The Ugly Duckling
A fairy tale retold.
I'd always felt like an outsider in my own home, despite my mother's best efforts to make me feel whole. When I was born, I was very large and ugly. My face was bruised by the doctor's hands as he struggled to pull me from my mother's womb. My siblings, on the other hand, were slender and delicate on their days of birth. Born "naturally" as opposed to my surgical removal. However, my mother never loved me any less for the pain I put her through.
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About the Creator
Ashley Lima
I think about writing more than I write, but call myself a writer as opposed to a thinker.
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The Colleen Hoover Effect
No, Mom. I will not write Colleen Hoover-esque books, no matter how much money they make. I don't think glorifying pseudo-incest and domestic violence is ever a good thing. There must be better books for people to read. Lily Bloom, the florist... Really?
By Ashley LimaExclusive • 2 years ago
Comments (17)
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Become a paid subscriber to get access.I think this is MAGNIFICENT. OMG. If this doesn't place, I will literally create boards and picket wherever the Vocal headquarters is.
Well, Ashley, this is a phenomenal retelling. I love how you used the story to talk about an important social topic. Very well done!
What a great, up to date retelling. You have found a real relevance to an old tale in a modern day struggle. Well done!
Awww, I'm so happy that her siblings apologised and that she finally became the swan she was meant to be!
This is a wonderful and very well-written take on the story. <3
The narrators voice in this story is strong, beautiful and engaging. Really consider publishing as childrens, YA book. I love the remake of this fairytale. ❤️🦢❤️🦢❤️🦢❤️🦢❤️
Fabulous take on the story! It's great to reimagine these stories and make them up to date. You did an awesome job!/👍💙😊
This is a really unique spin on the creative prompt!! Well done Ashley ❤️✨
“Being transgender is not just a medical transition. … [It’s about] discovering who you are, living your life authentically, loving yourself, and spreading that love towards other people and accepting one another.” -Jazz Jennings, LGBTQ rights activist and public figure A person is not their looks/body type, but changing the secondary and primary sexual characteristics can help people feel more themselves. The focus on the 'outside' comes more from the time of puberty than as the general moral of the story for me. A trans person does not lose any of their experience as the gender they grew up as, nor do they 'pretend' to be anyone but themselves. A beautiful story in my opinion Ashley. I adore how you wrote about those first small changes like deodorant! I am genderfluid and I have a fruity one for my feminine days and a men's one for my masculine days. I use trans tape instead of a binder but I related so much to those lines! Thank you for writing this and pay no mind to those who cannot grasp it just yet. You don't have to educate them, just continue writing wonderful, inclusive stories that make people like me feel seen!
Someday the acceptance and love the mother felt for them will exist everywhere, not just in some cases and fairy tales. Sensitive and well written- wonderful story.
Perfectly placed twist for the perfectly chosen tale, that responds so fittingly to the prompt. Beautiful.
very unique
Beautiful Ashley. Your words shine brightly :)
You were never ugly, others just didn’t understand your unique beauty. And when you’re that amazing, some never will. ❤️❤️❤️
I feel so sad for her, to grow up feeling so unaccepted and unprotected :(
This was such a coming of age, harsh, gentle and real awakening into one's individuality. Beautifully done Ashley.
That's a very touching story, a difficult journey. But you truly are a swan, and I'm certain you always were💙Anneliese