Ducks, next installment

Okay, I don't remember which installment this is, but I have more to say about ducks.

As you remember, Marilyn and Monroe were a duck couple who chose my yard as their territory for a while each spring for several years. Monroe was a devoted and protective mate for Marilyn.

In our neighborhood, we have many children in a wide range of ages. Most of them are teens, and not interested in ducks, but the little girl who lives next door is very interested. She came over one morning when my youngest and I were on the front porch. I knew her mother was in their garage reading. She would open the garage door so that she could watch her daughter play while she had a smoke, drank a cup of coffee, and often read the paper.

Cece and I had already eaten our breakfast, but I was still nursing my cuppa. She noticed the bowl of water in front of the azaleas, and asked me why it was there. I explained that I put it there so the ducks could have a drink. She was fascinated that ducks were coming to my house. I explained that I was studying them and feeding them to learn more about the life cycle. She asked if she could see them. I told her that I expected them quite soon, but that she was not to approach them or try to feed them unless a grown-up was present, and even then, only with great care.

She ran home to tell her mother and I suppose to ask for bread. Within 30 minutes, my ducks had come and were waddling up the steps to get their breakfast. I tossed out some grain, and watched as Marilyn ate. Monroe, typical gentleman that he was, wandered with in her reach, just watching.

Debbie came running back when she her them fly in. I cautioned her not to come too close, but to wait by the fence. From there she could see very well, but Monroe wouldn't feel threatened. She grimaced at me, but stopped where she was. She watched for a few minutes, then pulled a slice of white bread from her pocket. Not what I consider to be healthy, but surely one slice wouldn't hurt them. Instead of ripping it into small pieces. She threw the whole slice at Monroe. He quacked, and moved closer to me, one eye constantly on her.

Seeing that he didn't take the bread, she stepped forward and picked it back up. I told her that they couldn't eat anything that big and that she would need to make small pieces. I also reminded her not to get too close. Now, Debbie is a nice girl, but sometimes she isn't too bright. She began ripping pieces off (still way too big) and ran in to throw them. This frightened both Marilyn and Monrow enough that they half ran half flew to the other side of the yard. Debbie lost sight of them, and therefore lost interest. She dropped the bread, and headed home. I asked Cece to pick up the bread. She was about 2, but could follow simple instructions. I figured I would give it to our lab.

A few minutes later, I saw Monroe peek around the side of the car. Not seeing Debbie, he quackled at Marilyn to follow him, and he headed back to the porch. I told Cece that maybe she could give Debbie's bread to the ducks. I showed her how to rip small pieces. Then, I had her wait until they were quite close. I helped her reach down slowly, and then toss the bread piece a few inches in front of Marilyn's beak. Marilyn glanced at me, then moved up and took the bread. She made a beeline to the water, and washed it down. Then, she waddled back. Cece and I then tossed pieces to her and Monroe until it was all gone. The last piece was only 8 inches from Cece's feet, but Marilyn stepped forward confidentally to take it. Cece stood quietly between my knees as I sat on my chair, and watched in silence.

After Marilyn waddled off to nap, Cece turned to me and said, "Mom! She eat my bread!" She was so excited. I thought of Debbie, as I hugged my daughter. She was not likely to ever have this experience. She didn't know patience, she didn't know silence. What a loss for her.