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Around the world with Brookie Duck
Around the world with Brookie Duck
Talking as one does to the local birds, I kept hearing that there was
more to the world than I could possibly see in Emsworth. I was
surprised.
Some of these birds claimed, and I do say claimed, to have travelled
huge distances even in some cases to the other side of the world.
I kept hearing this and similar tales so I decided to do a little bit of
travelling for myself. I did not know what I was looking for but I was
certain I would know it when I saw it.
I do not do big flying trips on my own. I am not that sort of a duck and
I decided that I would get someone else to do the actual hard work –
like the flying. What I needed was an airport. A big airport and they
have one in London. They have everything in London. Not like Emsworth,
have you heard of Emsworth Airport? No!
So I stowed away with one of our guests. I had heard them talking about
flying out from Heathrow and that is London, isn’t it.
 The
trip was not as good as I thought it would be in the suitcase. It got
very cold because they put me in the hold of the plane and that is not
very comfortable. When they found me I was nearly frozen and they took
pity on my and promised that they would take me with them and show me
around.
I could not believe my eyes. Do you see the size of that beer mug? And
the cup of steaming coffee?
My escort said things are different in Tokyo.Tokyo! Tokyo! No Emsworth
duck had been to Tokyo before. A world first for me! They told me the
building was a brewery just made to look like that for fun.
 Then
we went to see the Emperor of Japan in his palace. I had been told he
was very fond of ducks. I think I misunderstood that one. Just as well
he was not available for an audience and his gardens were closed that
day. Japan was beginning to make me nervous and it was still a bit cold
there too.
She said they would try and find a bit of summer sunshine for me. This
was a bit confusing because it was January. Just you wait. They said
Now where are we – at least it is a bit warmer.
It should be, she said. “You said you wanted
summer sunshine.
 You
have got it. This is New Zealand.” Then I looked behind me. I do not
like dogs. Dogs chase ducks and worse if they catch them. “Look said my
escort. You wanted adventure. You’re getting it. The dog is a statue
anyway and it is made of bronze. It does not need to eat.”
We went to lots of interesting places. Even found some lakes to have a
swim in. I had a chat with some local birds and they said there is
always snow on the mountains even in summer. And we were going there.
I checked the car had a heater.
Then we went on through the mountains and down the other side. I waited
all day to see Arthur pass and he did not pass me once.
It seemed a very long way and the roads were tricky.
She told me that this was a river. A river of ice! If it is summer how
come it has not melted. It would do at home - not that we get much ice
in Emsworth, least of all a river full. I was still suspicious. If it
really was a river of ice how come it was so warm. Then they said it was
a fox’s glacier.
I said “Foxes. Foxes, FOXES! The most dangerous place for a duck is
anywhere near a fox of any sort. GET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!
I did not know it but my life was about to change.
 On
the east coast of the warmer north island we found our way to the little
town of Gisborne. We did not know a lot about Gisborne so we went into
the tourist office to see what we could see. A duck race seemed a good
idea – I’m quite athletic really for the sort of duck I am.
We went across to the desk to find out more. And there she was. I knew
at once I had found what I had been looking for since I began my
travels. Although of course I had not known where to look – otherwise I
would have come straight here.
She told me her name was Kelsey and
she was a local girl. We talked for a long time and I told her about my
travels. Behind those sunglasses I could see her eyes getting wider and
wider. She knew nothing of the world beyond Gisborne, and Gisborne is
not a very big place, even on the Emsworth scale. I could not take part
in the race. I was too big anyway so I knew at that moment that I would
have to move on. I could see she wanted to come with me on my big
adventure but she was entered in the race. What could we do? Was fate
going to part us just as we had found each other? My eye caught a notice
which said donations. So if we made a donation, perhaps she could slip
away with me and no one would notice.
 All
we wanted was each other. We could run away to Auckland and they would
never find us there. She had never been to a real city and it sounded
exciting from what I had told her about Tokyo.
After the big city we both decided that neither of us were city ducks.
The noise and all the traffic gave us a headache. I told her that I
would have to leave New Zealand soon and continue with my adventures.
Was she sure she wanted to come with me. Once she had made the final
break she would not be able to go home again to Gisborne. We decided
that she wanted a few days to think about it. She knew a lovely place in
the country at the Bay of Islands and she could talk it over with some
other birds before she finally made up her mind.
At last she decided that she would come with me back to Emsworth. But
only after I promised her the chance have another adventure on the way
home. A few days in San Francisco was just what was wanted to break up
the long flight home and this is just what we did.
After this it was back to show her all the sights of England and to let
her meet all my friends at home.
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