The Ugly Duckling Story

The Ugly Duckling Story
On a farm long ago, a Mama Duck sat on her nest. “How long must I wait for my
babies to hatch?” she said. “I have to sit here all alone! And no one comes to visit
me.” But what could she do? A Mama duck must keep her eggs warm till they
hatch.
At last, the eggs began to crack. One by one, yellow ducklings stepped out of
their shells. They shook their wings and said, “Quack, quack!”
“Look at all of you!” said Mama Duck with joy. “You are all so cute!”
“Quack, quack!” they said.
Mama Duck said, “Come and line up. We will go down to the lake for your very
first swim.” She counted – one, two, three, four, five. “Oh dear!” she said. “I
should have six ducklings!”
But one large egg was still in the nest. “Well," said Mama Duck, "it looks like that
big egg will take more time.” So she had to go sit on her nest again and wait some
more.
The next day, the big egg started to hatch. Out came a baby boy bird. But if one
may say so, it was an odd-looking thing. This bird was much bigger than others.
He was not yellow at all - he was dark-gray from his head to his feet. And he
walked with a funny wobble.
One of the yellow ducklings pointed. “What is THAT? He cannot be one of us!”
“I have never seen such an ugly duckling!” said another.
“How can you say such a thing?” said Mama Duck in a stern voice. “You are only
one day old! Your brother hatched from the very same nest as you did. Now line
up. We will go to the lake for your very first swim.”
Yet the other ducklings quacked, “Ugly! Ugly! Ugly!” The Ugly Duckling did not
know why the other ducklings were yelling at him. He took the last spot in the
line.
Each yellow duck jumped in the river and swam behind Mama Duck. When it was
his turn, the Ugly Duckling jumped in and started to paddle, too. “At least he can
swim,” Mama Duck said to herself.
When they left the water and started to play, the Ugly Duckling tried to play with
his brothers and sisters, too. They yelled, “Go away! We will not play with you!
You are ugly. And you walk weird, too!”
When Mama Duck was close by, she would not let them talk in this way. “Be
nice!” she would scold. But she was not always close by.
One day, one of the yellow ducklings said to the Ugly Duckling, “You know what?
You would do us a big favor if you just went away from here!” All of them started
to quack, “Get out! Get out! Get out!”
“Why won’t they let me stay here?” said the Ugly Duckling to himself. He hung
his head down low. “Ah, they are right. I should go.”
That night, the Ugly Duckling flew over the farmyard fence. He flew till he landed
on the other side of the lake. There he met two grown-up ducks.
“Can I please stay here for awhile?” said the Ugly Duckling. “I have nowhere else
to be.”
“What do we care?” said one of the ducks. “Just don’t get in our way.”
“Woof! Woof!” Suddenly a big hungry dog came tearing by, chasing the two
ducks. They quickly flew up in the air, and their feathers fell down on the ground.
The poor Ugly Duckling froze in fear. The dog sniffed and sniffed at the Ugly
Duckling, then turned away. “I am too ugly even for the big hungry dog to want,”
said the Ugly Duckling with his head hung low.
The sky turned dark. Crack! A bolt of lightning. Then came a big storm, with
heavy rains pouring down from the sky. In just moments, the Ugly Duckling was
soaked through and through. Then a cold wind started to blow.
“Brrr!” he said with both wings held close to his chest. “If only there was a place I
could get dry.”
All at once, a tiny light blinked far off in the woods. “Could it be someone’s hut?”
He flew to the door. “Quack?” said the Ugly Duckling. The door of the hut
creaked open.
“What is all this noise?” said an old woman, looking right and left. Her eyes were
not that good. Then she looked down. “Ah, look at that, it’s a duck!” She picked
up the Ugly Duckling and dropped him inside her hut. “You can stay here, but only
if you lay eggs,” she said.
A tomcat and hen crept up to the Ugly Duckling. “Who do you think you are,
coming in here and taking up room by the fire!” said the tomcat.
“Squawk!” said the hen. “I do not need anyone else in this hut laying eggs.”
“Do not worry about that,” said the Ugly Duckling. “I am a boy duck.”
“Then why are you still here?” said the tomcat. “Did you not hear what the old
woman said?”
“Get out of here, pretender!” clucked the hen.
“Get out! Get out!“ hissed the tomcat.
The door was still a bit open, so our poor Ugly Duckling slipped out the door, and
back into the storm.
“No one ever wants me,” said the Ugly Duckling with a tear in his eye.
The storm ended. Soon he found a new lake. Looking into the water, the Ugly
Duckling saw the reflection of a flock of large white birds flying. He looked
overhead and could not believe what he saw. There, above him, were the most
beautiful birds he had ever seen! Their long white bodies and slender necks
seemed to just glide through the sky. He watched until the very last bird had
winged its way out of view.
