The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen

The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen
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Hans Christian Andersen

translation H P Paull (1872)

it_was lovely summer weather in_the country , and_the golden corn , the green oats, and_the haystacks piled in_the meadows looked beautiful the stork walking about on_his long red legs chattered in_the Egyptian language , which had learnt from_his mother the corn -fields and meadows were surrounded large forests, in_the midst of_which were deep pools it_was , indeed , delightful walk about in_the country sunny spot stood pleasant old farm - house deep river , and from_the house down to_the water side grew great burdock leaves, high , that under the tallest of_them little child could stand upright the spot was wild as_the centre thick wood in_this snug retreat sat duck her nest , watching for her young brood hatch ; she was beginning to_get tired her task , for_the little ones were long_time coming out of_their shells, and she seldom had any visitors the other ducks liked much better swim about in_the river than climb the slippery banks, and sit under burdock leaf , to_have gossip with her

at_length one shell cracked , and then another , and from each egg came living creature that lifted its head and cried , peep , peep

quack , quack , said the mother , and then they all quacked as_well they_could , and looked about_them every side at_the large green leaves their mother allowed them look as_much as_they liked , because green good for_the eyes

how large the world , said the young ducks, when_they found how_much more room they now had than while they were inside the egg- shell

do_you imagine this_is_the whole world ? asked the mother ; wait till you_have seen the garden ; stretches far beyond that to_the parson 's field , but I_have never ventured such distance are_you all out ? she continued , rising; , I declare , the largest egg lies there still I wonder how long this_is last , I_am quite tired ; and she seated herself again on_the nest

well , how are_you getting ? asked old duck , who paid her visit

one egg is_not hatched yet , said the duck , it_will_not break but just look all the others, are they not the prettiest little ducklings you ever saw ? they_are the of_their father , who_is unkind , never comes to_see

let see the egg that_will_not break , said the duck ; I_have no_doubt it_is turkey 's egg i_was persuaded hatch some once , and after all care and trouble with_the young ones, they were afraid of_the water I quacked and clucked, but all purpose I_could_not get them venture let look at_the egg yes , that_is turkey 's egg; take advice , leave where it_is and teach the other children swim

i_think i_will sit on_it little while longer , said the duck ; I_have sat so_long already , few_days will_be nothing

please yourself , said the old duck , and she went away

last the large egg broke , and young one crept forth crying, peep , peep it_was very large and ugly the duck stared and exclaimed , it_is very large and not all like the others I wonder if_it really turkey we_shall soon find out , however when to_the water must , I_have push myself

on_the next_day the weather was delightful , and_the sun shone brightly on_the green burdock leaves, the mother duck took her young brood down to_the water , and jumped with splash quack , quack , cried she , and one after another the little ducklings jumped the water closed over their heads, but they came again instant , and swam about quite prettily with their legs paddling under them easily possible , and_the ugly was also in_the water swimming with_them

Oh, said the mother , that_is_not turkey ; how well uses his legs, and how upright holds himself ! he_is own child , and he_is_not very ugly after all if_you look him properly quack , quack ! come with now , i_will take you into grand society , and introduce you to_the farmyard , but you_must keep to_me you_may_be trodden upon ; and , above all , beware of_the cat

when_they reached the farmyard , there_was great disturbance , two families were fighting for eel 's head , which , after all , was carried off by_the cat

see , children , that_is_the way of_the world , said the mother duck , whetting her beak , for she would_have liked the eel 's head herself come , now , use your legs, and let see how well you_can behave you_must bow your heads prettily to_that old duck yonder ; she is_the highest born of_them all , and has Spanish blood , therefore , she_is well off Don't you_see she has red tied her leg , which_is something very grand , and great honor for duck ; shows that every_one anxious not lose her , she_can recognized both man and beast come , now , don't turn your toes, well - bred duckling spreads his feet wide apart , just like his father and mother , in_this_way ; now bend your neck , and say quack

the ducklings did as_they were bid , but the other duck stared , and said , look , here comes another brood , as_if there were_not enough already ! and what queer looking object one_of_them ; don't want him here , and then one flew out and bit him in_the neck

let him alone , said the mother ; he_is_not doing any harm

yes , but he_is big and ugly , said the spiteful duck and therefore he_must_be turned out

the others are very pretty children , said the old duck , with_the rag her leg , all but that one ; i_wish his mother could improve him little

that_is impossible , your grace , replied the mother ; he_is_not pretty ; but has very_good disposition , and swims as_well even better than_the others i_think he_will grow pretty , and perhaps smaller ; has remained too long in_the egg, and therefore his is_not properly formed ; and then she stroked his neck and smoothed the feathers, saying, it_is drake , and not so_much consequence i_think he_will grow strong , and able to_take care himself

