00:00Once upon a time, the countryside was wrapped in the golden warmth of high summer.
00:07The wheat stood tall like the sun itself, and the stork paraded on his long red legs.
00:18Deep lakes shimmered like mirrors. It was truly beautiful out in the country.
00:28Down by the old manor house, great burdock leaves grew wild and tangled.
00:38Here sat a mother duck upon her nest. She had been waiting for a long time.
00:48She was getting tired, for the other ducks preferred swimming to visiting her.
00:58Finally, one sunny afternoon, crack! Crack!
01:11One by one, tiny yellow heads poked out, blinking at the bright green world.
01:22Do you think this is the whole world?
01:25Oh no! It stretches far past the garden!
01:31She checked her nest. The largest egg still lay there, silent.
01:36How long will this last?
01:39An old duck came by to visit.
01:42That looks like a turkey egg! Leave it!
01:51No! I have sat this long, and I can sit a little longer!
02:00At last, the big egg cracked.
02:04Out tumbled a large, clumsy, and very grey bird.
02:14He is terribly big!
02:24The next day was glorious. Mother duck led them to the moat.
02:29One by one, the little ducklings plunged in.
02:34The grey duckling jumped in, too. He swam beautifully.
02:44Look how well he uses his legs!
02:48He is my own child, after all!
02:52But the poultry yard was a terrible place.
02:56Crowded and full of judgement.
02:58Look at that one!
03:01He is too big!
03:08He's so ugly!
03:10We don't want him here!
03:18A big turkey cock puffed himself up like a ship under full sail.
03:25The poor duckling did not know where to stand.
03:34The poor duckling did not know where to stand.
03:35Even his siblings grew mean.
03:37I wish the cat would catch you!
03:44I wish you were far away from here!
03:51Feeling unwanted, he closed his eyes and ran.
04:01He scrambled over the hedge, frightening the little birds.
04:07They run, because I am ugly!
04:11He ran until he reached the great marsh.
04:21He lay there in the reeds, tired and sorrowful.
04:31Suddenly, a great commotion shook the air.
04:36The wild geese flew up in panic.
04:40Shadows of men appeared.
04:44The duckling was terrified.
04:47He turned his head to hide.
04:49A frightfully big dog appeared right beside him.
04:59The dog lowered its great muzzle.
05:02Sniff! Sniff!
05:03But the dog merely sneezed and splashed away.
05:12Thank heavens!
05:15I am so ugly, even the dog won't bite me!
05:21He lay still until the sun set.
05:24A storm began to blow.
05:31He hurried away over fields and meadows.
05:41He reached a miserable little cottage.
05:48The duckling squeezed inside to find shelter.
05:59Here lived an old woman with her cat and her hen.
06:07The cat began to purr.
06:11Can you arch your back and purr?
06:16No!
06:23The cat began to purr.
06:26The cat began to purr.
06:28Can you lay eggs?
06:32No!
06:36No!
06:38No!
06:40No!
06:43No!
06:46No!
06:47The ducklings sat in the corner.
06:49Feeling deeply sad.
06:53No!
06:54Fresh air and sunshine streamed in.
06:59No!
07:00It is so delightful to swim!
07:05No!
07:06No!
07:07No!
07:07No!
07:08No!
07:09No!
07:09the cat if he likes to swim.
07:21You do not understand me.
07:30I must go out into the wide world.
07:36And so the duckling left.
07:44Autumn came, leaves turned yellow and brown.
07:49He swam and dived, but he was shunned by everyone.
08:00One evening, a flock of magnificent white birds appeared.
08:08He spun around like a wheel, uttering a strange cry.
08:14Winter came, it grew cold, so very cold.
08:20The duckling had to swim constantly to keep the water from freezing.
08:26But every night, the hole in the ice became smaller.
08:33Finally, exhausted, he lay still.
08:44The ice closed in, trapping him in a cold, white embrace.
08:49Early the next morning, a peasant walked by.
08:54A poor frozen bird.
08:59With gentle hands, he broke the ice.
09:07He carried the duckling home to his warm kitchen.
09:14The warmth brought the duckling back to life.
09:20But the peasant's children wanted to play with him.
09:23Touch it!
09:24Wanna hold it?
09:29The duckling, terrified, thought they wanted to hurt him.
09:35Crash!
09:36He flew right into the milk pail.
09:40Oh, heavens!
09:43My kitchen!
09:47Clatter!
09:48He knocked over the butter tub and flew into the flour barrel.
09:55The woman screamed, feathers flew.
10:01The woman screamed, feathers flew.
10:05Luckily, the door was opened.
10:14He rushed out into the bushes and collapsed.
10:22It would be too sad to tell you all the hardship he suffered.
10:29He lay hidden, dreaming of a better life.
10:39But winter does not last forever.
10:48One morning, the sun began to shine warmly again.
10:55Beautiful spring had arrived.
10:58The duckling shook his wings.
11:00I am flying!
11:05Whoo-hoo!
11:10Before he knew it, he was lifted high into the air.
11:19He landed in a magnificent garden where apple trees bloomed.
11:28And there came three beautiful white swans.
11:38They swam so lightly, floating like clouds.
11:48I will fly to them, these royal birds.
11:54Kill me if you must.
12:01He bowed his head down, waiting for the end.
12:06But what did he see?
12:08He saw his own reflection.
12:14He was white.
12:15He was graceful.
12:17He was a swan.
12:18Is that...
12:22Me?
12:25He was no longer a clumsy, dark grey bird.
12:33The big swans stroked him with their beaks, welcoming him.
12:43Some little children came running into the garden.
12:49The youngest one cried out in delight.
12:52Look!
12:54There is a new one!
12:57Hmm!
12:59Hmm!
13:00He is the most beautiful of all!
13:10The old swans bowed before him.
13:18He felt shy and hid his head under his wing.
13:27He was happy, but not proud.
13:32He was happy, but not proud.
13:36He thought of how he had been mocked.
13:45The lilacs bent their branches down to him.
13:54And the warm sun shone kindly.
14:02He rustled his feathers and rejoiced.
14:05I never dreamed of such happiness.
14:10I never dreamed of such happiness.
14:10He spread his wings to take to the sky.
14:19He flew over the old poultry yard.
14:30The turkey cock looked small and silly.
14:36He flew over the crooked cottage.
14:39The cat and hen were still arguing.
14:48He felt no anger, only peace.
15:05He was not alone anymore.
15:15The flock descended towards a crystal clear lake.
15:21They bowed their necks, forming a shape of love.
15:29The sky turned into a canvas of violet and gold.
15:38One by one, the stars came out.
15:48He watched a single old grey feather float away.
15:55Beauty is not just about feathers, but about the heart.
16:03Together, they swam towards the rainbow.
16:08And so, the ugly duckling lived.