He stayed at that lake all by himself, and time passed. The leaves of the trees
turned deep red and gold, and then the leaves fell to the ground. Winter came,
setting a blanket of white snow all over. The cold wind and the dark clouds made
the Ugly Duckling feel even more sad.
He had to go into the cold, cold lake to fish, but it was getting harder to swim.
The lake was turning to ice. One day, it was all he could do was to paddle the
water to keep it from freezing around him, and trapping him in the lake.
“I am so tired!” he said, paddling with all his might. The ice got thicker and drew
closer to him.
In a moment, two giant hands swept him up. “You poor thing!” said a farmer. He
held the Ugly Duckling close to his thick wool jacket and took the bird to his
home.
Never was a warm fireplace more welcome! For the rest of the winter, the
farmer cared for the Ugly Duckling. Then spring came. Tips of green covered the
trees. Short, bright flowers popped up from the ground.
“It is time for you to go to the lake to swim again, as you were born to do,” said
the farmer. He took the duckling back to the lake where he had found him, and
set him with care on the water.
“Gosh, I feel strong,” said the young bird, flapping his wings. “Why, I never felt as
strong as I do right now!”
He heard quiet splashing sounds behind him, and turned around. A flock of those
same beautiful birds he had seen in the sky before landed behind him on the
water.
“Do not worry!” he said to them, holding out one wing. “I will go now. I will not
make trouble for you.” A big fat tear rolled down his cheek. He turned to go
away. When he opened his eyes, he saw a reflection in the water of one of those
beautiful white birds. Why was it so close to him? He jumped back. And the
reflection jumped back, too.
“What is this?” he said. He stretched his neck, and the reflection of the beautiful
bird stretched its neck, too.
“Why are you going so soon?” said one of the beautiful birds.
“Stay here, with us!” said another. “We’ll be great friends.”
Then, the bird who used to be the Ugly Duckling knew what had happened! He
was no longer an ugly gray bird that wobbled when it walked.
At one moment, all the swans flapped their wings and took off into the sky.
“Come with us,” one called back. “Take the lead!” So he flapped his wings fast and
took his place in front of the whole flock. All his new friends flapped their wings
behind him.
“Say!” he said, gliding and dipping through the sky as he sped on. “Who’s an ugly
duckling now? Surely, Not I!”
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86 Comments
1. Hasiny
September 8, 2021 at 4:13 am Reply
Never judge someone from their appearance
2. Maebh
September 6, 2021 at 9:34 pm Reply
Don’t be mean just because something isn’t beautiful to you.
3. Anonymous
Never judge a book by it’s cover
4. Lamia
August 27, 2021 at 10:51 am Reply
It’s all about confidence.
5. Emmah
August 17, 2021 at 12:51 pm Reply
Never judge a book by it’s cover, you will never know what’s inside.
6. Raahitya
Don’t judge someone from their appearance.
7. Mazie W.
You are more beautiful than you think.
8. Len
July 21, 2021 at 11:24 pm Reply
Every child and adult has challenges, which are sometimes painful. Some
hardships are difficult and make us feel unworthy. Staying strong, asking for help
and being persistent will pay off even if you aren’t aware at the time.
9. Lizzy
Never condem anyone
10.Jared
Don’t judge people by what they look like.
11.Marques
Its a good story
12.Anonymous
July 6, 2021 at 10:13 am Reply
I think what the story is trying to persuade is that you should not be a rude person
and judge someone from their appearance. People should know that you can’t
judge a book by its cover, it is all about the inside.
13.Rajapaksha
A person can be measured only by his good qualities, not by his appearance.
14.Muhammed K, 5 years
June 28, 2021 at 4:35 pm Reply
Beauty is what is inside your heart.
15.Immy
My little sister loved this and found it really peaceful trying not to fall asleep to it
and loving all the pictures
16.Jurian
Maybe you were not perfect yesterday but maybe today you’ll be perfect, like the
ugly duckling.
17.Victory O.
June 24, 2021 at 10:12 am Reply
The story told us to treat people the same way we want to be treated ….
18.ISHANT RAHUL SALGUDE
Never underestimate anyone
19.Aradhya S.
Beauty is not in clothes you wear, beauty is not in make-up you put on. The real
beauty is in the good Manner we have.
20.Teestha Shah
We should not judge a book by its cover.
We should not hurt other’s feelings.
You grow beautiful, no matter what people say you are beautiful.
21.Vanessa
My 5 years old daughter said “you should never laugh at friends no matter what
they look like”
22.Austin P.
May 18, 2021 at 11:52 am Reply
Don’t bring people down, pull them up.
23.Amanda Bella
Never judge a book by its Cover.
The ugly duckling was not a duck he was a beautiful swan ?
