Children's Story

June 2026

M.W. Sturdivant

A little yellow duck lived in a cozy pond, made of winter’s snow and summer’s rain. He was the smallest and youngest of all his brothers and sisters. His name was Lucky, but his brothers and sisters often called him the Yucky Little Ducky. # Yucky Little Ducky waddled out of his nest every day, ready for adventure! He loved to SPLASH in the pond, SQUISH in the mud, and CHOMP on crunchy bugs! But oh, how messy he would get! # "Yucky Ducky, you are so messy!" said Sister Plucky, with a gentle laugh. But Momma Duck held a warm smile on her beak because she knew that Lucky was just learning. # That morning, Yucky Ducky happened upon a huge bowl of seeds. “Yum!” he thought. He took a big bite… And WHOOSH! Seeds exploded EVERYWHERE—on his head, between his wings! Even stuck in his beak! # "Oh, Yucky Ducky, you've made quite the mess!" chuckled Brother Clucky as he helped him clean up piece by piece. Momma Duck wasn’t worried. She knew Lucky Ducky was learning, and sometimes learning meant making a little mess. # That afternoon, Yucky Ducky waddled into the big nest where his brothers and sisters were painting. The nest was BURSTING with colors—SQUISHY reds, DRIPPY blues, and SPLATTERED greens. But Lucky LOVED the bright yellow best! Curious, he dipped his teeny webbed toes into the paint… And SPLAT! A big splash of yellow landed on the floor! # "Oh, Yucky Little Ducky, you're so messy!" said Brother Chucky as she scooped him up. But Momma wasn't upset. She knew that Lucky Ducky was learning how to play, and sometimes learning meant getting a little paint on his feathers. # As the sun began to set, it was time for bed. Momma Duck led Lucky Ducky to the pond for his bath. She dipped him in the water, and all the mud, seeds, and paint washed away. "There you go, my lucky little ducky," said Momma Duck as she wrapped him in a soft, warm towel. "You had so much fun today, and you’re learning so much!" # Lucky Ducky yawned and snuggled close to Momma Duck. He was tired from such an eventful day of play. Even though he got messy, he was happy. Momma Duck was always there with a warm bath and a cuddle, and at the end of the day it didn’t matter what mess he made, it would wash away. # And as he drifted off to sleep, Momma Duck whispered, "I’m so proud of you, Lucky Ducky. Keep learning, keep playing, keep making a mess…Because I’ll always be here to clean you up.” She kissed him goodnight and held him close, and whispered, “I love my little mess-maker."