Hans Christian Andersen ugly duckling read. Online reading of the ugly duckling fairy tale book. How did the swan egg get into the duck's nest?

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The ugly duckling (fairy tale)

It was good for the city! It was summer, the rye had already turned yellow, the oats were turning green, the hay was swept into haystacks. Behind the fields and meadows stretched large forests with deep lakes in the thicket. Yes, it was good for the city! An old manor was spread out in the sun, surrounded by deep ditches filled with water; from the fence right down to the water grew burdock, so big that little children could stand upright under the largest of its leaves. In the thicket of burdock it was as deaf and wild as in a dense forest, and there a duck was sitting on its eggs. She had been sitting for a long time, and she was rather tired of this sitting, she was rarely visited: other ducks liked to swim in the grooves more than to sit in the burdock and quack with her. Finally, the eggshells crackled. "Pi! pi!" - I heard from them: the egg yolks came to life and stuck their noses out of the shells.
- Live! alive! - the duck quacked, and the ducklings hurried, somehow got out and began to look around.
How big is the world! - said the ducklings.
Still would! It was much more spacious here than in the shell.
- Do you think that the whole world is here? - said the mother. - Not! It stretches far, far away, there, beyond the garden, to the priest's field, but I have never been there in my life! .. Well, that's it, are you here? And she got up. - Oh no, not all! The biggest egg is intact! Will this end soon! Right, I'm tired of it.
And she sat down again.
- Well how are you? - the old duck looked at her.
- Yes, there is one more egg left! - said the young duck. - I sit, I sit, but there is no sense! But look at the others! Just lovely! They look awfully like their father! And he, unfit, did not visit me even once!
- Wait a minute, I'll take a look at the egg! said the old duck. -Maybe it's a turkey egg! I got scammed too! Well, I toiled as I brought out the turkeys! After all, they are passionately afraid of water; I already quacked, and called, and pushed them into the water - they don’t go and that’s all! Let me see the egg! Well, it is! Turkey! Throw him away and go teach others how to swim!
- I'll sit still! - said the young duck. - I sat so much that you can sit and a little more.
Finally, the shell of the largest egg also crackled. "Pi! pee!" - and a huge ugly chick fell out of there. The duck looked at him.
- Terribly big! - she said. - And not at all like the others! Is it a turkey? Well, yes, he will visit me in the water, even if I had to push him there by force!
The next day the weather was wonderful, the green burdock was all flooded with sun. The duck with all his family went to the ditch. Bultykh! - And the duck found itself in the water.
- Behind me! Alive! she called the ducklings, and one by one they also flopped into the water. At first the water covered them with their heads, but then they surfaced and swam in such a way that it was a pleasure to look at. The paws of all worked tirelessly, and the ugly gray duck did not lag behind the others.
- What kind of turkey is this? - said the duck. - Look how nicely he paddles with his paws, how straight he holds himself! No, this is my own son! Yes, he is not bad at all, if you look at him carefully! Well, live, live, follow me! I will now introduce you to society - we will go to the poultry yard. But stay close to me so that no one steps on you, but watch out for cats!
Soon we got to the poultry yard. Fathers! What was the noise and din! Two families fought over one eel head, and in the end it went to the cat.
- That's how things are going in the world! - said the duck and licked her beak with her tongue - she also wanted to taste the eel head. - Well, well, move your paws! she said to the ducklings. -Kryaknite and bow to that old duck! She is the best here! She's Spanish and that's why she's so fat. See, she has a red patch on her paw? How beautiful! This is the highest distinction
duck can be rewarded. People make it clear that they don't want to lose her; by this shred it is recognized by both people and animals. Well, live! Don't keep your paws together! A well-bred duckling should keep its paws apart and turn them outward, like a father and mother! Like this! Bow now and quack!
The ducklings did just that; but other ducks looked at them and said loudly:
- Nu here is, even a whole mob! There were just too few of us! And this one is ugly! We won't tolerate him!
And immediately one duck jumped up and pecked at his neck. - Leave him! said the mother duck. He didn't do anything to you!
- That's right, but he's so big and strange! - answered the bully. He needs a good beating!
- Nice kids you have! - said the old duck with a red patch on its paw. - Everyone is very nice, except for this one ... This one failed! It would be nice to change it!
- No way, your grace! - answered the mother duck. - He is not handsome, but he has a good heart, and he swims no worse, I even dare to say - better than others. I think that he will grow up, get prettier or become smaller over time. He stale in the egg, and therefore not entirely successful. - And she ran her nose over the feathers of a large duckling. In addition, he is a drake, and a drake does not really need beauty. I think he will mature and make his way!
- The rest of the ducklings are very, very cute! repeated the old duck. - Well, make yourself at home, and if you find an eel head, you can bring it to me.
So they began to behave like at home. Only the poor duckling, which hatched later than everyone else and was so ugly, was pecked, pushed and showered with ridicule by absolutely everyone - both ducks and chickens.
- He's too big! - everyone said, and the Indian rooster, who was born with spurs on his feet and therefore imagined himself an emperor, pouted like a ship in full sail, flew up to the duckling, looked at him and babbled angrily; his comb was so full of blood. The poor duckling simply did not know what to do, how to be. And he should have been born so ugly as to become the laughing stock of the whole poultry yard!
So the first day passed, then it got even worse. Everyone was persecuting the poor thing, even the brothers and sisters angrily said to him:
- If only the cat would drag you away, insufferable freak! And the mother added:
- My eyes would not look at you!
The ducks pecked him, the chickens nibbled, and the girl who gave the birds food pushed him with her foot. The duckling could not stand it, ran across the yard and - through the fence! "They were afraid of me, I'm so ugly!" - thought
duckling and took to his heels, not knowing where. I ran, I ran
until he found himself in a swamp where wild ducks lived. Tired and
sad, he sat there all night.
In the morning the ducks flew out of the nest and saw a new comrade.
- Who are you? they asked, and the duckling twirled, bowed in all directions, as best he could.
- You're ugly! said the wild ducks. “But we don’t care about that, just don’t think of intermarrying with us!”
Poor thing! Where was he to think about it! If only they let him sit in the reeds and drink marsh water.

He spent two days in the swamp, on the third two wild ganders appeared. They had recently hatched from eggs and therefore performed very proudly.
- Listen, buddy! they said. - You are such a freak that we really like you! Do you want to fly with us and be a free bird? Not far from here, in another swamp, there live pre-cute wild geese-young ladies. You are such a freak, what good, you will have great success with them!
"Pif! bang! - there was suddenly heard over the swamp, and both ganders fell dead into the reeds. "Puff! bang! - it was heard again, and a whole flock of wild geese rose from the reeds. Hunters cordoned off the swamp from all sides. Hunting dogs scurried across the swamp. The poor duckling, out of fear, wanted to hide his head under his wing, as if looking - in front of him was a hunting dog with his tongue hanging out and sparkling evil eyes. She brought her mouth closer to the duckling, bared her teeth and ran on.
- God bless! - the duckling took a breath. - God bless! I'm so ugly that even a dog hates to bite me!
The firing subsided only in the evening, but the duckling was still afraid to move for a long time. Several hours passed before he dared to get up, look around and start running further through the fields and meadows. The wind was so strong that the duckling could hardly move.
By nightfall he had reached the poor hut. The hut was so dilapidated that it was ready to fall, but did not know which side, and therefore held on. The wind picked up the duckling - and look, it will blow it away! - I had to rest on the ground with my tail!
A hurricane was coming; what was the poor thing to do? Fortunately, he noticed that the door of the hut had jumped off one hinge and was hanging completely crooked; it was possible to slip freely through this gap. And so he did.

In the thicket of burdock it was as deaf and wild as in a dense forest, and there a duck was sitting on its eggs. She had been sitting for a long time, and she was tired of this occupation. In addition, she was rarely visited - other ducks liked to swim in the grooves more than to sit in the burdock and quack with her.

Finally, the eggshells crackled.

