The story begins in a lagoon where a mother duck hatches a group of identical eggs, except for one that is different and very rare. This egg is larger and has a different color, which Mother Duck notices. The other ducks, including an old duck named Pata, also observe the egg. When the egg hatches, the mother duck is surprised to find that the duckling is not as beautiful as she expected. The duckling is not soft and yellow like the others, but is instead big, disheveled, and has no resemblance to a duck. The flowers and other ducks mock the duckling for its ugliness.
Despite the mockery, the duckling is not to blame for being the way he is. He is actually a swan that was born from a swan egg that fell into Mother Duck's nest by mistake. The duckling decides to leave the lagoon to escape the ridicule, and Mother Duck, despite her initial shock, consoles herself by thinking that the duckling will find happiness elsewhere.
The duckling manages to survive the winter, and when the weather improves, he decides to go for a walk. He sees some birds with long, flexible necks and white, silky wings, which he initially mistakes for angels. When he looks at his reflection in a lake, he is surprised to see that he is more beautiful and elegant than he thought. He realizes that he is a swan, not a duck.
The duckling swims to the lake and is accepted by the other swans. The flowers apologize for their previous mockery and the duckling forgives them. The ducklings, who initially despised the swan, feel great sorrow when they see him take flight. Mother Duck is very happy to know that the swan has found his true family. The story ends with the song of the ugly duckling, which now refers to the swan.
1. The story is about a lagoon where mother ducks hatch eggs into baby ducklings.
2. One of the ducklings is different and very rare, which Mother Duck notices.
3. The rare duckling is bigger and has a different color than the others.
4. The rare duckling is born from a swan egg that fell into Mother Duck's nest by mistake.
5. The duckling is ridiculed and mocked by the other ducklings and the flowers in the lagoon.
6. The duckling decides to leave the lagoon to escape the ridicule.
7. The duckling manages to survive the winter by hiding from everyone.
8. The duckling discovers his true identity as a swan when he sees his reflection in a lake.
9. The duckling joins the swans and is accepted by them.
10. The flowers apologize for their previous harsh treatment of the duckling.
11. The duckling's true identity is revealed to the other ducklings and Mother Duck.
12. Mother Duck is happy to know that the beautiful swan has found his true family.