Summary: The Ugly Duckling story, Cartwright style.
Rating: G, Word Count: 3254
The Ugly Duckling
Chapter 1
Robin McFarland wiped the sweat off her brow as she leaned against her hoe and looked up at the beating sun. It was hot out and she was ready to go swimming in the pond near her house.
“Robbie, get back to work. We ain’t got time for dawdlin’!” Her father yelled.
Robin sighed and got back to work. She was the third child of Max and Betsy McFarland. Her mother died when she was ten. She was taught how to sew, cook and the like but she also learned how to run a farm. She had two older brothers who worked the farm but she still had to help. She tugged at her overalls, pushed back the wisps of hair that decided to fall out of her braids and started back to work.
The family had gone to Virginia City the next day to get a few things for the farm. Robin looked at the dresses wistfully. She had never worn a fancy dress before. She had only worn calico. Her brothers had taken some of the heavy sacks of grain to the wagon. They came back in and looked at the hunting knives.
“Robbie, come get this for me,” her Pa said pointing to the sack of flour.
She nodded and picked up the flour and took it to the wagon. As she turned to go back in she overheard a couple of women gossiping. She heard her name. She heard a few phrases like “tomboy,” “not a lady,” “no man will have her” and “if only her mother were alive.”
Robin fought the tears that threatened to show up. She had heard it many times and she finally snapped and turned to them.
“I may not land me a man or look pretty like you all, but at least I’m working instead of gossiping like silly geese!”
The two women gaped at her.
“Robin!” An angry voice called out.
Robin turned and faced her father and brothers.
“Get in the wagon,” her father ordered.
She quietly got in, followed by her father and they left.
“How many times have I told you to keep a civil tongue in your head?” Her Pa glared at her.
“A lot. But they were…”
“I don’t care what they were doing. You know how to behave. I won’t tolerate you treating other folks that way.”
Robin hunched over in shame. She loved her father but he could be so hard to get along with. She didn’t get on well with her brothers either.
Adam Cartwright had just gotten home from Virginia City and was still chuckling about what he had seen in town. Hoss saw his older brother and walked up to him.
“What’s so funny?” Hoss asked.
Adam explained what he saw with Robin.
“She sure has spunk.”
“That she does. Have you ever noticed how beautiful she is?” Adam smiled to himself.
“Robbie? Beautiful? I haven’t. I always thought she was kind of plain looking. I’ve only seen her in a dress at socials. Even then it’s a calico,” Hoss replied.
“For someone who sees beauty in other things you sure miss the beauty in Robin,” Adam pointed out and walked away.
Chapter 2
Later that night Adam was trying to read but couldn’t concentrate. He got up and tossed his book in his chair and walked outside. He couldn’t get Robin off his mind. He had heard everyone calling her ugly and other names. It pained him to see the look on her face when she heard the name calling. He had to reach out to her before she did anything drastic. Adam doubted she would but one never knew. His mind went back to a Fairy Tale he had read a long time ago called The Ugly Duckling written by the famed Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. He thought of Robin as the Ugly Duckling. How could he get her to see herself as a swan? He leaned against the railing of the corral and clasped his hands together in thought.
Robin lay in bed had been lost in thought about the people in town calling her names. Men wouldn’t even give her the time of day. She had gone to socials but wore a calico dress which wasn’t flattering. It was all she had. Robin didn’t dare ask her father for a new dress. Not after the blow up he had last time she had asked.
“We can’t afford a new dress for you. Your brothers need new pants. They’ve grown out of them and there’s holes in them,” Her father said.
It was always her brothers before her. Just because they were men and were wanted more than she was they got everything they asked their Pa for. She couldn’t have a thing. Robin was tired of everyone and everything around her. She was tired of working on a farm, not being married when she saw other girls her age married and having children. She was nineteen and needed to get out and find out what life was like outside of the farm. Robin finally fell asleep but it was a fitful one.
Adam had gone for a ride still thinking about Robin. He had ridden by the lake when he saw Robin sitting on the grass looking lost in thought. He got off his horse and sat by her.