The ducklings stirred, clattered their beaks and stuck out their heads.

Pip, pip! they said.

Crack, crack! - answered the duck. - Hurry up!

The ducklings somehow got out of the shell and began to look around, looking at the green leaves of burdock. Mother did not interfere with them - the green color is good for the eyes.

Ah, how great is the world! - said the ducklings. Still would! Now they were much more spacious than in the shell.

Don't you think that the whole world is here? - said the mother. - What is there! It stretches far, far away, over there, beyond the garden, beyond the field... But, to tell the truth, I have never been there in my life!.. Well, has everyone got out yet? Jonah got to her feet. - Oh no, that's not all... The biggest egg is intact! When will this end! I will soon lose my patience.

And she sat down again.

Well how are you? - asked the old duck, sticking its head into the thicket of burdock.

Why, I can’t cope with one egg, ”said the young duck. - I sit, I sit, but it still does not burst. But look at those babies that have already hatched. Just beautiful! All as one - in the father! And he, unfit, did not even visit me even once!

Wait, show me first that egg that does not burst, said the old duck. - Isn't it turkey, what good? Well, yes, of course! .. That's exactly the same way I was once tricked. And how much trouble I had later with these turkey poults! You won’t believe it: they are so afraid of water that you can’t drive them into a ditch. Already I hissed, and quacked, and simply pushed them into the water - they don’t go, and that’s all. Let me take another look. Well, it is! Turkey! Throw him away and go teach your kids to swim!

No, I, perhaps, will sit, - said the young duck. I've endured so much that I can endure a little more.

Well, sit! - said the old duck and left. And finally, the big egg cracked.

Pip! Pip! - the chick squeaked and fell out of the shell.

But how big and ugly he was! The duck looked at him from all sides and fluttered its wings.

Terrible freak! - she said. - And not at all like the others! Is it really a turkey? Well, yes, he will visit me in the water, even if I had to push him there by force!

The next day the weather was wonderful, the green burdock was flooded with sun.

The duck with all his family went to the ditch. Bultykh! - and she found herself in the water.

Quack-quack! Behind me! Alive! she called, and the ducklings, one by one, also flopped into the water.

At first the water covered them completely, but they immediately surfaced and swam well forward. Paws they have earned, and earned. Even the ugly gray duckling kept up with the others.

What kind of Indian is this? - said the duck. - Look how nicely he rows with his paws! And how straight it stays! No, this is my own son. Yes, he is not so bad at all, if you take a good look at him. Well, quick, quick, follow me! I will now introduce you to society - we will go to the poultry yard. Just stay close to me so that someone does not step on you, but watch out for cats!

Soon the duck with all its brood reached the poultry yard. Oh my God! What was that noise! Two families of ducks fought over an eel head. And in the end, this head went to the cat.

This is how it always happens in life! - said the duck and licked her beak with her tongue - she herself was not averse to tasting the eel head. - Well, well, move your paws! she commanded, turning to the ducklings. - Grunt and bow to that old duck! She is the best here. She's Spanish and that's why she's so fat. See, she has a red patch on her paw! How beautiful! This is the highest distinction a duck can receive. This means that they do not want to lose it - both people and animals immediately recognize it by this shred. Well, live! Don't keep your paws together! A well-bred duckling should turn its paws outward. Like this! See. Now tilt your heads and say, "Quack!"

The ducks did just that.

But other ducks looked at them and spoke loudly:

Well, here's another whole bunch! Without them, there weren't enough of us! And one is ugly! We will never tolerate this!

And immediately one duck flew up and pecked at his neck.

Leave it! said the mother duck. "He didn't do anything to you!"

Let's assume it is. But he's kind of big and awkward! - the angry duck hissed. - Do not interfere with his a little lesson.

And a noble duck with a red patch on its paw said:

You have nice kids! Everyone is very, very nice, except for one, perhaps... Poor fellow failed! It would be nice to change it.

It's impossible, your grace! - answered the mother duck. - He's not handsome - it's true, but he has a good heart. And he swims no worse, I even dare to say - better than others. I think over time it will even out and become smaller. He had lain in the egg for too long and therefore outgrew a little. - And she smoothed the feathers on his back with her beak. “Besides, he’s a drake, and a drake doesn’t really need beauty. I think he will grow up strong and make his way into life.

The rest of the ducklings are very, very cute! - said the noble duck. - Well, make yourself at home, and if you find an eel head, you can bring it to me.

And now the ducklings began to behave like at home. Only the poor duckling, which hatched later than the others and was so ugly, was not allowed to pass. He was pecked, pushed and teased not only by ducks, but even by chickens.

Too big! they said.

And the Indian rooster, who was born with spurs on his feet and therefore imagined himself almost an emperor, pouted and, like a ship in full sail, flew right up to the duckling, looked at him and murmured angrily; his comb was so full of blood. The poor duckling simply did not know what to do, where to go. And he should have been born so ugly that the whole poultry yard laughs at him!

So the first day passed, and then it got even worse. Everyone drove the poor duckling away, even the brothers and sisters angrily told him: “If only the cat would drag you away, you obnoxious freak!” And the mother added: “My eyes would not look at you!” The ducks nibbled at him, the chickens pecked at him, and the girl who fed the birds pushed him away with her foot.

Finally, the duckling could not stand it. He ran across the yard and, spreading his clumsy wings, somehow rolled over the fence right into the thorny bushes.

The little birds sitting on the branches fluttered at once and scattered in different directions.

"It's because I'm so ugly," thought the duckling, and, closing his eyes, he rushed to run, not knowing where. He ran until then. until he found himself in a swamp where wild ducks lived.

Here he spent the whole night. The poor duckling was tired and very sad.

In the morning, wild ducks woke up in their nests and saw a new comrade.

What is this bird? they asked. The duckling turned and bowed in all directions as best he could.

Well, you are ugly! said the wild ducks. “However, we don’t care about that, as long as you don’t climb into our relatives.

Poor thing! Where could he even think about it! If only he was allowed to live in the reeds and drink marsh water, he did not dream of more.

So he sat in the swamp for two days. On the third day, two wild ganders flew there. They had recently learned to fly and therefore were very proud.

Listen, buddy! they said. - You're so wonderful that it's fun to look at you. Do you want to be friends with us? We are free birds - wherever we want, we fly there. There is also a swamp nearby, where pretty little wild geese-young ladies live. They know how to say: "Rap! Rap!" You are so funny that, what good, you will be a great success with them.

Pif! Puff! - there was suddenly heard over the swamp, and both ganders fell dead into the reeds, and the water turned red with blood.

Pif! Puff! - came again, and a whole flock of wild geese rose above the swamp. Shot after shot rang out. Hunters surrounded the swamp on all sides; some of them climbed trees and fired from above. Blue smoke clouded the tops of the trees and drifted over the water. Hunting dogs roamed the swamp. All that was heard was: slap-slap! And the reeds swayed from side to side. The poor duckling was neither alive nor dead from fear. He was about to hide his head under his wing, when suddenly a hunting dog appeared right in front of him with a protruding tongue and sparkling evil eyes. She looked at the duckling, bared her sharp teeth and - slap-slap! - ran further.

“It seems that it has passed,” the duckling thought and took a breath. “It can be seen that I am so ugly that even a dog is disgusted to eat me!”

And he hid in the reeds. And over his head now and then shots whistled, shots rang out.

The firing subsided only in the evening, but the duckling was still afraid to move for a long time.

Several hours passed. Finally, he dared to get up, looked around cautiously, and began to run further through the fields and meadows.

There was such a strong headwind that the duckling could barely move its paws.

By nightfall, he reached a small wretched hut. The hut was so dilapidated that it was ready to fall, but did not know which side, and therefore held on.

The wind picked up the duckling in such a way - I had to cuddle up to the ground itself so that it would not be blown away.

Fortunately, he noticed that the door of the hut had jumped off one hinge and was so warped that it was easy to get inside through the crack. And the duckling got through.

