This is the story of a sad little duck.  He is orange, his hair looks like he has been electrocuted, and for some reason kids love him.

At my son’s school the Reception and Nursery children take home Storysacks each week. It is a great idea. Each Storysack has a theme, from fire engines to cooking … to ducks. There are books, toys, or puzzles in each sack, and the kids never know what their sack will reveal until Friday evening after school when they open them like it’s Christmas morning.

I am getting ahead of myself though, back to this sad little duck (which I think is really a platypus). Of all the Storysacks the “Duck” one has struck a chord with the children. They take him to bed and cuddle him all night. They give him a name and make him one of the family.

Just what is his attraction? I think they may feel sorry for him as he is bedraggled and looks like he has had a hard life. Maybe he tells them stories about life on the pond, fighting with ducks and herons, waiting for children to wander down to the pond side and throw them tasty (stale) bread. They care for him and don’t care that he has had better days, they see past his bald spots and his green tinged legs.

It makes me think that we, as adults should think like children and that duck a bit more often. I am quick to judge, and make far too many assumptions. I don’t see the best in people often enough. A child wouldn’t walk straight past a big issue seller, a child is happy playing with a cardboard box, a child loves without barriers.

Maybe we should take a leaf out of our children’s books a bit more often!

About Jane

Jane Rainford is the chief writer and editor for Online Mum, where she is responsible for researching and writing articles. She also writes the blog - Joys and Heartaches of a 1st time Mum, where you can follow her as her baby grew into a boy.