h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello – I don't suppose you'd be able to mention the Boston Park ducks and the book behind them in the Talking Point conversation? I'd hate for them to be left out. See: F19585?thread=8290917

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Sorry, Bluebottle. I missed your post until now. It's probably too late now, isn't it?

I'm afraid so - the article's gone to be sub-edited now, so it's out of my hands.

We can still mention the author in the thread, though. Or here. I remember the ducks, but not the story about them or who it was by.

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The book's name was "Make way for ducklings." The author was Robert MacCloskey, who used to live in a house in Amherst, Massachusetts. It wasn't more than a block or two from my sister's house, though she has long since moved to another house a few miles away.

In downtown Boston, at the foot of the State House [which houses the state Senate and Hou7se of respresentatives - a.k.a. the General Court], there is a large expanse of green lawn shaded by venerable trees.This is called Boston Common. There are gazebos where small bands can perform. On the lower edge of it, along Arlington Street, there are tennis courts.

Across Arlington Street is another expanse of lawn shaded by large trees, but this is called the Public Garden, home to a pond where swans glide across the water. There are one or two boats -- called Swan Boats -- which get filled by tourists who enjoy riding through the pond in a circular route.

The edges of the pond are fenced in so that ducks and swans can nest.

All of the above is offered as context for "Make Way for Ducklings." The mother duck nested near the pond. One nice day, she took her seven [I think it was seven] ducklings for a walk along Boston streets. It speaks to the decency of Boston motorists that they patiently waited for the mother duck tolead her ducklings safely across every street. They ended backi n their beloved pond. The ducklings each had names, all of them ending in "-ack." Zack, Quack, etc.

I went to Boston in about 1989 when I was 9, and remember having a ride in a big swan boat, but I remember being in the middle and not really able to see much. There was also a big bridge. It's funny how I spotted a couple of familiar places when I saw the film 'Ted' at the cinema a little while ago, and I remember seeing a Minute Man statue I'd been to in 'War of the Worlds'.

I definitely remember the statues of ducks, but alas I don't think I'd read the book, either before or since. I could look to see if they have one in the bookshop nearby. Thanks for telling me all about it!

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