I grew up with this book and am now in my 30s and unfortunately still have sad and angry memories about it. I can remember the story vividly as it was often read at our house and I always grieved at the end of the story when the duck is hit with a stick. The main character Ping is punished for wanting to explore the world and not conform. What a cruel message to purvey to our children. I find the story heartbreaking to this day.