I guess sometimes it’s OK to slow down and not worry about getting to work on time. Especially if by doing so, you save lives. In a heartwarming show of compassion, morning commuters in Auckland, New Zealand, recently slowed down their usually rushed morning routines to aid an unexpected family in need.
A mother duck and her ducklings found themselves stranded on a busy highway median, surrounded by speeding cars on the busy Northern Motorway. Yet, rather than rushing ahead with their day, drivers actually stopped in their tracks to ensure the safety of the feathered family.
New Zealand Traffic Authority caught the race to cross a busy motorway on camera.
“People began stopping to clear a path for the ducks across three lanes of traffic, their efforts prompted only by a shared concern for the birds’ well-being,” shared the New Zealand Traffic Authority (NZTA). The act of kindness did cause minor delays, but the response online was overwhelmingly positive. “That’s an awesome example for equally respecting animals!” exclaimed one X (formerly Twitter) user.
It’s good to come across such news and [I’m] feeling happy that there’s still humanity prevailing in a society!” remarked another.
The viral video captured the moment as the mother duck bravely led her ducklings across multiple lanes of traffic, prompting cars to slow down and stop in their tracks. As the duck family made their way to safety, drivers cheered them on in a show of solidarity for the brave mama and her ducklings.
The ducks required assistance beyond what the video showed, but thanks to the prompt response of authorities, they were safely escorted to a more suitable habitat. NZTA couldn’t help but be proud of the drivers, with a spokesperson commenting, “Nice one Auckland drivers!”
The Northern Motorway is typically wall-to-wall traffic in the mornings.
In a world often characterized by haste and indifference to what is going on with others around us, the story of these compassionate commuters serves as a reminder of slowing down and not rushing through life all the time. It also doesn’t hurt to find the humor in situations like this.
“Going to need some more duck lanes,” quipped one commuter, while another pondered, “Why did they build a motorway over a duck crossing?” In the end, it wasn’t just about traffic delays or inconveniences; it was about working together to help keep a duck family safe. And while doing so, bringing a bit of kindness and joy to others. As one observer aptly put it, “This makes my heart happy!” Watch below for the breathtaking look at the ducks’ daring crossing.
Sources: The Dodo | Daily Mail