An old woman lived in a hut with her chicken and cat. She called the cat Sonny; he knew how to arch his back, purr, and even throw sparks, but for this it was necessary to stroke him the wrong way. The chicken had small short legs, and therefore it was called the Short Leg. She diligently laid eggs, and the old woman loved her like a daughter.

In the morning the duckling was noticed. The cat began to purr and the chicken began to cackle.

What is there? - asked the old woman. She looked around and saw a duckling in the corner, but she blindly mistook it for a fat duck that had strayed from home.

What a find! - said the old woman. - Now I will have duck eggs, if only it is not a drake. And she decided to keep the homeless bird at home. But three weeks passed, and there were still no eggs. The cat was the real master of the house, and the chicken was the mistress. Both of them always said: “We and the whole world!” They considered themselves half of the world, and, moreover, the better half. True, it seemed to the duckling that one could have a different opinion on this matter. But the chicken wouldn't let that happen.

Can you lay eggs? she asked the duckling.

So keep your tongue on a leash! And the cat asked:

Can you arch your back, throw sparks and purr?

So don't stick around with your opinion when smart people are talking!

And the duckling was sitting in the corner, fluffed up.

One day the door opened wide, and a stream of fresh air and a bright beam of sunlight burst into the room. The duckling was so strongly drawn to freedom, he wanted to swim so much that he could not resist and told the chicken about it.

Well, what else did you think? - the chicken jumped on him. - You are idle, here all nonsense climbs into your head! Bring some eggs or purr, the nonsense will pass!

Ah, it's so nice to swim! - said the duckling. - It's such a pleasure to dive headfirst into the very depths!

That's so fun! - said the chicken. - You're completely crazy! Ask the cat - he is more reasonable than anyone I know - does he like to swim and dive? I'm not talking about myself. Ask, finally, our old lady, there is probably no one smarter than her in the world! She will tell you if she likes to dive head first into the very depths!

You do not understand me! - said the duckling.

If we do not understand, then who will understand you! You obviously want to be smarter than the cat and our lady, not to mention me! Don't be foolish and be grateful for everything that has been done for you! They sheltered you, warmed you up, you ended up in a society in which you can learn something. But you're an empty head, and it's not worth talking to you. Believe me! I wish you well, therefore I scold you. This is what true friends always do. Try to lay eggs or learn to purr and throw sparks!

I think I'd better get out of here wherever my eyes look! - said the duckling.

Well, go ahead! - answered the chicken.

And the duckling is gone. He lived on the lake, swam and dived upside down, but everyone around him still laughed at him and called him ugly and ugly.

Meanwhile, autumn has come. The leaves on the trees turned yellow and turned brown. They fell from the branches, and the wind picked them up and whirled through the air. It got very cold. Heavy clouds sowed hail and snow on the ground. Even the raven, sitting on the fence, croaked from the cold at the top of his lungs. Brr! You will freeze at the mere thought of such a cold!

It was bad for the poor duckling.

Once in the evening, when the sun was still shining in the sky, a whole flock of wonderful, large birds rose from behind the forest. The duckling has never seen such beautiful birds - all white as snow, with long flexible necks...

They were swans.

Their cry was like the sound of a trumpet. They spread their wide, mighty wings and flew from the cold meadows to the warm lands, beyond the blue seas... Now they rose high, high, and the poor duck kept looking after them, and some incomprehensible anxiety seized him. He spun in the water like a top, stretched out his neck and also screamed, but so loudly and strangely that he himself was frightened. He could not take his eyes off these beautiful birds, and when they completely disappeared from sight, he dived to the very bottom, then swam out again, and yet for a long time he could not come to his senses. The duckling did not know the names of these birds, did not know where they fly, but fell in love with them. How I have never loved anyone in the world before. He did not envy their beauty. It never occurred to him that he could be as handsome as them.

He was glad, radёhonek, if at least the ducks did not push him away from themselves. Poor ugly duckling!

Winter has come cold, very cold. The duckling had to swim in the lake without rest in order not to let the water freeze completely, but every night the hole in which he swam became smaller and smaller. The frost was such that even the ice crackled. The duckling tirelessly worked with its paws. In the end, he was completely exhausted, stretched out and froze to ice.

Early in the morning a peasant passed by. He saw a duckling frozen to the ice, broke the ice with his wooden shoe and took the half-dead bird home to his wife.

The duckling was warmed up.

The children decided to play with him, but it seemed to the duckling that they wanted to offend him. He shied away from fear into a corner and fell right into the sump of milk. Milk flowed across the floor. The hostess screamed and clasped her hands, and the duckling darted around the room, flew into a tub of oil, and from there into a barrel of flour. It's easy to imagine what he looked like!

The hostess scolded the duckling and chased him with coal tongs, the children ran, knocking each other down, laughing and squealing. It's good that the door was open - the duckling ran out, spreading its wings, rushed into the bushes, right on the freshly fallen snow, and lay there almost unconscious for a long, long time.

It would be too sad to talk about all the troubles and misfortunes of the ugly duckling in this harsh winter.

Finally, the sun again warmed the earth with its warm rays. The larks rang in the fields. Spring has returned!

The duckling got out of the reeds, where he hid all winter, flapped his wings and flew. His wings were now much stronger than before, they made a noise and lifted him off the ground. He did not have time to come to his senses, as he had already flown to a large garden. The apple trees were all in bloom, the fragrant lilacs bent their long green branches over the winding canal. Oh, how good it was here, how it smelled of spring!

And suddenly three wonderful white swans floated out of the thicket of reeds. They swam so lightly and smoothly, as if they were sliding on the water. The duckling recognized these beautiful birds, and some incomprehensible sadness seized him.

“I will fly to them, to these majestic birds. They will probably peck me to death because I, so ugly, dared to approach them. But still! It is better to die from their blows than to endure the plucking of ducks and chickens, the kicks of a poultry keeper, and to endure cold and hunger in winter!

And he sank into the water and swam towards the beautiful swans, and the swans, seeing him, waved their wings and swam straight towards him.

Kill me! - said the ugly duckling and lowered his head low.

And suddenly, in a clear, like a mirror, water, he saw his own reflection. He was no longer an ugly dark gray duck, but a beautiful white swan!

Now the duckling was even glad that he had endured so much grief and trouble. He endured a lot and therefore could better appreciate his happiness. And big swans swam around and stroked him with their beaks.

At this time, the children ran into the garden. They began to throw pieces of bread and grain to the swans, and the youngest of them shouted:

The new one has arrived! The new one has arrived! And everyone else got it:

Yes, new, new!

The children clapped their hands and danced for joy. Then they ran after their father and mother and again began to throw pieces of bread and cake into the water.

Both children and adults said:

The new swan is the best! He is so handsome and young!

And the old swans bowed their heads before him. And he was completely embarrassed and hid his head under his wing, not knowing why. He recalled the time when everyone laughed at him and persecuted him. But all this was behind. Now people say that he is the most beautiful among the beautiful swans. The lilac bends fragrant branches towards him into the water, and the sun caresses with its warm rays ... And then his wings rustled, his slender neck straightened, and a jubilant cry escaped from his chest:

No, I never dreamed of such happiness when I was still an ugly duckling! That's

Finally, the eggshells crackled.

The ducklings stirred, clattered their beaks and stuck out their heads.

Pip, pip! they said.

Crack, crack! - answered the duck. - Hurry up!

The ducklings somehow got out of the shell and began to look around, looking at the green leaves of burdock. Mother did not interfere with them - the green color is good for the eyes.

Ah, how great is the world! - said the ducklings. Still would! Now they were much more spacious than in the shell.

And she sat down again.

Well how are you? - asked the old duck, sticking its head into the thicket of burdock.

No, I, perhaps, will sit, - said the young duck. I've endured so much that I can endure a little more.

Well, sit! - said the old duck and left. And finally, the big egg cracked.

Pip! Pip! - the chick squeaked and fell out of the shell.

