Page 31 - Stories for Thinking Children 1

between them?" won-
dered Ahmad.

"We do all look
alike," agreed the
duck: "But there cer-
tainly are a number of

differences between the
various kinds of ducks.
Male ducks have shinier
feathers than females. This is an
important protection for the fe-
male as she sits on her nest to hatch

her young. Because of her dull colors, her ene-
mies can't see her, and she is much safer as
she sits there. The female duck's dull colors that blend in with the
background make her difficult to spot even from a close distance."
"So, what happens when an enemy comes near the nest?"

asked Ahmad.
The duck explained: "The male ducks draw attention to them-
selves by using their colorful shiny feathers in order to draw the
enemy's attention away from the female in her nest. When an
enemy approaches the nest, the male immediately flies
into the air, making a lot of noise and doing every-

thing he can to drive the intruder away."
At that moment Ahmad saw some baby
ducks swimming in the water. He was amazed
that they were so small and could swim so well. He
asked: "How do these baby ducks learn to swim so quickly?"

"Baby ducks manage to make their way to the water to swim
and feed themselves just a few hours after they hatch," the duck in-
formed him.

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