Martell 2024

by Maryann

Rated: 18+ · Book · Activity · #2316744

A place to keep my writings

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#1067302 added February 9, 2026 at 4:43pm
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Life Doesn't Need to be a Battle

Babble’s mother knew she would be destined for great things even before Babble hatched out of her egg. Daisy would watch in admiration, as that egg wobbled restlessly while the other eggs hardly moved. Red-Breasted Mergansers were notorious for being fast flyers, and Daisy knew her daughter would be a strong, soaring leader one day. What she didn’t know was how trying it would be to raise her when that daughter had little confidence.

Babble was the first to jump into the cold, brackish water. The girl had no fear! The other ducklings quickly followed her example. Daisy smiled as she looked on, remembering how fearless her own mother was throughout her life. Her mom would have been proud of this granddaughter. Daisy’s daydream ended when Babble scurried over.

“Mom, Jezebel told me that I look ugly and that the other ducklings aren’t going to want to follow such an ugly duckling for long. She said speed, strength, and fearlessness aren’t the only traits that a leader should have. A leader should also be pretty! She also said that my voice sounds weird and that I should just go to the back and not talk.” Babble did a quick shake to shed some of the tears from her face.

“Jezebel is jealous of you, my sweet daughter. You are beautiful and all the other ducklings enjoy following you. Look at how hard Jezebel tried to take your place!"

“Well, she succeeded in that. The other ducklings started laughing at me.”

“Not all of them, Babble. See over there,” Daisy pointed her beak to a group of worried ducklings. “Those birds are concerned about why you are crying. Babble, remember that life can be a battle sometimes, and it’s best to take the road less traveled. If Jezebel wants to stress and be bitter, taking whoever she can get to go along with her, leave them. Don’t surround yourself with such negative energy. Do your own thing.”

Babble put her head down to dwell for a minute on what her mother said. In a moment of enlightenment, Babble suddenly stood up and held her head high. She gave her mom a quick hug and then scampered over to the small group of ducklings that had been watching by the water’s edge.

“Come on,” Babble said to them with a smile, “Let’s have some fun in the water!”

Daisy looked on as Babble leaped into the water with newfound confidence. The other ducklings quacked happily as they followed her lead.

“Will we be joining Jezebel’s group?” one confused duckling timidly asked.

“They know where we are. We don’t need them to have fun. Let’s take this road less traveled and do our own thing. I have a feeling that when they see how much fun we are having, they will eventually follow us to play in the sun.”

The little duckling spoke wisely. Her newfound confidence was contagious. All of her friends adored her and enjoyed her company. Every now and then a bird from the other group would make their way over.

“Can I join your group? You seem to be having so much fun and I’m tired of hearing all of the bitterness in each of Jezebel’s words.”

“Of course you can join us! We invite anyone here who sincerely likes joy and love, rather than negative vibes and bad energy. How can anyone love themselves and others if they are constantly bathed in misery? We concentrate on having fun and happiness within our group."

Babble’s mother watched her daughter grow over the years. It wasn’t long before all of the birds in the flock bathed themselves in the love, fun, and happiness emitted by her daughter and her friends. Babble became a great leader who often took turns leading the V formation during migration. Confidence can, indeed, be a great victory in the battle of life. Life doesn’t need to be a battle after all, if we choose to believe in ourselves.

Word count -- 670

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