The countryside is really beautiful. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 infoIt's summer! Wheat is golden and oats are green. Hays were piled up in the green pastures, and the stork was strolling on its long, red legs, whispering Egyptian. (Note: Because according to Danish folklore, storks flew in from Egypt.) It's a language he learned from his mom. There are some large forests around the fields and pastures, and there are some deep ponds in the forests. Indeed, the countryside is very beautiful, and the sun is shining on an old-fashioned house with several deep streams flowing around it. From the corner of the wall to the water, it was covered with large leaves of burdock. The largest leaves grow so tall that small children can literally stand straight underneath. Like in the thickest forests, it's desolate. There's a mother duck sitting in the hole, and she's going to have to hatch her ducklings. But by this time she was exhausted. Very few guests came to see her. The other ducks were willing to swim in the stream rather than run under the burdock to talk to her.

Eventually, one by one, the eggs broke apart. Sound! Sound! Eggshells rang out. All the yolks have now turned into critters. They stuck their little heads out.

Ga! Ga! The mother duck said. And they quacked and screamed. They looked around under the green leaves. Mom told them to look around as much as they could, because green was good for their eyes.

It's a big world! Said these young little guys. Indeed, compared to when they were in the eggshell, their current world is very different.

You think this is the whole world! Mom said. The place stretched to the other side of the garden, all the way to the priest's field, and it was far away! I haven't even been there myself! I guess you're all here, right? She stood up. No, I haven't given birth to you all yet! The big egg was still lying still. How long does it have to lie down? I'm really annoyed. So she sat down again.

Hmm, what's the situation? An old duck who came to visit her asked.

This egg has taken a long time! Said the seated mother duck. It always doesn't crack. Please look at something else. They're some of the cutest ducklings out there! It's all like their dad, this bad thing has never come to see me once!

Let me see the egg that never cracks, said the old guest, "Believe me, it's a spitting chicken's egg." One time I was deceived in the same way, you know, the little ones don't know how much trouble and distress they gave me, because they didn't dare to go into the water. I couldn't just tell them to try it in the water. It's useless to say yes or no! Let me take a look at the egg. Ah! It's a spit chicken's egg! Let him lie down, and you can ask the other kids to go swimming.

I'd better sit on it for a little longer, Mother Duck said, I've been sitting for so long, it doesn't matter if I sit on it for another week.

Then please, the old duck said. So she took her leave.

Eventually, the big egg cracked. Sound! Sound! The newborn little creature screamed and crawled outside. He's big and ugly. Mother Duck glanced at him. The little duckling was so big that he was afraid, and she said that there was none else like him; But he doesn't look like a little spitting chicken at all! Well, let's give it a try right away. He gets into the water, and I'm going to kick him out of the water.

The next day the weather was sunny and beautiful. The sun shines on the green burdock. Mother Duck walked to the stream with all her children. Ordinary! She jumped into the water. Wail! Wail! She chirped, and the ducklings jumped down one after the other. The water flooded their heads, but they immediately came out again and swam very beautifully. Their calves are nimble paddling. They were all in the water, and even the little ugly gray guy swam with them.

Well, he's not a spitting chicken, she said, you see how flexible his legs are, how steady he floats! He's my own child! If you look at him closely, he's pretty good-looking. Ga! Ga! Come with me, I'll take you out into the world and show you the chicken farm. But hold fast to me, lest anyone step on you. You have to watch out for the cats!

And so they came to the chicken farm. There was a terrible commotion in the yard as two families were fighting over an eel's head, and the cat snatched it.

You see, that's how the world is! Mother Duck said. Her mouth was drooling a little because she wanted to eat that eel head too. Now use your legs! She said. Bring out your spirits. If you see an old she-duck there, you have to lower your head, because she's the most prestigious person here. She is of Spanish descent because she has grown very fat. You see, there's a strip of red cloth on her leg. It was a very remarkable thing, and the greatest glory a duck could get: it meant a lot of things, and it showed that people didn't want to lose her, and that animals and people alike had to know her. Cheer up, don't retract your legs. A well-bred duck always swings his legs apart, like dad and mom. Well, bow your head and say: Quack!

