This page features a video of the poem “THE LITTLE DUCKLING”, prescribed under the Karnataka State Syllabus for 3rd Standard English First Language. Along with its summary in three languages and transliterated songs. It serves as a valuable learning resource for students and parents, with each song accompanied by its respective lyrics for easy sing-along. The synchronized lyrics help learners follow and recite the song as it progresses, making memorization and learning by heart easier, more effective, and enjoyable.
Lyrics
English
The little duckling sees a peacock.
‘‘What a beautiful tail! I want a beautiful tail, too!’’
Suddenly the little duckling has a big, beautiful
peacock’s tail!
The little duckling is very pleased.
The little duckling sees a flamingo.
‘‘What beautiful legs! I want beautiful legs, too!’’
Suddenly the little duckling has long, thin, pink legs!
The little duckling is very pleased.
The little duckling sees an eagle.
‘‘What beautiful wings! I want beautiful wings, too!’’
Suddenly, the little duckling has big, brown wings!
The little duckling is very pleased.
The little duckling sees a cock.
‘‘What a beautiful hat! I want a beautiful hat, too!’’
Suddenly, the little duckling has a big, red, handsome
hat!
The little duckling is very pleased.
All the little duckling’s friends swim in the river.
The little duckling says, ‘‘Stop! Wait for me!’’
And he jumps into the water.
But his peacock’s tail is very heavy.
His big, brown wings are very heavy.
His long, thin, pink legs cannot swim.
His handsome red hat is very heavy and he can’t
breathe.
Glug! Glug! Glug!
“I want a little duckling’s tail, and a little duckling’s
legs and wings,
and I don’t want a hat!’’
Suddenly the little duckling
can swim. And he can swim
very well.
Soon he is with his
friends.
‘‘What a beautiful tail! I want a beautiful tail, too!’’
Suddenly the little duckling has a big, beautiful
peacock’s tail!
The little duckling is very pleased.
The little duckling sees a flamingo.
‘‘What beautiful legs! I want beautiful legs, too!’’
Suddenly the little duckling has long, thin, pink legs!
The little duckling is very pleased.
The little duckling sees an eagle.
‘‘What beautiful wings! I want beautiful wings, too!’’
Suddenly, the little duckling has big, brown wings!
The little duckling is very pleased.
The little duckling sees a cock.
‘‘What a beautiful hat! I want a beautiful hat, too!’’
Suddenly, the little duckling has a big, red, handsome
hat!
The little duckling is very pleased.
All the little duckling’s friends swim in the river.
The little duckling says, ‘‘Stop! Wait for me!’’
And he jumps into the water.
But his peacock’s tail is very heavy.
His big, brown wings are very heavy.
His long, thin, pink legs cannot swim.
His handsome red hat is very heavy and he can’t
breathe.
Glug! Glug! Glug!
“I want a little duckling’s tail, and a little duckling’s
legs and wings,
and I don’t want a hat!’’
Suddenly the little duckling
can swim. And he can swim
very well.
Soon he is with his
friends.
Summary
This story is about a little duckling who admires the
special features of other birds. It wishes for a peacock’s tail,
flamingo’s legs, eagle’s wings, and a handsome red hat. Although the
duckling is initially happy, all these borrowed features become heavy
and make swimming difficult. The duckling finally realizes that its own
natural body is best suited for swimming. The story teaches children to
value themselves instead of copying others.
special features of other birds. It wishes for a peacock’s tail,
flamingo’s legs, eagle’s wings, and a handsome red hat. Although the
duckling is initially happy, all these borrowed features become heavy
and make swimming difficult. The duckling finally realizes that its own
natural body is best suited for swimming. The story teaches children to
value themselves instead of copying others.
Author