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As I pulled into a parking space in front of a low-rent Hess gas station a couple of weeks ago, this little lady waddled nearby and took refuge from the 100-degree heat in the shadow of the convenience store next to a blue metal mailbox. I thought maybe she was looking for handouts, but then I saw the real reason why she was here: She'd unfortunately picked the dingy, worn mulch of a concrete parking-space separator to lay her eggs.
"Oh, why'd she have to do that?" I thought. "Some punkass will surely smash those eggs in no time." This wasn't exactly the nicest neighborhood. The gas station is always busy, and it's on a 4-lane highway near the international airport. I felt sorry for her. I sat in my car and watched her for several minutes, wanting to do something but not knowing what and feeling as helpless as she.
While the bright, searing-hot sun incubated her eggs, she rested in the shade, next to the mailbox and within sight of her nest. I took care of my duties inside, desperately hoped she wouldn't soon end up under someone's tires and mentally wished her the best.
A week and a half later, I needed gas again, so I decided to stop by the Hess, curious to see the fate of Mama Ducky and her eggs.
I was relieved to see that she was fine, and her eggs were all still there. I thought for sure they were all dead... um, yeah.
In addition, someone had been looking after her: They (clerks, perhaps?) had set out bowls of water for her next to her mailbox resting spot. It still was terribly hot. And crumbs of food were near the bowls.
Mama wandered over to check on her brood, made her way back to the mailbox and sipped from a bowl.
I was nearly moved to tears by the clerks' act of kindness, especially in this tough neighborhood. The convenience store bustles with sweaty, grease-stained blue-collar workers and seedy characters in low-riders.
It's acts like this that keep me convinced that kindness still exists, even in the most unlikely places.
Current mood: Optimistic
Replies: 5 shoutouts
TK-421, come in, TK-421... TK-421, why aren't you at your post?
Posted by ~ @ 07/12/2004 12:18 PM EST
Uhhhh, aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?
Posted by Lynn @ 07/12/2004 12:07 AM EST
I find your lack of Faith disturbing
Posted by Richard @ 07/11/2004 11:50 PM EST
awwwww!!!!!!!
poor widdle mama duckie.
Posted by tiff @ 07/07/2004 12:36 PM EST
L: Great post. It is cool to see good stuff going on all around. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by rj @ 07/06/2004 07:08 AM EST