggshells. They were happy and contented parents.

Within a week the five ducklings were walking and it was time for their first swimming lesson. Bernice taught them how important it was for them to keep their feathers in the finest condition so that they could remain dry at all times, even in the water. She showed them how to ruffle their feathers and to nibble the base of each feather to encourage oil to come out of their skin to make their feathers oily. This would keep them dry and help them to float in the water.

Whilst Bernice was leading this duckling workshop Edward was not paying attention and kept on interrupting.

"Mum?"

"Yes, Edward?"

"What’s that?"

"It’s the river. Now can I get on?" she replied.

Bernice managed to get another few words out before Edward interrupted again.

"Mum, what’s that?"

"It’s the farm house, where the farmer lives," she replied quickly.

To read the rest of this story send me an email...

13^th May 2003.

[ Home ] [ Jimmy the Hedgehog ] [ Tilly ] [ Epiphany Box ] [ Edward the Flying Duck ] [ All in a Garden ]