In the early spring, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard Duck know that it is time to fly North. They leave their warm home in the South, fly, fly, and fly, until they find the very best spot to stay awhile, in order to comfortably raise a family of little ducklings.
Yesterday, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard Duck were tired of flying and needed a break. They came to an open pond, near a house, by a garage, by a chicken coop, by some woods, and they decided to fly down to the water and softly swim. They wanted to relax and talk to each other, and make plans. It was such a lovely afternoon, with sunshine glowing all around them.
But, very very soon, Mrs. Mallard, the nervous type, noticed a loud, barking creature standing by it’s little house and making the most dreadful sounds.
“Mr. Drake, dear, whatever is that beastly creature?”
“My love, it is only a dog. Just ignore him. See his long, strong, chain? He cannot get loose and will do us no harm.”
Mrs. Mallard swam with her husband. The water felt so very cold, and she loved the way it felt on her little webbed feet. She ignored the barking dog, but wondered again.
“Husband, I see ever so many other birds over there, on the opposite side of the pond. They are silent and do not move, but look at how they stare at me! They make no sound at all, and stretch their necks so high to see us. I feel quite odd and freakish.”
“Yes, I see them, dear. They are chickens. Don’t you remember? You have seen dogs and you have seen chickens. Why are you so nervous?”
“They gawk at me so, I can’t enjoy my swim! Those strange chickens, and…..merciful heavens, here come humans!”
The duck couple froze as not one, not two, not three, not four……..but seven humans of various sizes quickly ran, to join the flock of chickens, and the loudly barking dog.
“The lady mother is carrying a baby on her hip, and taking pictures of us!”
“Oh, this is all too much, let us fly away fast. We are not FOND of this POND.”
Mr. and Mrs. Mallard flew up and away, over the heads of the curious chickens, the big brown dog (he really did sound as if he meant to eat them), and the humans, who were pointing at them and talking all at once. And as they flew, they thought and hoped to themselves that their next experience in the northern waters would be a bit more……quiet.
Good to be Home 
fantastic ;)!!! i do enjoy your images of the chickens gawking…i can just imagine. i think that a chicken and a duck meeting would be an absolutely fabulous picture, i wonder if there has ever been one taken?
Great story from the ducks’ point of view.
You should write a book!!! I love your new header.
I wonder what they would have thought if the tire was still on the pond!
I can so see that as a childrens book! I would read it to mine.. In fact, I think I will!
Too cute ~
“fond of the pond”…makes me think of “hop on pop”….:).
Good story!!
That is a good story:) Love your new header pic!
You should write a book and use your photography as pictures! Loved the story! Haven’t commented in awhile, but I do enjoy what the Lord is doing in your life as you eagerly await little Sarah’s arrival!
Well, authoress, Miss Shanda!!!! Rissy enjoyed me reading your story. When can we expect the book to be published?!
I love the way you told that story.
Add my vote for publication, illustrated with your beautiful photos!
Great little story there hun! Telling it from the ducks perspective is great!
Clever girl! That was so cute.
Very enjoyable read! Loved it!
what a delightful telling of a tale!!! I was recently introduced to your site via “my” Kate. She was right – I have enjoyed and beneifted from what I have read so far!While we do have a xanga site, we have ‘moved’ to a blogspot site – http://thebzhousethatlovebuilt.blogspot.com
Wow, so cute! Great writing! I think that I will read it to my kids also!
Loved that!
I love your writing!! What a great way to describe what happened!
LOL—>I think you may have a future in short-stories! This was adorable 🙂
You have mallards, too!
I love the egg holder! It is’us,’, right?
I want to start embroidery. Any suggestions for books?
Are you feeling better?
~ LA
This is THE best story I have EVER read! Beautiful!!