THE UGLY DUCKLING.

fence and went down among the wild ducks. But the wild
ducks did not like its looks, and it went where some wild
geese were, but had to hide among the reeds for fear of
being shot, for the hunters were out. Late in the day it
came to a peasant’s hut, where lived an old woman with her
Tom Cat and her Hen. These two did not think much of
the Duckling because it could neither purr nor lay eggs.
So it went away, and when winter came on it was nearly
frozen to death. But when the glad spring came the ugly
Duckling crept down to the water and found itself among
some lovely Swans. ‘If I go near them they will kill me!
well let them;” and as it swam toward them it looked down
in the water, and lo and behold! it was no longer an ugly
Duckling but a graceful Swan.

IIt