“Hi,” He said.
Robin jumped in surprise then smiled. He sat by her and pulled his legs up to his chest and wrapped his arms around them.
“Robin, listen, I know you’ve been going through some things. I can help if you want.”
“Listen, Adam Cartwright, you don’t know nothin’ about what’s going on with me!” Robin snapped.
“I’ve heard people talk about you. I’ve seen how your father and brothers treat you. Let me help you.”
“Why do you even want to help me anyway? Just to make fun of me along with the others because I’m ugly and no man will have me? I’m no use to anyone anyway. Get away from me.”
Robin stood to leave but Adam grabbed her arm and pulled her to face him.
“Robin, you are very beautiful.”
Robin snorted and rolled her eyes not believing him.
“I know you don’t believe me but you are. I’m sure that if I can help you will see it.”
“Adam, you can’t do nothin’ to help me.”
Adam looked at her. “I’m sorry, Robin. May I take you home?”
“No, you may not.” She stormed off.
Adam sighed and watched her leave. He had to do something. But what?
Chapter 3
Adam sat and stewed about Robin as days went by. He decided he needed to make this ugly duckling see what a swan she really was. Ben noticed how quiet his oldest son was and asked what was wrong.
“It’s Robin. I want her to see that she’s beautiful but she won’t let me,” Adam said.
“Adam, then show her. Take her to get a dress. She’s never been treated like a lady,” Ben suggested.
“All right. I’ve just got to think of an excuse to get her into town,” Adam said.
Adam rode to the McFarland home a couple of days later.
“Max, I was wondering if I could borrow your daughter for the day?” Adam asked.
“What for?” Max asked folding his arms.
“I’m getting a dress for a lady friend of mine and it’s a surprise. I’m sure Sarah would be busy so I need Robin to help me,” Adam replied.
“Well, all right. Robbie!”
Robin came out of the kitchen and into the front room.
“Yeah, Pa?”
“You’re going to town with Adam.”
“All right,” Robin said uncertainly.
They got into town and walked into the mercantile.
“Sarah, I’m looking for a dress for a lady friend of mine. I have Robin here to help me pick one out. May we look at your dresses?” Adam asked.
“Yes, of course.” Sarah said and went to the dresses.
Adam looked at the dresses and found an emerald green colored dress.
“Let’s try this one. Do you have a dressing room?” Adam asked.
“Yes, it’s over there.” Sarah said pointing towards the open room.
“Robin, will you try this on please?” Adam asked handing Robin the dress.
Robin took it shyly and went into the other room.
“So, who is the dress for?” Sarah asked flirting with him.
“It’s for Robin.”
Sarah’s face shifted from smiling and flirty to surprise and almost disgust.
“Why her?” She whispered.
“Because she’s a beautiful girl. We’re going to have a party and I wanted her to be there.” Adam whispered back.
Robin came out of the room and caught Adam’s eye. He looked at her and his mouth dropped open.
“Wow, Robin, you’re beautiful in that dress. I think I’ll get that one for my friend,” Adam said.
Robin blushed at the complement and turned to change.
“I’ll take that dress. It is really pretty against her red hair,” Adam said.
“Would you like the other things that go with it?” Sarah asked in a business tone.
“Of course,” Adam said in a tight voice.
“I don’t know what you see in Robin McFarland. She’s a plain looking girl who won’t catch a man but will be taking care of her brothers and father for the rest of their lives,” Sarah said angrily.
There was a gasp behind them. They turned and saw Robin standing there listening. Hot, angry tears welled up in Robin’s eyes. She dropped the dress and ran out. Adam picked up the dress and dusted it off.
“Wrap this up and the rest of the items,” He said angrily shoving the dress in Sarah’s arms and walked out.
He found Robin leaning against the wagon crying.
“Robin?”
Robin didn’t look at Adam. He turned her to face him. She looked at him with tears streaming down her cheeks.
