Breeze decided today he would find the answer to the question, – why would a duck wear wellington boots?
He dressed early, long before the sun was up, packed a snack bag full of berries, oat bars, apples and a giant raspberry muffin. “Best not take any chances for I could be waiting a long time for this strange duck to appear.” He muttered.
When he arrived at the pond he was happy to see the only occupant was a frog. Spike popped out of Breeze’s pocket and went to have a chat with his friend on a lily leaf.
Breeze climbed into the nearest tree close to the pond and sat. Soon he was rewarded by the sight of a long thin duck clomping his way across the grass to the pond. Breeze decided to stay where he was, so he wouldn’t frighten the strange duck.
“Morning,” he said.
The duck looked at Breeze and said, “Morning.” Then turned to the water and bending low took a long drink.
“Nice boots.” Breeze said.
“Thank you. I rather like them as well.” The duck sat down on the grass and stared at Breeze.
“I don’t see many ogres hiding in trees.” The duck said.
“And I don’t see many ducks wearing blue boots with yellow stars.” Breeze politely replied.
“No seems like we are both a little different.”
Breeze decided then and there he liked this strange duck. “I am Breeze, would you like an apple?” At the duck’s nod he threw an apple to the duck.
“Thank you I am Star.” the duck said.
“Can I ask why you wear boots?”
Star the duck smiled. After a few moments of thought he said, “Because I am allergic to water, it makes my feathers itch and turn red.”
Breeze looked at the duck and at his blue boots. He didn’t believe this story and decided beaks are pointy and a snip from a bird can hurt. His answer was tactful. “That makes sense I suppose. I should go, but would you like the rest of my picnic?”
“Thank you. It does get boring watching my friends playing in water while I simply sit and stare.”
“Good bye Star, I will ask my friend Tulip to solve your problem.” As he left he noticed a sadness in the ducks eyes.
Later Breeze discovered the truth from Tulip, his best friend. “Star is one silly stubborn duck. She got her feet trapped in those wellies by Lovisma because she kept stealing Lovisma’s fish dinners. If the duck asks for help the curse will be lifted, but she is one stubborn duck.”
“So I should help her if she won’t help herself.” He muttered.
Breeze went in search of Lovisma. He found her concocting a smelly potion in her favorite bright red cauldron.
“I’m busy.” She said.
“I don’t care.” Breeze said. He walked over and gave the witch a nudge with his elbow sending her wand flying some distance away. She fell over and he sat on her.
“Now you are not busy and I want you to release Star from the spell. I will make sure she doesn’t eat your dinners anymore. Do we have a deal?”
Lovisma was turning a nasty shade of pink, a colour she detested. She squeaked, “Yes but get off me you oaf you are squishing me and ruining my potion.”
He stood and helped her to her feet. “You don’t look squished merely pink.” He said with a smile. “Do it now, release Star.”
Lovisma grumbled and groaned but she did as he asked for one simple reason Breeze knew too many people whose magic was stronger than hers.
Breeze returned to the pond and wasn’t surprised to see a pair of blue boots with yellow stars sitting beside his empty lunch bag. Sitting on the bag was a note. It read: Thank you for helping me, I am flying to the nearest orchard to find some sweet apples, they taste better than fish.
Breeze hoped she would leave some apples for him because he would hate to have to squish a pretty thin duck.
Mudpile Wood 