` It is very kind of you to say so , ' answered the mother , who by this time had some secret doubts of its loveliness . ` Of course , when you see it by itself it is all right , though it is different , somehow , from the others . But one can not expect all one 's children to be beautiful ! ' By this time they had reached the centre of the yard , where a very old duck was sitting , who was treated with great respect by all the fowls present . ` You must go up and bow low before her , ' whispered the mother to her children , nodding her head in the direction of the old lady , ` and keep your legs well apart , as you see me do . No well-bred duckling turns in its toes . It is a sign of common parents . ' The little ducks tried hard to make their small fat bodies copy the movements of their mother , and the old lady was quite pleased with them ; but the rest of the ducks looked on discontentedly , and said to each other : ` Oh , dear me , here are ever so many more ! The yard is full already ; and did you ever see anything quite as ugly as that great tall creature ? He is a disgrace to any brood . I shall go and chase him out ! ' So saying she put up her feathers , and running to the big duckling bit his neck . The duckling gave a loud quack ; it was the first time he had felt any pain , and at the sound his mother turned quickly . ` Leave him alone , ' she said fiercely , ` or I will send for his father . He was not troubling you . ' ` No ; but he is so ugly and awkward no one can put up with him , ' answered the stranger . And though the duckling did not understand the meaning of the words , he felt he was being blamed , and became more uncomfortable still when the old Spanish duck who ruled the fowlyard struck in : ` It certainly is a great pity he is so different from these beautiful darlings . If he could only be hatched over again ! ' The poor little fellow drooped his head , and did not know where to look , but was comforted when his mother answered : ` He may not be quite as handsome as the others , but he swims better , and is very strong ; I am sure he will make his way in the world as well as anybody . ' ` Well , you must feel quite at home here , ' said the old duck waddling off .
And so they did , all except the duckling , who was snapped at by everyone when they thought his XXXXX was not looking .
anybody bit brood children ducks meaning mother movements parents sign