the other ducklings are graceful enough , said the old duck now make yourself home , and if_you_can find eel 's head , you_can bring to_me

and they made themselves comfortable

but the poor duckling , who had crept out of_his shell last all , and looked ugly , was bitten and pushed and made fun , not_only by_the ducks, but all the poultry he_is too big , they all said , and_the turkey cock, who had_been born into_the world with spurs, and fancied himself really emperor , puffed himself out like vessel full sail , and flew at_the duckling , and became quite red in_the head with passion , that_the poor little thing did_not know where to_go , and was quite miserable because he_was ugly and laughed by_the whole farmyard

went from day day till got worse and worse the poor duckling was driven about every_one ; even his brothers and sisters were unkind him , and would say , Ah, you ugly creature , i_wish the cat would get you , and_his mother said she wished had never been born the ducks pecked him , the chickens beat him , and_the girl who fed the poultry kicked him with her feet

last ran away , frightening the little birds in_the hedge flew over the palings they_are afraid because I_am ugly , he_said closed his eyes , and flew still farther , until he_came out large moor , inhabited wild ducks here remained the whole night , feeling very tired and sorrowful

in_the morning , when_the wild ducks rose in_the air , they stared their new comrade what sort duck are_you ? they all said , coming round him bowed to_them , and was polite he_could , but he_did_not reply to_their question

you_are exceedingly ugly , said the wild ducks, but that_will_not matter if_you_do_not want marry one_of_our family poor thing ! had thoughts marriage ; all he_wanted was permission lie among_the rushes, and drink some_of_the water on_the moor

after had_been on_the moor two days, there came two wild geese, rather goslings, for they had_not_been out_of_the egg long , and were very saucy

listen , friend , said one_of_them to_the duckling , you_are ugly , that like you very_well will_you with_us , and become bird passage ? not far from here_is another moor , in_which there_are some pretty wild geese, all unmarried it_is chance for_you to_get wife ; you_may_be lucky , ugly as_you_are

pop , pop , sounded in_the air , and_the two wild geese fell dead among_the rushes, and_the water was tinged with blood pop , pop , echoed far and wide in_the distance , and whole flocks wild geese rose from_the rushes the sound continued from every direction , for_the sportsmen surrounded the moor , and some were even seated branches trees, overlooking the rushes the blue smoke guns rose like clouds over the dark trees, and floated away across the water , number sporting dogs bounded among_the rushes, which bent beneath them wherever they went how they terrified the poor duckling ! turned away his head hide under his wing , and at_the same moment large terrible dog passed quite near him his jaws were open , his tongue hung from_his mouth , and_his eyes glared fearfully thrust his nose to_the , showing his sharp teeth , and then , splash , splash , went into_the water without touching him

Oh, sighed the duckling , how thankful I_am for being ugly ; even dog will not bite

and lay quite still , while the shot rattled through_the rushes, and gun after gun was fired over him

it_was late in_the day before all became quiet , but even then the poor young thing did_not dare move waited quietly for several hours, and then , after looking carefully around him , hastened away from_the moor fast he_could ran over field and meadow till storm arose, and hardly struggle against

towards evening , reached poor little cottage that seemed ready to_fall , and only remained standing because could_not decide on_which side to_fall first the storm continued violent , that_the duckling could farther ; sat down by_the cottage , and then noticed door was not quite closed consequence one_of_the hinges having given way there_was therefore narrow opening near the bottom large enough for him slip through , which he_did very quietly , and got shelter for_the night

woman , tom cat, and hen lived in_this cottage the tom cat, whom the mistress called , little son , was great favorite ; he_could raise his back , and purr , and could even throw out Sparks from_his fur if_it were stroked the wrong way the hen had very short legs, she was called Chickie short legs she laid good eggs, and her mistress loved her as_if she had_been her own child

in_the morning , the strange visitor was discovered , and_the tom cat began purr , and_the hen cluck

what_is that noise about ? said the old woman , looking round the room , but her sight was not very_good ; therefore , when she saw the duckling she thought must_be fat duck , that had strayed from home Oh what prize ! she exclaimed , I_hope it_is_not drake , for then I_shall_have some duck 's eggs I_must wait and_see

the duckling was allowed remain trial for three weeks, but there were eggs now the tom cat was_the master of_the house , and_the hen was mistress , and_they always said , and_the world , for they believed themselves to_be half the world , and_the better half too the duckling thought that others might hold different opinion on_the_subject , but the hen would_not listen such doubts

can_you lay eggs ? she asked

then have the goodness hold your tongue

can_you raise your back , purr , throw out Sparks ? said the tom cat

then you_have right express opinion when sensible people are speaking

the duckling sat corner , feeling very low spirited , till the sunshine and_the fresh air came into_the room through_the open door , and then began to_feel such great longing for swim on_the

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