So one day he slipped through a crack in the fence and was gone. But he had many adventures that we shall learn to-morrow.
THE UGLY DUCKLING
(Adapted from Hans Andersen)
Part Two
Early appearances are often deceptive, and one cannot tell how an unpromising beginning may end.
The ugly duckling found himself in the tall grass, and up flew a flock of little birds, making much noise. “That is because I am here. Even the little birds fly from me,” thought the poor duck.
Next morning he came to a marsh where the wild ducks lived. They looked at him and said: “You are really very ugly, but that does not matter so long as you do not marry into our family.” The little duck had no such idea, and so he stayed a while in the marsh.
Then came the wild geese, but they were young and foolish. They came flying down to where the little duck was and wished him to join them. But just then bang! bang! went the guns and two wild geese fell dead. A great dog jumped into the grass and bore one of the wild geese off in his mouth.
“I am glad I am too ugly to be shot, and too ugly for a dog to bite,” thought the duck, and hid himself under a tuft of grass, where he stayed all night, in great terror.