examines the duck from head to toe then pats her on the head I wanted a guide dog but a duck with a wonky leg is better than nothing You’ll do just as well to guide me on my journey At the very thought of leaving her yard the duck begins to tremble I’d need to know where we’d be going Somewhere in the world the chicken murmurs there’s a place where all our secret wishes come true Are you coming I’ll have to think about it The duck pokes at the ground with her crutch It’s not the first she’s heard of this place Many have set out in search of it but all have failed Nobody has ever found it It probably doesn’t even exist Are you still there asks the chicken I’m still thinking Take your time But get a move on
I have a much better idea says the duck at last Why don’t we just stay here in my backyard The outside world is riddled with dangers It’s all too easy to come to a sticky end We’d be better off making ourselves comfortable here behind these high walls The chicken yawns loudly Then she comes closer to the duck maybe a little too close lays a wing over her shoulder and whispers beguilingly Don’t you have a secret wish Come on you can tell me Everyone has them
The duck gulps and feels herself going pink beneath her feathers Fortunately the chicken can’t see it My wish will probably never come true The duck sighs deeply I’ll come with you though Without my help you’ll end up in the nearest ditch and I’ll blame myself forever In which direction is this place No idea says the chicken But I’ll know once I’m there The main thing is to get started Without me The duck promptly backs off I’m not just marching off into the blue How are we supposed to find this place We’ll only get lost or drowned or frozen to death One thing is for sure says the chicken If we stay here talking we’ll never find it Let’s get out of this gloomy yard You keep an eye out for me and I’ll prop you up She grasps the duck energetically under the wing and declares We’ll get along splendidly I just know it
I spread sunshine wherever I go while you’re as damp as a dishrag Every journey begins with a single step Very cautiously the duck sets down one flat foot then pauses She slowly sets down the other foot and pauses again What’s with the snail’s pace the chicken asks We’ll never get there like this Can’t you go faster You have a lot to learn the duck says mildly shuffling forwards A duck with a limp can’t be
