标准美语发音的13个秘诀 CD1 Track 39

（单词翻译）

Exercise 1-27: Descriptive Phrase Story—The Ugly Duckling         CD1 Track 39 

There is a mother duck.  She lays  three eggs.  Soon, there are three baby birds.  Two of the birds are very  beautiful .  One of them is quite ugly . The  beautiful  ducklings   make fun of their ugly  brother. The poo r  thing  is  very  unhappy .  As the  three  birds  grow older, the ugly  duckling   begins to change. His gray feathers  turn  snowy  white.  His gangly  neck  becomes  beautifully  smooth. 

In early spring ,  the  ugly  duckling   is swimming in a small  pond  in the  backyard   of the  old  farm .  He sees   his shimmering¹  reflection   in   the clear  water.  What a great surprise.   He is no longer an ugly duckling .  He has grown into a lovely  swan.