Operatic Duck / Duck on Tour Read Online Free PDF

thought it was a good idea for Duck and Parrot to fly for help.
    â€˜Our artists can even fly,’ said Albert. ‘Let’s write a message.’
    â€˜Others have carrier pigeons; we have a Carrier Duck and Parrot Postal Service,’ laughed Cate.
    Duck felt a little scared as he stood on the slippery step. It was raining hard. The flood waters were halfway up the wheels. The message was wrapped in double plastic wrap from the Dining Car, and placed in a mobile phone case and tied around his tummy with the multi-coloured ribbons.

    Parrot’s beak held the multi-coloured ribbon tied to the swinging torch.
    This would be their longest performance! Usually Duck was not a flying sort of duck. Mainly he waddled.
    â€˜Let’s fly!’ They took off.
    Rain beating on his wings, Duck looked back and saw a very small Cate waving to them from the steps of the train.
    â€˜We’ll have to fly low to see the tracks,’ Duck said.
    Parrot nodded. For once he couldn’t talk. If he opened his beak, the torch would fall.
    Surrounded by darkness, they felt very small. That tiny torch light made patterns on the flood water.

Chapter 5
    Rescued

    They flew and flew. Both were very tired, as they’d never flown this far before.
    OuterTarn was a twinkle of lights ahead.
    â€˜There it is!’ yelled Duck.
    They landed near the station and took a few deep breaths.
    â€˜Who shall we tell?’ huffed Parrot.
    Duck remembered that the Farmer owned the wool shed and he knew where that was.
    Tap Tap Tap.
    Parrot pecked on the Farmer’s window.
    â€˜Parrot to the rescue. Parrot to the rescue.’ Parrot shone the torch on the Farmer’s face. Duck plonked his wet feet on his bedside table.
    â€˜Ah! What’s wrong? Have you got a message from the train?’ The Farmer untied Duck’s ribbons and read the message.
Train surrounded by flood waters. All power out. Singer electrocuted. Needs urgent medical attention. Call doctor. Signed Albert.
    â€˜We’ll call the Flying Doctor and the Police. The police have a rescue boat. They’ll collect the singer from the train and bring him here. The Flying Doctor can land her plane on my home paddock. It’s not flooded.’
    So they did. All were rescued. Even Albert was impressed by the flyers.
    â€˜First the Flying Duck, then the Flying Doc,’ Cate smiled. ‘What a night. Let’s get on with the tour.
    But when the train arrived at the next stop, the TV news cameras were there.
    â€˜Mr Lee, the Singapore theatre owner, has recorded your DVD.’
    â€˜We’re stars!’ Parrot liked to talk, a lot. And he loved to get people to do what he talked about. So if Parrot could talk people into buying the ‘Training’ DVD by the farm animals he was happy. And he was even happier if buyers paid full price.
    â€˜This is the present for the person who has everything,’ said Parrot. ‘It’s going on sale at your station now, as the Arts Train arrives. The world’s first farm animal opera, on DVD.’
    â€˜What about people who do not have everything?’ asked the man behind the mike.
    â€˜They’ll love the music,’ said Parrot quickly. ‘Make them feel better.’
    â€˜Is your Training DVD as good at the World’s First Elephant Orchestra on DVD?’
    â€˜Elephants did it first?’ Parrot was shocked. He prided himself on being ‘news worthy’ and being the first to talk about ‘stuff’. ‘Ours is different. We’re the On Tour Farm Animals. Next stop Darwin.’
    â€˜Then starring in Singapore at Mr Lee’s theatre.’
    â€˜And then to the rest of the world.’
    â€˜Then we’re going back home. I miss my sultana porridge,’ said Pig.
    Duck smiled. He liked being a Duck Star.