Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Duckling Statue Stolen

One of Mrs. Mallard's brood has gone missing.

Pack, the second-to-last of the ducklings in the famous Boston Public Garden statue based on Robert McCloskey's classic book Make Way for Ducklings, was abducted overnight on Sunday, leaving only a gap and two little bronze webbed feet.

The statue, by Nancy Schon, has been in the Public Garden since 1987. This is the fifth duckling theft. Boston authorities are taking Pack's disappearance seriously: Mayor Menino said yesterday "This act is not a prank; it is a crime. We would strongly encourage anyone with information to please come forward to assist with Pack's safe return." The culprit, if caught, could face prison time and a hefty fine for the theft of public art.

I think I speak for all of us when I say to whoever committed this dirty deed, "Bring Pack back, you quack!"