Little Duckington Episode 5 – With all my worldly goods I thee enduck…

Look at that congregation. The church is full! It looks like every duck invited has turned up. The Daves are here, Dilly and Dubby, Claude and Colette, sisters, relatives, driver Duane, Father O’Mallard’s nephew d’Arcy; they are all here to watch Dolores and Dunny tie the knot.

And here comes the bride with her maids down the aisle where Dunny stands waiting at the front all a’quiver with nerves and butterflies. Just look at his hat – all those corks hanging from his Topper, oh well… he IS Australian.

Shhhh…the ceremonies starting; Father O’Mallard is quacking…

‘Dearly beducked, we are flocked here today to join together this drake and this duck in matrimony, which is commended to be honourable among all water fowl; and therefore – is not by any duck, goose or swan – to be entered into false-quacked, honked, or hissered, nor willy-nillered. It is into this revered state that these two ducks present now come to be joined, and if any duck can show just cause why they may not be joined together – let them quack now or forever hold their bills…’

’Do you Dunny Demetrius Duck take this Delilah Dribbler Duck to be your mate – to live together in the safe nest of matrimony? Will you love her, bill her, honour and coo her, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and to continually beduck upon her your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, and keeping yourself only unto her as long as you both shall swim?’

Demetrius? Dribbler? Well I never! Anyway, Dunny says that he will.

And, do you Delilah Dribbler Duck take Dunny Demetrius Duck to be your husband – to live together in pairship – on the calm pond of matrimony? Will you love him, nest for him, honour and preen him, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, for better, for worse, in sadness and in joy, to duckle and beduck him your heart’s deepest devotion, forsaking all others, keeping yourself only unto him as long as you both shall quack?’

Delilah says that she will. Ducks don’t give rings, well they don’t have fingers - and ankle rings are seen as a little risqué, denoting ducks of a certain type and order; so all that’s left is the pronouncement.

‘May you always share with each other the gifts of love – be one in pond and reed bed – and may you create a nest together that puts in your hearts – love – generosity and ducklings. In as much as Dubby and Delilah have consented together in marriage before this feathered flock of friends and family, pledged their faith and ducklared their unity, they are now joined as husband and wife. What – therefore – has joined together – let no duck pluck asunder. And so, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you Drake and wife – and may your days be good and long upon the pond.

You may kiss the bride.’

That’s it! The congregation is going wild as is the way with duck weddings. They are quacking and honking, stamping their webbed feet on the floor, rubbing bills, and flapping their wings as if there’s no tomorrow.

Delilah and Dunny have stopped kissing at last and are walking down the aisle and out into the churchyard where the photographer is waiting.

Look at them both, they look so happy. Congratulations Dunny, congratulations Delilah - well done to the pair of you and we wish you both the very best of duck-luck! Let’s hope that the happiness of today remains with you always - or at the very least for the duckymoon.