# The Ugly Duckling

- Link: https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-ugly-duckling/
- Published: 2025-05-15T08:04:50+05:30
- Author: MAHENDRA MANCHIKALAPATI

[English Language Lab](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/) [Stories for Kids](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/)
The Ugly Duckling

 A classic fairy tale

# The Ugly Duckling

A young bird feels out of place before discovering where it belongs.

📖 2-minute read🍃 Ages 5–11✨ Belonging, patience and self-confidence

[Begin reading ](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-ugly-duckling/#sf-story-text)

![The Ugly Duckling](https://res.cloudinary.com/xhdxr70z/images/c_scale,w_768,h_512,
dpr_2/f_auto,q_auto/v1791110047/The-Ugly-Duckling/The-Ugly-Duckling.webp?_i=AA)

**A story of belonging**Read together · Retell · Imagine

 Settle in and read at your pace

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.

Chapter one

### 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.

Chapter two

### 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.

Chapter three

### 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.

Chapter four

### 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

###  Story path

[01A lonely beginning](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-ugly-duckling/#sf-chapter-a-lonely-beginning)
[02Through the winter](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-ugly-duckling/#sf-chapter-through-the-winter)
[03A new reflection](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-ugly-duckling/#sf-chapter-a-new-reflection)
[04A place to belong](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-ugly-duckling/#sf-chapter-a-place-to-belong)

###  Word basket

**duckling**a young duck

**reeds**tall grass-like plants that grow near water

**glided**moved smoothly and gracefully

**belong**to feel accepted as part of a group

**Read it together**

Use gentle language around appearance and belonging. Ask what supportive actions
could help a character who feels left out.

## After the final page

There is no single right answer. Invite young readers to notice, wonder and imagine.

Remember

How does the young bird feel when others treat it differently?

Think

What changes when it discovers what kind of bird it is?

Imagine

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.

[← Previous storyThe Little Mermaid](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-little-mermaid/)
[Browse all stories ](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/)
[Next story →The Three Little Pigs](https://thecuriosi.com/english-language-lab-for-kids/stories-for-kids/the-three-little-pigs/)

Share this