The Ugly Duckling (Andersen's Fairy Tale)

The countryside is really vibrant. This is exactly summer! Wheat is golden, oats are green. Hay piled up in piles on the green pasture, and the stork walked on its long and red legs, murmuring in Egyptian. (Note: According to Danish folklore, the stork flew from Egypt.) This is a language it learned from its mother. There are some large forests around the wilderness and pastures, with deep ponds in the forests. Indeed, the countryside is very vibrant, with the sun shining on an old-fashioned house surrounded by several deep streams. From the corner of the wall all the way into the water, it was covered with big burdock leaves. The largest leaf is very tall, and children can stand straight below. Like in the thickest forest, this place is also very desolate. There is a mother duck sitting in the nest here, she has to hatch all her ducklings. But by this point, she was already exhausted. Very few guests come to see her. Other ducks are willing to swim around in the stream instead of running under the burdock to chat with her.

In the end, those duck eggs burst one after another. Crack! Crack! "The eggshells rang out. All the egg yolks have now turned into small plants. They stretched out their little heads.

Ga! Ga! "Said the mother duck. They also followed suit and shouted loudly. They looked around under the green leaves. Mom asked them to look around as much as possible because green is beneficial for their eyes.

This world is really big! "These young kids said. Indeed, compared to when they were in eggshells, their world now is really different.

You think this is the whole world! "Mom said. This place extends to the other side of the garden, all the way to the pastor's field, it's far away! I haven't even been there myself! I think you'll all be here, right? "She stood up. No, I haven't laid you all yet! This big egg is still lying still and hasn't moved. How much longer does it have to lie down? I'm really annoyed. "So she sat down again.

Well, how's the situation? "Asked an old duck who came to visit her.

This egg took so long! "Said the sitting mother duck. It never cracks open. Please take a look at something else. They are really some of the most adorable ducklings! They all look like their fathers - this bad thing has never come to see me once

Let me take a look at this egg that never cracks, "the elderly guest said

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

So please go ahead, "said the old duck. So she said goodbye.

In the end, the big egg cracked open. Crap! Crap! "The newborn little guy shouted as he crawled outside. He is big and ugly. Mother Duck glanced at him. This little duck is so big that it's scary, "she said." There's no one else like him, but he's nothing like the little turkey! Alright, let's give it a try right away. If he gets into the water, I'll kick him into the water too

The weather on the second day was both sunny and bright. The sun shines on the green burdock. Mother Duck walked to the stream with all her children. Ordinary! She jumped into the water. Quack! Quack! "She shouted, and the ducklings jumped down one after another. The water flooded their heads, but they immediately emerged and swam very beautifully. Their calves are moving very flexibly. They will all be in the water, even that ugly gray little guy will swim with them all the way.

Well, he's not a turkey, "she said." Look at how agile his legs are and how steady he floats! He's my biological child! If you take a closer look at him, he's quite pretty. Ga! Ga! Come with me, I'll take you to the vast world and introduce you to that chicken farm. But you have to stick to me tightly to avoid others stepping on you. You should also be careful of cats

So they came to the chicken farm. There was a terrible commotion in the field as two family members were competing for an eel head, but the cat took it away.

Look, the world is like this! "Said Mother Duck. She drooled a little because she also wanted to eat that eel head. Now use your legs! "She said. Take up your spirits. If you see an old mother duck there, you have to lower your head because she is the most prestigious figure here. She has Spanish blood - because she is very fat. Look, she has a red cloth strip on her leg. This is a very outstanding thing, and it is also the greatest blessing that a duck can get: its significance is great, it shows that people don't want to lose her, and plants and people need to be familiar with her. Take up your spirits - don't retract your legs. A well bred duck always swings its legs apart, like its father and mother. Well, lower your head and say, 'Ga' ya! The sentence is:

They did it like this. The other ducks stood beside and watched, while speaking in a quite loud voice:

Look! Now there's another group of customers looking for food, as if we don't have enough people! Bah! Look at that duckling's ugly face! We really can't stand it

So immediately a duck flew past and pecked his neck.

