Duck Says Sorry

Part One · The Tower

Heron stacked nine stones, and the last was round. She did it every single morning by the water.

This tower was the best yet. It was as tall as Duck.

Heron stepped back on one leg to look at it. She said nothing, which was how she smiled.

Duck came hurrying along. She was late for snack. She did not look down.

Crash! The nine stones went everywhere. A stone landed in the water with a plop.

Part Two · Not Me

"That was not me," said Duck. "Your tower was in the way."

Heron did not answer. She stood very still, as she did when she thought.

"Also, it was wobbly," said Duck. "Anybody could have knocked it." Her quack got so big that Newt covered his ears.

Newt, on a lily pad, said, "That is not sorry. That is a lot of other words."

Duck turned around to say something loud. Then she saw Heron's face.

Part Three · Heron's Face

Heron's feathers were flat. Her long neck was pulled in. She looked smaller than Duck had ever seen her.

Duck closed her beak. For once, her quack was nowhere. It was very quiet by the pond.

"I knocked it down," said Duck. "I was not looking. I am sorry about your tower."

Heron lifted her head a little. She picked up a stone and held it out.

They built it again, side by side. Duck carried the low stones, Heron the high ones. It took until dark.

Heron held out the round stone. "This one is for you," she said. Duck set it on top.

Duck opened her beak to quack. Nothing came out. She just stood beside Heron and watched the tower.