Phineas found a little duck scurrying across our yard.  The little duck was only recently hatched, and had become separated from his family as the mama mallard was leading her brood to water.  Phineas put the little duck in our spare bathtub, and watered and fed it.  He’d cup it in his hands where it snuggled gratefully in the warmth.  He’d place it on the floor, cup his hands some distance away, and the little duck would come running to the warmth and security of his cupped hands.  Phineas was the duckling’s foster mother who fed it and kept it warm.  He fixed a light that shone into the tub to keep the duckling warm when he wasn’t holding it.

Several days later Phineas left for boot camp with the Marine Corps.  The duckling stayed in the tub where it grew and quickly doubled in size.  But it was messy and smelly, and we wanted our bathroom back.  When it was about 10 days old, we’d had enough.  I put the little duck in a bucket and took it to Judy Brazofsky who had seven ducks that were several weeks older.  Judy didn’t think the little duck would be a good fit with hers.

I next drove over to the Willow Creek slough thinking that I might find a duck family to which my little duck could attach itself.  I surveyed a good many ponds and streams but failed to find any ducks.  What to do?  I couldn’t take the duck back to our bath tub.  If I was to release him to be on his own it would be a certain death warrant.  He was a cute, innocent, little thing, and deserved a chance.  I prayed.“Heavenly Father, Thou who seest the sparrow fall, I have this little duck that I can’t keep, and which I’m reluctant to release.  I know that Thou carest about him, and about the details of our lives.  Would Thou please direct me as to what to do with him?”

Into my mind came a strange thought: “Take him to the store.”“The store” is our little, neighborhood grocery store in Haines.  Thankfully, Christy, the owner, was on duty when I walked in carrying my bucket.  I explained my dilemma, and Christy said, “Sure, put him down here in the entry way.  If we don’t find a home for him, I’ll be calling you to come get him because I can’t care for a duck.”

Christy never called.  I asked the next day what had happened to my duck.  Christy replied that Nina Stephens had walked into the store, saw the bucket, and asked, “What’s this?”

“A duck!  Do you want it?”

“No, but I know who does.  My granddaughter, Bailey, said just yesterday, ‘I wish I had a duck!’”

Heavenly Father is interested in the details of our lives.  All we have to do is ask, listen, and act on the prompting.