THE UGLY DUCKLING. 177 
“ Let me look at the egg that won't break,” quoth 
the old duck. “Take my word for it, it must be a 
guinea-fowl’s egg. I was once deceived in the same 
way, and I bestowed a deal of care and anxiety on 
the youngsters, for they are afraid of water. I could 
not make them take to it. I stormed and raved, but it 
was of no use. Let’s see the egg. Sure enough, it is 
a guinea-fowl’s egg. Leave it alone, and set about 
teaching the other children to swim.” 
“I'll just sit upon it a bit longer,” said the duck; 
“for since 1 have sat so long, a few days more won't 
make much odds.” 
“ Please yourself,” said the old duck, as she went 
Away. 
At length the large ega cracked. ¢ Peep! peep!” 
squeaked the youngster, as he crept out. How big and 
ugly he was to be sure! The duck looked at him, 
saying : “ Really this is a most enormous duckling! 
None of the others are like him. I wonder whether he 
is a guinea-chick after all? Well, we shall soon see 
when we get down to the water; for in he shall go, 
though I push him in myself.” 
On the following morning the weather was most de- 
lightful, and the sun was shining brightly on the green 
burdock leaves. The mother duck took her young 
brood down to the canal. Splash into the water she 
went. “ Quack! quack!” cried she, and forthwith 
one duckling ‘after another jumped in. The water 
closed over their heads for a moment; but they soon 
rose to the surface again, and swam about so nicely, 
just as if their legs paddled them about of their own 
accord ; and they had all taken to the water; even the 
ugly, grey-coated youngster swam about with the rest. 
“ Nay, he is no guinea-chick,” said she, “only look 
how capitally he uses his legs, and how steady he 
keeps himself—he’s every inch my own child! And 
really he’s very pretty when one comes to look at him 
attentively. Quack! quack!” added she; now 
come along, and I’ll take you into high society, and