But how big and ugly he was! The duck looked at him from all sides and fluttered its wings.

Terrible freak! - she said. - And not at all like the others! Is it really a turkey? Well, yes, he will visit me in the water, even if I had to push him there by force!

The next day the weather was wonderful, the green burdock was flooded with sun.

The duck with all his family went to the ditch. Bultykh! - and she found herself in the water.

Quack-quack! Behind me! Alive! she called, and the ducklings, one by one, also flopped into the water.

At first the water covered them completely, but they immediately surfaced and swam well forward. Paws they have earned, and earned. Even the ugly gray duckling kept up with the others.

Soon the duck with all its brood reached the poultry yard. Oh my God! What was that noise! Two families of ducks fought over an eel head. And in the end, this head went to the cat.

The ducks did just that.

But other ducks looked at them and spoke loudly:

Well, here's another whole bunch! Without them, there weren't enough of us! And one is ugly! We will never tolerate this!

And immediately one duck flew up and pecked at his neck.

Leave it! said the mother duck. "He didn't do anything to you!"

Let's assume it is. But he's kind of big and awkward! - the angry duck hissed. - Do not interfere with his a little lesson.

And a noble duck with a red patch on its paw said:

You have nice kids! Everyone is very, very nice, except for one, perhaps... Poor fellow failed! It would be nice to change it.

The rest of the ducklings are very, very cute! - said the noble duck. - Well, make yourself at home, and if you find an eel head, you can bring it to me.

And now the ducklings began to behave like at home. Only the poor duckling, which hatched later than the others and was so ugly, no one gave a pass. He was pecked, pushed and teased not only by ducks, but even by chickens.

Too big! they said.

And the Indian rooster, who was born with spurs on his feet and therefore imagined himself almost an emperor, pouted and, like a ship in full sail, flew right up to the duckling, looked at him and babbled angrily; his comb was so full of blood. The poor duckling simply did not know what to do, where to go. And he should have been born so ugly that the whole poultry yard laughs at him!

Finally, the duckling could not stand it. He ran across the yard and, spreading his clumsy wings, somehow rolled over the fence right into the thorny bushes.

The little birds sitting on the branches fluttered at once and scattered in different directions.

"It's because I'm so ugly," thought the duckling, and closing his eyes, he rushed to run, not knowing where he was. He ran until then. until he found himself in a swamp where wild ducks lived.

Here he spent the whole night. The poor duckling was tired and very sad.

In the morning, wild ducks woke up in their nests and saw a new comrade.

What is this bird? they asked. The duckling turned and bowed in all directions as best he could.

Well, you are ugly! said the wild ducks. “However, we don’t care about that, as long as you don’t climb into our relatives.

Poor thing! Where could he even think about it! If only he was allowed to live in the reeds and drink marsh water, he did not dream of more.

So he sat in the swamp for two days. On the third day, two wild ganders flew there. They had recently learned to fly and therefore were very proud.

Pif! Puff! - there was suddenly heard over the swamp, and both ganders fell dead into the reeds, and the water turned red with blood.

Pif! Puff! - came again, and a whole flock of wild geese rose above the swamp. Shot after shot rang out. Hunters surrounded the swamp on all sides; some of them climbed trees and fired from above. Blue smoke clouded the tops of the trees and drifted over the water. Hunting dogs roamed the swamp. All that was heard was: slap-slap! And the reeds swayed from side to side. The poor duckling was neither alive nor dead from fear. He was about to hide his head under his wing, when suddenly a hunting dog appeared right in front of him with a protruding tongue and sparkling evil eyes. She looked at the duckling, showed her sharp teeth and - slap-slap! - ran further.

“It seems that it has passed,” the duckling thought and took a breath. “It can be seen that I am so ugly that even a dog is disgusted to eat me!”

And he hid in the reeds. And over his head now and then shots whistled, shots rang out.

The firing subsided only in the evening, but the duckling was still afraid to move for a long time.

Several hours passed. Finally, he dared to get up, looked around cautiously, and began to run further through the fields and meadows.

There was such a strong headwind that the duckling could barely move its paws.

By nightfall, he reached a small wretched hut. The hut was so dilapidated that it was ready to fall, but did not know which side, and therefore held on.

The wind picked up the duckling in such a way that it was necessary to cuddle up to the ground itself so that it would not be blown away.

Fortunately, he noticed that the door of the hut had jumped off one hinge and was so warped that it was easy to get inside through the crack. And the duckling made his way.

In the morning we noticed the duckling. The cat began to purr and the chicken began to cackle.

What is there? - asked the old woman. She looked around and saw a duckling in the corner, but blindly mistook it for a fat duck that had strayed from home.

Can you lay eggs? she asked the duckling.

So keep your tongue on a leash! And the cat asked:

Can you arch your back, throw sparks and purr?

So don't stick around with your opinion when smart people are talking!

And the duckling sat in the corner, ruffled.

One day the door opened wide, and a stream of fresh air and a bright beam of sunlight burst into the room. The duckling was so drawn to freedom, he wanted to swim so much that he could not resist and told the chicken about it.

Well, what else did you think? - the chicken jumped on him. - You are idle, here all nonsense climbs into your head! Bring some eggs or purr, the nonsense will pass!

Ah, it's so nice to swim! - said the duckling. - It's such a pleasure to dive headfirst into the very depths!

You do not understand me! - said the duckling.

I think I'd better get out of here wherever my eyes look! - said the duckling.

Well, go ahead! - answered the chicken.

And the duckling is gone. He lived on the lake, swam and dived upside down, but everyone around him still laughed at him and called him ugly and ugly.

It was bad for the poor duckling.

They were swans.

Their cry was like the sound of a trumpet. They spread their wide, mighty wings and flew from the cold meadows to warm lands, beyond the blue seas... Now they rose high, high, and the poor duckling kept looking after them, and some incomprehensible anxiety seized him. He spun in the water like a top, stretched out his neck and also screamed, but so loudly and strangely that he himself was frightened. He could not take his eyes off these beautiful birds, and when they completely disappeared from sight, he dived to the very bottom, then swam out again, and yet for a long time he could not come to his senses. The duckling did not know the names of these birds, did not know where they fly, but fell in love with them. How I have never loved anyone in the world before. He did not envy their beauty. It never occurred to him that he could be as handsome as them.

He was glad, radechonek, if at least the ducks did not push him away from themselves. Poor ugly duckling!

Winter has come cold, very cold. The duckling had to swim in the lake without rest to keep the water from freezing completely, but every night the hole in which he swam became smaller and smaller. The frost was such that even the ice crackled. The duckling tirelessly worked with its paws. In the end, he was completely exhausted, stretched out and froze to ice.

Early in the morning a peasant passed by. He saw a duckling frozen to the ice, broke the ice with his wooden shoe and carried the half-dead bird home to his wife.

The duckling was warmed up.

The mistress scolded the duckling and chased after him with coal tongs, the children ran, knocking each other down, laughing and squealing. It's good that the door was open - the duckling ran out, spreading its wings, rushed into the bushes, right on the freshly fallen snow, and lay there almost unconscious for a long, long time.

It would be too sad to talk about all the troubles and misfortunes of the ugly duckling in this harsh winter.

Finally, the sun again warmed the earth with its warm rays. The larks rang in the fields. Spring has returned!

And he sank into the water and swam towards the beautiful swans, and the swans, seeing him, waved their wings and swam straight towards him.

Kill me! - said the ugly duckling and lowered his head low.

And suddenly, in a clear, like a mirror, water, he saw his own reflection. He was no longer an ugly dark gray duck, but a beautiful white swan!

At this time, the children ran into the garden. They began to throw pieces of bread and grain to the swans, and the youngest of them shouted:

The new one has arrived! The new one has arrived! And everyone else got it:

Yes, new, new!

The children clapped their hands and danced for joy. Then they ran after their father and mother and again began to throw pieces of bread and cake into the water.

Both children and adults said:

The new swan is the best! He is so handsome and young!

