1. Initial Rejection: The duckling is born different from his siblings and is immediately ridiculed and bullied. This sets the stage for the duckling's journey.
2. Seeking Acceptance: The duckling tries to integrate with other animals, hoping to find acceptance, but is met with further rejection and scorn. He faces ridicule from the ducks, geese, and even the chickens.
3. The Harsh Winter: The duckling experiences a harsh winter, facing hunger and cold. This adds to his misery and further emphasizes his loneliness and isolation.
4. Running Away: The duckling, driven by his desire for acceptance, runs away from the farm and into the wild. This act signifies his determination to find a place where he belongs.
5. Meeting the Wild Geese: The duckling meets a flock of wild geese, hoping to find acceptance among them. He is initially accepted, but their fear of the hunter leads them to abandon him, leaving him even more alone and disillusioned.
6. The Lonely Pond: The duckling finds himself alone in a frozen pond, facing further hardship and reflecting on his difficult journey. This marks the lowest point of his journey, highlighting his complete isolation and despair.
These events collectively create a sense of rising tension and build towards the duckling's eventual transformation and acceptance. The rising action emphasizes the themes of self-acceptance, perseverance, and the power of hope, which are all resolved in the story's climax and resolution.