"The Duck"

If I were in a fairy tale,
And it were my good luck
To have to wish, I'd choose to be
A lovely snow-white duck.

When she puts off into the pond
And leaves me on the brink,
She wags her stumpy tail at me,
And gives a saucy wink

Which says as plain as words could say,
I'm safe as safe can be,
Stay there, or you will drown yourself,
This pond was made for me.

She goes a-sailing to and fro,
Just like a fishing-boat,
And steers and paddles all herself,
And never wets her coat.

Then in the water, upside down,
I've often seen her stand,
More neatly than the little boys
Who do it on the land.

And best of all, her children are
The ducklings, bright as gold,
Who swim about the pond with her
And do as they are told.


Edith L M King (1871-1962)



There is only one white Mallard duck on Tiptree's village pond, so it's easy to pick out from the crowd.  A true individual from orange beak to webbed feet  ♥