24.warda
you have to be a friend to everyone
25.Kennedy o.
Just be your self
26.Tatyana F.
May 13, 2021 at 5:17 pm Reply
We should not hurt other’s feelings.
27.Tatyana F.
We should not judge a book by its cover.
28.Tatyana F.
Beauty is not every thing in life. We shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.
29.Gummy
You grow beautiful, no matter what people say you are beautiful.
30.Sina
Don’t care what people say, just be yourself
31.manning
not everything is the same even if you want it to be the same
32.Emi
It doesn’t matter what you look like because when you grow up you can be a
beautiful person.
33.Mikelle L.
This is the best bed time story I have never had this before and I love it I am giving
it 5 ?
34.Matthew
April 27, 2021 at 1:12 am Reply
He should of gloated in front of the ducks
35.Erica
never judge a book by its cover, that goes the same with humans ? Thanks for all
the bedtime stories! ☺️
36.Jack Jasmine
April 21, 2021 at 11:53 pm Reply
I am a fellow care taker of my little one (little space) and I read her this story and
she fell right asleep. I’m very thankful that this webpage was available because I
as a daddy to my little one, I have mental issues so I lack the happiness of
imagination, but she wanted a story so this was a lifesaver.
P.s. she’s so cute when she’s asleep??❤
37.Chimi
I read this story to my boyfriend and he fell asleep….and the moral hits hard!!
38.Jordie
My 14 year old bestie could not stop playing with her “toys” and actin up in bed
so i read her this story and before i knew it she was fast asleep ??? time to do my
share ????
39.Vanshika
Hi i think we should not underestimate any one
40.Olivia Idoko Richardson
Hi! My name is Olivia. I am 5 years old. My daddy read this story to me for
bedtime. And I really really enjoyed it. And I love my toys.
The End
41.kairi :))
March 31, 2021 at 3:21 am Reply
I never felt like I belonged with people my age, because I was tall and I was always
so shy to talk irl. At the end it shows that no matter what, you’ll always get
through stuff. Looks should not matter because god made us, and everyone is
unique and different. I read this for my boyfriend till he fell asleep. This story
shows to not be mean to people and always show respect ?.
42.Dan S.
After I rallied my girlfriend, I read her this story and she fell right asleep! She is 18,
police, we’re just enthusiastic. It is her fetish.
43.Rocco E.
March 23, 2021 at 3:45 pm Reply
I feel like this story belongs to people my age because people should know that
looks do not matter and do not judge someone by them. The important lesson is
what I said about the the first question.
44.Anonymous
Moral: Never judge people on their appearances. Still be friends with them
whether they are ugly or normal.
45.Fuyuhina
I’m 15 this year. But my friends didn’t like me cause I’m too short and when we
play together, they said that I’m troublesome.
Well… this story did give me some effect.
46.Naomi
This teaches you the you should be kind to other people no matter the image the
ugly duck turned into a beautiful swan ?
47.Marianna
I like how the ugly duckling came out of his shell and met some friends.
48.Dheorantyn k.S.
1. I did feel like that because I had a very low self esteem but after years went by,
I focused more on my schooling career. Now everyone wants to hang out with me
and include me.
2. There’s always hope and there’s always a place for everyone and no matter
what anyone has to say you are beautiful. Also never to judge a book by its cover
and jump the gun.
49.Devathara
This is an amazing and meaningful story .
I’m speechless.
I don’t know what to say.
50.Aubree S.
1. I have not ever felt like I didn’t belong.
2. He found out that he wasn’t ugly and was a beautiful swan. You shouldn’t listen
to what others think about you.
51.Isabella
When some one is mean do you listen to them or don’t listen to him?
52.Tauren
February 25, 2021 at 12:13 am Reply
At school no one talks to me half the time. Except for Clara.
That he is not an ugly duckling. And that you’re not always gonna be accepted.
But it’s okay. You’re great on your own.
53.Ava
February 22, 2021 at 10:16 pm Reply
I think this was a amazing story. I felt like you should have added a bit more
where the used to be ugly duckling showed his family of ducks what he looks like
now. I feel that they would be jealous and sorry for the words they used to make
the ugly ducking feel bad about himself.
54.none of yo buzzinezz
never judge a book by its cover.
55.Penelope s.
Yes, right now I do not feel good with people my age. It just gives me a feeling in
my throat that makes me wanna cry.
The most important lesson the Ugly Duckling learns is to not to treat others
poorly just because of what they look like.
56.Anonymous
Great read, loved the detailed artist illustrations
57.Anonymous
I love the ugly ? duck
58.Keshnee N.
My kids and I enjoy these stories. We look forward to bedtime now..
59.Mel
January 17, 2021 at 3:55 pm Reply
This was a very nice story. Although my toddlers fell asleep, I kept on reading!
