00:00Welcome to Fabulous Fables, where little stories have big lessons.
00:04Today, we're going to hear a heartwarming tale about an ugly duckling who was mocked, bullied, and rejected because of
00:13his unpleasant appearance.
00:15Are you ready? Let's begin.
00:17Once upon a time, in a lush meadow, beside a serene pond, there was a mother duck who had just
00:24laid six eggs.
00:26The next morning, she was amazed to find a seventh egg in her nest. This egg was much larger than
00:32the others.
00:33That's strange, she thought to herself, as she continued sitting on her nest to hatch her eggs.
00:40Before long, the eggs cracked open one after another, and out came six adorable ducklings with fluffy, yellow feathers.
00:48However, the largest egg still hadn't hatched.
00:51The mother duck sat on the last egg for another day.
00:55When it eventually cracked, an odd-looking duckling emerged.
00:59He was big and had dull gray feathers and black feet.
01:03Good golly, you look very different from my other children, the mother duck exclaimed.
01:08But I'm sure you have a heart as golden as their feathers.
01:13Then, she cuddled all her seven ducklings to keep them warm and comfortable.
01:18A week later, the mother duck took her children to a nearby lake to teach them to swim.
01:24One by one, the little ducks leaped into the water and paddled around with ease.
01:30When it was his turn, the big, gray duckling jumped in and swam beautifully.
01:35He could swim farther and faster than any of his siblings.
01:39Why?
01:39He's no turkey, Mama Duck remarked.
01:42See how straight he holds himself and how well he uses his legs.
01:47He's my very own child after all.
01:50The yellow ducklings were jealous and started to resent him.
01:53You're so big and ugly.
01:55They hissed at him.
01:56You aren't as cute as us.
01:58You don't belong here.
02:00As they were taunting him, they heard Mama Duck calling them from afar.
02:04Come with me.
02:05Children, I'll introduce you all to the animals at the farm.
02:09So, the whole duck family waddled away to the farm.
02:12The ugly duckling felt sad and lonely as he walked behind his brothers and sisters.
02:18When they arrived at the farm, all the animals stared at the awkward-looking little duck with disdain, making him
02:25feel unwelcome.
02:27Why are you so gray?
02:28They scoffed.
02:29You look nothing like your pretty siblings.
02:32Go away, you hideous creature.
02:35Let him be.
02:36The mother duck said, in an attempt to defend her poor child, he's the best swimmer of the brood.
02:43Still, the farm animals couldn't accept the ugly duckling.
02:47The pigs sneered at him, the chickens pecked him, and the girl who fed the animals kicked him.
02:53Then, his brothers and sisters joined him, buffeting him with gleeful abandon.
02:58The situation got so out of hand that the mother duck felt helpless to protect him.
03:03How I wish you were far away from here, she cried out.
03:07Unable to take the abuse anymore, the ugly duckling flew over the fence and ran away.
03:12It isn't my fault that I'm ugly, he thought to himself as he walked across the meadow with tears in
03:19his eyes.
03:20I may not be as fluffy and golden as my siblings, but I'm a better swimmer.
03:26He wandered far away from the farm, searching for a place where he could fit in and feel accepted.
03:31He kept walking, until he reached a vast marsh where the wild ducks dwelled.
03:37Exhausted and disheartened, he lay down under a shrub and soon fell asleep.
03:42In the morning, the wild ducks came up to the poor duckling.
03:46Oh dear, what kind of a creature are you?
03:49They teased him.
03:51You're awfully ugly, but it doesn't matter as long as you aren't one of us.
03:55That's fine with him, as well, for all he wanted was to rest among the reeds and drink water from
04:02the marsh.
04:03A few days later, two wild ganders writhed at the marsh and noticed the ugly duckling sitting alone in the
04:09reeds.
04:10Howdy, comrade.
04:12They said to him, you're so ugly that we've taken a liking to you.
04:16Why don't you join us and become a bird of passage?
04:19In a nearby marsh, there are some fetching geese.
04:23Nice young ladies who can really quack.
04:27You're so ugly that you'll totally turn their heads.
04:30The duckling smiled for the first time since he left the farm.
04:35Alas, I found a place where I could belong, he thought.
04:39However, just before he could accept the offer, shots rang in the air.
04:44Bang, bang.
04:45The diganders fell dead and turned the water red with their blood.
04:50Bang, bang.
04:51More shots were heard, and flocks of wild geese and ducks flew up from the marsh.
04:57A great hunt was underway.
04:59Hunters hid among the reeds, and bird dogs ran through the swamp.
05:04Splash, splash.
05:05This gave the duckling such a fright that he stood frozen in place.
05:10Suddenly, a big dog appeared beside him.
05:13The dog glared horribly with wicked eyes, opened his wide jaws, and flashed his sharp teeth.
05:19Then, he unexpectedly walked away without touching the little duck.
05:24Thank goodness I'm so ugly.
05:26The duckling sighed.
05:28Even a dog won't bother to bite me.
05:30He hid in the reeds until the hunters had gone away.
05:34Once the coast was clear, he scurried away from the marsh.
05:38As he traveled from place to place, the ugly duckling met many different animals, from cats to raccoons.
05:44But none of them treated him any better.
05:47One autumn day, he came to a calm and beautiful lake where he could live alone, with nobody bothering him.
05:55There, he lived peacefully for many months.
05:58Although he felt lonely at times, he was happy that he wasn't being mocked and bullied by other animals.
06:05Soon, autumn turned to winter.
06:07The weather became bitterly cold, and the lake froze over.
06:11The little duck sought shelter in the thick reeds beside the lake, feeling desperately cold and hungry.
06:18Spring finally came, bringing warmer weather that melted the ice on the lake.
06:23Feeling the sun on his feathers, the ugly duckling stepped out from the reeds.
06:28It would be nice to go for a swim today.
06:31He thought, as soon as he jumped into the water, he saw three beautiful swans, swimming in the distance.
06:39He was attracted to them, but he thought they wouldn't accept him, with his heart pounding.
06:45He swam slowly toward them, ready to be rejected again.
06:49To his great surprise, the splendid birds didn't chase him away.
06:54Instead, they greeted him with a warm smile.
06:57Wow, look at you.
06:59One of them said,
07:01You're the handsomest swan I've ever seen.
07:04Feeling confused, the duckling looked down at the clear water and saw his reflection for the first time.
07:11Staring back at him was a resplendent white bird with a long and elegant neck.
07:17So, that's what I am, a swan.
07:20He exclaimed with tears of joy in his eyes.
07:24Yes, you're just like us, the other swans assured him.
07:28And you're a very fine swan.
07:30We would be honored if you could join us.
07:33Of course, I would love to join you, he eagerly agreed.
07:38From that day onward, the one's ugly duckling, which had transformed into a beautiful swan,
07:44lived happily together with the three older swans.
07:47He belonged to a group of birds that were just like him and never felt lonely again.
07:52The story of the ugly duckling teaches us the importance of accepting ourselves for who we are.
07:59Sometimes, it takes time to become who we're meant to be.
08:03Believe in yourself, kiddos.
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08:13for more fun fables.
08:15Bye!