No, I never dreamed of such happiness when I was still an ugly duckling!

It was good for the city! It was summer, the rye had already turned yellow, the oats were green, the hay was swept into haystacks; a long-legged stork was walking along the green meadow and chatting in Egyptian - he learned this language from his mother. Behind the fields and meadows stretched large forests with deep lakes in the thicket. Yes, it was good for the city! On the sunny baking lay an old manor, surrounded by deep ditches with water; from the very fence down to the water grew burdock, so big that little children could stand upright under the largest of its leaves. In the thicket of burdock it was as deaf and wild as in a dense forest, and there a duck was sitting on its eggs. She had been sitting for a long time, and she was rather tired of this sitting, she was rarely visited: other ducks liked to swim along the grooves more than to sit in the burdock and quack with her.

Finally, the eggshells crackled. "Pi! pi!" - was heard from them: the egg yolks came to life and stuck their noses out of the shells.

- Live! Alive! - the duck quacked, and the ducklings hurried, somehow got out and began to look around, looking at the green leaves of burdock; mother did not interfere with them - the green color is good for the eyes.

How big is the world! - said the ducks. Still would! It was much more spacious here than in the shell.

“Do you think the whole world is here?” mother said. - Not! It stretches far, far away, there, beyond the garden, to the priest's field, but I have never been there in my life! .. Well, is that all, are you here? And she got up. Oh no, not all! The largest egg is intact! Will this end soon! Right, I'm tired of it.

And she sat down again.

- Well how are you? the old duck looked up at her.

- Yes, there is one more egg left! said the young duck. - I sit, I sit, but there is no sense! But look at the others! Just beautiful! They look awfully like their father! And he, unfit, did not visit me even once!

"Wait a minute, I'll take a look at the egg!" said the old duck. “Maybe it’s a turkey egg!” I got scammed too! Well, I toiled as I brought out the turkeys! After all, they are afraid of water; I already quacked, and called, and pushed them into the water - they don’t go, and that’s the end! Let me see the egg! Well, it is! Turkey! Throw him away and go teach others how to swim!

- I'll sit still! said the young duck. - I sat so much that you can sit and a little more.

- As you wish! said the old duck and left.

Finally, the shell of the largest egg also crackled. "Pi! pee!" - and a huge ugly chick fell out of there. The duck looked at him.

- Terribly big! - she said. “And quite unlike the others!” Is it a turkey? Well, yes, he will visit me in the water, even if I had to push him there by force!

The next day the weather was wonderful, the green burdock was all flooded with sun. The duck with all his family went to the ditch. Bultykh! - and the duck found itself in the water.

- Behind me! Alive! she called to the ducklings, and one by one they also splashed into the water.

At first, the water covered them with their heads, but then they surfaced and swam in such a way that it was nice. Their paws worked like that; an ugly gray duck kept up with the others.

- What kind of turkey is this? said the duck. “Look at how nicely he rows with his paws, how straight he holds himself! No, this is my own son! Yes, he is not bad at all, as you look at him well! Well, live, live, follow me! I will now introduce you to society - we will go to the poultry yard. But stay close to me so that no one steps on you, but watch out for cats!

Soon we got to the poultry yard. Fathers! What was the noise and din! Two families fought over one eel head, and in the end it went to the cat.

“This is how things are going in the world!” - said the duck and licked her beak with her tongue, - she also wanted to taste the eel head. - Well, well, move your paws! she said to the ducklings. "Squawk and bow to that old duck over there!" She is the best here! She's Spanish and that's why she's so fat. See, she has a red patch on her paw? How beautiful! This is the highest distinction that a duck can receive. People make it clear that they do not want to lose her; by this shred it is recognized by both people and animals. Well, live! Don't keep your paws together! A well-bred duckling should keep its paws apart and turn them outward, like a father and mother! Like this! Bow now and quack!

The ducklings did just that; but other ducks looked at them and said loudly:

- Well, here's another whole bunch! There were just too few of us! And what an ugly one! We won't tolerate him!

And immediately one duck jumped up and pecked at his neck.

- Leave him! said the mother duck. He didn't do anything to you!

— It is, but it is so big and strange! - answered the bully. "He needs to get a good beating!"

- Nice kids you have! said an old duck with a red patch on its paw. “All are very nice, except for one… This one failed!” It would be nice to change it!

“No way, your grace! the mother duck replied. - He is not handsome, but he has a good heart, and he swims as well, I even dare to say - better than others. I think that he will grow up, get prettier or become smaller over time. He stale in the egg, and therefore not entirely successful. - And she ran her nose over the feathers of a large duckling. “Besides, he’s a drake, and a drake doesn’t really need beauty. I think he will mature and make his way!

The rest of the ducklings are very, very cute! said the old duck. - Well, make yourself at home, and if you find an eel head, you can bring it to me.

So they began to behave like at home. Only the poor duckling, which hatched later than everyone else and was so ugly, was pecked, pushed and showered with ridicule by absolutely everyone - both ducks and chickens.

- He's too big! - everyone said, and the Indian rooster, who was born with spurs on his legs and therefore imagined himself an emperor, pouted and, like a ship in full sail, flew up to the duckling, looked at him and babbled angrily; his comb was so full of blood. The poor duckling simply did not know what to do, how to be. And he should have been born so ugly, some kind of laughing stock for the whole poultry yard!

So the first day passed, then it got even worse. Everyone was persecuting the poor thing, even the brothers and sisters angrily said to him:

“I wish the cat would drag you away, you insufferable freak!”

And the mother added:

"My eyes wouldn't see you!"

The ducks pecked him, the chickens nibbled, and the girl who gave the birds food pushed him with her foot.

The duckling could not stand it, ran across the yard and - through the fence! Small birds frightened fluttered out of the bushes.

"They were afraid of me, I'm so ugly!" - thought the duckling and took off running, not knowing where. He ran and ran until he found himself in a swamp where wild ducks lived. Tired and sad, he sat there all night.

In the morning the ducks flew out of their nests and saw a new comrade.

- Who are you? they asked, and the duckling twirled, bowing to all sides as best he could.

- You are ugly! said the wild ducks. “But we don’t care about that, just don’t think of intermarrying with us!”

Poor thing! Where could he even think about it! If only they let him sit in the reeds and drink marsh water.

He spent two days in the swamp, on the third day two wild ganders appeared. They had recently hatched from eggs and therefore performed very proudly.

- Listen, buddy! they said. "You're such a freak that we really like you!" Do you want to fly with us and be a free bird? Not far from here, in another swamp, live pretty wild young geese. They know how to say: "Ran, rap!" You are such a freak that, what good, you will have great success with them!

"Pif! bang! - suddenly resounded over the swamp, and both ganders fell dead into the reeds; the water was stained with blood. "Pif! bang! - it was heard again, and a whole flock of wild geese rose from the reeds. The firing went. Hunters cordoned off the swamp from all sides; some of them sat in the branches of trees hanging over the swamp. Blue smoke clouded the trees and drifted over the water. Hunting dogs scurried through the swamp; the reeds swayed from side to side. The poor duckling was neither alive nor dead from fear and just wanted to hide his head under his wing, as you see - in front of him is a hunting dog with a protruding tongue and sparkling evil eyes. She brought her mouth closer to the duckling, bared her sharp teeth and ran on.

- God bless! - the duckling took a breath. - God bless! I'm so ugly that even a dog hates to bite me!

And he hid in the reeds; pellets flew over his head, and shots rang out.

The firing subsided only in the evening, but the duckling was still afraid to move for a long time. A few more hours passed before he dared to get up, look around and start running further through the fields and meadows. The wind was so strong that the duckling could hardly move. By nightfall he had reached the poor hut. The hut was so dilapidated that it was ready to fall, but did not know on which side, that's why it kept on. The wind picked up the duckling - it was necessary to rest against the ground with its tail!

