The following well-known story has been rewritten to contain only descriptions. Stress the second word of each phrase. Repeat after me.

Exercise 1-27: Descriptive Phrase Story—The Ugly Duckling CD1 Track 39

There is a mother duck. She lays three eggs. Soon, there are three baby birds. Two of the birds are very beautiful. One of them is quite ugly. The beautiful ducklings make fun of their ugly brother.

The poor thing is very unhappy. As the three birds grow older, the ugly duckling begins to change.

His gray feathers turn snowy white. His gangly neck becomes beautifully smooth.

In early spring, the ugly duckling is swimming in a small pond in the backyard of the old farm. He sees his shimmering reflection in the clear water. What a great surprise. He is no longer an ugly duckling. He has grown into a lovely swan.