The Ugly Duckling

Beside a moonlit river, Mother Duck waited patiently for her eggs to open.

Six little shells opened. Six yellow ducklings peeped, but the largest egg stayed quiet.

At last, the big shell cracked. Out stepped a tall grey duckling, blinking at the moon.

Mother Duck led her family into the farmyard. Every head turned toward the strange new duckling.

The birds laughed at his size and dull feathers. They chased him from the food and would not let him rest.

Even Mother Duck could not make the others kind. So one quiet night, the duckling slipped through the open gate.

In the marsh, two young wild geese welcomed him. For one gentle evening, he was not alone.

Before dawn, shots cracked beyond the reeds. The wild geese fell, and the frightened duckling hid beneath the bank.

A great dog found him, sniffed once, then walked away. “I am so ugly that even the dog does not want me,” thought the duckling.

An old woman gave him shelter. Her proud hen and solemn cat wondered what use he could be.

He could not lay eggs or purr. Longing for water and sky, he thanked them and went on.

Autumn came. Across a great lake, the duckling saw three white swans rise like moonlit sails.

Winter deepened. One bitter night, the pond froze around the weary duckling, and by morning he could not move.

A farmer found him and gently wrapped him in his scarf. Then he carried the little bird toward warmth.

He rested beside the hearth until the thaw. When the door opened, he returned gratefully to the wide world.

Spring came, and he had grown strong. When the white swans glided near, he bowed his head, sure they would drive him away.

But the swans welcomed him. In the still water, he saw white wings, a long neck, and his own gentle eyes.

He had grown into a beautiful swan. The others gathered around him, and for the first time, he knew he belonged.

Under the quiet moon, he folded his wings among his family. The lake grew still, and all was peaceful.