The Ugly Duckling has been adapted many times, with each adaptation, to varying degrees, giving the titular duckling allies or moments of happiness to break up this otherwise rather sad story.
The Timeless Tales Adaptation
- Unlike the original story, the duckling's adoptive mother loves and defends him wholeheartedly.
- There is also the addition, however brief, of Runabout; a kindhearted rabbit who offers food and a warm place to sleep for the winter. Although this doesn't last, Runabout returns once in which he saves the duckling from being eaten and they warmly reaffirm their friendship before parting ways once more.
The Fairytaler Adaptation
- As in the Timeless Tales version mentioned above, this version of the mother duck is far more loving to and protective of her son then her original counterpart. Unlike the Timeless Tales version, however, this time around she's joined in this by the rest of her ducklings who love their brother regardless of what he looks like.
- The ending to this version includes the former duckling - now a full-grown swan - returning to the pound he was born to and reuniting with his family for a time, and the family is amazed and delighted to see him. The swan ends things with a promise to visit his family often.
