Quincy Quinsley, Quinnipiac, Quebec’s Quacking Queen

In the Canadian province of Quebec, hunters wait all year long for duck season to open. It is an exciting sport that is shared by men and women alike, and the duck population is so huge that hunters never need to worry about not bringing home some of them for the dinner table. Many different kinds of ducks flock to nearby marshes and rivers, including the best-tasting of all: the blue teal. However, because of their small size and fast flying speed, these birds are very difficult to bring down, and even the best duck callers rarely fool them.

In Quinnipiac, Quebec, one of the biggest events of the year is the annual duck-calling contest. Former champions, who know exactly which calls sound the best to different kinds of ducks, choose the winners, and contestants from all over Canada come to participate. The competition is very stiff, and only the best of the best duck callers make it to the final round. Many of the contestants carve their own duck calls, and not only are they beautiful works of art, but they are also very effective in fooling even the smartest ducks, which sometimes includes the wary blue teal.

One cold winter day, Quincy Quinsley and her father, a former champion duck caller, went to the annual contest. As they listened, her dad whispered after each contestant made calls, imitating various ducks. He might say, “That guy is awful. He sounds more like a pig than a duck.” Or, “Now this guy has perfected the technique of calling mallards. He may be the winner.” On and on, the contest progressed as contestants mimicked different kinds of ducks. Only three made it to the final round when contestants had to mimic the most difficult duck to call: the blue teal.

The first contestant, a lady from Manitoba, Canada, did a marvelous job of calling, and Mr. Quinsley was deeply impressed. The next contestant gave his best effort but was not as effective as the first contestant. Then, just before the last contestant started to blow his beautiful, hand-carved duck caller, the audience was stunned when they heard an absolutely perfect teal call. Where did it come from? Everyone turned to look for the caller, and Quincy repeated it once again--not with a hand-made call, but with her mouth! Staring at his daughter, Mr. Quinsley was left speechless.

Immediately, the judges asked Quincy to come to the stage. Full of confidence, she sat in front of the judges. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” the head judge announced, “this is the first contestant we have ever had who does not use a duck caller but calls with her mouth.” Then, he turned to Quincy and said, “All right, young lady, we are ready to hear you mimic the teal call again.” After listening, the judges had no doubt who won the contest. Her call would fool the smartest teal! The head judge announced the winner: Quincy Quinsley, Quinnipiac, Quebec’s Quacking Queen.

NOTE: Jimmy Reed is a retired college professor and author of several books. This story is from his latest, a children’s book entitled FROM A TO Z, TO YOU FROM ME. Each story in the book maximizes the use of an alphabetical letter, enhanced by alliteration and assonance. The book is available on Amazon, or can be purchased directly from the author. His email address is jimmycecilreedjr@gmail.com.

Jimmy Reed is an Oxford, Mississippi resident, Ole Miss and Delta State University alumnus, Vietnam Era Army Veteran, former Mississippi Delta cotton farmer and ginner, author, and retired college teacher.

Copies, including personalized autographs, can be reserved by notifying the author via email (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)).