And they did. The other ducks stood by and watched, and at the same time said in a rather loud voice:

Look at! Now there is another group of guests looking for something to eat, as if we are not many enough! Bah! Look at that duckling's ugly face! We can't get used to it!

Immediately a duck flew over and pecked him on the neck.

Please leave him alone, Mom said, he doesn't hurt anyone!

Yes, but he's too big, so special, the duck that pecked him said, so he has to be beaten!

The she-duck's children were all beautiful, and the she-duck with a red cloth on her leg said that they were all beautiful, with one exception. It's a shame. I hope to hatch him again.

No, ma'am, Mother Duck replied that he was not pretty, but that he had a very good temper. He is no worse than others in the water, and I can say that he swims better than others. I think he'll grow pretty slowly, or when the time comes, he'll shrink a little bit as well. He'd been lying in the egg for too long, so his appearance was a little unnatural. As she spoke, she pecked him on the neck and straightened his feathers. Besides, he's also a male duck, she said, so it doesn't matter much. I think he has a strong body and will always find his way out in the future.

The other ducklings are very cute, and the old mother duck said, "You're not welcome here." If you find an eel head, please give it to me.

They are here now, just like they are in their own homes.

But the duckling that crawled out of the eggshell was so ugly, beaten, ostracized, and ridiculed everywhere, not only in the ducks, but also in the chickens.

He's so thick and big! Everybody says. There was a male spitting chicken who was born with a distance on his feet, so he thought he was an emperor. He blew himself like a sailboat full of wind, and came menacingly towards him, staring at him with big eyes and his face flushed. The poor duckling didn't know where to stand, or where to go. He felt very sad because he was so ugly, and he became an object of ridicule for all the chickens and ducks.

This was the first day. Then it got worse and worse every day. Everybody was going to get rid of the poor duckling; Even his own brothers and sisters were angry with him. They always say, "You ugly monster, I hope the cat will catch you!" So my mother also said: I want you to go farther! The ducks pecked him. The chicks hit him, and the maid who fed the chickens and ducks kicked him with her feet.

So he flew over the fence and fled; As soon as the birds in the bushes saw him, they flew into the air in panic. It's because I'm so ugly! Duckling thought. So he closed his eyes and kept running. He ran to a swamp inhabited by wild ducks. He lay here all night, because he was so tired and depressed.

At daybreak, the wild ducks were flying. They looked at the new friend.

Who are you? They asked. The duckling turned to this side and to that side, saluting as respectfully as he could.

You're ugly, said the mallards, but as long as you don't marry any of our ducks, it doesn't matter much to us. Poor little thing! He didn't think of anything to get married at all; All he wanted was that he would be allowed to lie down in the reeds and drink some swamp water.

He lay there for two whole days. Later, there were two geese, strictly speaking, two male geese, because they were two males. It hasn't been long since they crawled out of their mother's eggshell, so they're very naughty.

Listen, friend, they say, you're so ugly and cute, even me. I can't help but like you. Can you be a migratory bird and fly away with us? There is also a swamp close to here, where several lively geese are live. They are all young ladies, and they all say: Ga! You're so ugly, you can try your luck with them!

Sound! Syllable! There was a loud bang in the sky. The two male geese fell into the reeds and died, staining the water bright red. Sound! Syllable! There was another loud sound. The whole flock of geese flew up from the reeds, and another burst of gunfire rang out. It turned out that someone was hunting on a large scale. The hunters were lying in ambush around the swamp, and a few of them were even sitting on branches jutting out over the reeds. Blue smoke enveloped the black trees like clouds, slowly drifting away from the water. At this time, the hounds were running in the mud as usual, and the rushes and reeds were falling on both sides. What a terrible thing to say to the poor duckling! He turned his head over and hid it in his wings. However, at this moment, a terrifying big hound stood tightly beside the duckling. Its tongue sticks out of its mouth very long, and its eyes glow with an ugly and terrible light. It put its nose on the duckling's body, baring its fangs, but it was ordinary! Ordinary! It ran away without taking him.

Ah, thank God! The duckling sighed, I'm so ugly that the hounds don't want to bite me!

