Ping, a young domestic duck, lives on a crowded houseboat on the Yangtze River alongside his extended family. Every evening, the birds scramble up a wooden gangplank to avoid being the last one aboard, as the final duck receives a stinging spank. One night, Ping hides in the tall river grasses to escape punishment for his tardiness. He wakes up alone and spends the next day navigating the river's dangers, narrowly avoiding a fishing bird’s snare and a boy’s cooking pot before spotting his family’s boat once more.
Young readers and parents seek out this story to discuss the consequences of disobedience and the value of returning home. The narrative provides a concrete look at life on a foreign waterway and helps children process the concept of social rules. Readers walk away with a clear understanding of Ping’s internal conflict between the fear of a brief reprimand and the loneliness of isolation. The book remains a staple for those teaching basic navigation of responsibility within a family structure.
Practical, outward-looking and clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Practical Optimizer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 1933
- Language
- EN