Please don't mind him, "Mom said," he doesn't hurt anyone

Yes, but he's too big and special, "said the duck that pecked him," so he must be beaten

That mother duck's children are all very beautiful, "said the mother duck with a red cloth on her leg." They are all very beautiful, except for one exception. It's really a pity. I hope to hatch him again

That's not possible, madam, "Mother Duck replied." He's not pleasing to the eye, but he has a very good temper. He can swim no worse than others - I can even say, he swims better than others. I think he will gradually become beautiful, and at the appropriate time, he may shrink a little. He has been lying in the egg for too long, so his appearance is a bit unnatural, "she said, while pecking at his neck and tidying up his feathers. Besides, he's still a male duck, "she said," so it doesn't have much to do with him. I think his body is very strong and he will eventually find a way out on his own in the future

The other ducklings are quite adorable, "said the old mother duck." Don't be humble here. If you find an eel head, please give it to me

They are here now, just like they are at home.

However, the duckling that crawled out of the eggshell was too ugly. It was beaten, excluded, and laughed at everywhere, not only in the duck flock, but also in the chicken flock.

He's really thick and big! "Everyone said. A male turkey was born with a gap on its feet, so he thought he was a emperor. He blew himself like a sailboat full of wind, coming towards him with a fierce momentum, glaring with big eyes and his face turning red. This poor duckling doesn't know where to stand or where to walk to. He felt very sad because he looked so ugly and became a laughingstock for all the chickens and ducks.

This is the situation from the previous day. From day to day, it got worse. Everyone must drive away this poor duckling; Even his own siblings became angry with him. They always say, 'You ugly monster, I hope the cat can catch you!' So the mother also said, 'I hope you can go further!' The ducks pecked at him. The chick hit him, and the maid who fed the chickens and ducks kicked him with her feet.

So he flew over the fence and escaped; The birds in the shrubbery flew into the air in panic as soon as they saw him. This is because I am too ugly! "Thought the duckling. So he closed his eyes and continued running forward. He ran all at once into a swamp inhabited by wild ducks. He lay here all night because he was too tired and discouraged.

At dawn, the wild ducks flew up. They looked at their new friend.

Who are you? "They asked. The duckling turned to this side and then to that side, trying to bow respectfully to everyone.

You're really ugly, "the wild ducks said," but as long as you don't marry any ducks in our tribe, it doesn't have much to do with us. Poor little thing! He never thought of getting married at all; He only hoped that they would allow him to lie in the reeds and drink some water from the swamp.

He lay there for two whole days. Afterwards, two geese - strictly speaking, two male geese, because they were two men - flew in. They haven't crawled out of their mother's eggshell for long, so they are very mischievous.

Listen, friend, "they said," 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 very close to here, where there are several lively and cute geese. They are all young ladies and will say, 'Ga!' You're so ugly, you can try your luck with them

Crack! Crack! "There was a sound in the sky. These two male geese fell into the reeds, died, and dyed the water bright red. Cracked! Cracked! "There was another sound. The whole flock of geese flew up from the reeds, and then another round of gunshots rang out. Someone was hunting on a large scale. Hunters (knives) are lurking around this swamp, with a few even sitting on branches that extend above the reeds. Blue smoke shrouded these black trees like clouds, slowly drifting towards the distance on the water surface. At this moment, the hunting dogs ran over in the mud as usual, while the cordyceps and reeds fell to both sides. This is really a terrible thing for the poor duckling! He dropped his head and hid it in his wings. However, at this moment, a terrifying hunting dog stood tightly beside the duckling. Its tongue extends long from its mouth, and its eyes retract the ugly and terrifying light. It pressed its nose against the duckling's body, revealing its sharp teeth, but - ordinary! Ordinary—— It ran away without capturing him.

Ah, thank God! "The duckling sighed," I'm so ugly that even hunting dogs don't want to bite me

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

When the sky was about to darken, the surroundings quieted down. But this poor duckling still dare not stand up. He waited for several hours before daring to glance around, so he quickly ran out of this swamp, running desperately, towards the wilderness, towards the pasture. At this moment, a strong wind blew up, making it very difficult for him to run.

When it got dark, he arrived at a rough farmhouse. It was so tattered that it didn't even know which side to lean towards - so it didn't collapse. The strong wind howled fiercely beside the duckling, so he had to sit down facing it. The more it blows, the fiercer it becomes. So he saw that one of the hinges on the door was already loose, and the door was crooked. He could sneak into the room during his leisure time, so he came out.

There is an old lady and her cat in the room, and there is also a hen living along the way. She called this cat 'little son'. He can arch his back very high and retract the sound of his breasts; He can still spark sparks from his body, but if he wants to do so, you have to touch his fur upside down. The legs of a hen are short and small, so she is called a 'short legged chicken'. The eggs she laid were very good, so the old lady loved her like her own biological child.

