As I was driving home from work today, I noticed it was still light out so I decided to stop by Sabino to take some pictures of flowers. As I was finishing up, a duck fell out of the sky and landed at my feet. (Apparently, landing was not its strong suit!)
Me: Hello, duck. You look like a Mallard.
Duck: --picks itself up and preens feathers--
Me: It's kind of weird to see a duck in the desert.
Duck: --stares--
Me: Would you mind if I took your picture?
Duck: --waddles over to me--
Me: Oh, well, I don't have any food to give you.
Duck: Quack.
Me: Yeah, and there's probably a rule against feeding ducks anyway.
Duck: --waddles closer--
Me: Well, I know a story about some Mallards. See, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard had a whole bunch of ducklings named Jack, Quack, Pack, Nack, Lack, Ouack...and there were some others.
Duck: Quack!
Me: Well, it's getting dark so I'd better be going.
Duck: Quack. --begins to follow me--
Me: Are you lost?
Duck: Quack. Quack.
So...the duck followed me, keeping up a running commentary, and looking quite worried as it got darker and more animal noises could be heard. I figured I shouldn't go to the parking lot (since the duck kept following me) so I headed back down the trail towards an area where there would be water. People kept doing double-takes, asking if the duck was my pet, taking pictures, etc., as we walked side by side down the path. It was pretty cute. Anyway, it was getting quite dark so I didn't want to go any further so I suggested to the duck that he try calling for his flock again (as he had been doing previously). He took my suggestion immediately. After a couple of minutes of quacking calls, he got his answer and flew off to join his flock. He followed me for about 3/4 of a mile though! As we were walking on the path, I told him that I hadn't really planned to go on a desert hike with a duck today. He looked mildly interested by this and paused to consider. I asked if he had planned to go for a walk with a human today, but he never answered.
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2 comments:
did you take any duck pictures? this is probably the cutest story i've heard in a while
I love it! :-) Ducks are my favorite....perhaps he was sent to cheer you up. :-) Or cheer your listeners as you retold the story!
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