The Girl and the Rescue Duck

The Girl and the Rescue Duck - Author : Ebru Mina TOMURCUK

On a bright Saturday morning, Maya skipped into the animal sanctuary wearing her yellow rain boots and red duck-shaped backpack. Her curly black hair bounced in two puffs tied with yellow ribbons. She loved visiting the animals, but today something special was waiting. Near the pond, a small white duck with a grey patch on its back sat all alone. The duck's right foot was wrapped in a little green bandage. 1

Maya knelt down slowly, her dark brown eyes wide with wonder. 'Hello, little duck,' she whispered. The duck tilted its head and let out a soft quack. Its shiny black eyes blinked at her, and a tiny blue ribbon fluttered on its left leg. Maya noticed the duck wasn't walking. 'Does your foot hurt?' she asked gently. The duck quacked again, as if it understood every word. 2

Just then, Rosa the sanctuary staff member walked over. Her green vest was covered in pocket tools, and a small hammer hung from her tool belt. 'That's Pip,' Rosa said with a warm smile. 'Pip hurt a foot and can't waddle far on the bumpy paths.' Maya looked at the rocky ground and frowned. 'Then we should make the paths smooth,' she said. Rosa's hazel eyes twinkled. 'That's a wonderful idea.' 3

Maya and Rosa hurried to find Ben, the sanctuary worker with a measuring tape around his neck. Ben was fixing a fence, his orange gloves dusty. 'A duck needs smooth paths?' he asked, his wide smile growing. 'Count me in!' He pulled out his tape measure. 'We'll make paths so Pip can go everywhere.' Maya clapped her hands. 'Pip will love that!' she cheered. 4

The next day, Maya arrived with her red backpack full of ideas. Ben measured the bumpy ground near the pond. 'We need flat paths,' he said, 'so Pip's foot won't hurt.' Rosa marked the way with little flags. Maya helped by carrying small stones away. 'This path will go to the pond,' she said, 'and that one to the shady tree.' Pip watched from a soft towel, quacking happily. 5

Ben and Rosa mixed smooth cement and poured it carefully. Maya used a little trowel to spread it flat. 'Nice and even,' Ben said, giving her a thumbs-up. The sun was warm, and Maya's yellow boots got a bit muddy. But she didn't mind. She wanted every step to be safe for her new friend. Pip waddled closer, curious about the activity. 6

When the first path was dry, Maya carefully lifted Pip and set the duck down. Pip took a wobbly step, then another. The smooth path felt good under the bandaged foot. Pip quacked loudly and flapped tiny wings. 'You did it!' Maya laughed. Rosa clapped, and Ben cheered. The duck waddled all the way to the pond and back without a single stumble. 7

Every day after that, Maya visited Pip. They explored the new paths together. One path led to a quiet corner with soft grass. Another curved around a flower bed. Pip could waddle everywhere now. Maya learned to walk slowly so Pip could keep up. 'We make a good team,' she told the duck. Pip quacked in agreement, and the blue ribbon on its leg bobbed. 8

One afternoon, Maya noticed other animals watching. A rabbit hopped near the smooth path, and a turtle slowly followed. 'Look, Rosa!' Maya said. 'Everyone likes the paths.' Rosa smiled. 'That's because when we make things accessible, everyone can enjoy them.' Maya nodded, understanding something important. She petted Pip's soft feathers. 'I'm glad you can go everywhere now,' she whispered. 9

Maya had an idea. She asked Ben for leftover materials. 'Can we add a little ramp by the gate?' she asked. 'So Pip can go in and out easily.' Ben ruffled her curly hair. 'Great thinking!' They built a gentle slope, and Pip waddled up and down with ease. Maya beamed. 'Now you're free to explore the whole sanctuary,' she said. Pip quacked joyfully. 10

That evening, Maya sat with Pip by the pond. The sun set behind the trees. 'You know, Pip,' she said, 'I used to think helping meant just being nice. But making the paths? That's helping too.' Pip rested a wing on her boot. Maya smiled. 'When we change things to fit a friend, that's real kindness.' The duck's shiny eyes seemed to agree. 11

Rosa and Ben joined them. 'You've taught us something, Maya,' Rosa said. 'Accessible paths make the whole sanctuary better.' Ben nodded. 'We'll build more paths everywhere.' Maya's gaptoothed smile shone. 'And Pip can be the path inspector!' she joked. Pip quacked and waddled in a happy circle. Everyone laughed, and the sanctuary felt warmer than ever. 12

The next week, new smooth paths appeared all over the sanctuary. Maya and Pip led the way, waddling and walking side by side. Other visitors noticed how easy it was to move around. 'These paths are great!' a boy said. Maya felt proud. She had helped make the sanctuary a place for everyone. Pip's bandage was smaller now, but the blue ribbon still fluttered. 13

Pip's foot healed, but the friendship stayed strong. Every Saturday, Maya brought a small treat for her duck friend. They sat by the pond and watched the clouds. 'You'll always be my rescue duck,' Maya said. Pip quacked softly. The smooth paths shimmered in the sun, a reminder that kindness builds bridges, ramps, and happy trails for everyone.