'Guji Guji' read by Robert Guillaume

Hello, I'm Robert Guillaume and welcome to Storyline Online, brought to you by the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. Today, we're going to be reading a delightful story by Chih-Yuan Chen called Guji Guji.

Overview of Guji Guji

Guji Guji is quite content with his life as a duckling, despite the fact that he doesn’t look anything like his brothers. However, one fateful day, he meets three nasty, grinning creatures that challenge everything he knows about himself.

Story Summary

The story begins with an egg rolling across varied landscapes - through the trees, across the meadow, and finally into a duck's nest where Mother Duck is obliviously reading.

• The first duckling hatches with blue spots; Mother Duck names him Crayon.
• The second duckling with brown stripes is named Zebra.
• The third duckling, who is yellow, gets the name Moonlight.
• Finally, a rather odd-looking duckling hatches – he introduces himself as Guji Guji.

Mother Duck teaches her four ducklings how to swim, dive, and waddle. Guji Guji learns quickly and becomes bigger and stronger than the others, but Mother Duck loves all her ducklings the same, regardless of their differences.

The Encounter with Crocodiles

One terrible day, three crocodiles emerge from the lake, appearing quite similar to Guji Guji.

• The crocodiles sport wide grins, exposing their sharp, pointed teeth.
• They mockingly inform Guji Guji that he looks ridiculous walking like a duck, insisting instead that he’s a crocodile.
• Guji Guji, puzzled, asserts, "I am not walking like a duck, I am a duck!"

The crocodiles counter with a harsh reality check:

"Look at yourself! No feathers, no beak, no big webbed feet! You're just like us!"

Each crocodile highlights something about Guji Guji:

• The first crocodile notes his blue-gray skin is perfect for hiding underwater.
• The second emphasizes that his sharp claws can grab hold of fat, delicious ducks.
• The third crocodile suggests that his pointed teeth are ideal for chewing those ducks. Yum!

They tempt Guji Guji to bring his family to the bridge the next day so they can "practice diving" while they wait below with their mouths wide open. Guji Guji is conflicted and feels terrible.

Guji Guji's Reflection

As he sits by the lake, he ponders, "Is it true? Am I a bad crocodile too?" When he looks into the water, he tries to make a fierce face and ends up laughing at how ridiculous he looks.

Guji Guji realizes he’s not a bad crocodile, but he also recognizes the threats posed by the three crocodiles. Determined, he concocts a plan to protect his family and heads home happy and content.

The Clever Plan

That night, while the three bad crocodiles sharpen their teeth, Guji Guji lays out his clever plan. The following day, he takes his flock of ducks to the bridge to practice diving, just as the crocodiles suggested.

However, instead of ducks, the crocodiles are met with a surprise:

• Three big, hard rocks drop from the bridge!
• The crocodiles, expecting a feast, bite down only to hear the resounding "Crack! Crack! Crack!" of their teeth!

In panic, they flee, disappearing in no time.

Conclusion

Thanks to Guji Guji's quick thinking, he saves the ducks and becomes the hero of the day! That night, all the ducks celebrate, dancing joyfully in his honor.

Guji Guji continues to live happily with Mother Duck, Crayon, Zebra, and Moonlight, growing stronger and prouder of being a unique “crocoduck.”

The end.

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