“At the pond, a duck paddled across the water while children tossed crumbs from the shore. Its feathers rippled as it quacked and splashed near the reeds. Suddenly, a soccer ball flew toward me, and I had to duck quickly so it wouldn’t strike my head. My friends laughed as I stood back up. A little later, my cousin quietly ducked out of the group without saying goodbye, slipping down the path before anyone noticed. When my aunt asked where he had gone, none of us had an answer. The afternoon blended animals, games, and sudden surprises into one busy, noisy day at the park.”