The Ugly Duckling
A young bird feels out of place before discovering where it belongs.
A story to read together
The Ugly Duckling
Take your time. Let the story unfold.
One spring, a mother duck watched her eggs hatch beside a pond. One duckling looked different from the others and was larger and gray. The farm animals made unkind remarks, and the young bird began to feel that there was no place for it.
A lonely beginning
The young bird tried to join the ducklings, but they moved away. It wandered through fields and reeds, searching for a quiet place to rest.
Through the winter
The bird watched snow fall and waited for the days to grow brighter. It kept going, finding water and shelter wherever it could.
A new reflection
The bird lowered its head to drink and saw a white swan looking back. It was not an awkward duckling at all; it had grown into a swan.
A place to belong
The swan joined the group and swam across the shining pond. It felt peaceful to be accepted, but it also knew that its worth had never depended on looking like someone else.
The end
After the final page
There is no single right answer. Invite young readers to notice, wonder and imagine.
How does the young bird feel when others treat it differently?
What changes when it discovers what kind of bird it is?
How did the young bird’s feelings change when it found others like itself?
Make something: Draw a place where someone who feels left out could feel welcome. Add three kind actions that might help.
