--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the story of Ugly Duckling, when did…" description: "\"In the story of Ugly Duckling, when did the Ugly Duckling stop feeling Ugly? When he realized that he was a Swan. Each of us has something Special, a s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/benjamin-hoff-4297_ducklings_in-the-story-of-ugly-duckling-when-did-t_1129096.jpg" --- # In the story of Ugly Duckling, when did the Ugly Duckling… ![“In the story of Ugly Duckling, when did the Ugly Duckling stop feeling Ugly? When he realized that he was a Swan. Each of us has something Special, a swan of some sort, hidden inside somewhere. But until we recognize that it's there, what can we do but splash around, treading water? The Wise are…” quote by Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/benjamin-hoff-4297_ducklings_in-the-story-of-ugly-duckling-when-did-t_1129096.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/benjamin-hoff-4297_ducklings_in-the-story-of-ugly-duckling-when-did-t_1129096.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/002/benjamin-hoff-4297_ducklings_in-the-story-of-ugly-duckling-when-did-t_1129096.jpg) > “In the story of Ugly Duckling, when did the Ugly Duckling stop feeling Ugly? When he realized that he was a Swan. Each of us has something Special, a swan of some sort, hidden inside somewhere. But until we recognize that it's there, what can we do but splash around, treading water? The Wise are Who They Are. They work with what they've got and do what they can do.” [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑recognition transforms perceived flaws into hidden strengths, revealing an inner greatness once acknowledged. **In simple terms:** Seeing yourself as special changes your path. Key Takeaway Identify and nurture your hidden strengths. Themes self‑discovery transformation identity Mood inspirational hopeful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - career change - personal setbacks - creative projects - confidence building Key Concepts metaphor inner potential Questions to Reflect On - What hidden strength have you ignored? - How does self‑acceptance affect your actions? A Different Perspective Recognition can be delayed or hindered by external validation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Duckling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duckling-393068/) [Duckling Did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duckling-did-2227363/) [Ducklings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ducklings/) [Feeling Ugly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feeling-ugly/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Realized Swan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realized-swan-2227362/) [Special](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/special/) [Stories](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stories/) [Swan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swan/) [Swans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swans/) [Treading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treading/) [Treading water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treading-water/) [Ugly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ugly/) [Ugly duckling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ugly-duckling/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [“In the story of the Ugly Duckling, when did the Ugly Duckling stop feeling Ugly? When he realized he was a Swan. Each of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/in-the-story-of-the-ugly-duckling-when-did-the-ugly-duckling-stop/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [I was always the ugly duckling; I never got attention from girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kid-cudi/i-was-always-the-ugly-duckling-i-never-got-attention-from-girls/) [Kid Cudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kid-cudi/) > [I am not beautiful. My mother once called me an ugly duckling. But,listed separately, I have a few good features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-hepburn/i-am-not-beautiful-my-mother-once-called-me-an-ugly-duckling-but/) [Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-hepburn/) > [I was the ugly duckling until I reached puberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-roberts/i-was-the-ugly-duckling-until-i-reached-puberty/) [Tanya Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-roberts/) > [I never dreamed of so much happiness when I was the Ugly Duckling!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/i-never-dreamed-of-so-much-happiness-when-i-was-the-ugly-duckling/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [The ugly duckling is a misunderstood universal myth. It's not about turning into a blonde Barbie doll or becoming what you dream of being;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baz-luhrmann/the-ugly-duckling-is-a-misunderstood-universal-myth-it-s-not-about/) [Baz Luhrmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baz-luhrmann/) > [“I never dreamed of such happiness as this, while I was an ugly duckling.