Гадкий утёнок

           Thesmallestchildcried, "Here’sanewone," andtheothersrejoiced, "yes,anewonehascome." Theyclappedtheirhands,dancedaround,andrantobringtheirfatherandmother. 

           Andtheythrewbreadandcakeuponthewater, whiletheyallagreed,"Thenewoneisthemosthandsomeofall.He’ssoyoungandsogood-looking." Theoldswansbowedinhishonor. 

           Thenhefeltverybashful,andtuckedhisheadunderhiswing.Hedidnotknowwhatthiswasallabout. Hefeltsoveryhappy,buthewasn’tatallproud,foragoodheartnevergrowsproud. Hethoughtabouthowhehadbeenpersecutedandscorned, andnowheheardthemallcallhimthemostbeautifulofallbeautifulbirds. Thelilacsdippedtheirclustersintothestreambeforehim,andthesunshonesowarmandsoheartening. Herustledhisfeathersandheldhisslenderneckhigh,ashecriedoutwithfullheart: "Ineverdreamedtherecouldbesomuchhappiness,whenIwastheuglyduckling."