A Romantic Duck Story

There is a beautiful park next to where I’m currently living in Urumqi. I usually go take a walk there a few times a week. The view of the park is truly generous with greenery - tall reeds and blue sky are reflected in the lake and the kind of stillness makes a busy mind a little less crowded.

Yesterday, I decided to go take a walk in the late afternoon. I walked my usual route and I stopped at the little plaza where people dance to traditional Uyghur songs. I stood on the side and watched for a while. The cheerful rhythm of the music, the gentle movements of the bodies and the children playing with one another - all this energy is flowing with the wind and brought a quiet smile to my face.

Then I kept walking.

I arrived at the little pond - a place must visit before leaving the park. I stood there observing the reeds. They grew tall and the reflection in the water made the scenery a beautiful painting.

When I looked closer, I saw that there were a couple of ducks swimming. It is amusing that there was a male duck following a female duck everywhere she goes, closely and patiently like he has no intention to be anywhere else. I wondered “where are the other ones?” Then they appeared as a little squad, however, all male ducks, drifting in the middle of the water.

I discovered that there was only one female duck in the entire pond and this male duck was following her everywhere. Maybe he was worried that he will lose her to so many competitors who are equally good looking and good swimmers! He needs to stay very close to make sure that she is only his.

Sometimes the oldest stories find the smallest stages. 🦆