The wind, however, grew stronger; what was the duckling to do? Fortunately, he noticed that the door of the hut had jumped off one hinge and was hanging completely crooked; it was possible to slip freely through this gap into the hut. And so he did.

An old woman lived in a hut with a cat and a chicken. She called the cat son; he knew how to arch his back, purr, and even emit sparks if he was stroked the wrong way.

The chicken had small, short legs, and they called her Short Leg; she diligently laid eggs, and the old woman loved her like a daughter.

In the morning, the stranger was noticed: the cat began to purr, and the chicken to cluck.

— What is there? - asked the old woman, looked around and noticed a duckling, but due to her blindness she mistook him for a fat duck that had strayed from home.

- What a find! said the old woman. - Now I will have duck eggs, if only it is not a drake. Well, let's see, let's try!

And the duckling was accepted for testing, but three weeks passed, and there were still no eggs. The cat was the master of the house, and the hen was the mistress, and both always said: “We and the whole world!” They considered themselves half of the whole world, moreover, its better half. It seemed to the duckling that it was possible to have a different opinion on this matter. The chicken, however, did not tolerate this.

- Can you lay eggs? she asked the duckling.

- Not!

- So keep your tongue on a leash!

And the cat asked:

- Can you arch your back, purr and emit sparks?

- Not!

“So don’t stick around with your opinion when smart people are talking!”

And the duckling was sitting in the corner ruffled. Suddenly he remembered the fresh air and the sun, and he had a terrible desire to swim. He could not stand it and told the chicken about it.

- What's wrong with you?! she asked. - You're idle, here's a whim in your head and climbs! Bring some eggs or purr, the nonsense will pass!

“Ah, it’s so nice to swim on the water!” - said the duckling. - And what a pleasure to dive into the very depths with your head!

- Good enjoyment! said the hen. - You're completely crazy! Ask the cat, he is smarter than anyone I know, if he likes to swim or dive! I'm not talking about myself! Ask, finally, our old mistress, there is no one smarter than her in the world! Do you think she wants to swim or dive?

- You do not understand me! - said the duckling.

“If we don’t understand, then who will understand you!” Well, you want to be smarter than the cat and the mistress, not to mention me? Don't be a fool, but thank better the creator for everything that has been done for you! They sheltered you, warmed you up, you are surrounded by such a society in which you can learn something, but you are an empty head, and it’s not worth talking to you! Believe me! I wish you well, therefore I scold you - this is how true friends are always recognized! Try to lay eggs, or learn to purr and sparkle!

“I think it’s better for me to get out of here wherever my eyes look!” - said the duckling.

- Good riddance! replied the chicken.

And the duckling is gone.

He swam and dived, but all the animals still despised him for his ugliness.

Autumn has come; the leaves on the trees turned yellow and turned brown; the wind picked them up and whirled them; above, in the sky, it became so cold that heavy clouds sowed hail and snow, and a raven sat on the fence and croaked from the cold at the top of its throat. Brr! You will freeze at the mere thought of such a cold! It was bad for the poor duckling.

One evening, when the sun was setting so beautifully, a whole flock of wonderful, large birds rose from behind the bushes; the duckling had never seen such beauties: they were all white as snow, with long, flexible necks! Those were swans.

They let out some strange cry, flapped their magnificent, large wings and flew from the cold meadows to the warm lands, beyond the blue sea. They rose high, high, and some vague excitement seized the poor duckling. He twirled in the water like a top, stretched out his neck and also uttered such a loud and strange cry that he himself was frightened. Wonderful birds did not go out of his head, and when they finally disappeared from sight, he dived to the very bottom, emerged again and was as if beside himself. The duckling did not know the names of these birds, where they flew, but he fell in love with them, as he had not loved anyone until now. He did not envy their beauty; it never entered his head to wish to be like them; he would also be glad that at least the ducks did not repel him from themselves. Poor ugly duckling!

And the winter was cold, very cold. The duckling had to swim without rest in order not to let the water freeze completely, but every night the space free from ice became smaller and smaller. It was so cold that the ice crust cracked. The duckling tirelessly worked with its paws, but in the end it became exhausted, stopped and froze all over.

Early in the morning a peasant passed by, saw a frozen duckling, broke the ice with his wooden shoe and brought the bird home to his wife.

The duckling was warmed up.

But then the children took it into their head to play with him, and he imagined that they wanted to offend him, and, out of fear, he shied right into the bowl of milk - the milk spilled all over. The woman screamed and threw up her hands; meanwhile, the duckling flew into a tub of oil, and from there into a barrel of flour. Father, what was he like! The woman was yelling and chasing him with coal tongs, the children were running, knocking each other down, laughing and squealing. It’s good that the door was open, the duck ran out, rushed into the bushes, right on the freshly fallen snow and lay there almost unconscious for a long, long time.

It would be too sad to describe all the misadventures of the duckling during this harsh winter. When the sun again warmed the earth with its warm rays, he lay in the swamp, in the reeds. The larks sang, spring has come.

The duckling flapped its wings and flew; now his wings were noisy and much stronger than before. Before he had time to come to his senses, he found himself in a large garden. The apple trees were all in bloom; the fragrant lilac bent its long green branches over the winding canal.

Oh, how good it was here, how it smelled of spring! Suddenly, three wonderful white swans floated out of the thicket of reeds. They swam so lightly and smoothly, as if they were sliding on the water. The duckling recognized beautiful birds, and some strange sadness seized him.

“I will fly to these royal birds; they will probably kill me because I, so ugly, dared to approach them, but let! It is better to be killed by them than to endure the pinching of ducks and hens, the jolts of a poultry-keeper, and to endure cold and hunger in winter!

And he flew into the water and swam towards the handsome swans, who, seeing him, also rushed to him.

- Kill me! - said the poor thing and lowered his head, expecting death, but what did he see in the water, clear as a mirror? His own image, but he was no longer an ugly dark gray bird, but a swan!

It doesn't matter to be born in a duck's nest if you hatched from a swan egg! Now he was glad that he had endured so much grief and disaster - he could better appreciate his happiness and all the splendor that surrounded him. Large swans swam around him and caressed him, stroked him with their beaks.

Small children ran into the garden; they began to throw bread crumbs and grains to the swans, and the smallest of them shouted:

— New, new!

And everyone else got it:

Yes, new, new! — clapped their hands and danced for joy; then they ran after their father and mother and again threw crumbs of bread and cake into the water. Everyone said that the new one is the prettiest of all. So young and adorable!

And the old swans bowed their heads before him. And he was completely embarrassed and hid his head under his wing, not knowing why. He was too happy, but he did not become proud at all - a good heart does not know pride - remembering the time when everyone despised and persecuted him. And now everyone says that he is the most beautiful among beautiful birds! The lilac bowed its fragrant branches towards him into the water, the sun shone so gloriously ... And then his wings rustled, his slender neck straightened, and a jubilant cry escaped from his chest:

“Could I have dreamed of such happiness when I was still an ugly duckling!”

Hello young writer! It's good that you decided to read the fairy tale "The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen in it you will find folk wisdom, which is edified for generations. Faced with such strong, strong-willed and kind qualities of the hero, you involuntarily feel the desire to change yourself for the better. There is a balancing act between good and bad, tempting and necessary, and how wonderful that every time the choice is right and responsible. Simple and accessible, about nothing and everything, instructive and instructive - everything is included in the basis and plot of this creation. Probably due to the inviolability of human qualities in time, all morality, morality and issues remain relevant at all times and epochs. Each time, reading this or that epic, one feels the incredible love with which the images of the environment are described. The entire surrounding space, depicted with vivid visual images, is permeated with kindness, friendship, fidelity and indescribable delight. The tale "The Ugly Duckling" by Hans Christian Andersen should be read for free online thoughtfully, explaining to young readers or listeners the details and words that are incomprehensible to them and new to them.

