Dear Duck I Accidentally Hit With My Car
I barely knew you. But I shall remember you forever.
I will never forget the afternoon I first laid eyes on you. You were with another adult duck (your wife, presumably? or domestic partner… I won’t judge) and several baby ducks. I wish I had seen you and your family sooner. Perhaps this all could have been avoided. Perhaps you would still be with us.
I remember thinking, should I slam on my brakes and risk getting hit by the guy trailing me? I remember seeing the gigantic gutter to the right of my vehicle. I remember the panic that took over me as I swerved, hoping to avoid both your family and the gutter at the same time.
My heart broke into a million pieces when I heard and felt the thud on my bumper. My body went cold when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw you rolling. I knew that my attempt to steer clear of you all had failed miserably, and as I saw you rolling I knew that you were gone. I slowed down to make sure your companion and baby chicks all made it safely to the other side, but I couldn’t help but be horrified about what I had done to you.
I could have been more careful. I could have gone slower. I could have been more cognizant of the construction that was taking place on that country road. I wish there was someone I could blame – the city of Sugar Land? your owners? – but at the end of the day, there is no one to blame but myself.
R.I.P. Duck. Even though you were actually black (in color, and not necessarily in race)
I hope that you are happy and at peace, wherever you are. I am so sorry that your little ducklings will grow up without one of their parents, but I know that there are good people out there (like Anna Pacquin’s character from the 1996 film “Fly Away Home”) that will make sure your little ones get the care they need. I also promise to be extra kind if/whenever I see little ducklings, even if it’s years from now, since they might be your grandbabies. I thought about you before I went to bed last night. I clutched my little animal baby, Brodie, and apologized to him profusely for the crimes I had done against the Animal Kingdom. I hope the message came across somehow. I know that no amount of penitence will make up for taking your life, but I do want to let you know that I am truly sorry for my lack of care on the road. It will never happen again. You have my word.
And I’m also never eating duck again. Or poultry, for that matter. At least for a really, really long time.
Love always,
Jillian
P.S. To all my human friends – please be careful on country roads, especially in the southwest Houston/Sugar Land/Katy area. Namely 1464. Only we can prevent accidental vehicular duckslaughter.
Jillian….sigh. Jillian. The Animal Kingdom has lost a valiant feathered friend. The loss is truly a sign of the times. Just look a the Dow Jones. Flooding in middle America. You’ve set off a chain of events that, well, may just be the precursor to the Armageddon. What have you done? Guilt trip aside. I too once took the life of a young pup, I’ll call him Skid; since that’s what I did when I ran over him. I know your pain. This too shall pass, like my kidney stone. Yea, thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no Asians in Jettas in back country roads.
Not sure whether or not this is a consolation for me, or a eulogy for him… either way, I hope you’re having fun making jests and jabs at my miseries and woes.
Jillyo! how are you gonna hit a innocent duck like that? Thats sad, ive been driving since I was 13 (quite fast on a daily basis) and ive never hit any animals, not even the stupid squirrels that can’t make up their mind. More importantly though, hows the car?
Oh, you know… the car’s like a cockroach: ugly as hell and a pest to most, but at the end of the day it could survive WWIII
Here’s a different version of grilled duck – http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/08/grilling-spice-rubbed-duck-breast-recipe.html
You’re terrible, John Varghese. Absolutely terrible.
I’m going to go feed the ducks this week in your duck’s honor. May pour a little bottled water for the homie.
I may have to join you. Keep me posted
Was it a Peking Duck?
Peking… Szechuan… Donald… it happened too quickly to tell
Does this mean you’ll be getting a duck shaped tattoo in the near future?
Who knows – perhaps if it’s a part of my “healing process”
you, my dear, are hilarious. lol i love you, and I’m sure the animal kingdom will forgive you. death is part of the circle of life (cue Lion King soundtrack)
Hakuna matata
Awesome post. Awesome mid 90s cheese ball film reference. Linked here via your later post about your boss’s text.
Thank you!