He lay down quietly. The guns were still ringing in the reeds, and bullets were being fired one after another.

When it was getting dark, the surroundings were quiet. But the poor duckling did not dare to stand up. He waited for hours before daring to look around, so he hurried out of the swamp, running as hard as he could, up the field, up the pasture. At this time, a strong wind blew, and it was very difficult for him to run.

When it got dark, he came to a simple farmhouse. It was so broken that it didn't even know which way to fall, so it didn't fall. The wind howled so hard at the duckling's side that he sat down facing it. The more it blows, the more ferocious it becomes. Then he saw that one of the hinges on the door was loose, and the door was crooked, and he could get into the room through the gap, and he went in.

There was an old woman living in the house with her cat, and a hen. She called the cat her little son. He could arch his back high and make a mimi cry; He can still spark from his body, but for him to do so, you'll have to touch his hair. The hen's legs are short and small, so she is called a short-legged chicken. The eggs she laid were so good that the old woman loved her like her own child.

The next morning, the duckling of unknown origin was immediately noticed. The cat began to crow, and the hen began to cluck.

What's going on? The old woman said, looking around at the same time. However, her eyes were a little flowery, so she thought that the duckling was a fat duck and had gone the wrong way, so she came here. This is a rare stroke of luck! She said, "Now I can have duck eggs." I just wish he wasn't a duck! We'll have to figure it out!

So the duckling was put to the test here for three weeks, but he didn't lay any eggs. The cat was the gentleman of the family, and the hen was the wife of the family, so as soon as they opened their mouths, they said: "We and the world!" Because they think they're half the world, and they're the best half. The duckling felt that he could have a different opinion, but his attitude, the hen could not bear it.

Will you be able to lay eggs? She asked.

No!

Then please don't give your opinion.

So the tomcat said, "Can you arch your back, make a meow and burst out with a spark?"

No!

Well, when a sane person is speaking, you don't have to say anything!

The duckling was sitting in a corner and was in a very bad mood. That's when he remembered the fresh air and the sun's rays. He felt a strange longing: he wanted to go swimming in the water. At last he couldn't bear it anymore, so he had to tell the hen what was on his mind.

What are you thinking? The hen asked. You don't have anything to do, that's why you have all these whimsical ideas. All you have to do is lay a few eggs, or scream a few times, and you'll be gone with all these whimsical thoughts.

But what a pleasure it is to swim in the water! Duckling said. Let the water fall over your head and drill into the bottom, how delightful!

Yes, that must be a pleasure! The hen said, you're just going crazy. Ask the cat if he likes to swim in the water or get into the water. I'm not going to talk about myself yet. Go and ask your master, the old woman, there is no one smarter in the world! Do you think she wants to go swimming and let the water flood over her head?

You don't know me, said Duckling.

We don't know you? So who understands you? You will never be smarter than the cat and the mistress, and I will not mention myself for a moment. Don't be presumptuous, kid! You are being taken care of now, and you should thank God. You're in a warm room now, you've got some friends, and you can learn a lot from them, don't you? But you're a piece of waste, and it's not a pleasure to be with you. You can trust me, I'm saying these nasty things to you just to help you. Only then will you know who your true friends are! Please pay attention to learn to lay eggs, or scream, or burst into sparks!

I think I'd better go out into the wider world, Duckling said.

Well, there you go! Said the hen.

So the duckling was gone. One moment he swims in the water, and the other he dives into the water; However, because of his ugly appearance, all animals look down on the other. Autumn has arrived. The leaves in the woods turned yellow and brown. The wind swept them up and carried them into the air, which was very cold. The clouds were heavy with hail and snowflakes and hung low. The crow stood on the fence, frozen and screaming: "Quack! Wail! Yes, you just have to think about it to make you feel cold. This poor duckling really didn't have a comfortable time.

One night, while the sun was setting beautifully, a flock of beautiful big birds flew out of the bush, and the ducklings had never seen anything so beautiful. They were shiny white, and their necks were long and soft. This is the swan. They let out a strange cry, spread their beautiful long wings, and flew from the cold to the warm land, to the lake that did not freeze.