It was good for the city! It was summer. The rye was already golden in the fields, the oats were turning green, the hay was swept into haystacks; a long-legged stork paced the green meadow and chatted in Egyptian, the language he had learned from his mother. Behind the fields and meadows, a large forest darkened, and deep blue lakes hid in the forest. Yes, it was good for the city! The sun illuminated the old manor, surrounded by deep ditches with water. The whole earth - from the walls of the house to the very water - was overgrown with burdock, and so high that small children could stand under its largest leaves to their full height.
In the thicket of burdock it was as deaf and wild as in a dense forest, and there a duck was sitting on its eggs. She had been sitting for a long time, and she was tired of this occupation. Moreover, she was rarely visited - other ducks liked to swim in the grooves more than to sit in the burdock and quack with her.
Finally, the eggshells crackled.
The ducklings stirred, clattered their beaks and stuck out their heads.
- Pip, pip! they said.
- Crack, crack! the duck replied. - Hurry up!
The ducklings somehow got out of the shell and began to look around, looking at the green leaves of burdock. Mother did not interfere with them - the green color is good for the eyes.
Oh, how big is the world! - said the ducks. Still would! Now they were much more spacious than in the shell.
"Don't you think the whole world is here?" mother said. - What is there! It stretches far, far away, over there, beyond the garden, beyond the field ... But, to tell the truth, I have never been there in my life! .. Well, has everyone got out yet? Jonah rose to her feet. - Oh no, not yet ... The largest egg is intact! When will this end! I will soon lose my patience.
And she sat down again.
- Well how are you? asked the old duck, sticking its head into the thicket of burdock.
“Yes, I can’t cope with one egg,” said the young duck. - I sit, I sit, but it still does not burst. But look at those babies that have already hatched. Just beautiful! All as one - in the father! And he, unfit, did not even visit me even once!
“Wait, show me first that egg that does not burst,” said the old duck. “Isn’t it turkey, what good?” Well, yes, of course! .. That's exactly the same way I was once tricked. And how much trouble I had later with these turkey poults! You won’t believe it: they are so afraid of water that you can’t drive them into a ditch. Already I hissed, and quacked, and simply pushed them into the water - they don’t go, and that’s all. Let me take another look. Well, it is! Turkey! Throw him away and go teach your kids to swim!
“No, I’ll probably sit,” said the young duck. “I’ve endured so much that I can endure a little more.
- Well, sit down! said the old duck and left. And finally, the big egg cracked.
— Pip! Pip! - the chick squeaked and fell out of the shell.
But how big and ugly he was! The duck looked at him from all sides and fluttered its wings.
— Terrible freak! - she said. “And not at all like the others!” Is it really a turkey? Well, yes, he will visit me in the water, even if I had to push him there by force!
The next day the weather was wonderful, the green burdock was flooded with sun.
The duck with all his family went to the ditch. Bultykh! - and she found herself in the water.
- Quack-quack! Behind me! Alive! she called, and one by one the ducklings also flopped into the water.
At first the water covered them completely, but they immediately surfaced and swam well forward. Paws they have earned, and earned. Even the ugly gray duckling kept up with the others.
- What kind of turkey is this? said the duck. - Look how nicely he rows with his paws! And how straight it stays! No, this is my own son. Yes, he is not so bad at all, if you take a good look at him. Well, quick, quick, follow me! I will now introduce you to society - we will go to the poultry yard. Just stay close to me so that someone does not step on you, but watch out for cats!
Soon the duck with all its brood reached the poultry yard. Oh my God! What was that noise! Two families of ducks fought over an eel head. And in the end, this head went to the cat.
- This is how it always happens in life! - said the duck and licked her beak with her tongue - she herself was not averse to tasting the eel head. - Well, well, move your paws! she commanded, turning to the ducklings. "Squawk and bow to that old duck over there!" She is the best here. She's Spanish and that's why she's so fat. See, she has a red patch on her paw! How beautiful! This is the highest distinction a duck can receive. This means that they do not want to lose it - both people and animals immediately recognize it by this shred. Well, live! Don't keep your paws together! A well-bred duckling should turn its paws outward. Like this! See. Now tilt your heads and say, "Quack!"
The ducks did just that.
But other ducks looked at them and spoke loudly:
- Well, here's another whole bunch! Without them, there weren't enough of us! And one is ugly! We will never tolerate this!
And immediately one duck flew up and pecked at his neck.
- Leave him! said the mother duck. "He didn't do anything to you!"
- Let's assume it is. But he's kind of big and awkward! the angry duck hissed. “It doesn’t hurt to teach him a little.
And a noble duck with a red patch on its paw said:
- Nice kids you have! Everyone is very, very nice, except for one, perhaps ... The poor fellow did not succeed! It would be nice to change it.
"That's impossible, your grace!" the mother duck replied. “He is not handsome, it is true, but he has a good heart. And he swims no worse, I even dare to say - better than others. I think over time it will even out and become smaller. He had lain in the egg for too long and therefore outgrew a little. And she smoothed the feathers on his back with her beak. “Besides, he’s a drake, and a drake doesn’t really need beauty. I think he will grow up strong and make his way into life.
The rest of the ducklings are very, very cute! said the noble duck. “Well, make yourself at home, and if you find an eel head, you can bring it to me.”
And now the ducklings began to behave like at home. Only the poor duckling, which hatched later than the others and was so ugly, no one gave a pass. He was pecked, pushed and teased not only by ducks, but even by chickens.
- Too big! they said.
And the Indian rooster, who was born with spurs on his feet and therefore imagined himself almost an emperor, pouted and, like a ship in full sail, flew right up to the duckling, looked at him and babbled angrily; his comb was so full of blood. The poor duckling simply did not know what to do, where to go. And he should have been born so ugly that the whole poultry yard laughs at him!
So the first day passed, and then it got even worse. Everyone drove the poor duckling away, even the brothers and sisters angrily told him: “If only the cat would drag you away, you obnoxious freak!” And the mother added: “My eyes would not look at you!” The ducks nibbled at him, the chickens pecked at him, and the girl who fed the birds pushed him away with her foot.
Finally, the duckling could not stand it. He ran across the yard and, spreading his clumsy wings, somehow rolled over the fence right into the thorny bushes.
The little birds sitting on the branches fluttered at once and scattered in different directions.
"It's because I'm so ugly," thought the duckling, and closing his eyes, he rushed to run, not knowing where he was. He ran until then. until he found himself in a swamp where wild ducks lived.
Here he spent the whole night. The poor duckling was tired and very sad.
In the morning, wild ducks woke up in their nests and saw a new comrade.
- What kind of bird is this? they asked. The duckling turned and bowed in all directions as best he could.
- Well, you are ugly! said the wild ducks. “However, we don’t care about that, as long as you don’t climb into our relatives.
Poor thing! Where could he even think about it! If only he was allowed to live in the reeds and drink marsh water, he did not dream of more.
So he sat in the swamp for two days. On the third day, two wild ganders flew there. They had recently learned to fly and therefore were very proud.
- Listen, buddy! they said. “You are so wonderful that it’s fun to look at you. Do you want to be friends with us? We are free birds - wherever we want, we fly there. There is also a swamp nearby, where pretty little wild geese-young ladies live. They know how to say: "Rap! Rap!" You are so funny that, what good, you will be a great success with them.
Pif! Puff! suddenly resounded over the swamp, and both ganders fell dead into the reeds, and the water turned red with blood.
Pif! Puff! - came again, and a whole flock of wild geese rose above the swamp. Shot after shot rang out. Hunters surrounded the swamp on all sides; some of them climbed trees and fired from above. Blue smoke clouded the tops of the trees and drifted over the water. Hunting dogs roamed the swamp. All that was heard was: slap-slap! And the reeds swayed from side to side. The poor duckling was neither alive nor dead from fear. He was about to hide his head under his wing, when suddenly a hunting dog appeared right in front of him with a protruding tongue and sparkling evil eyes. She looked at the duckling, bared her sharp teeth and - slap-slap! - ran further.
“It seems to have passed,” the duckling thought and took a breath. “It seems that I am so ugly that even a dog is disgusted to eat me!”
And he hid in the reeds. And over his head now and then shots whistled, shots rang out.