“I told you that I’d never get a man or that I’m pretty. Sarah said it and so have others. Adam, take me home and I never want to see you again. I don’t want to be the girl to try on dresses for your friend. I hate you, Adam Cartwright, for humiliating me in front of Sarah,”
She hit him in the chest but then he pulled her to him and she sobbed as he held her. He didn’t say anything but just held her. He knew that she was venting her built up frustrations. He didn’t mind letting her vent it out.
After calming Robin down and getting her in the wagon, Adam had gathered the parcels and got in the wagon. They were quiet when they were heading back home.
“We’re going to have a party next week. I’d like for you to come,” Adam said breaking the silence.
“Why? So you can further humiliate me in front of the townspeople?” Robin asked bitterly.
“I want everyone to see how beautiful you are,” Adam said.
“I’m not beautiful, Adam. When are you gonna get that out of your head?”
“Never,” He said smiling at her.
Robin snorted softly and turned from him.
Chapter 4
The Cartwright’s had decorated the Ponderosa for the dance two weeks later.
“Adam, why are you putting on a dance?” Joe asked.
“Because I want everyone to see how beautiful Robin is,” Adam replied hanging up the last of the lights.
“You’re joshing. She’s plain looking. Have you heard everyone talking about her in town?”
“Yes, I have, Joe, and I don’t appreciate it.”
“You sound like you’re courting her.”
“I’m not but I want everyone to see her for who she really is. She’s a wonderful girl.”
“Whatever you say, Older Brother,” Joe said sarcastically.
“If you’ll excuse me I need to pick her up.” Adam put a streamer on the porch table.
“It’s pretty early to get her,” Hoss said.
“I have a dress for her and she needs to get ready here. Betty is going to help her out.”
Adam got in the carriage and left.
Adam had picked up Betty then Robin and arrived at the Ponderosa. They headed up to the guest room.
“Robin, I got you a dress and a few other things to go with it. Betty is going to help you get together,” Adam said.
“Adam, why are you doing this? It won’t make a difference,” Robin said.
“Have you heard the story The Ugly Duckling?” Adam asked.
“No.”
Adam told her the story of how a duckling was ugly and everyone teased him and eventually told him to leave. He left and went to two different farms and then eventually found a pond with swans. He thought he’d stay there and let them kill him. He looked down in the water and saw his reflection. He noticed he wasn’t an ugly duckling but a beautiful swan and the prettiest of them all.
“Then he felt quite ashamed, and hid his head under his wing; for he did not know what to do, he was so happy, and yet not at all proud. He had been persecuted and despised for his ugliness, and now he heard them say he was the most beautiful of all the birds. Even the elder-tree bent down its bows into the water before him, and the sun shone warm and bright. Then he rustled his feathers, curved his slender neck, and cried joyfully, from the depths of his heart, ‘I never dreamed of such happiness as this, while I was an ugly duckling,’” He finished.
“So, I take it you’re saying I’m the Ugly Duckling?” Robin scoffed.
Adam smiled and walked out. Robin looked at Betty and shrugged.
“I guess we’d better get you ready.” Betty said and started helping Robin.
Chapter 5
The guests started to arrive later that evening. Adam greeted the guests then went upstairs. He knocked on the door.
“Come in.” Robin said.
Adam opened the door and saw Robin making him stop in his tracks and his jaw drop.
“Do I look that bad?” She asked uncertainly.
“You look beautiful.” Adam said finally finding his voice.
Robin didn’t see herself. Adam wanted to see her face when she saw herself.
“Betty, you can turn the mirror around.”
Betty smiled and turned the full-length mirror around. Adam took Robin by the shoulders and gently turned her to face the mirror. Her eyes widened in surprise as her hand flew to her mouth.
“Is that me?” She whispered.
“Yes, it is,” Adam said smiling.
“Have I always looked like that?”
“Yes, you have.”
“But I’ve always looked at the looking glass and I was always ugly.” Robin turned this way and that looking at herself. Part of her red hair was pulled up and the rest in ringlets. It looked beautiful against her green dress.
“Everyone is gathering downstairs,” Adam announced
“Adam, I’m scared,” Robin said.
