Once upon a time, there was a little duckling who lived on a tranquil lake surrounded by flowers and trees. All the other ducklings were yellow and fluffy, but this little duckling was different: he had bright white feathers with tiny sparkles that looked like stars. Although he was beautiful, the duckling didnât know it. Instead of feeling special, he thought something was wrong with him because he didnât look like the others.
âWhy am I not like you?â he asked sadly as he watched his siblings swim together.
The other ducklings, without meaning any harm, often teased him.
âYouâre too strange to be part of our group!â they would say, though they were only joking. But the little duckling felt deeply hurt by their words.
One day, tired of feeling out of place, he decided to explore beyond the lake where he lived. He wanted to find a place where he could belong. So, he moved his little legs and began his adventure through the nearby forest.
On his way, he met a butterfly fluttering among the flowers.
âHello, little duckling. What are you doing so far from the water?â asked the butterfly curiously.
âIâm looking for a place where I can fit in. Iâm not like the other ducklings,â he replied, lowering his head.
The butterfly fluttered around him and exclaimed:
âBut youâre gorgeous! Your feathers shine like the starry night sky. Thatâs very special.â
The duckling smiled for the first time in days, but he still wasnât sure about himself. He kept walking until he reached a clearing where an old, wise turtle rested in the sun.
âGood morning, young duckling,â said the turtle in a calm voice. âYou seem lost. How can I help you?â
The duckling explained how he felt different and how others always pointed him out for being unlike them. The turtle listened carefully and then responded:
âBeing different isnât a bad thing. Sometimes, our unique qualities make us special and valuable. You just need to learn to see it yourself.â
The duckling thought about the turtleâs words all day. Meanwhile, he continued on his journey and came to a stream where some bunnies were playing near the water. One of them shouted in fear when they saw a reflection in the water:
âHelp! Something shiny is in the water!â
The duckling ran over and realized the âshiny thingâ was just his own reflection. He quickly calmed the bunnies.
âDonât worry, itâs just me. My feathers always shine like this.â
The bunnies, impressed, said:
âYouâre so pretty! Weâve never seen anything like you before.â
For the first time, the duckling felt proud of who he was. He began to understand that being different didnât mean being less. He returned to the lake where he lived, carrying this newfound confidence with him. When he arrived, all the other ducklings ran up to him.
âPretty duckling! We thought you wouldnât come back,â they said excitedly.
He smiled and told them all about his journey and everything he had learned. From then on, he no longer felt out of place. He knew that everyone was unique, and thatâs what made the world more interesting.
And so, the bright white duckling became known as âThe Pretty Duckling,â not just because of his appearance, but also because of his kind heart and bravery in accepting himself as he was.
End. đŚ
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