Like Ducks to Water

It's not easy being a mom, even for a duck...

Today was the day, fresh out of the nest.
The babies would put their skills to the test.
Mama led first, assumed they would follow
Her to the lake, next to their hollow.

She leapt out of the nest, and turned to her brood,
"We learn swimming today!" as they finished their food.
They looked at Mom with wondering eyes,
As if this were all a big surprise.

"Do we have to swim?" "The nest feels so snug!"
"Up close to each other it's easy to hug!"
"Why go to the lake, so cold and so wet?
"To be damp and chilly until the sun sets?"

Mama rolled her eyes, and then she said,
"All Duck's swim, it's why feet are webbed!
Our feathers protect us from chilly waters.
So come now, all my sons and daughters."

Reluctant, the Chicks filed out of the nest 
With less excitement than Mom would have guessed.
They left, walking with her, with sad reactions,
But then, became scattered, overwhelmed by distractions!

Every Duckling went their own way.
To a different place they all did stray.
Mama had five, and without a tether
Was finding it hard to keep them together.

Chick number one went towards something shiny,
A penny in grass, gleaming and tiny.
Mama waddled after as fast as she could,
Scolding, "Stay with the group!  Is that understood?"

No sooner she returned when Chick number two
Walked to Squirrel, quacking, "How do you do?"
Mama ran over and with a movement of wing,
Back to the group, Chick two, she did bring.

Out of the corner of eyes, she saw number three
Wandering over to a big tree.
"It's so big!" the little one wondered.
"Get back with your siblings!" Mama then thundered.

Exhausted when four away he did run
As if hearing a race's loud starting gun.
It seemed he was off to nowhere special.
The trip to the lake was not being successful.

After bringing him back, it was number five's turn
To spark poor Mama's maternal concern.
He went off to go return to their nest
To do what he wanted, and relax and rest.

"Come back here, young Duckling!" Mama did chide.
And grumbling, her baby moped back to her side.
Tired, she brought them to lake's edge of grass
To finally begin their first swimming class.

Complaining, saying they did not want to swim,
It took long for Mama to get them to wade in.
But of course, within minutes, they splashed and they played.
They loved the lake! Mama need not persuade.

Like Ducks take to water, the Chicks learned real fast.
They were amazing at swimming and were having a blast!
When it grew late, and it was time to go back,
"Aw, can't we stay longer?" all five of them quacked.

"We'll come back tomorrow, but it's now time to leave,"
Mama replied, as the day turned to eve.
She was very happy, but wanted to know-
Why was it so hard to get her Ducks in a row?