Dilly Duck

By Lucy Campbell

Pictures by Vivienne Blake

Copyright 1968

This cute little book traveled all the way from a used book store in Texas.  My sister brought it back for me after visiting her son.  Fortunately, Andy loves old books as much as I do so he took his mom to see some of his favorite shops.  She found this little gem from 1968.

Dilly Duck had such high expectations.  While she loved her home by the sea, lately she had been missing her good friend Mrs. Hen back at her old home, Appletree Farm.  A visit would be nice, but perhaps she would even move back there.  After getting off the train, Dilly Duck walked down the road to Appletree Farm, meeting many old friends along the way.  Mrs. Hen was surprised and happy to see Dilly.  Surely it was a good decision to come back!

But then Dilly decided to go for a swim.  She walked and walked and finally found her way to the pond.  Oh no!  Poor Dilly!  The pond was all dried up and only a puddle remained.  What will she do now?

While she wiped her tears away with her bath towel, she thinks that it might be best to just move back to the sea shore.  Sad Dilly Duck walked back to Appletree Farm.  

That night, the rain started to fall, and Dilly became hopeful once more.  Perhaps the rain would fill the pond!  The next morning, Dilly ran to the pond and found that the dried up little puddle was now deep, and blue, and beautiful.  Now Dilly was happy again.  She could stay at Appletree Farm!

Silly Dilly Duck!  Why despair when life doesn’t turn out the way you expected?  That pond may be all dried up today, but just have a little patience.  You never know what a good rain will bring.