A duck came up to me the other day and said: “Hey!”

“Quack?” I replied.

“You hungry?”

“Quack.” I nodded.

“Yeah, you look hungry. Want some bread?”

“Quack.” I nodded.

“Yeah, bread’s good isn’t it?”

“Quack.” I nodded.

“It’s crap when dunked in water though, isn’t it?”

“Quack.” I nodded.

“Hard to eat when it’s all soggy, isn’t it?”

“Quack.” I nodded.

“It’s even harder to eat when torn into pieces and chucked in water, isn’t it?”

“Quack.” I nodded as the duck ripped the slice of bread into loads of tiny pieces and threw it in the water.

“Enjoy,” he laughed as he threw the final bit at my head.

I looked at my wet, torn up lunch, confused.

A tear trickled down my face as I watched the duck walk down the path throwing stones towards my brothers and sisters.

© Carl Burkitt 2012