The Ducklings Grow Fast

The downy little brown ducklings grew longer and taller. By 4 weeks old, they began to grow beautiful, shiny feathers. The three male chicks, Dooghie, Danny and Drake, grew metallic dark green feathers on their heads. A funny white ring around their necks separated the green neck feathers from the purplish-brown chest feathers. The four female ducklings were spotted white and buff-color, dull compared to their brothers’ shimmering plumage. Ava, Ella, Ana and Ariel, had stripes across their eyes as if they were wearing makeup. The chicks had grown so big, they were almost as tall as their mom. Even as big as they had all grown, they still chirped tiny little chirps, and their silly little wing sprouts still had no feathers.

Drake was becoming a big bully. He was the swiftest of all the ducklings to find worms and bugs which made him grow bigger faster. Now that he was the biggest of the clutch, he really knew how to throw his weight around! He pushed the other ducklings away from their worms and quarreled with them over who gets to eat it. Daily, Quackers had to break up fights between Drake and the four girls. Ariel was the most defiant against her bully brother. She didn’t like being pushed around by a bully, even if it was her brother. She liked Dooghie much better. Dooghie peacefully snuffled for worms with the flock without stealing everyone elses food.

Drake got bossier and bossier. In a few more weeks, the ducklings were almost as big as their mother. The feathers on their wings grew as if overnight, and their little chirps were breaking into moderate quacks. Drake even tried to boss his mom around. Boy! Did she give him a scolding!!! She was still bigger than her growing son, and she was going to make sure that he knew it! She nipped his heels and shoulder and quacked out a warning. Drake was put in his place, but not for long. Drake felt squeezed by the loveley garden. It had a lot of nice snails and cracked corn, but felt too small for an ambitious young duck. Drake had a feeling there was more to see in the world than some kindly humans, a big house and bug-infested garden. He dreamed to someday see the world. He kept his secret longings to himself.