Ugly Duckling

We’ve all heard this story

About the runt of a duck

Who grows up to be this beautiful Swan

But, what if?

The runt ended up

Not, a beautiful swan

with its silk feather body and long neck floating so elegantly in the water

Instead, the duck who stayed a runt

With its coal black feathers

That were a ratted mess

its neck short and stout

Would we look at this

Runt of a duck?

As, a weakling and not look back

Or, would we take it in our hand and nurture it like any good creature in the world?

Then, let it become who it wants to be instead of what others want it to be

The runt of a duck