I began telling the "Koree and the Fish that Grew" story, but the Mallards began to swim away. "We're not interested," they seemed to communicate. It was then I remembered I had just told them that one. It was the "Koree and the String" I hadn't told them yet!
Mallards are pretty open about how they feel--they will not give you a polite show of acceptance if they don't feel it. However, no other living thing is as encouraging when their responses are positive either. By their honks, nods, wing flaps, and general carryings-on, there can be no mistaking of their approval when they are happy about something.
Today's picture is of one of the spot-billed mallards who came in from a little far out in the pond. Most of the time, these birds will run away from people, but if they know they can get a good story, they come instead. Kinya is witness. Today, after the doctor's visit, he came to the pond with me and saw the mallard come near and stay as I apologized for the mistake of the first paragraph then gave the introduction for tomorrow's story.
