The Duck in the Gun

Joy Cowley (author)

Robyn Belton (illustrator)

Walker Books, Australia: 1969, 2009

ISBN: 9781921150838

Genres: allegory, animal stories, picture book

Issues: conflict, peace, problem-solving, war

Winner NZLA Russell Clark Award.
One of ten children's books selected for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

Recently republished, this charming story offers a humorous commentary on the futility of war.

A fierce General is due to wage war on a particular town but just when the army is ready to attack, it is discovered that a duck has made its nest in the gun. Unable to convince the duck to nest elsewhere and not wanting to fire the gun with the duck inside, the General approaches the Prime Minister of the town under attack and proposes various odd ‘solutions' to the problem. After some discussion they decide to postpone the war until the duck's eggs hatch. In the meantime, however, the army has to have something to do - so they start painting the town. Literally. Painting the town involves meeting the enemy - and befriending them.

Will there be a war? Or will ‘a duck in the gun' have demonstrated that peace is a more sensible option? There is much food for thought here - as well as much reason for laughter.

Highly recommended.