BREATHE SLOWLY, AND WAIT FOR AN OPEN DOOR
Dr. James J. S. Johnson
Duck survives 2 days in refrigerator (BBC News photo)
An amazing story of duck survival was reported, years ago, by BBC News:
A duck in the US state of Florida has survived gunshot wounds and a two-day stint in a refrigerator. A hunter shot the duck, wounding it in the wing and leg. Believing the bird was dead, he left it in his fridge at his home in Tallahassee. The hunter’s wife got a fright when she opened the fridge and the duck lifted its head, a local veterinarian said. Staff at the Goose Creek Animal Sanctuary who are treating the bird said it has a 75% chance of survival. The plucky duck was taken first to a local animal hospital, and then to an animal sanctuary for more specialised treatment. A veterinarian at the sanctuary said he thinks the duck will live, but will probably never be well enough to be released into the wild. The veterinarian, David Hale, said the duck’s low metabolism rate helped it survive its time in the refrigerator, the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper reported. “This is an extremely tough duck with a lot of spirit to live,” he said. “This shows how tough and adaptable wildlife are.”
[Quoting “Duck survives two days in fridge”, BBC News (21 January 2007), posted at http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6283677.stm .]
Consider the reprinted news article, above. Such news is just ducky, of course, although 2 days in the fridge is too long – downright foul play (for the fowl). What a good sport — the chilled duck was heard to gasp: “I don’t mind the cold in the fwidge, but next time please leave the door open just a quack, so I can bweathe.” That duck, undaunted, was a pretty cool survivor. (Of course, that’s assuming the report is true, and not just a canard.) Bottom line: when a hunter is shooting in your direction, just duck! Now, here’s my cool duck limerick, about being patient:
BREATHE SLOWLY, AND WAIT FOR AN OPEN DOOR
There once flew a duck, through the air –
Shot, he was, though it doesn’t seem fair;
Dead duck! – someone guessed,
The fridge – his new nest;
When the door ope’d, he quacked for health care!
COMMENTARY: Regarding the virtue of patience, see James 5:7-8 & Revelation 3:10. See also Colossians 4:3 & 2nd Corinthians 2:12 (regarding the importance of “open doors”). Regarding unusual opportunities, wait your turn –patiently; then, when the door of opportunity is opened for you, GET QUACKING!
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