When they returned they found the old neighbour on the bank waiting for them to take them into the duckyard . ` No , it is not a young turkey , certainly , ' whispered she in confidence to the mother , ` for though it is lean and skinny , and has no colour to speak of , yet there is something rather distinguished about it , and it holds its head up well . ' ` 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 XXXXX , 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 . '
anything bit direction feathers head neck pity turkey words yard