In a time long past, when magic still danced through the countryside and animals spoke as clearly as you or I, there lived a most unusual duck. Though he was remarkably small in stature, his voice carried across valleys and hills with a quack so mighty that it could wake sleeping villages. The townsfolk, both amused and amazed by this tiny creature’s thunderous call, lovingly named him Quackling.
What made Quackling truly special wasn’t just his powerful voice, but his clever mind and industrious spirit. While other ducks spent their days paddling lazily in ponds and preening their feathers, Quackling worked tirelessly, saving every coin that came his way. His dedication and wisdom in managing money became legendary throughout the land, so much so that word of his wealth reached the golden halls of the royal palace.
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One fateful day, the King himself appeared at Quackling’s modest home, his royal robes rustling as he bowed humbly before the small duck. The kingdom, it seemed, had fallen upon hard times, and the King needed to borrow a substantial sum. Quackling, his chest swelling with pride at being trusted by royalty, gladly opened his coffers and lent his hard-earned savings to the crown.
Days turned to months, months stretched into years, and still the King sent no payment. One year passed, then two, then three, and Quackling’s patience finally wore thin. His small eyes blazed with determination as he declared, “I’ve waited long enough!” He grabbed his largest sack, the one he used for carrying grain, and set off toward the imposing stone castle that crowned the distant hill, his voice echoing across the countryside:
“Quack! Quack! Quack! I want my money back!”
As Quackling waddled along the winding dirt road, his webbed feet kicking up small clouds of dust, he encountered a sturdy wooden ladder resting against a weathered stone wall. The ladder, worn smooth by countless hands and warmed by years of sunshine, called out in a friendly voice, “Where are you going, Quackling?”
“To the King for my money,” replied Quackling, his voice carrying both determination and hope.
“To the King!” exclaimed the ladder, its wooden rungs practically vibrating with excitement. “How wonderful! Will you take me with you?”
Quackling paused, considering. His grandmother had always taught him that kindness to others brought kindness in return. “Why not?” he said warmly. “One can never have too many friends.” With a flourish, he called out:
“Quack! Quack! Quack! Ladder into sack!”
In the blink of an eye, the tall ladder folded itself and disappeared into the sack. Quackling continued his journey, his burden now heavier but his heart lighter for the company.
The road wound through a verdant forest where ancient trees whispered secrets to the wind. There, Quackling came upon a crystal-clear river that meandered through the woodland, its waters singing a gentle melody over smooth stones. “Where are you going, Quackling?” gurgled the river, its voice like liquid music.
“To the King for my money,” Quackling replied, pausing to admire the river’s beauty.
“To the King!” the river bubbled with enthusiasm. “How splendid! Will you take me with you?”
Though his sack was growing heavier, Quackling’s generous heart had room for another friend. “Why not? One can never have too many friends.” He declared:
“Quack! Quack! Quack! River into sack!”
Quick as you can wink, the entire river swirled and spiraled into the magical sack, leaving behind only a dry riverbed that would soon fill again with mountain springs.
Further along, hanging from the sturdy branch of an ancient oak tree, Quackling discovered a bustling beehive. Golden honey dripped slowly from its entrance, and the air hummed with the industrious buzz of thousands of bees. “Where are you going, Quackling?” hummed the beehive in a voice like distant thunder.
“To the King for my money,” Quackling answered, though by now his sack bulged almost to bursting.
“To the King! How marvelous! Will you take me with you?”
Quackling hesitated, feeling the weight of his companions. But friendship had always mattered more to him than comfort. “Why not? One can never have too many friends.”
“Quack! Quack! Quack! Beehive into sack!”
Quick as you can think, the entire beehive, bees and all, vanished into the sack.
At last, Quackling reached the King’s castle, its towering walls casting long shadows across the courtyard. He marched boldly to the armored guards and declared, “I’ve come for my money!”
The guards, surprised by this small creature’s audacity, hurried to inform the prime minister, who rushed to tell the King. Upon hearing of Quackling’s demand, the King’s face darkened with anger.
“Who does that Quackling think he is?” the King roared. “Never mind. Just put him in the pit!”
The guards seized poor Quackling and threw him into a deep, dark pit where the stone walls rose impossibly high above his head. “Help!” cried Quackling. “I’ll never get out!”
Then he remembered his first friend. “Quack! Quack! Quack! Ladder out of sack!”
Instantly, the ladder appeared and leaned against the pit wall. Quackling climbed to freedom and stood defiantly outside the castle, calling, “Quack! Quack! Quack! I want my money back!”
Enraged, the King ordered, “Put him in the pot!” They placed Quackling in a great iron cauldron and lit a roaring fire beneath it. As the water began to heat, Quackling cried, “Help! I’m in a stew!”
“Quack! Quack! Quack! River out of sack!” he called.
The river burst forth, dousing the flames and carrying Quackling to safety. Once again, he stood calling for his money.
Finally, the furious King decided to handle the matter personally. But when he tried to grab Quackling, the clever duck called out, “Quack! Quack! Quack! Beehive out of sack!”
The beehive exploded from the sack, and thousands of angry bees swarmed the King, stinging him mercilessly. “Help!” cried the King as he fled his own castle, the bees in hot pursuit. He ran beyond the hills and far from the kingdom, never to be seen again.
“Hooray!” cheered the people, and the prime minister admitted, “We never liked that King anyway.”
The grateful people placed a golden crown upon Quackling’s small head and asked, “Will you be our King?”
“Why not?” said Quackling with a smile. “One can never have too many friends.”
The Moral of the Story
This timeless tale teaches us that true strength comes not from size or power, but from courage, persistence, and the loyal friends we gather along life’s journey. Quackling’s generous heart and willingness to help others ultimately provided him with the allies he needed to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles and achieve justice.
Knowledge Check
Q: What made Quackling different from other ducks? A: Quackling was unusually small in size but had an extraordinarily loud quack. He was also clever, hardworking, and skilled at saving money, which made him wealthy enough for the King to borrow from him.
Q: Why did Quackling’s three companions (Ladder, River, and Beehive) want to go with him to the King? A: Each companion was excited about the opportunity to visit the King’s castle, showing how Quackling’s friendly, inclusive attitude attracted others who wanted to be part of his adventure.
Q: What does Quackling’s phrase “One can never have too many friends” symbolize in the story? A: This phrase represents the story’s central theme about the power of friendship and kindness. It shows that building relationships and helping others ultimately creates a support network that helps us overcome challenges.
Q: How do Quackling’s three challenges at the castle represent escalating danger? A: The pit represents being trapped, the pot represents mortal danger, and facing the King directly represents the ultimate confrontation. Each challenge requires a different type of help, showing how diverse friendships provide varied solutions.
Q: What cultural values does this folktale promote about leadership and justice? A: The story promotes the values of persistence in seeking justice, the importance of keeping promises (paying debts), and the idea that good leadership comes from those who value friendship and treat others with kindness rather than those who abuse power.
Q: Why is Quackling’s transformation from money-lender to King significant in folktale tradition? A: This transformation follows the classic folktale pattern where virtue is rewarded. Quackling’s honest character, persistence in seeking justice, and loyalty to friends make him worthy of leadership, showing that moral character matters more than birth or social status.
Source: Traditional African folktale
