The Tale of Jemima Puddle-Duck
Jemima Puddle-Duck tries to hide her eggs but learns to trust wise friends who keep her safe.
Jemima Puddle-Duck loved waddling in the sunshine, but today she had a special plan—she wanted a safe place to lay her eggs, away from everyone who kept taking them. She quacked softly as she tiptoed out of the farm, her webbed feet making funny little marks in the dirt.
Jemima wandered to a little corner near the woods, sniffing the air and looking for a great hiding spot. Just then, a clever-looking fox stepped out from behind a bush with a swishy, fluffy tail. “Hello there, Miss Duck! Can I help you find something special?” he asked, smiling a very big smile.
Jemima told the fox all about her eggs and how she wanted them safe. The fox flicked his tail and said, “I know a wonderful place where no one will bother you!” Jemima liked the sound of that, so she followed the fox under leafy trees and over soft moss.
He showed Jemima a nest he’d made himself, soft and cozy, just for her. “Thank you!” quacked Jemima, feeling very grateful. The fox said he would bring her some corn to eat and hurried away through the trees.
Jemima waited in her new nest, but soon heard a gentle bark. It was Kep, the farm dog! Kep poked his nose through the leaves and whispered, “That fox isn’t really your friend, Jemima. He wants your eggs, not to help you.” Jemima thought hard—foxes can be very clever, but not always kind.
With Kep’s help, Jemima carefully picked up her eggs and waddled quickly back to the safe, familiar farm. She hid her eggs in a quiet spot behind the hay, where the farmer’s wife wouldn’t find them easily. When Jemima sat on her eggs, she felt safe and happy.
Now, Jemima knew to be careful who she trusted and that wise friends help keep us safe. Even the bravest duck is smarter with good friends beside her.
Jemima wandered to a little corner near the woods, sniffing the air and looking for a great hiding spot. Just then, a clever-looking fox stepped out from behind a bush with a swishy, fluffy tail. “Hello there, Miss Duck! Can I help you find something special?” he asked, smiling a very big smile.
Jemima told the fox all about her eggs and how she wanted them safe. The fox flicked his tail and said, “I know a wonderful place where no one will bother you!” Jemima liked the sound of that, so she followed the fox under leafy trees and over soft moss.
He showed Jemima a nest he’d made himself, soft and cozy, just for her. “Thank you!” quacked Jemima, feeling very grateful. The fox said he would bring her some corn to eat and hurried away through the trees.
Jemima waited in her new nest, but soon heard a gentle bark. It was Kep, the farm dog! Kep poked his nose through the leaves and whispered, “That fox isn’t really your friend, Jemima. He wants your eggs, not to help you.” Jemima thought hard—foxes can be very clever, but not always kind.
With Kep’s help, Jemima carefully picked up her eggs and waddled quickly back to the safe, familiar farm. She hid her eggs in a quiet spot behind the hay, where the farmer’s wife wouldn’t find them easily. When Jemima sat on her eggs, she felt safe and happy.
Now, Jemima knew to be careful who she trusted and that wise friends help keep us safe. Even the bravest duck is smarter with good friends beside her.
