It was summer! The sun was shining so bright, it was like the sun was smiling at us! Everything was green and colorful. Benjamin loved summer!
Benjamin and his family had just moved to a farm near Austin. They wanted to live closer to nature. Benjamin was happy because he could play freely in the farm and the nearby lake! He loved swimming, especially because he had a secret superpower - he could breathe underwater!
The farm was full of animals. There were cows, sheep, goats, and chickens. But Benjamin's favorite animals were the storks. They had long legs and walked so gracefully! Benjamin would try to walk like a stork, taking long, careful steps. It was hard to do, but Benjamin was brave and never gave up!
One day, Benjamin was playing with the ducklings in the lake. They were so cute! Benjamin noticed a duck sitting on a bunch of white eggs. It was a magical moment! Benjamin watched as the eggs started to crack and little ducklings hatched! But one egg, bigger than all the others, didn't hatch. The duck seemed worried, but she kept sitting on it.
A few days later, Benjamin went back to the lake. The duck was gone! The large egg had finally cracked! There was another baby duckling, but it was bigger than the others. It had different colored feathers, a different beak, and a different way of walking. It looked sad.
Benjamin loved animals. He always tried to make friends with them. So, he went to talk to the strange duckling. "Why are you sad?" Benjamin asked. "There's a whole farm and a beautiful garden to explore!"
The duckling said, "I'm sad because I'm different from my brothers and sisters. They laugh at me and make me feel bad."
Benjamin said, "We love you. We'll come back tomorrow and play together!" Benjamin then told the duckling about his secret treehouse. "It's a safe place to play!" he said.
The next day, Benjamin went back to the lake, but the duckling was gone. The duckling was so sad, he decided to leave and find new friends. But it didn't work out. Everywhere he went, other ducks laughed at him and made him feel bad.
It was a hard journey for the duckling. The seasons changed, and he had to keep moving because he never felt welcome. He only felt happy when he was with nature.
Benjamin played by the lake every day. He even pretended to be a pirate, using his imagination to make adventures! He never saw his duckling friend again.
Spring arrived, and Benjamin loved it! He loved summer, but spring was also special. The duckling, after a long and difficult journey, found himself near the lake where he was born. He was afraid, but he slowly went towards the water. He didn't want his brothers and sisters to laugh at him. But when he saw his reflection in the water, he was surprised! He wasn't an ugly duckling anymore! He was a beautiful swan! That's why everyone thought he was strange!
That day, Benjamin went to play in the lake. He saw his friend, the duckling, and was amazed! He had grown into a beautiful swan! They played joyfully in the water.
Benjamin and the swan knew that being different wasn't wrong. It was just being who you are. Being strange is being different, and everyone is!
And isn't being different just being who we are?
