Slow-Poke Duckling's Arc

Chapter 1 of 3

Slow-Poke Duckling crossed the barnyard with his head down, counting his steps the way he always did. He wanted to be the quickest duckling in the entire barnyard, but right now he was still the slowest. The other animals knew it. They had always known it. A young rabbit hopped through the fence near the pond, bright running shoes tied to his front paws with twine. The other animals gathered to look. The rabbit kicked up his heels and flashed the shoes at everyone, then pointed one paw straight at Slow-Poke. "Even with weights on, I could beat you backwards," the rabbit said. The chickens clucked. The ducks turned to stare. Slow-Poke felt his chest tighten. The rabbit hopped to the black and white flag stuck in the ground by the water's edge. "Race starts here," he said. "Unless you're too slow to try." The whole barnyard waited. Slow-Poke's feet felt stuck in the dirt. If he walked away now, they would remember this spot forever. They would remember him walking away. Slow-Poke lifted his head and waddled forward. His legs shook, but he kept moving until he stood beside the flag. The rabbit grinned. The other animals went quiet. Slow-Poke didn't say anything. He just planted his feet and waited for the rabbit to stop talking and start running.