Гадкий утёнок

           "Butit’ssorefreshingtofloatonthewater,"saidtheduckling, "sorefreshingtofeelitriseoveryourheadasyoudivetothebottom." 

           "Yes,itmustbeagreatpleasure!"saidthehen. "Ithinkyoumusthavegonecrazy. Askthecat,who’sthewisestfellowIknow,whetherhelikestoswimordivedowninthewater. OfmyselfIsaynothing. Butasktheoldwoman,ourmistress.There’snooneonearthwiserthansheis. Doyouimagineshewantstogoswimmingandfeelthewaterriseoverherhead?" 

           "Youdon’tunderstandme,"saidtheduckling. 

           "Well,ifwedon’t,whowould?Surelyyoudon’tthink youareclevererthanthecatandtheoldwoman-tosaynothingofmyself. Don’tbesoconceited,child.JustthankyourMakerforallthekindnesswehaveshownyou. Didn’tyougetintothissnugroom,andfallinwithpeoplewhocantellyouwhat’swhat?Butyouaresuchanumbskullthatit’snopleasuretohaveyouaround.Believeme,Itellyouthisforyourowngood. Isayunpleasanttruths,butthat’stheonlywayyoucanknowwhoareyourfriends. Besurenowthatyoulaysomeeggs.Seetoitthatyoulearntopurrortomakesparks." 

           "IthinkI’dbettergooutintothewideworld,"saidtheduckling. 

           "Suityourself,"saidthehen. 

           Sooffwenttheduckling. Heswamonthewater,anddiveddowninit,butstillhewasslightedbyeverylivingcreaturebecauseofhisugliness. 

           Autumncameon. Theleavesintheforestturnedyellowandbrown. Thewindtookthemandwhirledthemabout.