This is a special story for me — when I was in sixth grade, I took part in a storytelling workshop at my local library. Of the kids at my library who participated, I was chosen to go and tell my story again at the main branch of the county library system. Of those storytellers, three were asked to go on local cable and tell their stories a third time.
It was my first exposure to the magic of being a storyteller — and I have loved sharing stories ever since.
This is the story I learned.
Drakestail was a clever little duck who managed to amass a fortune through hard work and dedication. The king of the land heard of Drakestail’s fortune and asked for a loan. The little duck was proud to be able to loan money to the king himself!
Years passed, and the king never repaid the loan. Eventually, Drakestail decided to go talk to the king in person and get his money back.
“Quack, quack, quack. When shall I get my money back?” Drakestail sang to himself as he walked.
He met his friend Fox on the road and explained that he was going to see the king to get his money back. The fox offered to come along! Drakestail, worried that his friend would get tired on the journey, offered to carry the fox in his gizzard. Fox happily accepted, and the little duck walked on.
Next, Drakestail met his friend Ladder on the road. He explained where he was going and why, and the ladder offered to come along. Again, Drakestail offered his sturdy friend a ride in his gizzard. Ladder accepted, and the little duck walked on.
He met more friends on the way: the bubbling River and the buzzing Wasp’s Nest. Both friends joined the journey and hopped into Drakestail’s gizzard for a ride.
Eventually, Drakestail reached the castle and asked to see the king. The king — having no intention of repaying the loan — had Drakestail thrown into the coop with the chickens and turkeys. These fowl were not civilized like Drakestail, and were not happy to have a stranger in their midst. They surrounded the clever little duck and pecked at him.
Drakestail feared for his life until he remembered the friends riding in his gizzard. He called forth his friend the fox — who quickly devoured the wicked turkeys and chickens.
When the king heard what happened, he ordered that the little duck be thrown into the well and left to drown. The well was very dark and deep, and Drakestail had no idea of how to get out. Then he remembered his friend Ladder! He called forth the ladder and climbed to safety.
When the king heard what happened, he was even angrier! He ordered that the little duck be thrown into the furnace. It was so hot in the furnace, and Drakestail thought he was going to be a roasted duck dinner, for sure. Then he remembered the friends riding in his gizzard. He called forth his friend the river, who flooded the furnace and carried Drakestail right to the throne room to see the king.
The king was ready and waiting, with armed guards and a sword in his hand. Drakestail thought he was going to be skewered! Then he remembered one final friend in his gizzard: the wasps. He called forth the wasps and the brave little insects attacked the king and the guards.
In order to escape the angry wasps, the king and all his court jumped out of the window. Everyone declared that Drakestail would be the new king — and a far better king than the man who had taken a loan and never repaid it.