Well that's one interpretation. Another is that even if you are bullied as a child for being odd, sticking out, when you grow older you might figure out that you are perfect just the way you are, and you will find other people like you who appreciate you for who you are. H. C. Andersen was an odd kid, potentially gay as well, but ended up moving to the city and becoming a famous author — so the story reflects his own life. So there is a very positive message in this story that I think is important to share.

To me its a story about becoming, recognizing identity, even if you don't have the words to know.

Here's the passage I like. That visceral recognition from your very soul without even knowing what they are.

One evening, just as the sun set amid radiant clouds, there came a large flock of beautiful birds out of the bushes. The duckling had never seen any like them before. They were swans, and they curved their graceful necks, while their soft plumage shown with dazzling whiteness. They uttered a singular cry, as they spread their glorious wings and flew away from those cold regions to warmer countries across the sea. As they mounted higher and higher in the air, the ugly little duckling felt quite a strange sensation as he watched them. He whirled himself in the water like a wheel, stretched out his neck towards them, and uttered a cry so strange that it frightened himself. Could he ever forget those beautiful, happy birds; and when at last they were out of his sight, he dived under the water, and rose again almost beside himself with excitement. He knew not the names of these birds, nor where they had flown, but he felt towards them as he had never felt for any other bird in the world. He was not envious of these beautiful creatures, but wished to be as lovely as they.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Actions reveal the ugliness of the heart.

Ducks think they some cool shit.

Swans are hot, but crazy.

Natural curves are psychosomatic triggers that alter our biological response to external stimuli.

How about Rudolf the Red Nose Reindeer?

I've always thought of it as a cautionary tale against race mixing...but, yeah...that works too. /s

I mean, the ugly duckling grows up into a swan...... do you think that makes them hot? Andrew, do you think swans are hot?

I thought the lesson was "only those of your same race are attractive." Which I think might be objectively worse. The "duckling" was only "ugly" because it was actually a swan.