It's little surprise that some KiwiFarmers are unable to understand the nuances of even the most basic children's story.
OP is wrong, of course. The family is important and vitally so given what we know of social outcasts in the news today. These aren't just some random individuals you get thrown in with. They are literally part of you down to the genetic level.
But the moral was always meant as a two way street. Yes, you are meant to better yourself to live up to your family's expectations and traditions. Help your parents, grandparents, siblings, and relations. But they also must reciprocate in kind.
Why?
Because it's IMPORTANT. And it goes back to your neolithic ancestors scrabbling out a living on the Russia steppe hunting mammoths and fighting off other tribes.
Now. Granted. You might have bad luck. You might be an orphan. Your family might well and truly be shit. But that doesn't mean the concept of "FAMILY" is bad though. That means YOU as the individual must work that much harder to achieve the ideal family and forge a future for yourself and your children.
The entire storybook of the The Ugly Duckling, the book should be about self acceptance and learning to be happy with not being a normally attractive being in society, but by the end of the book the duckling doesn't have an epiphany after all the shit that he's been through being shat on by other animals and even his own family, to be like 'Im different, I can be happy with that, fuck them! Instead, the dude turns into a beautiful swan for no reason at the end and is accepted for finally being of a high enough standard to cater to societies shallow outlook. Its basically unintentional or not saying 'If your not beautiful your life is worthless unless you change yourself to cater to other peoples opinions even if they treat you badly' Real nice message to give to like the 4 year olds who first read that guys.
This is completely incorrect. The moral of the Ugly Duckling is that SOCIETY shouldn't judge the "Ugly Duckling" based on something superficial. This is especially relevant today for our young single male Kiwifarmers since the Ugly Duckling metaphor is most often associated with "Ugly" little girls in school. Well it turns out those Ugly little ducklings grow up to be beautiful swans, and aren't you the stupid Goose to make fun of her throughout her entire life in school.
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer goes out of it's way to make all of the other reindeer (and elves, various other Santa employees) out to be vapid cunts, especially because they start fawning after Rudolph the moment he acquires a powerful patron. Most of the adaptations go on to have him forgive all these assholes for being just the absolute worst to him his whole mutant life because, again, now they suck up to him because he's powerful so they must actually really like him now. Forgiveness morals are always taught so badly, and I think it does damage to the kids who internalize those shit lessons.
Again. Completely misunderstanding the moral of a simple children's story. Emphasis. Children's story. This a two-way street for society. The other reindeer shouldn't make fun of Rudolph for something as silly as a glowing nose when you never know what hidden talents that individual has.
More important for this individual. It is absolutely and literally crazy and creepy to respond the way you recommend to the kids who teased him in school. They're reindeer games. These are kids. Kids tease each other. It doesn't matter.
Because Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer grows up and has to act like an adult. And an adult doesn't sit around all day brooding over the fact that some kids in the fourth grade once made fun of him for his stupid looking nose.
Rudolph is a well-adjusted individual. He has girlfriend. He has grown-up friends like an elf dentist and a crazy gold miner. He does fun stuff like travel and fight Bumble Snowmen. Rudolph has adult responsibilities to take care of.
Like KILLING COMMIES!
...
I mean. Delivering Christmas presents.