They flew so high and so high that the ugly duckling couldn't help but feel an indescribable excitement. He spun like a wheel on the water, and at the same time, he stretched his neck high towards them, and let out a strange cry so loud that even he himself was frightened. Yes! He could never forget these beautiful birds, these happy birds. When he could not see them, he sank to the bottom; But when he came to the surface again, he felt very empty. He didn't know the names of the birds, or where they were going. But he loved them as if he had never loved anything. He was not jealous of them. How could he dream of being as beautiful as they were? As long as the other ducks allowed him to live with them, he was already satisfied with the poor ugly thing.

Winter gets very cold, very cold! The ducklings had to swim around in the water so that the surface of the water would not freeze completely into ice. But the small area in which he swam narrowed from night to night. The water was so cold that one could hear the cracking of the ice. The duckling had to swim constantly on one of his legs, lest the water be completely sealed in ice. Eventually, he passed out, lying motionless and stuck with the ice.

Early in the morning, a peasant passed by. When he saw the duckling, he went over and trampled the ice with clogs, and then brought him back to his woman. It was only then that he gradually regained consciousness.

The kids wanted to play with him, but the duckling thought they wanted to hurt him. Frightened, he jumped into the milk tray and splashed the milk all over the house. The woman screamed and clapped her hands. So the duckling flew into the butter basin, then into the flour bucket, and finally crawled out. That's when he looks good! The woman screamed and tried to hit him with tongs. The children huddled together to catch the duckling. They laugh and scream! Thankfully, the door was open. He burrowed into the fresh snow in the bushes. He lay there, almost as if he had passed out.

It would be too tragic to tell only about the hardships and calamities he endured in this harsh winter. When the sun began to shine warmly again, he was lying in the reeds of the swamp. The larks are singing, and it's a beautiful spring.

Suddenly he lifted up his wings: they flapped much harder than before, and immediately lifted him up and flew away. Before he knew it, he had flown into a large garden. Here the apple trees are blooming; The lilac was scenting, and its long, green branches hung down to the winding stream. Ah, it's beautiful, full of spring breath! Three beautiful white swans swam up to him from the shade of the trees. They floated lightly on the water, their feathers rattling. When the ducklings recognized these beautiful animals, they felt an indescribable sadness in their hearts.

I'm going to fly to them, to these noble birds! But they're going to kill me, because I'm so ugly that I dare to approach them. But it doesn't matter! It's much better to be killed by them than to be bitten by ducks, pecked by chickens, kicked by the maid who cares about the chicken farm, and suffer in the winter! So he flew into the water and swam to these beautiful swans: when the animals saw him, they immediately raised their feathers and swam towards him. Please kill me! Said the poor animal. He lowered his head to the water, waiting only to die. But what did he see on this clear water? He saw his own reflection. But it was no longer a clumsy, dark gray, ugly and obnoxious duck, but a swan!

As long as you've ever been in a swan egg, it doesn't matter if you're born in a duck farm.

He is now very happy with the misfortunes and anguish he had suffered in the past. It was now clear to him that happiness and beauty were beckoning him. Many whooper swans swim around him and kiss him with their beaks.

A few small children came to the garden. They threw many slices of bread and grains of wheat into the water. The youngest child shouted:

Look at the new swan! The other children also cried out happily: yes, there is a new swan! So they clapped their hands, danced, and ran to their father and mother. They threw more bread and pastries into the water, and everyone said, "This new one is the most beautiful!" So young, so good-looking! The old swans couldn't help but bow their heads in front of him.

He felt very embarrassed. He hid his head in his wings, not knowing what to do. He felt so happy, but he was not proud at all, because a good heart will never be proud. He thought about how others had been persecuted and ridiculed, and now he heard people say that he was the most beautiful of the beautiful birds. Lilac drooped its branches into the water before him. The sun was shining warmly and pleasantly. He flapped his wings, straightened his slender neck, and uttered a happy voice from within:

When I was an ugly duckling, I never dreamed that there would be so much happiness! (1844) (To be continued.) If you like this work, you are welcome to come to the starting point (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation, monthly pass, your support, is my biggest motivation. (To be continued.) )