But this deliberate omission is surely appropriate.' 'Many have found it ironical that 'The Ugly Duckling' - the most constant favourite with the young of all its author's tales - appeared in Andersen's first book of fairy stories to drop from its title the designation 'for Bern' (for children'): Nye Eventyr, Forste Samling ( New Fairy Tales, First Collection 11 November 1843). More, it suggests that we will be granted our rights by a natural process. Here is a story which seems to assure us of our right to a future consonant with our instinctive hopes during our unhappy times, and probably exceeding them, while confounding all those fault-finding authority figures who have given up on us or showed us downright hostility. Obviously this is of irresistible appeal to insufficiently appreciated children, and few of us have not at some point seen ourselves in this category. In its proverbial form its account of an unprepossessing, unsatisfactory member of one species evolving into a beautiful, admired member of another encourages us to expect for ourselves an eventual transformation of situation and self for the better, whatever the restrictions of our early circumstances and the current low opinion of others. 'Like 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' 'The Ugly Duckling' has passed into proverb. Some scholars believe it was also an expression of his struggle with his homosexuality in an era in which same sex relations were illegal:

His most famous story, 'The Ugly Duckling,' while universal in theme, reflected his own struggle to overcome his ungainly looks and humble background. Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) was a Danish author who left an indelible mark on Western culture with stories that transcend age and nationality such as 'The Ugly Duckling,' 'The Princess and the Pea,' 'The Little Mermaid,' 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' 'The Snow Queen,' 'The Steadfast Tin Soldier,' 'Thumbelina' and 'The Little Match Girl.' His earliest writings were based on stories he heard as a child, but he soon brought the genre to a new level with bold and original stories that he labored over, meticulously constructing each phrase, image and theme. Today's selection - from Hans Christian Andersen: European Witness by Paul Binding. The story behind the ugly duckling - 9/17/14

Original ugly duckling story