We spent Easter weekend at my dad's house. Daughters #1 and #2 met us there and we spent a relaxing couple of days together enjoying each other's company.
This is one of the wood duck houses Daddy and his friends built for the ducks to nest in. Daddy says wood ducks are the most beautiful bird in his opinion.
A home any duck would be proud of, I’m sure. I think this one is a townhome. Daddy was telling D1 and I that sometimes more than one duck will lay eggs in the nest and then the mama ducks take turns sitting. One flies out and another flies in. Shift work.
He checked this house only to find a single dead baby duckling.
I know. That’s how D1 and I felt. Daddy brought it up to the dock where we were standing to show it to us. We didn’t really care to see it.
He holds it out for us to see. Then he says, “What a shame.” And chucks it into the lake.
D1 and I gasped and looked at each other and then at the duck floating in the water.
I asked Daddy, “If you find me dead in my house one day, are you going to throw me in the lake?”
I can see it now. “What a shame. She was such a good girl, too.“ Kerplunk!
He said, “Nah.”, very seriously. He didn’t see any humor in my sarcasm. He then explained, “It’s the most respectable thing to do.” looking out at the floating duck.
D1 and I were mortified and heartbroken. My father looks at this as a matter of fact. It happens all the time in nature. The circle of life.
I guess.But if I should go before my father. Keep an eye on him. Just sayin.
