As the sun set in the west, a dozen or so white swans skimmed the surface of the gilded lake, shattering the reflected image in the water.
"Teacher! Are baby swans really ugly when they're young?"
Princess Judy, who had just listened to the story of The Ugly Duckling, asked in her sweet voice.
Colin, unsure of the answer, tried his best to respond: "Some are ugly, some are beautiful, just like human infants. There are always differences in beauty and ugliness."
"Then... do the pretty ones grow up to be even more beautiful?" Judy asked again, her big eyes sparkling.
Colin glanced at the little girl and seemed to see through her little thoughts. He nodded with a smile, "Yes!"
Judy instantly beamed with joy.
Vera, holding her husband's hand, looked at the barely visible city across the lake and suddenly asked, "Colin, are we really not going into Swan City?"
