Little Pip was a duckling with a very loud quack. He loved exploring the pond with his mama and his siblings. Every day, the pond was filled with playful sounds – chirping frogs, splashing fish, and happy duck calls.
But Pip had a special problem. He was always the first to want to swim to the lily pads. He’d impatiently wait for his siblings, but they always seemed to have time for a bit of play. He’d get quite annoyed.
One evening, Pip watched his siblings gently settle into the soft reeds to sleep. Mama Duck called out, "Goodnight, little ones." As they prepared to sleep, Pip grumbled about how long it was taking.
He couldn't understand why they weren't eager to get to sleep like him.
Suddenly, a wise old turtle, who had been watching from the edge of the pond, spoke to Pip. "Little one," he said, "patience is a wonderful gift. It allows us to enjoy the journey, not just the destination."
Pip looked at the beautiful sunset reflecting on the water. He thought about the frogs serenading each other and the tiny fishes gliding through the pond. He felt a sense of peace. He saw how the playful games and exploration of the day had made the evening beautiful, and how even the nighttime held its own special wonders.
Pip slowly settled onto the reeds, and instead of rushing, he enjoyed the quiet, the gentle evening air. He observed the slow motions of the water, noticing a gentle current. He watched the stars emerge in the darkening sky. He realized that waiting allowed him to appreciate each moment more. He appreciated the time he spent exploring the pond.
Pip closed his eyes and quivered his little body. He felt calm and content, noticing the soft air and the gentle sounds of the evening. He quivered with contentment and smiled gently at the stillness. He remembered the turtle's words. He no longer rushed, instead, he embraced the moment.
From that day on, Pip learned to appreciate the slow moments. He found that even while waiting, he could still discover beauty and wonder. He enjoyed the quiet, and practiced patience. He truly felt the peace of nighttime. Pip knew that patience is a gift, a quiet virtue, and a great thing to hold onto.
With a soft quack, Pip drifted off to sleep, his heart full of gratitude for the beautiful evening and the important lesson he had learned.