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Badger and find out what I am," said Peter, without slowing down even one bit.

"That's silly, Peter. Why, you're a platypus! You know that," croaked Franklin.

"Look at me, Mr. Franklin," moaned Peter. "Have you ever seen a creature as mixed up as I? I have a duck's bill, a beaver's tail, a swan's feet and an otter's fur. No one looks like me!" If he hadn't been in the water, he might have shed a tear.

"You are who you are and that's all you are, my boy. Now go home and think about what I've said," croaked Franklin.

"Thank you, Mr. Franklin, but I really must see Bernice Badger. She will know why I'm so mixed up. Good-bye!"

Franklin Frog shook his big, green head as he watched the young platypus swim away.

"Is that you down there, Peter?" Dorry Duck stuck her head in the water to get a better look at the platypus.

"Yes, ma'am, it's me," replied Peter.

"Wherever are you going in such a hurry? I don't think I've ever seen you swim so fast and you're far from your house, too. Is something wrong, dear boy?"

"No, ma'am, I'm going to see Bernice Badger and ask her what I am."

"Oh, my, you don't know what you are? My goodness, if you don't know what you are, then I must not know either. Why you might eat ducks for dinner!" Pulling her head out of the water, Dorry Duck paddled away from the young platypus as fast as her feet would go.

"No, ma'am, I don't eat ducks for dinner..." began Peter, but Dorry Duck was too far away to hear him.

After swimming for a long, long time, Peter arrived at Bernice Badger's hole-house. He knocked on the door with his tail.

"I'm coming. I'll be right there," said a voice from inside the hole. Bernice Badger opened the door. "Why, Peter Platypus, how are you?" she pulled Peter into the hole and offered him some tea and shrimp biscuits.

Peter waited while Ms. Badger put the kettle of water on to boil for tea and then he could wait no longer.

"Ms. Badger, you are the smartest animal in all the pond and woods. Could you tell me what I am?"

Bernice Badger was so surprised by his question, she had to sit down in one of her wicker-wicket chairs.

"Why, Peter, you're a platypus! What else would you possibly be?"

"Look at me," cried Peter. "I have a bill like a duck and a tail like a beaver. My feet could belong to a swan and my fur is fine enough for an otter. No one else looks like me. Rita Rabbit said I was a strange creature, indeed."

"Hummphf, what does Rita Rabbit know? She's a silly little rabbit who thinks everyone looks strange. You are a wonderful creature, Peter. You have a bill so you can find all the delicious goodies on the bottom of the pond. It helps you move rocks and sticks out of your way to find your food. That strong, beautiful tail helps you swim straight or move from side to side. You would have a hard time swimming without it.

"And those feet? I would love to have webbed feet like yours. They help you swim, too. They push you through the water at just the speed you want to go. Look at my fur. It is a very nice coat of fur, but it's not as special as yours. Your coat keeps you dry and warm when you swim."

"You are strange, but that's good. You look different, but would you rather look like everyone else? I wouldn't! You are Peter Platypus, a fine animal, a good and kind friend. Now eat your cookies while I make our tea."

Peter was so happy to know who he was, he laughed out loud. It was good to be special and to have so many wonderful things to make him special.

When Peter went home that afternoon, he looked in his bedroom mirror again. He didn't see a pitiful platypus this time. He saw a handsome platypus and a good friend to others.

Learn more about this author, Michelle N. Broughton.
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