DUCKLINGS
by David Cory · from Puss Junior and Robinson Crusoe
Adapted Version
Mrs. Duck had new baby ducks. They were by the water. She made a nest there. The nest was cozy and warm. Her little ducks were small. They had soft yellow down.
Puss, Junior, watched them. He saw Mrs. Duck. He saw her small ducklings. They were in their nest. The nest was near the stream. Puss, Junior, was curious.
A duckling climbed on Mrs. Duck. "Get off!" said Mrs. Duck. "Quack, quack, quack!" The duckling got down. It was a bit naughty. Mrs. Duck was kind.
"What do you do when it rains?" he asked. He looked at her feathers. Mrs. Duck thought about his words. She had a good answer.
"My feathers are special," said Mrs. Duck. "They keep me dry. Water runs off my feathers. It runs off very fast. My feathers are like a roof. A roof keeps a house dry. My feathers keep me dry."
Puss, Junior, felt worried. "But I am a cat," he said. "I cannot hide under your wing. You are too small for me. I will get wet. Cats do not like water."
One duckling looked at the sky. "No rain!" it peeped. All the ducklings looked. "No rain! No rain!" they cried. The sky was very clear. They felt very happy.
Mrs. Duck spoke to Puss, Junior. "The sky can change," she said. "If rain comes, you can go. You can go to the barnyard. Molly Head is there. She is a kind woman. She takes care of birds. She will help you. She is very nice."
Puss, Junior, thought for a bit. "I need an umbrella," he said. "Then I would not get wet. Cats do not like water. An umbrella would be good. I do not like rain."
Mrs. Duck laughed a little. "Cats do not like water," she said. "Hens do not like water either. They make a big fuss. You are like a hen. It is very funny."
It is good to think ahead. This is true, even if skies are clear.
Original Story
DUCKLINGS
WELL, you will certainly agree with me that the old bullfrog, in the last story, is a wonderful fellow when you hear what he says about Mrs. Duck, and, it is all in poetry, too.
"Old Mother Duck has hatched a brood
Of ducklings, small and callow;
Their little wings are short, their down
Is mottled gray and yellow."
"There is a quiet little stream,
That runs into the moat,
Where tall green sedges spread their leaves
And water lilies float."
"Close by the margin of the brook
The old duck made her nest,
Of straw, and leaves, and withered grass,
And down from her own breast."
"And there she sat for four long weeks,
In rainy days and fine,
Until the ducklings all came out—
Four, five, six, seven, eight, nine."
"So this is your home," said Puss, Junior, as Mrs. Duck stepped into her nest, followed by her brood.
"One peeped out from beneath her wing,
One scrambled on her back;
"That's very rude," said old Mrs. Duck;
"Get off! quack, quack, quack, quack!"
"What do you do when it rains?" asked Puss, Junior.
"What do we do when it rains?" repeated Mrs. Duck, "why, what do you suppose a duck's feathers are good for? They shed the water as well as a barn roof. Yes, even better, for feathers are water-proof and shingles are not."
"Well, my good Mrs. Duck, of course it's all right for you and your family, but should it rain, what would I do? I couldn't possibly crawl under your wings."
"Not very well," laughed Mrs. Duck.
"But it's not going to rain," cried one little duck, peering out from between her feathers. "I know it's not going to rain, for there isn't a cloud in the sky."
Then all the little ducklings poked their heads out and cried, "It's not going to rain, it's not going to rain!"
"If it should, and there's no telling lately, for the weather has been so unsettled, I could take you up to the barnyard and introduce you to Molly Head," said Mrs. Duck, turning to Puss, Junior. "She has charge of all the poultry and is a very kind woman, very kind indeed."
"If I knew where to buy an umbrella," said Puss, after a pause, "I wouldn't mind a little shower, but you know how a cat hates to get wet."
"Yes, they make as much fuss over a little water as a hen does," laughed good Mrs. Duck.
Story DNA
Moral
It is wise to be prepared for potential difficulties, even when they seem unlikely.
Plot Summary
Mrs. Duck has just hatched her brood of ducklings by a stream. Puss, Junior, visits and asks what they do when it rains. Mrs. Duck explains her waterproof feathers, but Puss, Junior, worries about himself. The ducklings, seeing no clouds, dismiss the idea of rain, but Mrs. Duck, being wiser, offers Puss, Junior, an alternative shelter with a kind woman if it does rain. The story concludes with Puss, Junior, musing about needing an umbrella and Mrs. Duck playfully noting cats' dislike for water.
