Lessons From Mr. Duck!

Every once in awhile when I really need a break from the day to day responsibilities, I head to Hammondsport, a small town located next to Keuka Lake in New York State.  I try to get away for 2 or 3 nights and just spend the time reading, relaxing, contemplating, and watching the ducks and Canadian geese.

The Canadian geese tend to be very territorial and downright mean at times.  The ducks on the other hand have some unique behaviors--behaviors that we all can learn from.  On one particular morning, I paid very close attention to a duck that amused me and made me think.  I nicknamed him Mr. Duck and this is what I learned from him...

1.  Be patient with little ones.
I thoroughly enjoy watching a mother duck and her babies float/swim single file near the edge of the water.  If a baby begins to wander or slow down, the mother will guide it back into the line.  Mr. Duck was following the group.  When a baby stopped to snatch a bread crumb or a bug, he waited patiently for the mother to round up her babies and get moving again.  He didn't ruffle his feathers or go ahead of them.  I am reminded to let a little kid explore his world, rather than moving him quickly to the next destination.
 
2.  Accept others who are different.
There were three or four groups of ducks in the lake and on the park grounds.  Some were just relaxing while others were eating popcorn leftover from the night before.  A rather ugly duck tried to join one of the groups.  He was scolded and chased away.  He then went to the next group, and the same thing happened.  He then went to the group that the mother and babies and Mr. Duck had joined.  When that group began to cause a loud uproar, Mr. Duck flapped his wings and hushed the group.  He then nudged the ugly duck over toward some popcorn. A couple of hours later, the two ducks were still together, and the ugly one began to lead his new friends to a certain spot in the lake--apparently it was the best fishing spot for ducks!  The ducks certainly got their fill of fish that day!  I am reminded that if I choose not to get to know someone who is different, then I may be missing out on a special friendship.

3.  Don't follow the crowd.
Around lunch time a family with three young boys arrived.  The boys giggled as they tossed pieces of bread into the air and the Canadian geese and ducks would rush to see who could get the bread first.  Several ducks began to join in, but not Mr. Duck.  He studied the pattern of what was happening and soon discovered that if he didn't follow the crowd, the youngest boy would toss bread his way.  He didn't have to fight his way to get it.  

It's been quite a few months since I've been to the lake.  Hmmm....maybe I need to plan a get away soon.  Who knows, maybe I'll come across Mr. Duck again and he'll have more lessons to teach me!