"Yes," said the little ducks again,
All waddling in a row.
"Now to the pond," said old Mrs. Duck.
Splash, splash! and in they go.
"I wish I could swim," cried Puss; "it looks like great sport!"
HOW TO BE A DUCK
"LET me swim first," said old Mrs. Duck,
"To this side, now to that;
There, snap at those great brown-winged flies,
They make young ducklings fat."
"See who can swim the fastest," cried Puss. "Why don't you have a race?" The nine little ducklings stopped.
"Line up in a row," cried Puss, "and when I cry 'Go!' swim as fast as you can, and the one who reaches this bank first wins. I'll give a bright penny to the winner."
All the ducklings arranged themselves in a row, and when Puss cried "One, two, three, go!" they paddled away as hard as they could. Back and forth went their little yellow feet. Such a splashing! Nearer and nearer they came. One little duck flapped his wings upon the water and in this way managed to get ahead. He was the first to land.
"Here is your penny," cried Puss.