One of the greatest legacies in American hospitality, the legend of the ducks started with a simple prank.

"Way back in the 1930s, we had a general manager named Frank Schmitt," said Daniel Fox, who has served as Peabody Duck Master for three years. "His best friend was Chip Barwick, and they were duck hunting in Arkansas. They were drinking Tennessee sippin' whiskey, and they decided for a prank to put three live duck decoys in the lobby fountain."

The three English ducks (live decoys were legal at the time) were a hit, and both Schmitt and Barwick were shocked that the ducks hadn't left the fountain. However, the ducks still were not permanent guests.

"They decided then to put turtles in the fountain," Fox said. "However, the turtles didn't get much attention. Plus, it takes too long to walk turtles to the elevator!"

The ducks would become a permanent fixture though, as five North American Mallard ducks were brought in. Schmitt called Edward Pembroke, who was a trainer with the Barnum and Bailey circus, to see if he would become the first duck master. Pembroke not only accepted, he kept the title for over fifty years.

"They had temporary duck masters after he left," Fox said. "After awhile, the hotel wanted a new permanent duck master, and they put an ad in the Wall Street Journal. Little did they realize that, thanks to the Internet, this became an international search."

Though people from around the world applied for the job, it was the local resident Fox, whose wife and daughter urged him to apply, who got the coveted position. Thanks to the popuarity of the ducks, especially with kids, Fox has become somewhat of a celebrity.

"I was eating dinner in Denver, Colorado, and the table next to us recognized me," Fox said. "I get autograph requests all the time from parents with kids who know about the Peabody ducks."

"He's the ambassador of the hotel," said Kelly Earnest, Peabody's Director of Public Relations. "There are pictures of him everywhere from guests. Kids line up for his autograph. He's been on Food Network and Japanese TV, and was in National Geographic for Kids for having one of the four coolest animal jobs. It's a very big deal."

Then, just like that, it was showtime for Fox, as well as myself. I was named "Honorary Duck Master," which meant that in moments, I would join a unique circle of honorary duckmasters, including Cardinals great Stan Musial, the Duchess of Devonshire, TV News commentator Chris Matthews, Oprah Winfrey, and Kevin Bacon.

Musial, Duchess, Oprah, Matthews, Bacon...me? For once, that answer was yes!

After rolling a red carpet from the fountain to the elevator, Fox welcomed the crowd and began to tell the story of the ducks. A true showman, he stopped only to let a small girl come to the edge of the red carpet, so she could get a close-up view of the ducks when they walked by.

Then, I was brought up to the fountain steps, where he read a declaration in my honor, and gave me the famed Peabody Duck Master pin. Then, it was off to the skyway to meet the ducks, who were roosting in the penthouse on the roof of the hotel, getting the most spectacular view of Memphis.

"We have two sets of ducks here," said Fox. "We have one drake (male) and four hens (female). The drake's wings are pinned, so he temporarily can't fly, and the hens will never leave the drake. We only keep a set of ducks for 90 days, so they don't get domesticated and know their way too well around the hotel. The group that's coming out, they'll be taken back to a duck reserve outside of Truman, Arkansas next week. The other set are my rookies who are in training."

Though the ducks are well-trained, sometimes things don't always go to plan.

"Two years ago, one of them strayed," Fox said. "A waitress was secretly feeding one of the ducks orange slices. One day, the ducks were marching and one lady was eating orange slices in the lobby. She had her hand down with an orange and the duck went after the orange. I heard the loudest scream, while she was yelling in her phone that she was being attacked by a Peabody duck. Of course, the duck didn't attack her, she just wanted the orange."

These ducks, however, were clearly accustomed to what they needed to do. Once the pen was open, all five ducks walked out and slowly headed for the door, pausing only to eat bugs they could find along the way. When they walked inside the elevator, they waited patiently until we reached the lobby. Then, the doors opened, the cameras flashed, the Sousa procession piece was playing, and it was time to shine.

Amazingly, the ducks showed incredible media savvy, walking on the red carpet, then stopping suddenly and posing for the cameras, as if they had done this for years. The small girl that had been called out by Fox earlier now was all smiles, as the ducks had stopped right beside her. Then, after a few seconds, the ducks headed for the fountain to a flurry of camera flashes, as Fox and I walked behind, clutching a gold-topped cane in the shape of a duck's head. As we hit the top of the fountain steps, the ducks splashed their way into the fountain to a storm of applause from the guests and admirers who had stopped by to view the procession.

And like that, it was over. However, it was quite the unique and enjoyable experience. The Peabody Ducks add to the incredible ambiance of the hotel, which is the epitome of Southern hospitality, elegance, and class.