Yes, and...: HNT(17) If it looks like a duck...

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I was out for a hike in Fairmount Park this week and made a stop at the concession stand at the Valley Green Inn. Since it's located right along the banks of the Wissahickon Creek, it has become home to a fairly large group of ducks and geese.

Apparently one of them took a look at Mapquest and they decided that the prospect of free handouts beat the hell out of flying all the way from Philly down to Florida for the winter.

I know in my heart that rewarding their lack of effort is only enabling their negative behavior and contributing to the cycle of dependency, but a part of me admires their laissez-faire attitude towards the rigid concept of migration, and besides...I was hungry for popcorn.

The underlying moral lesson is best summed up in a very wise, old proverb:

"Feed a duck some popcorn, and it will eat for a day.

Teach a duck how to microwave popcorn,

and you will void your warranty"

Oh, and one more thing. If you ever happen to stop by Valley Green, don't be fooled by the cute white ones. They can get downright surly...