Duck Feeding Frenzy

It was the holidays, and Matthew and Maria were restless. Their older brother Peter was home from college and offered to take them to the local lake to feed the ducks. Peter had finished up all of the bread making toasted cheese sandwiches for breakfast but luckily the local shop was on the way to the lake anyway. After some time and effort spent putting on their bright red Wellington boots, Matthew, Maria and Peter set off and before long they'd arrived at the local store.

Matthew and Maria burst excitedly through the shop door and called out "Hello" to Mr. Judd the shopkeeper. "Can we have a loaf of bread please, we're off to feed the ducks." "Well now, let me see", said Mr. Judd, "I get a lot of people asking for bread to feed the ducks... Lets pretend that we're ducks." Mr. Judd then tucked his hands under his armpits and flapped and quacked. Laughing, Matthew and Maria did the same, jumping around in circles.

"What would you think of bread if you had to eat it all day long?". "I'd get fed up with it" said Maria. "But bread's good for you" said Matthew. "Too much of anything gets boring" replied Mr. Judd. "Why don't you try feeding the ducks biscuits instead," said Mr. Judd. "Biscuits are like bread, only a bit different." "Yes, lets get some biscuits," cheered Matthew and Maria at the same time. They chose a packet of plain biscuits which looked like waffles from the bottom shelf. "They look yummy" said Matthew. Peter handed Mr. Judd the money for the biscuits. The shopkeeper wished them on their way. "Thank you Mr. Shopkeeper" called back Maria.

Peter, Maria and Matthew set off again towards the lake, and when they arrived they pointed out the ducks excitedly to Peter. "Its the little ones I like," said Matthew, "they're just so new". Maria opened the biscuits and broke one up, throwing the pieces in the general direction of the little ducklings. One piece landed on an adult duck's beak and it bent its neck into an "S" shape.

The ducks hurried to the biscuit pieces and swallowed them whole. "Wow, Mr. and Mrs. Duck really like biscuits. They're going to love us forever." said Maria. From that day forward, every time Matthew and Maria went down to the lake all of the ducks quacked at them. "I'm never going to eat duck at a Chinese restaurant again" said Matthew. They never forgot the lesson they learned that day. To do well, you've got to be a little bit different, but not too much.

Author: Simon Buckingham

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