Love gives us incredible strength, making us do the impossible to protect the ones we love. This is a touching story about a mother duck, and how her cleverness and courage were stronger than a fox's cunning.
Mama Duck's Brave Trick
On a warm spring morning, a mother duck was proudly leading her little ducklings to the lake. They were very happy, following her in a neat row, quack-quacking cheerfully along the way.
All of a sudden, the mother duck froze. She spotted a fox hiding at a distance, watching them with gleaming eyes. Her heart pounded with fear, but she shouted firmly, "Children, hurry to the lake! There's a fox!"
The little ducklings hurried towards the safe water. The mother, however, quickly thought of a plan. She began to act strangely. She let one wing hang limp as if it were broken, and started to hobble and cry out pitifully.
When the fox saw her, he became very happy. "It seems she's hurt and can't fly!" he said to himself. "What an easy meal!" He started running towards her.
The mother duck began to run slowly, leading the fox away from the lake to draw him away from her ducklings. The fox followed her greedily, forgetting all about the little ones, who had now reached the lake safely. The mother duck glanced at them and her heart was relieved. She stopped to catch her breath.
The fox thought she was tired and that she was his prize. He crept closer, but just at the right moment, the mother duck spread her strong wings and flew high up in the air.
She landed safely in the middle of the lake, and her ducklings joyfully swam to her. The fox, however, stood on the shore in disbelief. The mother duck had cleverly tricked him, and now he could never reach them.
🎯 Enrichment & Learning
Values and Lessons Learned
- A Mother's Love and Sacrifice: The story shows how a mother's love makes her brave and willing to sacrifice herself to protect her children.
- Cleverness over Strength: The duck used her mind and wit to defeat the fox, who was bigger and stronger than her.
- Courage is Acting Despite Fear: The mother duck was scared, but she didn't let fear paralyze her. Instead, she thought quickly and acted wisely.
- The Importance of Quick Thinking: In times of danger, the ability to think fast and come up with creative solutions can save the day.
Comprehension Questions
- Where were the mother duck and her ducklings going?
- What danger did the mother suddenly see?
- How did the mother duck pretend to be hurt?
- Why did the fox follow the mother duck?
- How did the mother duck escape in the end?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why was the mother duck's trick so clever?
- What do you think the fox learned that day?
- Can you think of another way the mother duck could have saved her ducklings?
Practical Application Questions
- Think of a time someone in your family protected you. How did it make you feel?
- When you feel scared, what helps you to think clearly?
- How can you show love and protection to someone smaller or younger than you?
🎨 Interactive Content
Fun Activities
- Bird Watching: If you can, go to a park with a pond and watch how ducks and other birds look after their young.
- "Protect the Egg" Game: One person (the "mother") protects a beanbag (the "egg") while others try to gently tag it. The mother can use distractions to lead people away.
- Drawing Game: Draw the moment the mother duck flies into the air, leaving the surprised fox on the shore.