One day at Knowsley Safari Park a commotion in the Lion's enclosure got the keepers' attention. There in the middle of the enclosure, was an old tree stump, and walking across from that tree stump to the wire perimeter fence was a Mallard, followed by three ducklings.
A lion ate one, the duck flew away and two ducklings followed, but left in the tree stump was another duckling. The keepers rushed in with their cars to try to sort out.
That duckling was taken home to be looked after, then at 10 weeks old came to live with us. Chauffeur driven across the Pennines.
She wasn't welcomed much by the chickens, perhaps because she was different, but she eventually grew to ignore them or keep out of their way.
Several months later that duck has narrowly avoided being eaten by a Great Dane, and a Newfoundland, on separate occasions. She brought variety into my sermons and has been on exploratory trips visiting neighbours and walking along the street.
We decided not to clip her flight feathers. Her flying abilities increased, and one day we saw her sat on top of the garage.
Today she has been taken to Fairburn Ings run by the RSPB to join the thousands of ducks and geese and swans there.
She likes to swim and dive, and will be happier there, and I can imagine her catching fish and dabbling among the weeds in the water.
That duck has had a strange beginning to her life, and she is running out of lives.
The duck didn't want to get out of the car carrier which took her there. In the end she got out, and stayed by Sylvia and her friends. Dfor looked at the water, but didn't go anywhere near it. Sylvia picked her up, and gently launched her towards the lake, and she soared up and up, flew all round the lake, above the houses and back, then disappeared over towards the other lake.
'Like the Battle of Britain' it was so graceful.
Many people have difficult starts in life. Childhood isn't always what it could be.
The spiritual journey can also have rocky beginnings, ups and downs, joys and pitfalls, and companions on the way, friends or strangers.
Here in the Went Valley we try to help those who are struggling with faith, are unsure about belief, as well as those with bucket loads. But we are often just a step along the way. But when we see people make even the smallest steps in their spiritual journey...
it's a duck's life!
I would be pleased if our paths crossed soon, please phone or email if you would like a visit, your friend and vicar,
Adrian