Themes
Emotional Arc
curiosity to understanding
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
David Cory was an American author known for his children's books featuring animal characters, often with gentle moral lessons.
Plot Beats (10)
- The narrator introduces the old bullfrog's poetic description of Mrs. Duck and her newly hatched brood of nine ducklings.
- Puss, Junior, observes Mrs. Duck and her ducklings in their nest by the stream.
- One duckling rudely scrambles onto Mrs. Duck's back, prompting her to scold it.
- Puss, Junior, asks Mrs. Duck what they do when it rains.
- Mrs. Duck explains that her waterproof feathers shed water better than a barn roof.
- Puss, Junior, expresses concern for himself, as he cannot hide under her wing if it rains.
- The little ducklings, seeing a clear sky, confidently declare it won't rain.
- Mrs. Duck, acknowledging the unpredictable weather, offers Puss, Junior, the option of going to the barnyard to meet Molly Head, a kind woman who cares for poultry.
- Puss, Junior, considers buying an umbrella, highlighting a cat's dislike of getting wet.
- Mrs. Duck laughs, comparing a cat's fuss over water to a hen's.
Characters
Mrs. Duck
A mature duck, likely a mallard, with a sturdy build. Her feathers are mottled gray and yellow, indicative of a female duck's natural camouflage. She has strong webbed feet for swimming and a broad bill.
Attire: Natural plumage of a female duck, mottled gray and yellow-brown feathers that are naturally waterproof. No artificial clothing.
Wants: To protect and raise her ducklings, and to ensure their safety and well-being.
Flaw: Her strong maternal instincts might make her overly protective or sometimes a bit rigid in her views.
She serves as a stable, wise figure, demonstrating her established role as a mother and protector.
Maternal, practical, wise, slightly humorous, and protective. She is knowledgeable about nature and her own species' abilities.
Puss, Junior
A young, small cat, likely a kitten, with a sleek body. His fur color is not specified, but could be a common domestic cat color like tabby, black, or ginger. He is agile and curious.
Attire: Natural fur coat of a domestic cat. No artificial clothing.
Wants: To understand the world around him and satisfy his curiosity.
Flaw: His strong dislike and fear of getting wet, which is a common cat trait.
He learns about the waterproof nature of duck feathers and the different ways creatures cope with weather.
Curious, polite, a bit naive, and expresses typical feline aversion to water.
The Ducklings
Nine small and callow ducklings, with short wings and downy feathers mottled gray and yellow. They are tiny and vulnerable.
Attire: Natural downy plumage, mottled gray and yellow. No artificial clothing.
Wants: To explore, stay safe under their mother's wing, and express their simple observations.
Flaw: Their youth and naivety make them easily excitable and somewhat rude, as noted by Mrs. Duck.
They are in the very early stages of learning about their environment and social norms.
Inquisitive, excitable, and prone to mimicking each other. They are still learning manners and the ways of the world.
Molly Head
A kind woman, likely of a sturdy build suitable for farm work. Her specific features are not detailed, but she would have a gentle demeanor.
Attire: Practical, durable clothing suitable for working in a barnyard, such as a simple dress or skirt and blouse made of sturdy linen or cotton, possibly with an apron. Colors would be muted and earthy.
Wants: To care for the poultry and maintain the barnyard.
Flaw: Not explicitly stated, but perhaps her kindness could be exploited.
She is a static character, serving as a point of reference for safety and kindness.
Kind, responsible, and caring, especially towards the animals under her charge.
Locations
Quiet Stream and Moat Margin
A tranquil, narrow stream flowing into a moat, bordered by tall green sedges and dotted with water lilies. The bank is where Mrs. Duck's nest is built.
Mood: Peaceful, natural, nurturing, and a bit vulnerable due to exposure to elements.
The primary home of Mrs. Duck and her ducklings, where they emerge from the nest and discuss the weather with Puss, Junior.
Barnyard
A functional farmyard area, likely with a barn, where Molly Head oversees the poultry. Implied to offer shelter from rain.
Mood: Practical, bustling (implied by 'poultry'), and safe.
Mentioned as a potential refuge for Puss, Junior, should it rain, and where he could meet Molly Head.