It was summer! The sun was shining so bright, like a big smile in the sky. Everything was colorful, just like a rainbow. Mason loved summer! He loved playing outside and running around. Mason's family had just moved from their house in Denver to a farm nearby. They wanted to be closer to nature. Mason loved the farm! They could play freely there, especially with their superpower, Climbing like a spider! They could climb trees faster than anyone else.
The farm was amazing! There was a beautiful stream with clear, sparkling water, and a lake where Mason could swim. Mason loved swimming in the lake. The water was so cool and refreshing. Mason could see all kinds of animals on the farm. Mason was always fascinated by the storks. They had such long legs and walked so gracefully! Mason tried to imitate the storks' walk. He stretched out his legs and walked slowly, like the storks. He was very Sporty!
One day, Mason was playing with the ducklings in the lake. He saw a duck sitting on her eggs. "Wow!" Mason thought, "This is going to be so exciting!" Mason watched as the eggs started to crack and little ducklings hatched! But one egg, the biggest one, didn't hatch. The duck seemed worried and kept sitting on it.
Days later, Mason returned to the lake. The duck was gone! The big egg had cracked open, and there was another baby duckling. It was bigger than the other ducklings, and its feathers were different colors. It had a different beak and a different way of walking. The duckling seemed sad.
Mason, who easily made friends with animals, went over to talk to the duckling. "Why are you so sad?" Mason asked, "There's a whole farm and a beautiful garden for you to explore!" The duckling looked up at Mason with sad eyes. "I'm sad because I'm different from my siblings," he said, "I don't feel good about it. All the other ducks in the lake laugh at me and make me feel bad."
Mason smiled at the duckling. "I think you're amazing," Mason said. "I would love to be your friend. Come play with me tomorrow!" Mason pointed towards the mountain behind the farm. "I have a special place called Enchanted Mountain. It's my secret hideout, and it's a great place to play!"
The next day, Mason returned to the lake. He was excited to play with his new friend. But the duckling was gone. He had been so sad that he had decided to leave and try to find other friends. But it didn't work out. Everywhere he went, the other ducks mocked him.
It was a difficult journey for the duckling. The seasons changed, and he always had to move because he never seemed to be welcomed. The only place where he felt embraced was nature.
Mason went to play by the lake every day, but he never saw his duckling friend. He spent his days climbing trees and playing hide-and-seek, using his super power to climb like a spider.
Spring arrived, and the duckling loved spring just as Mason loved summer! The world was filled with beautiful flowers and colorful butterflies. After a long and difficult journey, the duckling found himself near the lake where he was born. He approached cautiously, not wanting his siblings to laugh at him. But when he reached the water's edge, he saw his reflection, like in a mirror! He was no longer an ugly duckling but a beautiful swan! That's why everyone thought he was so strange!
That day, Mason went to play in the water. He recognized his friend! It was his special duckling friend, but he was now a swan. Mason was amazed. He loved the swan's beauty and was so happy to see his friend again. They played joyfully in the water.
Mason and the swan understood that being strange wasn't wrong. It was just being who they are! Being strange is being different, and everyone is! And isn't being different just being who we are?
