The Unloved Duckling

Once upon a time there was a young duckling. From birth she knew she was different. She did not look like her brothers and sister; they were beautiful and stunning where she was ugly and dull. Her mother wished the duckling was more beautiful and impressive, but the duckling could only disappoint. Her mother and siblings constantly abused her verbally, never daring to touch her ugly form. She was truly unloved. The ugly duckling did not despaired though, for she knew deep down that she was actually a young swan. Her youth would pass in grey ugliness, but upon maturation she would emerge a graceful and beautiful swan.

But it was not meant to be. The duckling never grew into a swan. She remained as she was, an ugly duck. Her siblings grew more beautiful and her mother grew more disappointed. And the ugly duck only grew despair and a broken heart, for no one would love an ugly duck.