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/i-never-dreamed-of-such-happiness-as-this-while-i-was-an-ugly-duckling/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [There are no makeovers in my books. The ugly duckling does not become a beautiful swan. She becomes a confident duck able to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maeve-binchy/there-are-no-makeovers-in-my-books-the-ugly-duckling-does-not-become/) [Maeve Binchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maeve-binchy/) > [I was considered an ugly duckling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eartha-kitt/i-was-considered-an-ugly-duckling/) [Eartha Kitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eartha-kitt/) > [From a neighbour, I got a one-day-old duckling and found, to my intense joy, that it transferred its following response to my person. At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/konrad-lorenz/from-a-neighbour-i-got-a-one-day-old-duckling-and-found-to-my-intense/) [Konrad Lorenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/konrad-lorenz/) > [I grew up on a small holding, it was a great way to grow up and incredibly idyllic. We had a donkey and Barney…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-backshall/i-grew-up-on-a-small-holding-it-was-a-great-way-to-grow-up-and/) [Steve Backshall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-backshall/) > [“The Ugly Duckling The classic story by Hans Christian”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/the-ugly-duckling-the-classic-story-by-hans-christian/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [“Don't count your chickens just yet, lad. This little duckling has more than just luck on her side.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-nicks/don-t-count-your-chickens-just-yet-lad-this-little-duckling-has-more/) [Louise Nicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-nicks/) > [If birds of a feather flock together, then what happens to the Ugly Duckling?…and I don't mean the one that turns into a swan,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-grey/if-birds-of-a-feather-flock-together-then-what-happens-to-the-ugly/) [Alex Grey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-grey/) > [I guess I'm just tired. Tired of being bitched about behind my back. Tired of being laughed at. Tired of being made fun of.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/i-guess-i-m-just-tired-tired-of-being-bitched-about-behind-my-back/) [Unkown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unkown/) ## More by Benjamin Hoff > [“Those who know what's wrong with them and take care of themselves accordingly will tend to live a lot longer than those who consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/those-who-know-what-s-wrong-with-them-and-take-care-of-themselves/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [There was a man that hated his footprints and his shadow, so one day he thought that if he ran fast enough, his footprints…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/there-was-a-man-that-hated-his-footprints-and-his-shadow-so-one-day/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [“Wherever Gandhi went, he transformed situations and lives. As one friend and biographer wrote, "He...changed human beings by regarding them not as what they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/wherever-gandhi-went-he-transformed-situations-and-lives-as-one/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Practically everything from hairstyles to lifestyles is endorsed as some sort of drug to be taken Now for Instant Relief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/practically-everything-from-hairstyles-to-lifestyles-is-endorsed-as/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [The main problem with this great obsession for saving time is very simple: you can't save time. You can only spend it. But you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/the-main-problem-with-this-great-obsession-for-saving-time-is-very/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [A way of life that keeps saying 'Around the next corner, above the next step,' works against the natural order of things and makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/a-way-of-life-that-keeps-saying-around-the-next-corner-above-the-next/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Everything has its own place and function. That applies to people, although many don't seem to realize it, stuck as they are in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/everything-has-its-own-place-and-function-that-applies-to-people/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [When you discard arrogance, complexity, and a few other things that get in the way, sooner or later you will discover that simple, childlike,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/when-you-discard-arrogance-complexity-and-a-few-other-things-that-get/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [We simply need to believe in the power that's within us, and use it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/we-simply-need-to-believe-in-the-power-that-s-within-us-and-use-it/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [But the basic Taoism that we are concerned with here is simply a particular way of appreciating, learning from, and working with whatever happens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/but-the-basic-taoism-that-we-are-concerned-with-here-is-simply-a/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Well, it takes all kinds to make a mess.