A White Cat and Eight Ducklings Were Stuck Inside on a Rainy Day
Rain streaks down the glass, and nobody on this windowsill is in a hurry to go outside. A fluffy white cat with pale green eyes lies stretched along a soft blanket, gazing at the ducklings with an expression of calm patience. Eight bright yellow ducklings huddle together in front of her, some turned toward the window, others peering up at their large furry companion. Beyond the panes, the garden and rooftops are blurred by the downpour, while inside, a ball of yarn, a cozy knit throw, a mug, and a pair of glasses suggest someone was enjoying a slow afternoon too.
It's a little ironic that these water birds are waiting out the rain. Very young ducklings don't yet have fully waterproof feathers. In the wild, they rely on their mother's preen oil and warmth, and those raised without a mother can get chilled and waterlogged if they're soaked for too long. That's why people caring for young ducklings usually provide a warm, dry brooder area and let them swim only briefly and under supervision until their adult feathers grow in. Fresh drinking water deep enough for them to dip their bills is important, since ducklings use water to clear their nostrils while eating.
So for now, the plan is simple: stay dry, stay warm, and watch the drops race down the glass. With a soft white guardian on duty, a rainy day doesn't seem so gloomy after all.