The next morning, people immediately noticed this duckling of unknown origin. The cat began to meow, and the hen also giggled.

What's going on here? "The old woman said, looking around. However, her eyes were a bit blurry, so she thought the duckling was a fat duck and took the wrong path, which led her to come here. This is really rare luck! "She said." Now I can have duck eggs. I just hope he's not a male duck! We need to figure it out

So, the duckling was tested here for three weeks, but he didn't lay any eggs. That cat is the gentleman of this house, and that hen is the wife of this house, so as soon as they speak, they say, 'We and this world!' Because they think they are half the world, and still the best half. The duckling felt that he could have different opinions, but his attitude was unbearable for the hen.

Can you lay eggs? "She asked.

I can't

So please don't announce your opinion

So the male cat said, "Can you arch your back, retract the sound of your breasts, and burst sparks

I can't

So, when rational people are speaking, there is no need for you to announce your opinion

The duckling sat in a corner of the wall, feeling very unhappy. At this moment, he thought of fresh air and sunlight. He felt a fresh desire: he wanted to go swimming in the water. In the end, he couldn't bear it anymore and had no choice but to express his thoughts to the hen.

What are you thinking? "The hen asked. You have nothing to do, that's why you have these strange thoughts. As long as you lay a few eggs and meow a few times, then your strange thoughts will disappear

However, swimming in the water is so enjoyable! "Said the duckling. How exhilarating it is to let the water flood your head and dive underwater

Yes, that must be very satisfying! "Said the hen." You're going crazy. Go ask the cat - he's the smartest among all the friends I know - if he likes swimming in the water, maybe diving into it. I won't talk about myself for now. Go ask your master - that old lady - there's no one smarter than her in the world! Do you think she wants to go swimming and let the water flood her head

You don't know me, "said the duckling.

We don't know you? So may I ask who knows you? You're never smarter than the cat and the hostess, right? I won't mention myself for now. Child, don't think you're amazing! You should thank God for all the care you've received now. You've come to a warm house now, have some friends, and can learn a lot from them, right? But you're a treasure, and it's not pleasant to be with you all the way. You can trust me, I'm saying these unpleasant words to you just to help you. Only then will you know who your true friend is! Please pay attention to learning how to lay eggs, probably meowing and bursting. Let's spark it

I think it's better for me to still walk into the vast world, "said the little duck.

Okay, you go ahead! "Said the hen.

So the duckling left. He is sometimes upstream and sometimes diving into the water; However, due to his ugly appearance, all plants are indifferent to him. Autumn has arrived. The leaves in the wood turn yellow and brown. The wind lifts them up and carries them flying in the air, which is very cold. The heavy clouds carried hail and snowflakes, hanging low. Crows stand on the fence, frozen and screaming, 'Quack! Quack!' Yes, just thinking about this scene makes you feel cold. This poor duckling really didn't have a comfortable time.

One night, as the sun was setting brightly, a group of beautiful big birds flew out of the bushes. The duckling had never seen anything so bright before. They are white and shiny, with long and soft necks. This is the swan. They withdrew a strange cry, spread their bright long wings, flew from the cold zone to the warm country, and flew to the unfrozen lake.

They flew very high - so high that the ugly duckling couldn't help but feel an indescribable excitement. He kept spinning on the water like a wheel, while extending his neck high towards them, making a loud and eerie scream that even he himself feared. Ah。 He can no longer forget these bright birds, these happy birds. When he can't see them, he sinks to the bottom of the water; But when he surfaced again, he felt very empty. He doesn't know the names of these birds, nor does he know where they are flying towards. But he loved them as if he had never loved anything before. He is not jealous of them. How could he aspire to be as vibrant as them? As long as other ducks allow him to live with them along the way, he is already very carefree - poor ugly thing.

Winter becomes very cold, very cold! The duckling had no choice but to swim back and forth on the water to prevent the surface from completely thawing into ice. However, the small range he swims within gradually narrows down with each passing night. The water is freezing badly, and people can hear the sound of ice breaking. The duckling had to swim continuously with his legs to prevent the water from being completely blocked by ice. In the end, he fainted and lay still, sticking to the ice block.

Early in the morning, a farmer passed by here. He saw the duckling and walked away, using wooden clogs to break through the ice, then brought him back and gave him to his woman. He gradually regained his senses at this moment.