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/well-it-takes-all-kinds-to-make-a-mess/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [“He tried too hard", said Pooh."and when you try too hard it doesn't work. Try grabbing something quickly and precisely with a tensed up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/he-tried-too-hard-said-pooh-and-when-you-try-too-hard-it-doesn-t-work/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Like silence after noise, or cool, clear water on a hot, stuffy day, Emptiness cleans out the messy mind and charges up the batteries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/like-silence-after-noise-or-cool-clear-water-on-a-hot-stuffy-day/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [“...you'd be surprised how many people violate this simple principle every day of their lives and try to fit square pegs into round holes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/you-d-be-surprised-how-many-people-violate-this-simple-principle/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) > [Sourness and bitterness come from the interfering and unappreciative mind. Life itself, when understood and utilized for what it is, is sweet. That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-hoff/sourness-and-bitterness-come-from-the-interfering-and-unappreciative/) [Benjamin Hoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) [Explore all 112 Benjamin Hoff quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-hoff/) ## More Ducklings quotes > [I am not beautiful. My mother once called me an ugly duckling. But,listed separately, I have a few good features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-hepburn/i-am-not-beautiful-my-mother-once-called-me-an-ugly-duckling-but/) [Audrey Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-hepburn/) > [The thing about Janis is that she just looked so unique, an ugly duckling dressed as a princess, fearlessly so. Seeing her live was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chrissie-hynde/the-thing-about-janis-is-that-she-just-looked-so-unique-an-ugly/) [Chrissie Hynde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chrissie-hynde/) > [This ugly duckling investment will likely need time - quarters, or even years - to blossom into a beautiful swan.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/this-ugly-duckling-investment-will-likely-need-time-quarters-or-even/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [My duchess,” James stated, his eyes sweeping the crowd with the air of a man who has ruled the waves. “She is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eloisa-james/my-duchess-james-stated-his-eyes-sweeping-the-crowd-with-the-air-of-a/) [Eloisa James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eloisa-james/) > [I think it was something I inherited from my mother, who learned to do it. You know, I, like a baby duckling, was merely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trevor-noah/i-think-it-was-something-i-inherited-from-my-mother-who-learned-to-do/) [Trevor Noah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trevor-noah/) > [Fate cast me to play the role of an ugly duckling with no promise of swanning. . . . I have played my life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-dressler/fate-cast-me-to-play-the-role-of-an-ugly-duckling-with-no-promise-of/) [Marie Dressler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-dressler/) > [I never dreamed of so much happiness when I was the Ugly Duckling!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-christian-andersen/i-never-dreamed-of-so-much-happiness-when-i-was-the-ugly-duckling/) [Hans Christian Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-christian-andersen/) > [I don't have ugly ducklings turning into swans in my stories. I have ugly ducklings turning into confident ducks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maeve-binchy/i-don-t-have-ugly-ducklings-turning-into-swans-in-my-stories-i-have/) [Maeve Binchy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maeve-binchy/) > [He giggled like a puppy being tickled by a kitten wearing a duckling costume.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-benton/he-giggled-like-a-puppy-being-tickled-by-a-kitten-wearing-a-duckling/) [Jim Benton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-benton/) > [Santa Claus was white and everything bad was black. The little ugly duckling was the black duck, and the black cat was the bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/santa-claus-was-white-and-everything-bad-was-black-the-little-ugly/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [“Here and there a cygnet is reared uneasily among the ducklings in the brown pond, and never finds the living stream in fellowship with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/here-and-there-a-cygnet-is-reared-uneasily-among-the-ducklings-in-the/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [My mother was the worst kind of stage mother. She would make me and my younger sister and brother little duckling costumes and put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renee-fleming/my-mother-was-the-worst-kind-of-stage-mother-she-would-make-me-and-my/) [Renee Fleming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renee-fleming/) > [I like to go for walks on Wandsworth Common and feed the ducklings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-healey/i-like-to-go-for-walks-on-wandsworth-common-and-feed-the-ducklings/) [Emma Healey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-healey/) > [Dreams were all they gave for free to ugly duckling girls like me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janis-ian/dreams-were-all-they-gave-for-free-to-ugly-duckling-girls-like-me/) [Janis Ian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janis-ian/) > [I always believed I was an ugly duckling in a family of swans, you know? I was such a black sheep, and it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-pearce/i-always-believed-i-was-an-ugly-duckling-in-a-family-of-swans-you/) [Lindsay Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-pearce/) [Browse all 41 Ducklings quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ducklings/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the story of Ugly Duckling, when did the Ugly Duckling stop feeling Ugly? When he realized that he was a Swan. Each of us has something Special, a swan of some sort, hidden inside somewhere. But until we recognize that it's there, what can we do but splash around, treading water? The Wise are Who They Are. 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