Mama Duck’s Bedtime Waddle

The sun was setting over the quiet pond, painting the water in soft shades of pink and gold. Mama Duck ruffled her feathers and looked around at her five little ducklings, who were still splashing and playing in the shallow water.

“Come now, my little ones,” she called gently. “It’s time for our bedtime waddle.”

The ducklings—Pip, Splash, Waddles, Fluffy, and tiny Peep—paddled over to their mama with sleepy eyes. Their soft yellow down was still damp from their evening swim.

“But Mama,” yawned little Pip, “I’m not tired yet.”

Mama Duck smiled and began to lead her babies in a slow, peaceful waddle around the edge of the pond. “Sometimes,” she said softly, “a gentle waddle helps our bodies remember it’s time to rest.”

As they walked, Mama Duck’s webbed feet made the softest pat-pat-pat sounds on the muddy bank. The ducklings followed behind her in a wobbly line, their own tiny feet making even tinier pat-pat-pat sounds.

“Listen to our sleepy song,” whispered Mama Duck as they waddled. “Pat-pat-pat, time to rest. Pat-pat-pat, in our nest.”

Splash began to yawn, and then Waddles did too. Soon all the ducklings were yawning, their eyes growing heavy as they waddled slowly behind their mama.

The crickets began their evening song, and the gentle breeze rustled the cattails by the water’s edge. A friendly firefly blinked hello as they passed.

“Our pond is going to sleep too,” Mama Duck said softly. “See how still the water is becoming? And look how the moon is starting to peek through the clouds.”

Little Peep stumbled sleepily, and Mama Duck gently nudged her back into line with her soft wing.

After their peaceful waddle around the pond, Mama Duck led her ducklings to their cozy nest hidden among the tall reeds. The nest was lined with the softest feathers and dried grass, perfect for five sleepy ducklings.

“Into the nest now,” Mama Duck cooed, and one by one, the ducklings snuggled down into the warm, safe nest. Pip curled up next to Splash, Waddles nestled beside Fluffy, and tiny Peep found the perfect spot right in the middle.

Mama Duck settled her wings around all of them, keeping them warm and protected. “Close your eyes, my darlings,” she whispered. “Dream of sunny days and gentle splashing, of wiggling worms and floating on soft waves.”

The ducklings’ breathing grew slow and peaceful. Soon, soft little snores filled the nest as all five babies drifted off to sleep.

Mama Duck gazed up at the stars beginning to twinkle in the darkening sky. “Good night, my precious ones,” she murmured. “Tomorrow we’ll have another wonderful day together.”

And with that, Mama Duck tucked her head under her wing and joined her babies in sweet, peaceful dreams.

The end.