The firing subsided only in the evening, but the duckling was still afraid to move for a long time.
Several hours passed. Finally, he dared to get up, looked around cautiously, and began to run further through the fields and meadows.
There was such a strong headwind that the duckling could barely move its paws.
By nightfall, he reached a small wretched hut. The hut was so dilapidated that it was ready to fall, but did not know which side, and therefore held on.
The wind picked up the duckling in such a way that he had to cling to the ground itself so that it would not be blown away.
Fortunately, he noticed that the door of the hut had jumped off one hinge and was so warped that it was easy to get inside through the crack. And the duckling made his way.
An old woman lived in a hut with her chicken and cat. She called the cat Sonny; he knew how to arch his back, purr, and even throw sparks, but for this it was necessary to stroke him the wrong way. The chicken had small short legs, and therefore it was called the Short Leg. She diligently laid eggs, and the old woman loved her like a daughter.
In the morning we noticed the duckling. The cat began to purr and the chicken began to cackle.
- What is there? the old woman asked. She looked around and saw a duckling in the corner, but blindly mistook it for a fat duck that had strayed from home.
- What a find! said the old woman. - Now I will have duck eggs, if only it is not a drake. And she decided to keep the homeless bird at home. But three weeks passed, and there were still no eggs. The cat was the real master of the house, and the chicken was the mistress. Both of them always said: “We and the whole world!” They considered themselves half of the world, and, moreover, the better half. True, it seemed to the duckling that one could have a different opinion on this matter. But the chicken wouldn't let that happen.
- Can you lay eggs? she asked the duckling.
- Not!
- So keep your tongue on a leash! And the cat asked:
- Can you arch your back, throw sparks and purr?
- Not!
“So don’t stick around with your opinion when smart people are talking!”
And the duckling sat in the corner, ruffled.
One day the door opened wide, and a stream of fresh air and a bright beam of sunlight burst into the room. The duckling was so drawn to freedom, he wanted to swim so much that he could not resist and told the chicken about it.
- Well, what else did you think of? The chicken pounced on him. - You are idle, so all nonsense climbs into your head! Bring some eggs or purr, the nonsense will pass!
Oh, it's so nice to swim! said the duckling. “It’s such a pleasure to dive head first into the very depths!”
- That's such a pleasure! said the hen. - You're completely crazy! Ask the cat - he is more reasonable than anyone I know - does he like to swim and dive? I'm not talking about myself. Ask, finally, our old lady, there is probably no one smarter than her in the world! She will tell you if she likes to dive head first into the very depths!
- You do not understand me! said the duckling.
“If we don’t understand, then who will understand you!” You obviously want to be smarter than the cat and our lady, not to mention me! Don't be foolish and be grateful for everything that has been done for you! They sheltered you, warmed you up, you ended up in a society in which you can learn something. But you're an empty head, and it's not worth talking to you. Believe me! I wish you well, therefore I scold you. This is what true friends always do. Try to lay eggs or learn to purr and throw sparks!
“I think it’s better for me to get out of here wherever my eyes look!” said the duckling.
- Well, go ahead! the chicken replied.
And the duckling is gone. He lived on the lake, swam and dived upside down, but everyone around him still laughed at him and called him ugly and ugly.
Meanwhile, autumn has come. The leaves on the trees turned yellow and turned brown. They fell from the branches, and the wind picked them up and whirled through the air. It got very cold. Heavy clouds sowed hail and snow on the ground. Even the raven, sitting on the fence, croaked from the cold at the top of his lungs. Brr! You will freeze at the mere thought of such a cold!
It was bad for the poor duckling.
Once in the evening, when the sun was still shining in the sky, a whole flock of wonderful, large birds rose from behind the forest. The duckling has never seen such beautiful birds - all white as snow, with long flexible necks ...
They were swans.
Their cry was like the sound of a trumpet. They spread their wide, mighty wings and flew from the cold meadows to the warm lands, beyond the blue seas ... Now they rose high, high, and the poor duckling kept looking after them, and some kind of incomprehensible anxiety seized him. He spun in the water like a top, stretched out his neck and also screamed, but so loudly and strangely that he himself was frightened. He could not take his eyes off these beautiful birds, and when they completely disappeared from sight, he dived to the very bottom, then swam out again, and yet for a long time he could not come to his senses. The duckling did not know the names of these birds, did not know where they fly, but fell in love with them. How I have never loved anyone in the world before. He did not envy their beauty. It never occurred to him that he could be as handsome as them.
He was glad, radechonek, if at least the ducks did not push him away from themselves. Poor ugly duckling!
Winter has come cold, very cold. The duckling had to swim in the lake without rest to keep the water from freezing completely, but every night the hole in which he swam became smaller and smaller. The frost was such that even the ice crackled. The duckling tirelessly worked with its paws. In the end, he was completely exhausted, stretched out and froze to ice.
Early in the morning a peasant passed by. He saw a duckling frozen to the ice, broke the ice with his wooden shoe and carried the half-dead bird home to his wife.
The duckling was warmed up.
The children decided to play with him, but it seemed to the duckling that they wanted to offend him. He shied away from fear into a corner and fell right into the sump of milk. Milk flowed across the floor. The hostess screamed and clasped her hands, and the duckling darted around the room, flew into a tub of oil, and from there into a barrel of flour. It's easy to imagine what he looked like!
The mistress scolded the duckling and chased after him with coal tongs, the children ran, knocking each other down, laughing and squealing. It's good that the door was open - the duckling ran out, spreading its wings, rushed into the bushes, right on the freshly fallen snow, and for a long, long time lay there almost unconscious.
It would be too sad to talk about all the troubles and misfortunes of the ugly duckling in this harsh winter.
Finally, the sun again warmed the earth with its warm rays. The larks rang in the fields. Spring has returned!
The duckling got out of the reeds, where he hid all winter, flapped his wings and flew. His wings were now much stronger than before, they made a noise and lifted him off the ground. He did not have time to come to his senses, as he had already flown to a large garden. The apple trees were all in bloom, the fragrant lilacs bent their long green branches over the winding canal. Oh, how good it was here, how it smelled of spring!
And suddenly three wonderful white swans floated out of the thicket of reeds. They swam so lightly and smoothly, as if they were sliding on the water. The duckling recognized these beautiful birds, and some incomprehensible sadness seized him.
“I will fly to them, to these majestic birds. They will probably peck me to death because I, so ugly, dared to approach them. But still! It is better to die from their blows than to endure the plucking of ducks and chickens, the kicks of a poultry keeper, and to endure cold and hunger in winter!
And he sank into the water and swam towards the beautiful swans, and the swans, seeing him, waved their wings and swam straight towards him.
- Kill me! said the ugly duckling, lowering his head low.
And suddenly, in a clear, like a mirror, water, he saw his own reflection. He was no longer an ugly dark gray duck, but a beautiful white swan!
Now the duckling was even glad that he had endured so much grief and trouble. He endured a lot and therefore could better appreciate his happiness. And big swans swam around and stroked him with their beaks.
At this time, the children ran into the garden. They began to throw pieces of bread and grain to the swans, and the youngest of them shouted:
The new one has arrived! The new one has arrived! And everyone else got it:
Yes, new, new!
The children clapped their hands and danced for joy. Then they ran after their father and mother and again began to throw pieces of bread and cake into the water.
Both children and adults said:
— The new swan is the best! He is so handsome and young!
And the old swans bowed their heads before him. And he was completely embarrassed and hid his head under his wing, not knowing why. He recalled the time when everyone laughed at him and persecuted him. But all this was behind. Now people say that he is the most beautiful among the beautiful swans. The lilac bends fragrant branches towards him into the water, and the sun caresses with its warm rays ... And then his wings rustled, his slender neck straightened, and a jubilant cry escaped from his chest:
— No, I never dreamed of such happiness when I was still an ugly duckling!