a mother duck hatches six pretty little ducklings. a seventh bird is hatched. he is homely. the other ducks abuse him. he runs away. he is given a home by an old woman. her cat and hen do not like him. he runs away again. winter comes and a kind farmer gives him a home. the little bird almost dies. spring comes. the "ugly duckling" has grown into a beautiful swan. the other swans welcome him as their own. they bow to him. he is happy for the first time in his life.