Aesop
|
Greece

The Peacock and The Crane

The Peacock boasts of his beauty, but the Crane shows the usefulness of her plain feathers by flying high.
Appreciation
Pride
Humility
Featured in Fable Book
Aesop's Fables - The Peacock and The Crane
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a green forest, there lived a pretty Peacock and a simple Crane. They were neighbors and often met at a lake nearby to drink water and talk.

One day, the Peacock, feeling very proud of his beautiful feathers, started to brag to the Crane. "Look at my amazing tail," said the Peacock, showing off his feathers. "I am the most beautiful bird in the world!"

The Crane listened quietly as the Peacock talked about how beautiful he was. The Peacock then made fun of the Crane for her plain looks. "And look at you," he laughed, "your feathers are so plain and gray. You must wish you were as beautiful as me."

The Crane, however, did not feel bad or jealous. She replied calmly, "It is true that you have beautiful feathers, my friend, but they are only for showing off. My feathers may not be colorful, but they have their own use."

With that, the Crane spread her long wings and flew high into the sky. She could fly far away, seeing the world's beauty from above. The Peacock, who couldn't fly very far because of his heavy feathers, could only watch as the Crane flew away.

Once upon a time, in a green forest, there lived a beautiful Pearooster and a simple Crane. They were neighbors and often met at a lake nearby to drink water and talk.

One day, the Pearooster felt very proud of his pretty feathers. He started to brag to the Crane. "Look at my amazing tail," said the Pearooster, showing his feathers. "I am the most beautiful bird in the world!"

The Crane listened quietly as the Pearooster talked about how beautiful he was. The Pearooster then made fun of the Crane for her plain looks. "And look at you," he laughed, "your feathers are so plain and gray. You must wish you were as beautiful as me."

The Crane did not feel bad or jealous. She replied calmly, "It is true that you have beautiful feathers, my friend, but they are only for showing off. My feathers may not be colorful, but they have their own use."

With that, the Crane spread her long wings and flew high into the sky. She could fly far away, seeing the world's beauty from above. The Pearooster, who couldn't fly very far because of his heavy feathers, could only watch as the Crane flew away.

In a big forest, there is a Pearooster and a Crane. They live near a lake. Every day, they come to the lake to drink water.

One day, the Pearooster looks at his feathers. “My feathers are so pretty,” he says. “I am the best bird!”

The Crane listens. The Pearooster says, “Look at you. Your feathers are not pretty. You are not like me.”

The Crane is quiet. Then she says, “Your feathers are nice, but they are only for looking. My feathers are good for flying.”

The Crane opens her wings and flies high in the sky. The Pearooster looks up. He cannot fly far. He watches the Crane fly away.

Once upon a time, in a green forest, there lived a beautiful Pearooster and a simple Crane. They were neighbors and often met at a lake nearby to drink water and talk.

One day, the Pearooster felt very proud of his pretty feathers. He started to brag to the Crane. "Look at my amazing tail," said the Pearooster, showing his feathers. "I am the most beautiful bird in the world!"

The Crane listened quietly as the Pearooster talked about how beautiful he was. The Pearooster then made fun of the Crane for her plain looks. "And look at you," he laughed, "your feathers are so plain and gray. You must wish you were as beautiful as me."

The Crane did not feel bad or jealous. She replied calmly, "It is true that you have beautiful feathers, my friend, but they are only for showing off. My feathers may not be colorful, but they have their own use."

With that, the Crane spread her long wings and flew high into the sky. She could fly far away, seeing the world's beauty from above. The Pearooster, who couldn't fly very far because of his heavy feathers, could only watch as the Crane flew away.

Once upon a groovy time, in a forest that was more green than a plate of spinach at dinner, there lived a glamorous Peacock and a simple yet savvy Crane. Neighbors, best buds, the type to chat over a cup of pond water at the nearby lake.

"Hey, Crane, ever take a gander at this tail?" said the Peacock, fanning his feathers as if showing off the latest fashion. "I mean, it's like a rainbow met a painting and they had a party on my tail feathers!"

The Crane sipped her water, eying him with a smile. "Quite the plumage you've got there. A masterpiece indeed! But what's the use?"

The Peacock pranced, laughing like he'd heard the funniest joke in the world. "Use? Who needs use when you've got style? Look at you with your gray ensemble. It's like watching paint dry on a cloudy day."

"Oh, gray's quite the in-color, you know?" replied the Crane calmly, ruffling her wings. "It's got that chic minimalist vibe. And let me show you what else it's got..."

With that, the Crane spread her wings with the elegance of a ballerina and the grace of a spy movie star, soaring into the sky. "Catch you later, Peacock!" she called, as she danced among the clouds.

The Peacock's jaw dropped. His feathers seemed to droop. "Well, that's one way to make an exit," he muttered, looking rather blue despite all his colors.

And as he watched the Crane explore the sky, a thought occurred to him. Maybe there was more to beauty than meets the eye.

"I'll give you this, Crane," he said, almost to himself, "you sure do know how to fly."

