…the duck

For those of you who have some farm experience, or even countryside encounters, you will know that the average goose likes to make its presence known and it’s often on its own proud and hostile terms. Well, the same can go for the average duck, especially if it feels large and in charge.

We have some good friends that we like to hang out with when we visit their coastal town. Out the back of the food shack they run, live some ducks as well as some chickens. They mostly keep to themselves…certainly guarding their backyard territory. They are friendly to those that run the place and I’m sure its because there is food associated with the relationship. The ducks will let these humans get near enough to touch them…but, as we were told, were never friendly to anyone else that comes along. In fact, only one can person can get near enough to touch one of the ducks in particular.

This is a visual story of one curious little girl…determined to come close on friendly terms with these fowl creatures. The story goes something like this….little curious girl tries to approach and definitely gets the “BACK OFF” signals….owner intervenes and tries to reassure both parties, “it’s really going to be ok.” Little girl decides its really just fun to play catch me if you can.

Fast forward to a beach day when we were all out across the road from the food shack and here comes duck and company waddling across the road to come greet and talk to us on the beach. It soon became apparent, it was the little girl whom the duck wanted to talk to. Whenever we were around, so was the duck. The unfriendly duck turned amicable friend. The owners stood in awe…never has this duck been friendly or even tolerable to others. Life lesson… a good reminder that a little bit of patience and gentleness and kindness definitely goes a long way.