Watching by the river’s edge
Bright and early in the early morning glow
A female Duck came waddling by
With babies one to eight in a row
Into the water she did go
Little ones followed all in a row
Until it got to number eight
Who got to the edge and stopped to wait
Mother stopped and looked around
Little baby making a quacking sound
Come on in, she did imply
Baby shook his head as if to say why
Brothers, Sisters all looked on amazed
As brother on bank just sat and gazed
At the water, not impressed
Had no intention of being pressed
Into the water as mother wanted
This was one request, not to be granted
Dipped his foot into the water deep
Into this don’t think I will creep
I looked on bewildered and amused
To see a duck look so unenthused
Not intending to do as he was told
Though so small, but yet so bold
Back came mother and a chase ensued
Along the river bank I was bemused
To see this duck in hot pursuit
Of her baby who looked so cute
Once caught, mum grabbed him by the neck
Looked to say, you will by heck
Come into the water with all of us now
No time to waste, learn to swim somehow
Into the water the mother duck went
Full of parental good intent
Put her chick onto the water, who suddenly reared
Went up, went down and disappeared
Panic stricken mum dived down
Grabbed her son who was about to drown
He was panicking flapping his wing
And just as suddenly began to swim
Off he went across the water fast
Mum and remainder followed at last
Down the river they all swam
Out of sight down by the dam
I walked off slightly mystified
To see a Duck that nearly died
But all was well, it ended fine
They all swam off, all in a line