“Why?”
“What if they laugh at me and say that I’m a joke?”
Adam looked at them both in the mirror.
“They’ll not laugh. They’ll find you beautiful and they’ll be stunned into silence.” He whispered.
Adam and Robin went to the top of the stairs and he looked down at the company and saw them mingling.
“Come.”
He took her hand and felt her shake and squeezed her hand reassuring her things would be all right. They walked down the stairs to join the party.
“Friends, I’d like you all to meet the beautiful Robin McFarland,” Adam announced.
Everyone looked towards them and went quiet. Fear coursed through Robin. She wanted to run but her legs wouldn’t cooperate.
“Robbie, is that really you?” Max asked coming up to her.
“Yes, it is,” Robin said shyly.
Her brothers joined their father and sister.
“I can’t believe it’s you. You are beautiful,” Johnny complemented.
Robin smiled. The music started along with the chattering and dancing. Adam danced with Robin. She felt like she was floating on air.
During the dance, Robin had danced with other men. She was surprised how they acted towards her when they had teased and mocked her. She had decided to sit out after a few dances. Her thoughts turned to the Ugly Duckling story and though she scoffed at Adam saying it was her, she realized it was her. She smiled to herself. Robin wondered how Adam could see the beauty in her when nobody else did.
“May I take you for a walk?” a voice asked.
Robin looked up and saw Adam standing in front of her with his hand out to her. “Yes, you may,” She said taking his hand.
They walked out to the corral and leaned against it in silence.
“Adam, I thought of your story,” Robin said breaking the silence.
“My story?”
“The Ugly Duckling. You really were saying I was the Ugly Duckling, weren’t you?”
He chuckled. “Yes, I was. How did you know I was talking about you?”
“I was thinking about it just a few minutes ago, when I was thinking about how everyone has been treating me because I’m wearing a dress and clean up nice.”
“You have always been beautiful to me and I wanted you to see it for yourself,” Adam replied.
“I think everyone will treat me the same after tonight. They’ll probably ignore me. I’m not complaining, just pointing something out,” Robin said.
“They’ll never think or see you the same after tonight.”
Chapter 6
The township did see and think of her differently after the social. The men asked her to dinner and the women gave her complements. Her father had sent her off to college back east for study and how to be a lady. She had been there three years and was in her last year. Robin had visited every summer and had always said how well things were going back east.
“Hey, Adam, you got a letter,” Hoss said after coming in from town.
“Oh? From whom?”
Hoss shrugged. “I dunno.”
Adam took the letter from his brother and opened it. He scanned it and saw it was from Robin.
“It’s from Robin. She says she’s doing well and that she’s learning a lot in college. She’ll be graduating in a month,” Adam read. He read the rest to himself:
Dearest Adam,
I hope this letter finds you well. I can’t believe how fast these four years have gone and I will be graduating soon! I can’t thank you enough for showing this ugly duckling what a beautiful swan she really is. I owe you so much. I have met a wonderful man here in Boston. His name is John Benson. He is a doctor and is finishing up his schooling. He is wanting to come west to be of service to people. He asked me to marry him and I said yes! We’ll come to Virginia City to be married. I am inviting you and your family to the wedding. I am so happy, Adam. To quote the Ugly Duckling “I never dreamed of such happiness as this, while I was an ugly duckling.” Thank you all for your help.
Your Ugly Duckling turned Swan,
Robin McFarland
“What else does it say?” Hoss asked.
“She’s getting married,”
Hoss looked at him in surprise. “She is?”
“Yes, she is. She met a gentleman there and they’re getting married here in Virginia City. We’re all invited.”
“That’s wonderful.”
Adam nodded and folded up the letter and slipped in his pocket. The Ugly Duckling became a swan and lived a happy life.
From the Brandsters. The story was originally written and published on the Bonanza Trail Riders site. Brand is happy to offer this story a new home. And we’re happy to Publish the story on the anniversary of the publication of its inspiration: The Ugly Duckling – by Hans Christian Andersen.
