Reading with a more matured mind, I understand the story with more than just "beauty is skin deep," eyes. As a child, I thought it was all about learning not to treat someone based on their physical (which is also great) but I see more of how the world works. The story is a great lesson on bullying, self confidence and hierarchy in society for both children and adults. Notice how mother duckling teaches her young ones not only how to avoid danger- the cat- but how to walk that walk. She also teaches them to look up to the Regal Duck, she is teaching the young ducks how to conform to the chain of power. [I see that same chain of power in the hen who does not want to think for herself but leaves it to the Cat, she is already brainwashed to think she is not smart enough.] Mother duckling rejects the Old Duck's theory to leave the Ugly Duckling egg(see how adults can influence negative decisions) however, when everyone startes bullying Ugly Duckling she says she wish he was never born (Stop the bullying!)The effects of Ugly Duckling bullying is so bad, that when the duckling met the peasant children who wanted to cherish him, he acts crazy and flies away because of the previous bad experience. He thought he would be harrassed in the same manner.He is a humbled duckling, even when he is transformed to the beautiful swan, he takes it in stride: "he now felt glad at having suffered sorrow and trouble, because it enabled hom to enjoy so much better all the pleasure and happiness around him."Now, I am wondering, whose genes was the strongest because Ugly duckling did not look like his siblings. Talk mother. This is a story of a young duckling that had trouble finding his way. The Ugly Duckling was the largest egg and took the longest to hatch. When he hatched he was a grey color with fluffiness all over. Everyone called him ugly everywhere he went, and always stared at him. When he left his family he went on a journey to find his new home, he came across other animals that judged him. He went to many marshes and each time he went he was made fun of for his ugly color. A winter night came a long and the ugly duckling accidentally fell asleep in the cold frozen pond. When he awoke he was in a farmers house and was being chased by the farmers children. He flew out of the farmer’s house and wished he were like the big white birds in the sky. When he had landed he looked in the pond and realized something was different. The story of The Ugly Duckling is a sad story with a heart-warming ending. The Ugly Duckling never felt accepted for anything he did because of his looks. This story teaches the readers that you should not let people bring you down no matter you look like. As long as you are confident about yourself no one else’s opinion should matter. The story has the conflict person against society because everyone judged him based on his looks and how he should look as a duck. The moment he hatched his mother was disappointed with how he looked. He tries to prove to people that he is the same as any other duck except that he is grey. The illustrations are colorful and bring the Ugly Ducklings journey to life. The plot was strong and kept the story going no matter what situation the little duck was in. The Ugly Duckling teaches life lessons to anyone no matter what the age.
What do You think about Ugly Duckling (1982)?
A very enjoyable translation of The Ugly Duckling. This was a free children's book from Amazon.com
—alikashif
"fairy tale adaption, ducks, swans, African illustrations"
—shelly
collage and water color--unusual collage style
—boogzboogz
