The Rescue

Young Jimmy enjoys going to play in the park near his home. The water birds are always there, either swimming or resting around the lake. Jimmy often sits on the grass beside the lake and watches the ducks swim. The ducks dive below the water and Jimmy laughs when he sees the ducks' feet sticking out as they search for food among the plants. Sometimes younger children come to the lake with their parents and bring bread to feed to the ducks. No one seems to read the signs around the park that tell people not to feed the ducks. Jimmy wants to shout at everyone and tell them that wild birds eat grass and insects, not bread.

Jimmy sees a mother duck with her ducklings and stands very still to get a better look at them. Mother duck comes and stands close to Jimmy. He notices that mother duck is nervous and that she often looks back into the tall grass that grows at the edge of the lake. Six of the ducklings are with her but the smallest one is in trouble. It can't get through the tall, thick grass. Jimmy can see that the poor little duckling is not going to be able to escape without help. Quickly he takes off his shoes and socks and rolls up his trouser legs. Jimmy walks through the thick grass in the water with difficulty and picks up the tired duckling. He puts the duckling safely down near the others. Jimmy feels a thrill of excitement when he sees the mother duck check him out and then happily continue around the lake with her family.

Jimmy can't feel his frozen feet and he has some scratches on his arms and legs. He quickly puts on his socks and shoes. He hurries home to tell his mother about his adventure in the park, his heart is full of joy. He can still feel the soft little feathery body with its fast beating heart in his hands. Young Jimmy will forever remember his joyful experience in the park.