Гадкий утёнок

           Theheavenslookedcoldasthelowcloudshungheavywithsnowandhail. Perchedonthefence,theravenscreamed ,"Caw,caw!"andtrembledwithcold.Itmadeoneshivertothinkofit. Pitythepoorlittleduckling! 

           Oneevening,justasthesunwassettinginsplendor,agreatflockoflarge,handsomebirdsappearedoutofthereeds. Theducklinghadneverseenbirdssobeautiful. Theyweredazzlingwhite,withlonggracefulnecks. Theywereswans. Theyutteredaverystrangecryastheyunfurledtheirmagnificentwingstoflyfromthiscoldland,awaytowarmercountriesandtoopenwaters. Theywentupsohigh,soveryhigh,thattheuglylittleducklingfeltastrangeuneasinesscomeoverhimashewatchedthem. Hewentaroundandroundinthewater,likeawheel.Hecranedhisnecktofollowtheircourse,andgaveacrysoshrillandstrangethathefrightenedhimself. Oh!Hecouldnotforgetthem-thosesplendid,happybirds.Whenhecouldnolongerseethemhedivedtotheverybottom.andwhenhecameupagainhewasquitebesidehimself. Hedidnotknowwhatbirdstheywereorwhithertheywerebound,yethelovedthemmorethananythinghehadeverlovedbefore. Itwasnotthatheenviedthem,forhowcouldheeverdaredreamofwantingtheirmarvelousbeautyforhimself? Hewouldhavebeengratefulifonlytheduckswouldhavetoleratedhim-thepooruglycreature. 

           Thewintergrewcold-sobitterlycoldthattheducklinghadtoswimtoandfrointhewatertokeepitfromfreezingover. Buteverynighttheholeinwhichheswamkeptgettingsmallerandsmaller.