The ducklings
No. 5
proud mum watches them
basking in the morning sun
as dad takes a break
No. 6
stay together now
that boy has a big long branch
run into water
No. 7
here comes hugh and friend
to shoo that bad boy away
safe to come out now
Joan Benecke August 19th 2008
Author notes
On my first visit to Christchurch, the day I was leaving to come home we went to say goodbye to Darby and Joan and ducklings, boys were riding bikes around chasing ducks who went in the water. The branch he had was like a cat-o-nine tails and would've killed the ducklings. We told him to leave them alone and he dropped the branch which I picked up and broke it up so it wouldn't harm them.
In a list
A contest entry
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1750 points, ended September 4, 2008, 41 entries
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Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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Awww some kids just are so cruel. Go on yer Joan. I'm glad you took control.
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What lovely sights!!!
Makes me want to go and visit dad and extend my visit to the famous ducks and to send a big IT after those bad boys!!!
I'm glad you were there to send the boys away.
I get so mad when I see kids chasing the birds at the zoo, and even more angry when I see theirs parents say nothing about..grrr.
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Good for you, Joan!
I get upset when I see goose, ducks and ducklings being mistreated by mischievous boys (and girls, too..although not nearly as many)! I'm glad you spoke up and destroyed the branch they were using to torment (or even possibly kill) the ducks. I have spoken up, on occasion. I'm less likely to do so when their parents are right there not saying a word about what their children are doing (but I have to bite my tongue).
I love haiku #5 the best! 
Best of Luck in this contest!
Much Love,
Maureen
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How fortunate that you arrived just in time!
How many others are not so lucky? I wish all parents would care...
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Yep! Hugh, Edna and I arrived just in time, Mama Duck had the ducklings in middle of pond while Papa duck stood guard, we chased the boys away. LOL Hugh really did want to throw the boy into the pond!
but he got on his bike and went for his life.
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good for you...where are the parents that they do not teach respect for all things...Good job on the poetry...
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OMG!
What is it about little boys and sticks. I caught some little boys jabbing a stick into fence at my Irish Setter because they said it was exciting she got so aggravated acted like she might leap over the fence. It makes no difference if a dog gone bad from being teased use to be good. Getting distrustful of humans for a dog can be as deadly if has to be put down.
I gasped at the thought of a little boy chasing bitty ducklings with a stick. Truly, you are right would have killed them. Thank God Hugh and you shooed them away and that you busted up the stick. Darling photo and must have been even more darling live in person. I'm SO glad you and Hugh saved the little ducklings lives. I love happy endings even in poetry. Life is poetry.
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Yes Darling Pixie so am I and the second time I went I got to see a new batch of ducklings. Their Mama and Papa (Darby and Joan) as we call them are fantastic parents. They should be due to start nesting again and by October we're hoping there's new baby ducklings.
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#8
there runs Hugh and friend
as little boy starts whacking them
with big long branch
Ok that isn't a haiku but it's Yemish.
Being a liitle bit evil, I like number seven since it is mischievous.
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Hahhaha good one Yem.
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A memory shared in a most delightful manner, Angelica!
M-C
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Dear Bea,
Yep I remember that. The little bugger had a willow branch he'd broken off and was trying to swipe the ducklings with it. He went for his life as soon as we got out of the car and went after him. I was gonna throw him in the pond but he shot through too quick for me to nab him. You grabbed the willow branch and broke it into little pieces.
Applause, love anbd hus, XXX Hugh (R.)
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Good for you, Hugh!
Wish you had caught that little bugger and dunked him..would have taught him a lesson...I hope!!! I shudder to think what young boys are capable of doing to innocent animals. I wish their parents would instill in them a reverence for all life and make them realize that animals experience fear and pain just like we do!
Love and Hugs,
Maureen
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