And that's how the Peacock learned that while flashy feathers are nice for a show, sometimes the simple things have their own special glow.

Amidst trees tall and vast,
Where shadows of the day were cast,
Pretty Peacock and simple Crane,
Together danced in sun and rain.

Beside a lake, both birds would meet,
With sparkling water cool and sweet.
One day, Peacock, with feathers so bright,
Said, “See my tail, it’s pure delight!”

“I shimmer, I shine, in the sun’s soft glow,
I’m the most beautiful bird, this you must know.”
Then with a twinkle in his eye,
He laughed at Crane, "Oh my, oh my!"

“Your feathers, dear Crane, are so very plain,
While mine are like a colorful rain.”
But Crane, with a smile, so very wise,
Looked at Peacock with understanding eyes.

“Your feathers, no doubt, are a wondrous sight,
But mine let me soar, let me take flight.”
With grace and a stretch, up to the sky she sped,
While Peacock looked on, nodding his head.

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Word Finder

  1. Beautiful:

    Very pretty to look at or hear.

  2. Neighbors:

    People or animals living nearby each other.

  3. Brag:

    Talk too proudly about something.

  4. Amazing:

    Very surprising and wonderful.

  5. Plain:

    Simple, not decorated or fancy.

  6. Jealous:

    Feeling unhappy because someone has what you want.

  7. Calmly:

    In a relaxed and peaceful way.

  8. Colorful:

    Full of bright and different colors.

  9. Spread:

    Open something out wide.

  10. Heavy:

    Hard to lift because it weighs a lot.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where did the Pearooster and the Crane usually meet to talk and drink water?
  2. What did the Pearooster brag about to the Crane?
  3. How did the Pearooster make fun of the Crane’s appearance?
  4. What was the Crane's response when the Pearooster teased her about her feathers?
  5. Why couldn't the Pearooster fly very far like the Crane?
Word Finder
  1. Feathers:

    Soft things that cover birds' bodies.

  2. Pretty:

    Looking nice and beautiful to see.

  3. Best:

    The most good, better than all others.

  4. Listens:

    Uses ears to hear sounds or talking.

  5. Quiet:

    Not speaking or making any noise.

  6. Nice:

    Good, kind, or pleasant in some way.

  7. Only:

    Nothing else, just one thing alone.

  8. Flying:

    Moving through the air like birds do.

  9. Wings:

    Bird's body parts used for flying.

  10. Far:

    A long way away from a place.

  1. Beautiful:

    Very pretty to look at or hear.

  2. Neighbors:

    People or animals living nearby each other.

  3. Brag:

    Talk too proudly about something.

  4. Amazing:

    Very surprising and wonderful.

  5. Plain:

    Simple, not decorated or fancy.

  6. Jealous:

    Feeling unhappy because someone has what you want.

  7. Calmly:

    In a relaxed and peaceful way.

  8. Colorful:

    Full of bright and different colors.

  9. Spread:

    Open something out wide.

  10. Heavy:

    Hard to lift because it weighs a lot.

Understanding Questions
  1. Who has pretty feathers?

    1. The Crane
    2. The Pearooster
    3. Both the Crane and the Pearooster
    4. Neither of them
  2. Where do the Pearooster and the Crane live?

    1. In a city
    2. In a forest
    3. In a desert
    4. On a mountain
  3. What does the Pearooster say about the Crane’s feathers?

    1. They are colorful.
    2. They are not pretty.
    3. They are big.
    4. They are special.
  4. What is the Crane good at?

    1. Singing
    2. Flying
    3. Dancing
    4. Swimming
  5. What does the Pearooster do at the end of the story?

    1. He flies away.
    2. He sings a song.
    3. He watches the Crane fly away.
    4. He goes to sleep.
  1. Where did the Pearooster and the Crane usually meet to talk and drink water?
  2. What did the Pearooster brag about to the Crane?
  3. How did the Pearooster make fun of the Crane’s appearance?
  4. What was the Crane's response when the Pearooster teased her about her feathers?
  5. Why couldn't the Pearooster fly very far like the Crane?
  1. What was the main reason the Pearooster felt superior to the Crane?
  2. How did the Crane respond to the Pearooster's mocking comments about her appearance?
  3. What ability did the Crane highlight that the Pearooster could not perform?
  4. Why could the Pearooster only watch as the Crane flew away?
  5. What contrast does the fable present between the Pearooster’s feathers and the Crane’s wings?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Peacock felt the need to brag about his feathers to the Crane?
  2. How did the Crane react when the Peacock made fun of her plain feathers?
  3. What was the Crane able to do that the Peacock couldn't, and why was this important?
  4. What does this story teach us about the difference between appearance and abilities or functionality?
  5. Can you think of a situation in your life where something simple or plain was more useful or enjoyable than something flashy or beautiful?
Fable Quotes
In embracing our unique gifts, we discover the true beauty that lies within us.
Pride can blind us from seeing the true worth of others.
Pride may make you shine for a moment, but humility will make you shine forever.
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