The Ugly Duckling facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "The Ugly Duckling" |
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| Author | Hans Christian Andersen |
| Translator | Mary Howitt Charles Boner |
| Country | Denmark |
| Language | Danish |
| Genre(s) | Literary fairy tale |
| Publication type | Fairy tale collection |
| Publisher | C. A. Reitzel |
| Publication date | 1844 |
The Ugly Duckling is a famous fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen. He was a Danish author known for many beloved stories. Andersen spent a whole year making this story perfect. It was first published in 1844. It appeared in a book called New Fairy Tales. This book also included "The Angel," "The Sweethearts," and "The Nightingale." Critics really liked these new stories.
Contents
The Story of the Ugly Duckling
This classic tale begins with a mother duck. She is waiting for her eggs to hatch. Six of her eggs hatch into cute, fluffy ducklings. But the seventh egg is much bigger. When it finally hatches, the bird inside looks very different. It is homely and gray.
The Duckling's Difficult Start
The other ducks in the farmyard do not like the new duckling. They make fun of him and push him around. This kind of mean behavior is called bullying. The poor duckling feels very sad and unwanted. He decides to run away from the farm.
Finding New Homes
The lonely duckling wanders off on his own. He finds a new home with an old woman. She has a cat and a hen. But the cat and hen are not kind to him either. They do not understand why he is so different. Feeling unwelcome again, the duckling runs away once more.
Surviving Winter's Chill
Winter arrives, bringing cold and snow. The little bird struggles to survive on his own. A kind farmer finds him and gives him a warm place to stay. The duckling almost dies from the harsh weather. He is very weak and cold.
A Beautiful Transformation
When spring finally comes, the "ugly duckling" has grown much bigger. He is no longer a small, gray bird. One day, he sees a group of beautiful, graceful birds swimming in a pond. They have long, elegant necks and white feathers. He feels drawn to them.
As he approaches, he sees his reflection in the water. To his surprise, he realizes he looks just like them! He has grown into a magnificent swan. The other swans welcome him warmly. They bow their heads to him, showing their acceptance. For the first time in his life, the swan feels truly happy and at home.
The Meaning Behind the Story
Hans Christian Andersen said that "The Ugly Duckling" was "a reflection of my own life." He felt like he was different and struggled to find his place. The story teaches us an important lesson. It shows that it does not matter where you come from. What truly matters is who you become. The tale's moral is: "it does not matter if you were born in a duck yard if you have lain in a swan's egg." This means your true nature and beauty will eventually shine through.
Adaptations and Legacy
"The Ugly Duckling" is a very popular story. It has been made into many different forms. People have created animated movies, plays, and even songs based on this tale. Its message of self-acceptance and inner beauty continues to inspire people around the world.
Images for kids
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A pair of young swans (or cygnets)
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Disney's 1931 version of the story
See also
In Spanish: El patito feo para niños
