<Tr> <Th> Publication date </Th> <Td> 11 November 1843 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Preceded by </Th> <Td> "The Sweethearts" </Td> </Tr> <P> "The Ugly Duckling" (Danish: Den grimme ælling) is a literary fairy tale by Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen (1805--1875). The story tells of a homely little bird born in a barnyard who suffers abuse from the others around him until, much to his delight (and to the surprise of others), he matures into a beautiful swan, the most beautiful bird of all . The story is beloved around the world as a tale about personal transformation for the better . "The Ugly Duckling" was first published 11 November 1843, with three other tales by Andersen in Copenhagen, Denmark to great critical acclaim . The tale has been adapted to various media including opera, musical, and animated film . The tale is completely Andersen's invention and owes no debt to fairy tales or folklore . </P> <P> When the story begins, a mother duck's eggs hatch . One of the little birds is perceived by the other birds and animals on the farm as a homely little creature and suffers much verbal and physical abuse from them . He wanders sadly from the barnyard and lives with wild ducks and geese until hunters slaughter the flocks . He finds a home with an old woman . </P>

Who are the characters of the story the ugly duckling