McGuyver to the Rescue!

My job has its busy moments. It has its junctures of impulse and adrenaline, but most days are calm and quiet with only the simple action of assisting someone who has locked their selves out of the room. I am very grateful for those days. The days I don't have to respond to a fire alarm or a student who is unconscious. Today I responded to a very unusual call. The complainant advised that there were baby ducks in the fountain and unable to get out. Sure enough, when I got to the fountain there were 12 baby ducks all swimming around in the fountain. The cement step leading out of the fountain was about 6 inches from the top water and the poor little ducklings were unable to get out. Now, I am no animal buff, but growing up we had several animals that abandoned their young after having had human contact. I decided the best thing to do was to make some sort of ramp for the ducks to walk up. I searched around campus and finally found a 2x4 that was long enough to reach the water and the first step of cement and it worked! The ducks got the hang of it instantly and helped one another waddle up the ramp and onto dry land! Who knew ducks could be so smart? Unfortunately three little ducklings didn't pay attention to their brothers and sisters and didn't use the ramp to escape. Instead they swam around the fountain darting under water and swimming until they had no breath left. I found a shovel and took off my shoes and socks and climbed in the "recycled water" fountain to scoop the ducks out and place them on dry land. I like to think that they're all safe and sound now and that all of the little ducklings found their Mom and are nestled safely under her wing tonight. They sure were cute little things. As for me, I'll add duck rescuing to my resume tonight.