The Happy Story of the Ugly Duckling

In a cozy nest by the lake, Mother Duck was patiently waiting for her eggs to hatch. One by one, the eggs cracked, and out came cheerful, bright yellow, fluffy ducklings. But the very last egg was bigger and a different color than the others.

Finally, the big egg cracked too. The duckling that came out was not yellow like its siblings, but gray and a little bigger. Mother Duck didn't mind his different appearance at all and embraced him with love, just like her other ducklings. She named him Tekin.

As Tekin grew, his difference became more noticeable. While his siblings learned to swim quickly, he was a bit slower. Sometimes, other animals would whisper about his different appearance. This made Tekin sad and caused him to feel lonely.

Mother Duck noticed Tekin's sadness. She swam to her little one's side and said in a soft voice, "You are very special, Tekin. Being different makes you unique. Be patient, and in time, everyone will see how wonderful you are."

The seasons changed. First came autumn, and the leaves turned yellow and fell. Then winter arrived, covering everything with a blanket of white snow. Tekin found a safe place to protect himself from the cold and patiently waited for spring to come.

Finally, the sun showed its face again, the snow melted, and spring arrived. Tekin saw elegant, pure white birds gliding on the lake, unlike any he had ever seen before. They were so beautiful with their long necks and snow-white feathers that he watched them in awe.

Curiously, Tekin approached the water and looked at his own reflection. He couldn't believe what he saw! The reflection in the water was no longer that old, gray, and small duckling. It had a long, elegant neck and shining, pure white feathers. He had turned into one of those beautiful birds he so admired!

The other swans on the lake noticed Tekin and glided gracefully to his side. They didn't treat him as an outsider at all. One of them said in a friendly voice, "Welcome among us. What a beautiful swan you are."

For the first time in his life, Tekin felt like he belonged. He swam joyfully in the cool waters of the lake with his new friends. No one made fun of him anymore; on the contrary, everyone admired his beauty.

Tekin was no longer ugly or alone. He had understood that his difference was actually his greatest beauty. Together with his friends who were just like him, he flapped his wings freely under the blue sky. Because everyone is different, and these differences are what make us special.