The words echoed in her brain, mocking her. Yet, she chose to ignore them. In slow-motion she saw the scenes play like a film reel before her eyes.
The moment that she first opened her eyes and looked at the universe around her was clear. She looked for kind, welcoming eyes to greet her entry into this world but there was nobody around. After a while, she recalled picking herself up painfully and attempting to walk. That, followed by the stumbling. Oh, the stumbling. How much of it could she endure?
As the days passed, she heard mocking laughter greet her, hoots and catcalls followed the glances of scorn and utter contempt. It was enough to make her wish for a speedy end.
But, one thing kept her going. She needed to know what she looked like.
Weeks later, she came upon the mirrored surface that showed her the truth. Now she knew why nobody loved her. Wading into the icy depths, she tried to drown herself- to forget the sight that she saw, to stop living, to free herself from caring.
However, it was futile. She could only float.
Today, as she glanced at the cowering, orphaned bear cub among the leaves, her heart went out to her. Opening her white, expansive wings, the graceful swan gathered the cub into her embrace and whispered, ‘Never, my dear. Never shall I let you face what I have had to endure. It is not in our appearance but in our behaviour that true beauty lies.’
Beautifully written and if only they who scorned the ugly duckling could see the graceful swan. People give so much importance to outer appearance that they forget that the body is never immortal, the soul is!
![A2Z-BADGE-000 [2015] - Life is Good](https://i1.wp.com/www.shailajav.in/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/a2z-badge-000-2015-life-is-good.jpg?ssl=1){kind=icon}
“It is not in our appearance but in our behaviour that true beauty lies.” Absolutely true. What a sweet story!
Beautiful story! 🙂
Sweet story Shailaja.
Our experiences along a tough road make us compassionate towards others who take the same road.
Awwww, I’m glad the ugly duckling grew up and is also helping others now.
Such a sweet inspiring tale with a message. loved it 🙂
Such a fantastic lesson there in so few words. Well done, Shy.
Wonderful! Truly said, that those who help are the most beautiful!
Beautiful ! 🙂 It was a gripping story line.
Wonderfully narrated! But then that’s no surprise. 😉
A sweet tale with a great moral! 🙂 <3
Oh, that was a lovely read Shailaja:-)
That is so beautiful, Shailaja. Like they say, the first to help you up are the ones who know how it feels to fall down.
That was beautiful.
That’s the best version to Ugly duckling I have read! Amazing!
Awww. What a sweet tale. Shailaja.??? Loved reading it.??’
what a beautiful story and the message you are spreading 🙂 Lovely.
Aww that’s a sweet story and a very good lesson too.
So beautifully narrated! Loved this ending! 🙂
A lovely version of the ugly duckling 🙂
You are welcome to check my a-z posts here: http://sundarivenkatraman.blogspot.in/2015
Ah the ugly duckling continued to pass on the lesson learnt…
Beautifully written and if only they who scorned the ugly duckling could see the graceful swan. People give so much importance to outer appearance that they forget that the body is never immortal, the soul is!
A loving gesture can make someone’s life worth living.
Awww! Well done.
Aww, that was sweet.
Actually, only the person who deals with the situation knows what he’s facing. Beautifully narrated.
Great to see the ugly duckling grew up but still remembered what it felt like to be rejected :). Nice one, Shailaja!
Aha! That’s so sweet and beautiful. Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches!
aww so sweet. The ugly duckling grew up!