My slice of paradise is a spectacular, amazing place. The natural light shines off the still, blue water, and the rolling mountains surrounding our pond are like landscapes painted by the one and only Claude Monet. On the morning of my birth, my mother waited on pins and needles for our arrival.

As mother was sleeping one calm night, my siblings and I gradually slipped out from our snug shells. One by one, we introduced ourselves. "Howdy, Mom, I would ask what's been cracking, but I know the answer is your children," laughed Clucky. She replied, "hello, my children! I am so glad you are here. I have so much to teach you. We shall sleep tonight, but come tomorrow, your swimming lessons will begin. So try to get some sleep," she sweetly whispered as we each closed our tired eyes. In the night, I kept waking up to see if it was morning yet. I couldn't wait for tomorrow. Mother gently wrapped her wing around me, and sighed, "Get some sleep, Ducky." "Ill try my best," I responded.

At last, the next morning had arrived, and we eagerly waddled into the chilly water. The sun was bright overhead as we clumsily tilted and flipped. I was enjoying the lesson, and even started to get the hang of swimming. Clucky, my oldest brother, swam over to me. "You are different," he bluntly declared. "You don't look the same as Lucky or me. You have a big ol' head, your color is grey and strange. I think you are just plain ugly." Clucky's words cut me like a knife. I began to uncontrollably cry.

Then, Mother rushed over to us. In her calm and soothing voice, she explained why I looked different. "Ducky, you are not a duck. You are a swan. I found you alone in your egg and decided to take care of you." After Mother finished, Clucky began to cry as well. "I am so ashamed. Just because you are different that doesn't make you ugly. Can you ever forgive me?" he pleaded. "I may be different than you and Lucky, but I am your sibling. Of course I forgive you! I love you!" I responded enthusiastically. From that day forward, despite our differences, we swam and laughed together in perfect harmony.