Episode 2
The Quacking Clue
- Animals
- Friendship
- Discovery
- 48 sec
About this episode
The Rainbow Trail fades at the edge of a sparkling pond, and Ben and Sophie aren’t sure where to go next. Then they hear it: “Quack! Quack!” A tiny yellow duckling waddles out from the reeds with something shiny in her beak.
By listening carefully and following their new friend, the children discover that sometimes the smallest friends have the biggest clues. A playful story about listening, patience and welcoming someone new.
Lesson & theme
Listening & welcoming new friends
The friends only find the clue because they stop, listen, and give Duckling a chance to show them. It’s a lovely way to talk about patience and including someone who is new.
Questions to talk about together
Pick one or two after watching — there are no wrong answers.
- What sound did Ben and Sophie hear by the pond?
- How did Duckling help the friends find the way?
- Why is it important to listen when someone is trying to tell us something?
- Can you waddle and quack like Duckling?
- How could you help someone new feel welcome?
Read-aloud story
The Quacking Clue
For grown-ups to read aloud — about 4 minutes. Try pausing at each section to ask, “What do you think happens next?”
Ben and Sophie followed the Rainbow Trail down a gentle hill until they reached a pond that sparkled like a mirror. But right at the water’s edge, the trail’s colors grew fainter… and fainter… and then they were gone.
“Oh no,” said Ben. “Where did it go?”
A Little Voice
“Shhh,” said Sophie. “Listen.”
From the tall reeds came a tiny sound. “Quack! Quack-quack!”
Out waddled a fluffy yellow duckling. She was so small she could have fit in Ben’s hat. In her beak was a shiny pebble that glowed purple and blue.
Follow the Quacks
Duckling set the pebble down, quacked twice, and waddled along the edge of the pond. Then she stopped and looked back, as if to say, “Come on!”
“I think she wants us to follow her,” said Sophie.
So they did. Waddle, waddle, step. Waddle, waddle, step. Puppy tried waddling too, which made everybody giggle.
The Next Clue
Behind a curtain of willow leaves they found a row of glowing pebbles — red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple — leading away from the pond. As Sophie placed Duckling’s pebble at the end, the Rainbow Trail shimmered back to life!
“Thank you, Duckling,” said Ben. “We never would have found it without you.”
Duckling gave a proud little “Quack!” and decided she would come along too. Now there were five friends on the Rainbow Trail.
The End… for now!
