Quark
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Quark
by Donna Ess
Once, in a small, quiet pond near a small, quiet wood, there lived two ducks, Gerard and Emily. Gerard and Emily were very happy.
They spent their days splashing about in the water, flying over the quiet wood, sharing fabulous meals of bugs and seeds, and just enjoying each other's company. As time went by, however, they realized that their happy life could be even better. They decided to start a family.
Emily laid three eggs. She sat on her nest faithfully. Gerard was very good to her while she was nesting. He brought her tender morsels to eat. He told her glorious stories of the things that he had seen on his trips to the quiet wood. He even sat on the nest for her so that she could flap her wings and stretch her legs.
For a long time it seemed as though nothing was going to happen. Emily began to grow impatient, even a little worried.
Finally, one day it happened. Emily felt a slight tapping beneath her. She hopped off the nest quickly, and looked to see what was happening. As she waited, so excited that she could hardly stand it, her determined little baby worked his way out of his egg.
Finally he was free. He was a sweet little boy. As the last of the shell fell from his tiny little body, he shook himself all over. He was all wet, and shivering. Before long he was yellow and fluffy, and walking about the nest. His father and mother looked at him proudly. He was a beautiful, strong duckling. They decided to call him Quark. At first, Emily was a little disappointed that only one of her eggs had hatched. Soon her disappointment was gone as her love for her precious son grew.Finally he was free. He was a sweet little boy. As the last of the shell fell from his tiny little body, he shook himself all over. He was all wet, and shivering. Before long he was yellow and fluffy, and walking about the nest. His father and mother looked at him proudly. He was a beautiful, strong duckling. They decided to call him Quark. At first, Emily was a little disappointed that only one of her eggs had hatched. Soon her disappointment was gone as her love for her precious son grew.
Quark was such a fun and bright duckling to be around! He loved to swim in the quiet pond. He begged his parents to tell him stories of the beautiful wood that surrounded them. He ate seeds and bugs with his parents, and told them many stories of the interesting things he saw each day while swimming in the lovely, quiet pond. He asked questions about the beautiful plants that grew near the pond.
Quark made friends with some of the animals that lived near the pond. There was a bunny named Cherum, who became a special friend. Quark and Cherum played on the sunny banks of the quiet pond.
Quark grew into a strong, magnificent duck. He had shiny white feathers that grew in to replace his soft yellow fluff. His legs grew strong from swimming in the pond. His wings grew stronger each day. He asked his parents when he would be ready to fly to the wood. He tried to be patient. Finally, the day arrived! Quark was ready to soar. And soar he did! Quark had never had so much fun. The pond upon which he had spent so much time looked tiny from up in the sky. He could not even recognize his friends when he looked down.
Gradually, the weather began to grow colder. The leaves began to change colors, and many of Quark's friends began to prepare for the winter. Emily and Gerard told Quark that soon it would be time for them to fly south for the winter.
One cold morning, Gerard told Quark that it was time to go. He said good-bye to his friends, knowing he would see them again in the spring. It was especially hard to say good-bye to Cherum. Then it was time to go.
Of course, the next spring, Quark, Emily, and Gerard returned to the small, quiet pond, near the small, quiet wood. Their friends were there to welcome them. They spent their days splashing about in the water, flying over the quiet wood, sharing fabulous meals of bugs and seeds, and just enjoying each other's company.
Quark had many adventures as he grew. He stayed healthy and strong. Gerard and Emily were quite pleased with their beloved son, and he with them.