A Second Quack At Life

“Oh mother!” Puddles exclaimed, surveying his heavenly surroundings.  “This is not good.”

“Quuuaaaak!” He shrieked, jumping in shock, as a flustered duck abruptly appeared beside him.

“I’m L-Lucky,” said the duck, attempting to swiftly regain her composure.

Puddles looked her in the eye. “Erm… Unfortunately I think you might be somewhat mistaken,” he said, indicating their surroundings.

“My name is ‘Lucky’,” clarified the duck.

“Oh!… My sincere apologies.” said Puddles.  

“Where do you think we are?” questioned Lucky.

“Afterlife, I’m presuming,” responded Puddles.

“Oh!…That means we must be…” concluded Lucky.

“Yep,” interrupted Puddles. “Must be…”

They stood, in contemplative silence.

After some minutes, Lucky could no longer contain herself. “I just thought the storm wind might assist in my quest for flight. The last thing I recall, as I spread my wings, was a massive gust.”

“I didn’t want to take shelter,” added Puddles, relieved to be able to speak. “I just wanted to experience the storm. The last thing I remember was a huge flash.”

“D’you think we could become angels?” enquired Lucky. “I mean, since we have wings, we are surely halfway there?” 

Puddles couldn’t quite imagine angels named ‘Puddles’ and ‘Lucky’, let alone him becoming one; but he didn’t wish to dampen Lucky’s optimism. “I guess anything is possible.” 

Contemplative silence swiftly resumed. 

Suddenly a deep voice resounded around them. “Lucky and Puddles, it is not your time. I am sending you back.”

The ducks glanced at one another and gulped.

“Uh oh!” They murmured in unison, bracing themselves for potential impact. 

“Oooooh, this is rather high,” Lucky thought dizzily. Farmer Tate stood below; unable to fathom how a flightless duck could have gotten onto the two-storey high farmhouse roof. 

“If Farmer Tate can get me down, then I promise I will never ever ever attempt to fly again,” said Lucky sincerely.

Meanwhile…

“Arghhhh!” yelled Puddles, back on the lake, as he turned to see his tail feathers smoking.  After ungracefully extinguishing his bottom, he thought… 

“Maybe next time I will consider advice very carefully.” 

God smiled.

“Angels? What a thought…”