The Portuguese Duck · page 21 2101Now whatever is the meaning of this?" she said; "could he not bear even such a little peck as I gave him?102Then certainly he was not made for this world.103I've been like a mother to him, I know that, for I've a good heart."104Then the cock from the neighboring yard stuck his head in, and crowed with steam-engine power.105"You'll kill me with your crowing," she cried, "it's all your fault.106He's lost his life, and I'm very near losing mine."107"There's not much of him lying there," observed the cock.108"Speak of him with respect," said the Portuguese duck, "for he had manners and education, and he could sing.109He was affectionate and gentle, and that is as rare a quality in animals as in those who call themselves human beings."110Then all the ducks came crowding round the little dead bird.111Ducks have strong passions, whether they feel envy or pity.112There was nothing to envy here, so they all showed a great deal of pity, even the two Chinese. "113We shall never have another singing-bird again amongst us; he was almost a Chinese," they whispered, and then they wept with such a noisy, clucking sound, that all the other fowls clucked too, but the ducks went about with redder eyes afterwards. "114We have hearts of our own," they said, "nobody can deny that."115"Hearts!" repeated the Portuguese, "indeed you have, almost as tender as the ducks in Portugal."116"Let us think of getting something to satisfy our hunger," said the drake, "that's the most important business.117If one of our toys is broken, why we have plenty more."1 2← previousThe Phoenix Birdnext →The Porter's Son, part 1↑ back to Fairy Tales of Hans Christian AndersenThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg27200/145/page/2/