Winter passed, spring came, and the ice melted.

      　　The duckling stretched his wings and found that they were strong enough

      to carry him. He flew upon and over the lake, high above the trees and

      fields. He should have been very happy, but he was not because he felt so

      lonely.

      　　A few days later, he looked up to see the large white birds he had seen

      in the autumn. They looked beautiful as they landed on the lake. The

      duckling admired their glossy white feathers and long necks. He swan over

      to take a closer look at them.

      　　"Please," he said shyly. "Will you tell me who you are. You are so

      beautiful and I am so ugly. I've never seen anybody like you."

      　　"Ugly," cried one of the white birds. "How silly!"

      　　"We're swans," said another. "Why do you think you're ugly? Look at

      yourself in the water."

      　　The duckling looked and caught sight of his own reflection. He gasped in

      surprise, for instead of seeing a fat, grey duckling he saw a swan with a

      long elegant neck and a bright orange bill. "I'm like you," he cried. "I'm

      a swan, too."

      　　"Definitely," said the swan, with a smile.

      　　"Does that mean I can stay with you, and not live alone?"

      　　"Of course," said the swans.

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