We were walking through Richmond Park, discussing various members of the younger generation and their current dilemmas. Should they change their jobs, travel the world, leave this partner or get together with that one? Will the pursuit of their dreams enable them to make a living? We sighed over the difficulty of finding one’s path in life. Where to live, what to do, how to find kindred spirits? What will make them happy?

We rounded a corner and saw a group of people standing respectfully back from something on the path beside the pond. It was a huddle of ducklings, at least twelve of them, nestling close together and ‘peeping’ tinily. Nearby, slightly bigger ducklings hopped merrily in and out of the water, watched over by a proud mother duck. We all stood and watched admiringly. ‘None of these kind of discussions in duck families, I suppose’, said Bob thoughtfully. ‘Can you imagine? “What are you going to be when you grow up, darling?” “A duck.” End of story.’