The Sissy Duckling

We all know about snowflakes, don't we?

And we've all heard that no two snowflakes

are exactly alike, right?

Of course, we all know that.

But it's not just snowflakes that are different.

In nature, no two things are exactly alike.

Not trees.

Not animals.

And certainly not people.

Sometimes the differences are on the outside and easy to see.

But sometimes they're on the inside

and take careful study to find.

We're all, in one way or another,

different from each other...

Individuals,

unique.

The story I'm going to tell you is about

one of the most unique little fellows

that it's ever been my pleasure to meet.

He was a duck.

A little duck.

A duckling, you might say.

And his name was Elmer.

And Elmer...

Was what some folks would see as very different.

Different?

Excuse me, but I would like to clarify just exactly

what you mean by "Different".

Okay.

"Different": Not the same.

Dissimilar.

Now, when you say,

"Different, not the same, dissimilar",

do you mean it in a negative way as in "Weird",

or are you putting it in a positive light

as if to say "Unique"?

I mean to say "Unique".

I see.

Then I caution you to be more attentive in the future.

Words are powerful tools that can hurt someone's feelings.

Choose them carefully.

And always...

Say what you mean!

Elmer was unique.

Alright for you.

Continue.

Maybe I'd better start from the beginning.

Elmer began life much like any other duckling: As an egg.

My goodness!

Isn't this exciting?

Is this your first hatchling, Dearie?

Yes.

How could you tell?

Believe it or not, by your second dozen,

the excitement somehow dims.

Here he comes!

Oh, yeah.

It's a miracle alright.

Quack.

Quack.

Quack.

Oh!

My darling little drake!

Muddah!

Quack, quack, quack, quack.

Oh!

Hi.

I guess.

What do you know?

Another feather in his father's crown.

I couldn't be prouder.

Ma?

You got it, genius.

Let's move it out.

C'mon, c'mon, we got places to go, things to do, hurry up.

Ma?

Hello?

Elmer?

Anybody in there?

That's for me to know and you to find out.

Elmer, Darling.

It's me.

Your mother.

Oh!

Hi, Ma!

Hello, Elmer, Darling.

So, what are you doing in there?

Just considering my options, Ma.

Just considering my options.

Like I said, right from the get-go

everybody knew Elmer was diff..

Unique.

He was unique.

Elmer, Baby, what are you doing in the house?

It's a beautiful day.

Why don't you go out and play with the other ducklings?

I'm busy.

What are you doing?

I'm making a nest for my baby duckies.

I don't care what he says, Elmer was different!

And Elmer was, in fact, no less different at school.

Elmer?

Don't you just want to dig right into that paint

and really feel the color?

Yeah.

Right.

And mess up my new outfit?

Not in this millennium, thank you.

Oopsi.

This looks silly, huh?

Not at all, Abner.

I think that is a look that you can pull off.

Really?

Thanks!

Someone save me from kindergarten.

Elmer...

Different.

Get the point?

Has anyone ever accused you of kicking a dead horse?

They got the point.

Can we please move along?

Maybe if you encouraged him.

Me?

Why's it my fault?

It has nothing to do with fault.

I'm just saying that if Elmer spent more time with his father

and less time at home...

Well, maybe if you didn't baby him all the time!

What are you saying?

Are you implying that I'm overbearing!

Not at all, Dear.

How about I take the blame?

And so, to please his father, Elmer thought he'd give

team sports a try.

You want to go over this with me one more time?

Playing team sports is a good thing.

You make friends.

You have fun.

You get your mother off my back!

And that helps me out how?

Just between us,

I do not see what all the fuss is about baseball.

All things considered, it's a pretty pointless game.

Baseball is not just a game.

It is the great American Pastime.

Well, maybe if more people went to the theater or read a book

they wouldn't have so much time to pass.

Just a thought, Poppi.

Let it go.

Are you gonna play too?

And my other choices are?

You got it!

You got it!

It's you're ball!

Nice hit, kid.

Huh!

What did I do to deserve this?

Can't hit, can't catch, can't field.

What am I supposed to do?

What, what, what?

What!

Is that all you have to say?

Yes.

But obviously you are of another opinion.

Batter can't hit.

Batter can't hit.

Do I point out your shortcomings?

I don't think so.

But, please, don't get me started on the obvious.

Swing!

Swing!

Swing!

How am I supposed to concentrate

with everyone shouting at me all the time?

Strike three.

You're out!

Thank goodness.

Now, can I go home?

You asked if I'd like to play a nice game of ball.

Well, if this is your idea of a nice game

then I think you people have been out in the sun too long.

Run, catch, hit, swing!

You people need to get yourselves a hobby.

Stamp collecting.

Monster-truck racing.

Bowling!

Anything that will let you know

there is a whole world of possibilities out there

and this ain't one of them!

At the bottom of the ninth,

the home team needs just one hit to win.

Up to bat, Drake.

And it's a homerun!

It's outta here!

The home team wins!

Yeah!

That's my boy!

Elmer didn't like to play the games the other ducklings did.

He preferred to go off on his own, and make things,

and play pretend.