The Ugly Duckling was written by Hans Christian Andersen, and published for the first time in 1843. In Italian, stories are generally recounted using two main past tenses: the passato remoto and the imperfetto, so even if you are "too old" for these kinds of things, this story, told by Arianna, is an excellent way to get some practice.

This story teaches us how important it is to accept those who might not look like us and to be patient about finding our place in the world. And sometimes something that seems like a defect, can be a gift.

It's the last day of school and Alessio, together with two buddies, set off the alarm for a bomb at school in order to throw water balloons at everyone. The three friends are planning a trip around Europe by train. First rule: There are no rules.

Alessio flunks out and his parents aren't letting him go on the trip he's been planning for a year. He decides to take things into his own hands.

Wanting to rest, Alessio finds an old kayak on the beach and falls asleep in it. What could possibly happen?

Alessio is stuck at the beach because his scooter has a flat tire. In order to get it fixed he looks for work at the beach club where he had fallen asleep the night before.

At the end of his day's work, Alessio wrecks the truck he'd loaded, and has to stay on at the beach club for ten more days of work to pay for the damages.

At the beach club Alessio does a little of everything: he waits tables, leads an exercise session on the beach, and takes care of the deliveries. He also meets someone!

After a long day's work, Alessio is invited to eat dinner with his hosts, but he soon realizes that there's a lot of tension in the air.

Martina has left her room and is staying in a tent on the beach near the shack where Alessio sleeps. Alessio has a surprise encounter on the beach with the nice lady he'd met once before.

Alessio is getting tired of being treated like a slave by Tonino, and tries in vain to rebel. He lets off steam to Martina who understands all too well.

Taking care of Saverio has fallen to his zio (uncle), Alessio's mean boss. After being treated badly for the umpteenth time, Alessio decides to grab his backpack...

Alessio hasn't given up trying to get to Obuda, but although he manages to find a train station and a train, things aren't so simple.

At the train station where Alessio had been kicked off the train, the police officer tells Alessio to call home to get picked up. Alessio does make a phone call, and he does get picked up, but not by his parents!

Encouraged by the woman who took him home with her, Alessio phones his mother and leaves a message. He then relaxes, and even falls asleep, but gets a rude awakening!