"The other ducklings are graceful enough," said the old Duck. "Make
yourself at home; and if you find an eel's head, you may bring it
to me."

And now they were at home. But the poor Duckling who had crept last out
of the egg, and looked so ugly, was bitten and pushed and made fun of,
as much by the ducks as by the chickens.

"He is too big!" they all said. And the turkey-cock, who had been born
with spurs, and so thought he was an emperor, blew himself up, like a
ship in full sail, and bore straight down upon him; then he gobbled and
grew quite red in the face. The poor Duckling did not know where he
dared stand or walk; he was quite unhappy because he looked ugly, and
was the sport of the whole duck-yard.

So it went on the first day; and then it grew worse and worse. The poor
Duckling was hunted about by every one; even his brothers and sisters
were quite angry with him, and said, "If the cat would only catch you,
you ugly creature!" And the ducks bit him, and the chickens beat him,
and the girl who had to feed the poultry kicked at him with her foot.


III--OUT ON THE MOOR


Then he ran and flew over the fence, and the little birds in the bushes
flew up in fear.

"That is because I am so ugly!" thought the Duckling; and he shut his