The Yellow Duck Learns about Charity

Christmas was over. The ribbons had been put away, the toys had been admired and shown off and cookies and pies had been eaten to where only crumbs remained. While the Yellow Duck had a wonderful Christmas, he wished it didn't have to be over so soon.

"I love Christmas," the Yellow Duck said to his friends as they were playing with their new toys at the pond. Toad was playing with his new bug catapult, and Ms. Fish was admiring her new doll. The Yellow Duck was clutching his beloved binoculars on his chest.

"We all love Christmas," Toad said, not paying much attention.

"Yup, Christmas is the best time of year," Ms. Fish said. "You get tons of presents and eat cookies and cakes for weeks! You get to sing songs, watch movies- it's great!"

"But that's not why I like Christmas," the Yellow Duck said. "That seems kind of selfish."

"I'm not selfish," Ms. Fish scowled.

"I didn't say that," the Yellow Duck said, rolling his eyes. "All I said was that it wasn't why I liked Christmas."

"Fine," Ms. Fish said in a snotty tone. "Why do you like Christmas?"

"I like that everybody is happy," the Yellow Duck said. "I like that people look out for each other and give people things out of the goodness of their hearts."

"I don't," Ms. Fish said. "I only give people things so Santa will bring me presents."

"Now that's selfish," Toad said, shooting a dead fly at Ms. Fish's bowl. She squealed in agony as the dead bug floated in her water. She screeched loudly as she splashed about trying to get the fly out. Toad laughed.

"I wish we could have Christmas all year," the Yellow Duck said thoughtfully, ignoring the commotion. Suddenly, he had a brilliant idea.

"Hey guys!" the Yellow Duck squealed. Toad looked up from his catapult and Ms. Fish splashed the fly out of her bowl.

"I have a brilliant idea!" the Yellow Duck announced. "What if we volunteer at a charity this year?"

He was met with two unenthusiastic and confused faces.

"Ew," said Ms. Fish.

"Why?" asked Toad.

"Because then we can keep the spirit of Christmas!" the Yellow Duck said enthusiastically. "We can continue to give and help people out of the goodness of our hearts. Not just for Santa."

"It's always worked for me," Ms. Fish muttered under her breath.

"It sounds like a cool idea to me," Toad said. "I'll do it." They looked at Ms. Fish. She pouted, then sighed gustily. "Fiiiiinnnneee," she sighed. "Whatever."

"Wonderful!" the Yellow Duck cheered. "Now which charity do we want to work with?"

"Ghostbusters," said Toad.

"The Fashion Police," said Ms. Fish. The Yellow Duck rolled his eyes.

"No, a real charity," he sighed. "What about the animal rescue?"

"Yea!" Toad said. "That sounds fun! I could hang out with all the snakes and lizards!"

"I would tell stories to species of the aquatic nature," Ms. Fish said.

"And I could take all the puppies and kittens on walks!" the Yellow Duck said. "That sounds great!"

With that decided, the three friends planned on visiting the animal shelter next Saturday. Hopefully, the Christmas spirit would stay with them all year long.