September 23. Day 267. There once was an ugly duckling

There once was an ugly duckling
With feathers all stubby and brown
And the other birds said in so many words
Get out of town

 Isn't it appalling how quick we are to  judge according to appearance? How all pervasive the cult of beauty is?
Would you look at this little guy I saw swimming in one of the canals at South Bank this morning. I suspect he's a fairly new hatching and a sure sign that Spring is with us.
Stubby feathers? For sure. But ugly? No way. The thing about beauty is that it not that it lies in the eye of the beholder (which it does) but that it ignores so many other attributes.
Surely being kind, or smart or talented should rate more highly than just being pretty.
And even if this ugly duckling never turns into a beautiful swan I reckon he's got a lot going for him right now. If nothing else being able to swan about in the cool pools at South Bank all day has to be a great start in life.