Why Ducks Sleep on One Leg.

Authors:Garland, Sherry

Source:Cricket; Dec94, Vol. 22 Issue 4, p42, 4p, 3c

WHY Ducks Sleep on One Leg (Book)Abstract:Presents the retold Vietnamese folk tale `Why Ducks Sleep on One Leg.'

ISSN:0090-6034

Persistent link to this record: UT Library: EBSCOHost

WHY DUCKS SLEEP ON ONE LEG

CREATION TIME was very hectic. There were animals all over the place waiting for their feathers or fur or fins or feet. After things had settled down and all the animals had gotten used to their shapes and sizes and homes, everyone was pleased--everyone, that is, except the four ducks who lived in a small rice-farming village. Somehow, in all the confusion, these four ducks ended up with only one leg each.

Now, these ducks weren't dumb. It didn't take them long to notice that something was wrong. When they tried to dive for fish, they couldn't paddle and almost drowned. When they tried to nibble grains of rice dropped by the farmers, the speedy chickens always beat them to it. And the clumsy water buffalo often stepped on them on his way to the rice paddies because they couldn't move aside fast enough.

The four ducks tried to help one another, but when they saw all the other animals having so much fun, they became very sad.

"It isn't fair that the Jade Emperor ran out of duck legs and forgot to make more," said the first duck.

"That's right, brother," agreed the second duck.

"And I'm tired of being hungry all the time," said the third.

"But what can we do about it?" asked his sister duck.

"I think we should write a petition and take it to the Jade Emperor, requesting that he make four more duck legs."

They all nodded and clapped their wings. But none of them could write eloquently, for grammar was not their favorite subject. So they turned to the rooster, who often strutted around the yard crowing and bragging about his talents.

The rooster was happy to help and drafted a fine, convincing petition on a rice-paper scroll. The ducks thanked him kindly, then huddled together beside the lotus pond.

"Now that we have this official document, which one of us should take it to the Jade Emperor?" asked the first duck.

"Not me," said the second duck. "I don't even know where he lives."

"I do," said the sister. "At night when you look up, the millions of twinkling stars winding across the heavens are really a milky white river. The Jade Emperor lives in a grand palace along the banks of that Silver River."

"But that's too far away. How can we walk that far on only one leg? Surely whoever attempts that long journey will fall down and get lost forever."

They all sighed and nodded and gazed out over the lotus pond, feeling sad. Then they heard someone clearing her throat and turned around to see a goose standing nearby.

"Excuse me," she said. "I overheard your conversation and I think I can help. Why don't you try the village genie who lives in the dinh? He often communicates with the Jade Emperor and may be willing to take your petition on his next journey to the Celestial Palace."

So the four ducks set out with their petition. Soon they saw the curved green tile roof of the dinh. They carefully wiped off their feet and bowed as they entered. They smelled sweet perfume, fresh flowers, and luscious fruit from the altar, but they saw no one. Then, from a back room, they heard a loud, angry voice.

"I told you the incense burner must have four legs. You made this one all wrong; it has eight legs. Remove those four extra legs and store them away."

The ducks' eyes grew wide with excitement, and they put their heads together. "What is an incense burner?"

"I don't know, but it has four extra legs. Perhaps they are our legs, which got mixed up during Creation."

About that time, the village genie stepped into the room and glared down at them.

"Well, what do you want?" he demanded and crossed his arms.

The first duck offered up the petition, which the genie snatched and hurriedly read.

"Ducks with only one leg? That's outrageous!" he roared.

"Then you will carry our petition to the Jade Emperor?" the second duck asked anxiously.

"No, certainly not. Whatever was done at Creation is done--it's final. The Jade Emperor will never admit that he made a mistake. This petition will do you no good. And I'll not risk making the Jade Emperor angry." He tossed the scroll aside.

The ducks fell into a deep, sad silence and stared down at their reflections on the polished marble floor. Finally, sister duck spoke up in her sweetest voice.

"Sir, when we came into the dinh we overheard you say that you have four extra legs that you are going to store away. Perhaps we could borrow them."

"Extra legs? I have no extra duck legs in the temple."

"Oh, they weren't duck legs," said brother duck. "They were incense burner legs. But we are not picky. Any leg is better than none."

The genie stared down at the pitiful ducks, then threw his head back and laughed until the roof tiles shook.

"All right, I suppose I can let you have them," he finally said as he took the fancy curved metal legs and handed one to each duck. "But let me remind you that these legs are made of pure gold and are very valuable. You must guard them carefully, or someone will steal them. And I have no more."

The ducks smiled and thanked him profusely as they bowed and backed out of the dinh. Outside, they slipped the golden legs into place and leaped for joy.

"I can swim," shouted the first duck as he dived into the pond and gobbled up a goldfish.

"I can walk," cried sister duck as she waddled around the yard in front of the hens, preening her feathers.

"I can run," squawked the third duck as he chased a squealing piglet that had strayed from its mother.

"And I can jump," said the fourth duck as he leaped up on a watermelon and flapped his wings.

And so the ducks enjoyed their new legs and soon grew fat and well respected in the village. But they never forgot the genie's warning. Every night, they tucked their golden legs up under their wings, safely out of sight, to keep any curious thief from stealing them.

As time passed, other ducks in the village and around the countryside just assumed that standing on one leg was the normal way to sleep and began tucking their legs up, too. Eventually, ducks all over the world imitated this custom, and so it remains today.

You can also read the same story (not the same reteller) at:

Vietnam-Culture.com--Duck Story

Image accredited to Wikipedia

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