The Ugly Duckling

On a warm farm, a mother duck sat on her eggs. One by one they cracked, peep, peep, and out hopped fluffy yellow ducklings. The last egg was the biggest, and out of it came a duckling who was big and grey.

(Use a small, sad voice here.)

“You are so different,” said the other ducks, and they teased and pecked. The grey duckling tried to join in their games, but nobody let them. So the duckling sat alone by the pond.

One night, the duckling ran away across the fields, all alone, until they reached a big marsh. The wild geese honked, “You are not like us either.” The duckling hid among the reeds, feeling very lonely.

Winter came with snow and ice. The duckling shivered by the frozen lake, cold and hungry. Then a kind old farmer found them, wrapped them in his warm coat and carried them home. But the duckling was shy, and when the first warm days came, they slipped out of the door.

(Spread your arms like wings and flap them slowly.)

Spring came. The duckling stretched their wings. They were big and strong now, and whoosh! Up they flew, over the fields, over the trees, to a bright, shining lake.

On the lake glided beautiful white swans. “I will go to them,” thought the duckling. “Even if they are unkind, I want to see them close.” And they bent their head and waited.

But when the duckling looked down into the clear water, they saw a reflection. It was not a grey duckling at all. It was a graceful young swan, white as snow. The swans swam over and circled around them. “Welcome, friend,” they said. “We have been waiting for you.”

(Let your voice go slow and soft.)

The young swan glided across the silver water as the sun went down. They were not sad any more, because they had found where they belonged. The swans settled down together with their necks curled and their heads tucked under their wings, and the lake grew very still. Goodnight, little swan.