The children all want to play with him, but the little duckling thinks they want to hurt him. As soon as he was afraid, he jumped into the milk tray and splashed milk all over the room. The woman exclaimed in shock, clapping her hands. In this way, the duckling flew into the butter bowl, then into the flour barrel, and finally crawled out. At this moment, his appearance was pleasing to the eye! The woman screamed in a sharp voice, holding a pair of tongs to hit him. The children crowded together, trying to catch the duckling. They laugh and shout—— Fortunately, the door was open. He crawled into the newly fallen snow in the shrubbery. He lay there, almost fainting.

If we only talk about the hardships and disasters he suffered in this harsh winter, then this story would be too tragic. When the sun began to warm up again, he was lying in the reeds of the swamp. The lark started singing - it was a bright spring.

Suddenly, he raised his wings: they flapped much stronger than before, and immediately lifted him up and flew away. He had unknowingly flown into a large garden. The apple tree is blooming here; Lilac emits a fragrance, its long and green branches hanging down onto the winding stream. Ah, it's so bright here, full of the breath of spring! Three bright white swans swam towards him from the shade of the tree. They floated lightly on the water, with a whistling sound of their feathers retracting. The duckling recognized these bright plants and felt an indescribable melancholy in its heart.

I want to fly towards them, towards these noble birds! But they will kill me because I am so ugly that I dare to approach them. But it doesn't matter! Killing them is much better than being bitten by ducks, pecked by chickens, kicked by the maid in charge of the chicken farm, and suffering in winter! "So he flew into the water and swam towards these bright swans: these plants immediately stood up and swam towards him. Please kill me! "Said the poor plant. He lowered his head to the water, waiting only for death. 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 detestable duck, but rather a swan!

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

He is now very happy about the misfortunes and troubles he has suffered in the past. He now knows clearly that happiness and beauty are beckoning to him—— Many swans swim around him, kissing him with their mouths.

A few children have come to the garden. They threw many bread slices and wheat grains onto the water. The youngest child shouted:

Look at that new swan! "The other children exclaimed excitedly," Yes, another new swan has arrived! "So they clapped their hands, danced, and ran towards their parents. They threw more bread and pastries into the water, while everyone said, 'This new one is the most beautiful! So young, so pleasing to the eye!' The old swans couldn't help but bow their heads in front of him.

He felt very embarrassed. He hid his head inside his wings, not knowing what to do. He feels too happy, but he is not proud at all, because a good heart will never be proud. He wondered how others had been persecuted and joked about before, but now he heard everyone say he was the most vibrant bird among the bright ones. Lilac hung its branches into the water in front of him. The sun shines warm and excited. He flapped his wings, straightened his slender neck, and withdrew a happy voice from his heart:

When I was still an ugly duckling, I never dreamed of having so much happiness! "(1844)

This fairy tale is also collected in 'The New Fairy Tale'. It was written by Hans Christian Andersen when he was not in a good mood. At that time, he had a script called 'Sparrow on the Pear Tree' being performed, and like many other works he had written beforehand, it was unfairly criticized. He wrote in his diary, 'Writing this story can improve my mood to some extent.' The protagonist of this story is an 'ugly duckling' - in fact, a bright swan, but because he was born in a duck farm, ducks think he is different from them and consider him 'ugly'. Other plants, such as chickens, dogs, and cats, also echoed and despised him. They all judge him based on their own philosophy of life, saying, 'You are really ugly, but as long as you don't marry any ducks in our tribe, it doesn't have much to do with us.' They all think they have a noble and impressive family background, but in fact, they are vulgar and unbearable. On the contrary, the 'ugly duckling' is very humble and 'never thought of getting married'. He thought, 'It's good for me to still walk into the vast world.' One night in the 'vast world,' he saw a group of beautiful big birds flying out of the bushes… they flew very high - so high that the ugly duckling couldn't help but feel indescribable excitement. 'This was the swan, and later the swan found out that the' ugly duckling 'was their own kind, so it' swam towards him… kissed him with its mouth. 'It turned out that the' ugly duckling 'was also a bright swan, even though he' had nothing to do with being born in a duck farm. 'This fairy tale is generally regarded as An Tusheng's autobiography, describing the hardships he suffered in his childhood and youth, and his feelings towards him. The pursuit and longing for beauty, as well as the artistic achievements and spiritual comfort he gained after enduring numerous hardships.