A wise old farmer wanted to teach his 18-year-old son about entrepreneurship and resourcefulness. To test the boy’s skills, he handed him a duck and challenged him: “Take this to town, my son. By the time you return, make sure you are in a better position than when you started.”
Taking up the challenge with enthusiasm, the son began his journey toward the bustling town. As he walked, pondering how he might profit from the duck, he chanced upon a lady who, by profession, provided company to lonely souls. Intrigued by the lad and his duck, she approached him with a hint of mischief.
The son proposed, “Why don’t we strike a deal? Fifteen minutes of your time in exchange for this fine duck.”
It wasn’t every day that such a peculiar barter proposition came her way, but seeing the uniqueness of the situation, she accepted. Upon spending time together, the lady found herself highly impressed with the young man’s vigor and charm—so much so that she made another proposition: “If you’re up for another round, I’ll give you back the duck,” she suggested with a wink.
Elated by this turn of events, the boy found himself in the same position as before, still having the duck and also having had a memorable experience. However, the day’s adventures weren’t over.
As he walked back toward his village, a sudden noise from a nearby construction site startled the duck. The panicked bird flew straight into the road—right into the path of a speeding truck. Tragically, the duck met its end.
The truck driver, a kind-hearted man, jumped out and approached the boy. Seeing the dead duck and the crestfallen face of the young lad, he felt responsible. Wanting to make amends, he handed the boy a note. “Here,” he said, handing over £10. “I’m truly sorry for your loss.”
By evening, the young lad returned home. The father, eager to hear about his son’s day, asked, “Well, how did your day unfold?”
The son replied, “Pretty good! I got a duck for a duck, a duck for a… and £10 for a dead duck!