

Anna liked to balance on the wall by the pond. She felt like a bird or a dancer when she did that. She was careful not to fall in the water, because she did not like to get wet. She knew her mom would be angry if she got wet.
One day, she saw a duck in the pond. The duck was swimming and quacking and splashing. Anna wanted to say hello to the duck. She leaned over the wall and waved her hand. The duck looked at her and quacked louder. Anna smiled and waved more.
But then, she lost her balance. She felt herself tipping over the wall. She screamed and tried to grab something. But it was too late. She fell in the water with a big splash. The water was cold and wet and deep. She was scared and confused. She did not know what to do.
The duck was confused too. It did not expect to see a girl in the water. It swam away from her and hid behind some reeds. It did not want to play with her anymore.
Anna heard her mom's voice. Her mom had seen her fall in the water. She ran to the pond and jumped in. She grabbed Anna and pulled her out. She hugged her and asked her if she was okay. Anna was crying and shivering. She said she was sorry and that she just wanted to say hello to the duck. Her mom said it was okay and that she loved her. She wrapped her in a towel and took her home. She said they would have some hot chocolate and a story. Anna felt better and said she loved her mom too. She said she would not balance on the wall again. She said she would just watch the duck from far away.
