The Peacock and The Magpie
Birds chose Peacock for king based on beauty, but Magpie's questions made them realize wisdom and courage were crucial.
Once upon a time, all the Birds in the forest gathered to choose a king. The Pearooster, feeling proud, stepped forward and showed off his shiny, colorful feathers.
"Let me be your king," he said, spreading his beautiful tail. The Birds were amazed by the Pearooster’s beauty and were ready to make him their king.
But then, the Magpie, a clever black-and-white bird, flew into the group. She looked at the Pearooster and the other Birds. "Can I ask a few questions?" she said calmly.
The Birds, knowing the Magpie was smart, nodded. "Mr. Pearooster," the Magpie began, "you are very beautiful. But if the forest is in danger, what would you do to protect us? How would you keep us safe?"
The Pearooster didn’t know what to say. He hadn’t thought about protecting the forest or the Birds. He only wanted to be king because of the title. The other Birds realized their mistake, too. They needed a king who could keep them safe, not just one who looked good. So, the Pearooster was not chosen as their king.
In the end, the Birds learned that a good leader needs more than just beauty—they need wisdom and courage too.
Audio available for B1 version
Once upon a time, all the Birds in the forest gathered to choose a king.
The Pearooster, feeling proud, stepped forward and showed off his shiny, colorful feathers.
"Let me be your king," he said, spreading his beautiful tail.
The Birds were amazed by the Pearooster’s beauty and were ready to make him their king.
But then, the Magpie, a clever black-and-white bird, flew into the group.
She looked at the Pearooster and the other Birds.
"Can I ask a few questions?" she said calmly.
The Birds, knowing the Magpie was smart, nodded. "Mr.
Pearooster," the Magpie began, "you are very beautiful.
But if the forest is in danger, what would you do to protect us?
How would you keep us safe?"
The Pearooster didn’t know what to say.
He hadn’t thought about protecting the forest or the Birds.
He only wanted to be king because of the title.
The other Birds realized their mistake, too.
They needed a king who could keep them safe, not just one who looked good.
So, the Pearooster was not chosen as their king.
In the end, the Birds learned that a good leader needs more than just beauty—they need wisdom and courage too.
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Word Finder
Gathered
Came together in one place for a purpose.Proud
Feeling very pleased about something you have done.Shiny
Reflecting light, bright, and glossy.Amazed
Feeling great surprise or wonder at something.Clever
Quick to learn or understand things, smart.Danger
The possibility of something bad or harmful happening.Protect
To keep something safe from harm or danger.Realized
Understood something clearly or became aware of it.Mistake
An action or decision that is wrong or incorrect.Wisdom
Knowledge and good judgment from learning and experience.
Understanding Questions
- Why did the Pearooster want to be the king of the Birds?
- What did the other Birds initially think of the Pearooster?
- Why did the Magpie ask the Pearooster questions before choosing him as king?
- How did the Pearooster react when asked about protecting the forest?
- What lesson did the Birds learn about choosing a leader?
Reflection Questions
- Why did the birds initially want to make the Peacock their king?
- How did the Magpie's question change the Birds' minds about who should be their king?
- What qualities do you think a good leader should have, based on this story?
- Can you remember a time when something or someone looked good on the outside, but wasn't what you expected on the inside?
- How can we apply the lesson from this story to make better decisions in our lives?
Fable Quotes
A crown of wisdom outshines a feather of beauty.
Leadership is not measured by the beauty of feathers, but by the depth of wisdom.
In leadership, it's not about the feathers that impress, but the responsibility to protect and guide.
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