Once upon a time, there was a duck named Jemima Puddle-Duck. She was a very determined duck who wanted to hatch her own eggs. But the farmer’s wife always took care of the eggs, and Jemima didn’t like that. Unlike her sister-in-law, Mrs. Rebecca Puddle-Duck, who was happy to let others help, Jemima wanted to do it all by herself. This is where her exciting adventure begins!
Jemima was frustrated because she couldn’t keep her eggs safe on the farm. So, one sunny spring day, she put on a shawl and a bonnet and set off to find a safe place to nest. She wanted to be independent and take care of her eggs all by herself. Her journey led her to a beautiful wood, which seemed like the perfect spot for her nest.
In the wood, Jemima met a gentleman with sandy whiskers and a bushy tail. He was reading a newspaper and seemed very nice. He offered Jemima a cozy place to nest in his woodshed, saying he had lots of feathers to make it comfortable. But Jemima didn’t know that this gentleman had a secret plan. This part of the story teaches us to be careful about trusting strangers.
The gentleman invited Jemima to a dinner party and asked her to bring herbs from the farm to make an omelet. Even though it was a strange request, Jemima agreed without thinking twice. This shows us how important it is to be cautious and not too trusting.
Kep, the farm’s collie dog, noticed Jemima’s trips to the wood and became worried. He asked her about her adventures and warned her to be careful. Kep’s concern shows us the importance of having good friends who look out for us. But Jemima didn’t listen to Kep’s warning, and that led her into trouble.
On her last visit to the woodshed, Jemima found out the gentleman’s true nature. He locked her inside, and she realized she was in danger. The puppies came in and ate her eggs. This part of the story teaches us about the consequences of trusting the wrong people and how things aren’t always what they seem.
Jemima returned home sad because she lost her eggs and learned a hard lesson about trust. Later, she laid more eggs, but only a few hatched. Jemima’s story teaches us about being independent, making smart choices, and being careful about who we trust. It’s a fun and important story that reminds us to be wise and think carefully about our decisions.
Build Your Own Nest: Gather some materials like twigs, leaves, and feathers from your backyard or a nearby park. Try to build a small nest just like Jemima wanted to do. Think about what makes a nest safe and comfortable for eggs. Discuss with your friends or family about why it’s important for Jemima to find a safe place for her eggs.
Trust and Friendship Role Play: With a friend or family member, act out a scene where one person is Jemima and the other is Kep, the collie dog. Practice how Kep might warn Jemima about the fox. Discuss why it’s important to listen to friends who care about us. How can you tell if someone is a good friend?
Stranger Danger Discussion: Talk with your teacher or parents about what to do if a stranger approaches you. Make a list of safe adults you can trust, like teachers, police officers, or family members. Discuss why Jemima should have been more careful with the foxy gentleman and how you can stay safe in similar situations.
