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Ruskin Bond Poem: The Duck is Seventy

In the year 2004, Ruskin Bond turned 70. So was Donald Duck. Ruskin and Donald Duck (the famous cartoon character) were born at the same time, though Donald Duck is a fictitious character for children but still his birthday is celebrated across the world. By comparing Donald Duck with himself, we get to know the softest insight of Ruskin Bond towards children.



In the poem, Ruskin makes fun of Donald Duck as he can’t write verses and only quacks. Further Ruskin expresses that Duck tastes with butter toast. To this Donald Duck expresses his anger by saying that Ruskin can be re-born as a duck.

Probably the poem was written to celebrate the birth of Donald Duck.

Poem:

This year, ’04, I’m 70 years old,
And so is Donald Duck, I’m told.
At writing verse he’s rather slack,
I’m not much better when I quack!
So here, dear Donald, is my boast-
Roast duck is best with buttered toast.
Says Donald, ‘Friend, don’t push your luck,
You might be born again a duck!’


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