While it was difficult to see his own father reject him, I really liked Elmer’s inventiveness and bravery in creating a new home for himself. Elmer has great strengths and a lot of pizzazz. Gender nonconformity is nothing to be ashamed of or make fun of in others. This story is a love letter to all the sissies of the world. Elmer holds his head up high and announces that he will always be a sissy and he’s not ashamed. When the flock returns in spring, Papa Duck is proud of his son and the flock is amazed by Elmer’s bravery and cleverness. They play games together, cook and share food, and get to know each other better. By the time Papa Duck wakes up, it’s too late to migrate, so the two spend the winter in the cozy tree house.
Elmer carries his Papa back to the tree and nurses him through the first snow. He’s prepared to spend the winter alone when his father gets shot by hunters targeting the migrating flock. He tries to get Elmer interested in macho activities, to no avail.įinally, Elmer is so heartbroken by his own father calling him a sissy that he runs away and sets up house across the lake in a hollow tree. Papa Duck is concerned that Elmer’s girlish tendencies will not only doom him to a life being bullied but will also reflect back on his own masculinity. Drake, the school bully, makes fun of Elmer relentlessly, calling him a sissy.
Sometimes he plays with the girls, but he usually plays alone. Elmer the duckling loves to cook, bake, paint pictures, and help out around the house.
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