{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6a8dc1be3e4ed0e7c220cb93/6a8dc1d483ae7b3466b69895?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The Ugly Duckling – Calming Bedtime Story for Kids","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/6a8dc1be3e4ed0e7c220cb93/036fd11044e7187defd3c694c6ef7288.jpg?height=200","description":"<p>A gentle, calming read-aloud of The Ugly Duckling — perfect for helping little ones wind down for sleep. Cozy, soothing, and family-friendly, this bedtime story is ideal for quiet evenings and nighttime routines.</p><p>A long time ago, on a sunny farmyard by the water, a strange little duckling hatched from the biggest egg in the nest. He was taller, grayer, and clumsier than all the others — and everyone made sure he knew it.</p><p>In tonight’s bedtime story, Nathan reads “The Ugly Duckling”, a classic tale about being different, getting teased, wandering through a long winter… and finally discovering you were a swan all along.</p><p><br></p><p>This episode is perfect for:<br> 🌙 Bedtime wind-down – gentle pacing, soft narration, familiar fairy-tale rhythm<br> 💛 Kids who feel “different” – a reassuring reminder that they’re not alone<br> 📚 Fans of classic stories – a cozy, audio-only way to share a favourite tale together</p><p><br></p><p>🧸 Story themes:</p><ul><li> Belonging and finding your place</li><li> Kindness vs. teasing and exclusion</li><li> Seasons changing – from cold, hard winters to warm spring gardens</li><li> Growing into who you really are</li></ul><p>👨‍👩‍👧 Parent note:<br>This story includes mild bullying/unkindness toward the duckling (being called ugly, chased, pecked, and left out), but it has a very warm, happy ending when he discovers he’s a beautiful swan and is welcomed at last.</p><p><br></p><p>🎧 How to listen:</p><ul><li> Best enjoyed snuggled up in bed, lights low or off</li><li> Let this play all the way through — the pacing is slow and soothing to help little ones drift off</li></ul><p><br></p><p>✨ About The Bedtime Storybook<br>The Bedtime Storybook is a cozy, screen-free podcast from Haunted Mouse Productions, where Nathan reads timeless stories for kids and grown-ups to share at the end of the day. Grab a blanket, press play, and let the stories do the rest.</p><p><br></p><p>💌 Follow &amp; share</p><ul><li>Follow The Bedtime Storybook on your favourite podcasting platform so you don’t miss the next story.</li><li>Share this episode with another parent or grandparent who loves classic tales at bedtime.<br><a href=\"https://linktr.ee/hauntedmouseproductions\">https://linktr.ee/hauntedmouseproductions</a> </li></ul><p><em>“The Ugly Duckling,” originally written by Hans Christian Andersen (1843). This story is part of the public domain.</em></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"Haunted Mouse Productions"}