A Chrismas Surprise

I managed to finish my second Molly Gumnut novel before Christmas and submit it to the big wide world. Yay! (My fingers and toes crossed.)

On Christmas morning I was thrilled to find one of our local wood ducks in our dam with her three ducklings. Her name is Bella and she hangs around our garden with her partner, Bobby. They regularly raid out veggie patch and beg for food. I usually feed them grain, rice or lettuce. They usually have about five ducklings each year, but this year they only have three.

A few weeks ago, I added a scene to my manuscript where Molly sits by her dam and sulks after being grounded by here parents. It was such a thrill to see this scene come alive on Christmas morning. I'll add the scene from my manuscript below with my photos and videos.

Molly gave Kate a sad little smile. "Thanks. I won't get to see Furble anymore. I'm grounded for a whole week and Grandma will probably release him soon." Tears clouded her eyes. Dinner would be ready anytime soon but she didn't feel hungry now. She walked outside and sat on the grass by the dam.

Three fluffy ducklings swam behind their mother in the water. One ventured off by itself. "Watch out!" said Molly. "You'll be grounded for a whole week."

"Come inside, Molly," called her mother from the window.

"Quack!" The mother duck called the stray duckling back, but the fluffy ball ignored her and swam away.

The mother duck flew over to the bank and flapped her wings. "Quack, quack, quack!"

"Molly!" her mother called again.

As Molly scrambled to her feet, the baby duck followed its mother back to the other ducklings.

"That duckling will be grounded for sure," mumbled Molly on her way indoors.