Platypus was in crisis
What herself she should be called.
Due to many guises,
In many classes she did fall.
The Platypus scratched her head,
She always thought she knew.
But she didn't have an answer
When asked, "What are you?"
"A Platypus, of course," she laughed.
But Muskrat then had said,
"But what exactly does that mean?"
And she cocked her head.
"What does it mean? What am I?"
And now it plagued her so.
If she couldn't tell what she was
Maybe someone else would know?
She found the Duck and waddled up-
"Know what a Platypus may be?
I'm at a loss and thought you might
Have more a clue than me."
Duck looked at her and smiled wide-
"A kind of duck, I'm sure!
You lay eggs and have a bill!
You needn't wonder more!"
Platypus was glad at first.
But it did not take too long
Until she started to think and feel
Duck was very wrong.
"I have a bill and lay eggs,
This is very true,
But don't have feathers or walk upright
Like I see you do."
With that the Platypus went off
And ran right into Frog.
She asked him if he might know.
"Yes," he nodded from his log.
"You're some frog, just like me!
Why just look at your feet!
They are webbed, just like mine!
Would you like a fly to eat?"
Platypus said, "No thanks"
But didn't share her doubt.
She was grateful that Frog had tried
At least to help her out.
On her way home, she saw Beaver
And thought she'd let him try
To figure out what she was
And approached him with a sigh.
She asked her question and he looked
At her, both up and down.
Her face lit up, and a smile
Replaced his thoughtful frown.
"It's so easy! Don't you see?
There is one key detail.
A type of beaver is what you are!
Just look at your flat tail!"
It's true her tail was broad and wide,
And like him she had brown fur.
But differences, like their teeth,
Made her not so sure.
She became sad and depressed.
How would she ever know?
Who she was? Where she belonged?
She indeed felt very low.
Owl saw her and flew down.
Maybe she could be of aid?
"You look so blue, what has got you
Feeling so dismayed?"
Platypus wiped her eyes
And explained to her firsthand.
Owl just looked confused
And said she didn't understand.
"That's your problem, little one?
I'll tell you what is true.
You already know what you are-
Why, you are simply you!
You need no label or name tag
To be just what you are!
Care not of what others think,
Just follow your own star.
Did it worry you before Muskrat
Came to you with his chatter?"
Platypus shook her head.
"So why, now, does it matter?"
Platypus liked this reply
And knew Owl was so wise.
It didn't matter what she looked
like in others' eyes.
What mattered was how she felt
And who she was inside.
With that Platypus walked home,
Newly filled with pride.