60.Na
? – Its incredible how we people do not realize our own beauty. Neither do i,
thank you for the great story. ?
61.Anonymous
This was a great version of an amazing classical story. I used to be made fun of for
having light colored eyebrows and I hated it, until one day I realized that it
doesn’t matter what people think of you!
62.Maddie
January 11, 2021 at 1:28 am Reply
I really like this story! My friend wanted me to tell him a story to fall asleep to,
this is the one I picked.10/10
63.Abby
What a GREAT story. the ugly duckling reminds me of myself, because I am the
ugly duckling.
64.E. B.
My little sis really enjoyed this so much! I read it to her at night. She liked it so
much that she fell asleep? before I even finished the story; which is kinda rare
with her because it usually takes like a hour or so to make her go to sleep. Thank
you for the story!!?
65.Ky M.
1. at one point i did feel like i didn’t because i was much smaller than everyone,
but now that i hit a growth spurt i feel i’m above them all.
2.i feel that he has learned to not mind what people think of you, to ghost for a
little while away from all distractions and to come back even better as he did at
the end of the story.
66.Solo
December 29, 2020 at 9:38 pm Reply
The story is amazing and very nice the moral to it is good and really can teach
people a good lesson.
67.Anonymous
December 29, 2020 at 4:34 am Reply
This story is very inspiring and nice.
68.Anonymous
December 28, 2020 at 2:38 am Reply
It brings me back to my childhood days and it brings me joy
69.gisele
November 25, 2020 at 12:10 am Reply
This story always brings me happiness when I read it
70.manuel
November 6, 2020 at 5:02 pm Reply
i was always picked on by my family and they would tell me stuff and felt as if
they never wanted me there with them
the important lesson the duckling learned is that it doesn’t matter who you are or
what you look like, you will always be someone great
71.Elizabeth
October 5, 2020 at 10:37 am Reply
One time a friend felt like she didn’t with the rest of the kids and I made myself
feel how she was feeling then I told the teacher.
72.Jackson
October 3, 2020 at 9:59 pm Reply
This was a good book even though I’m nine I still really like it
73.Anonymous
I used to be insulted because of crooked teeth and wearing braces .. but few
years later braces became a trend, even for people who didn’t need it (which is
weird for me). After I removed my braces, they said I was beautiful. I never forgot
because for such a small child, it was a sad thing to hear from people around me.
#sorry bout my english :)
74.Anonymous
When I was bad at basketball on a team of good basketball players. Even if you
don look like everyone you can do do great things.
75.Raisa Kabir
1.I did feel that way especially when I was a school-goer because of how I
looked,no one treated me fairly calling me fat,I could not play with others.I felt
like an outsider, constantly being bullied for no good reason.
The moral of Ugly Duckling tells us that no matter what others say or think about
you, always believe in yourself.There is beauty even in imperfection.The world
may turn against your back,but you have got nothing to lose :)
76.Anonymous
yes, I have felt like I don’t belong somewhere before, the message of the ugly
duckling is that no matter how you look you’re still beautiful
77.ronal
Yes, I always feel like I don’t belong in a place. I always have this thought that
makes me think that I should leave but then I realized that there is no problem
with me being there.
The ugly duckling learned that he was not an ugly bird, he looked at himself
through a reflection and realized that he was beautiful the way he was.
78.Anonymous
When I was little I was pretty tall (not anymore) and I felt left out when I was
constantly looking OVER the kids head. Soon enough I learned to be confident and
that it was okay to be tall.
The lesson the ugly duckling learned is that he just has to embrace what he looks
like and be confident.
79.Ashley James
I think this story had a great lesson to it because how each place and each person
or animal the duckling went to he was always welcome because he wasn’t ugly he
was beautiful just the way he was and so don’t let people tell you ugly you’re not
beautiful because you’re perfect just the way you are and don’t let people tell you
otherwise.
80.Ashley James
I like you had a choice to read by yourself or have read to you and that really
helpful so can we have these options more often please
81.effie/ephrata
I have felt left out first when I did gymnastics I didn’t know anything so there were
other girls that knew more, but it took me a while to be in there stage so here I
am I can do what they could do and I’m learning more new things! ugly duckling
learned his lesson that he just had to kept trying harder he didn’t give up which
was great! So he learned to never give up and that he is beautiful
82.never judge someone on how they looked
When I went to my new training
83.Julia
Question 1: I never really felt like I didn’t belong with others my age because
everyone is so different where none of us are really the same.
Question 2: The important lesson the Ugly Duckling learned in the end is to
embrace your difference.
84.Becky
November 4, 2018 at 10:30 pm Reply
My daughter said it was amazing and she would love to read it again !
85.Anonymous
Very good story
86.Dakota
She loved the bed time story and she whould like to have copyof your awesome
story
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