The Ugly Duckling and Me! 2006

Ratso's dream of fame

Ratso, a city rat with starved ambitions, dreams of becoming a famous showman despite delivering terrible performances. His constant sidekick is a worm named Wesley, who fuels his ego and helps plan bigger, flashier acts. The city setting establishes the chaotic world where Ratso's hunger for fame drives every decision.

Plan for Ernie's carnival and the chase begins

Ratso and Wesley hatch a plan to take Wesley to Ernie's carnival, which promises the crowds Ratso craves. They are soon chased by Phillis and her two brothers, who want to derail Ratso's schemes. The chase sets up the collision between Ratso's dreams and the dangers around him.

Train ride chaos and an egg hatches

On a moving train, Ratso and Wesley's antics send them tumbling into a bird's nest from which they scramble to safety. The fall causes an egg to start hatching, while Wesley ends up trapped inside a tequila bottle. Ratso blunders into a yard full of chickens and ducks, bewildered by his new surroundings.

Ugly emerges and Ratso’s lie

When the egg hatches into Ugly, Ratso panics and lies that the egg is his wife, insisting the hatchling is a duckling from the yard, with a friendly duck named Daphne backing up the tale. The ruse buys him time as Ugly becomes a part of the strange duck-yard life.

Duck-yard confinement and escape plan

Ratso is forced to stay in the duck-yard while he plots an escape, digging a tunnel through the ground. Ugly is used as a distraction to entertain the yard and keep watchers away from Ratso's plans. When the audience laughs at Ugly's odd moves, Ratso reluctantly decides to keep Ugly along on the journey.

Betrayal and new direction

Wesley betrays Ratso by telling Phillis where Ratso plans to go next, tipping off their pursuers. Ratso realizes the betrayal too late, and the path to Ernie's carnival becomes perilous.

Journey through the woods toward Ernie's carnival

They travel through the woods following a map toward Ernie's carnival, and Ugly spends time learning to dance from Ratso. They rescue a goose named Jessie along the way, then sleep for the night in an abandoned Volkswagen Beetle.

Ugly grows up and faces Jessie

Ugly grows into a teenage version of himself, clashing with Ratso over showmanship. He also becomes smitten with Jessie, which complicates the trio's dynamic as they push toward the carnival.

A near-fatal crossing and a heroic save

They come to a frozen river but fail to notice a broken bridge, plunging into the cold. A hungry pike attacks and nearly drags them under, but Ugly heroically saves Ratso and spits the pike out on the shore.

Arrival at the carnival and confrontation

Arriving at the carnival, they find an abandoned amusement park overrun by gulls, and Phillis and her brothers ambush them. Ernie appears—carrying a living hand puppet named William—and even a tabby cat reveals itself to be Ernie.

Onstage dilemma and ugly truth

Just before showtime, Ratso wavers on his conscience, while Ugly decides to perform to help Ratso, hoping to prove himself. The audience laughs at Ugly's performance, making him realize Ratso planned to humiliate him for fame.

Capture and failed rescue

Phillis captures Ugly and Ratso during the attempt to stage a rescue, and Jessie, Ernie, and William are also detained. The tense moment sets the stage for a drastic turn of events in the following confrontations.

Confession and bond restored

Ugly forgives Ratso, and Ratso confesses that he is not Ugly's real father. The two acknowledge their bond as a chosen family, solidifying their relationship beyond blood.

Ugly's Swan transformation and release

Ugly suddenly turns into an adult swan, escapes, and frees Phillis' captives. The revelation shifts the power dynamics at the pond, altering Ratso's fate and the fate of those around him.