[dropcap]A[/dropcap] crow, as vain and conceited as only a crow can be, picked up the feathers that some peacocks had shed. And stuck them among his own. Then he scoffed at his old companions and joined a flock of beautiful peacocks. After introducing himself with great self-confidence, the crow was immediately recognised for the intruder he was, and the peacocks stripped him of his borrowed plumes. Moreover, they battered him with their beaks and sent about his business.
The unlucky crow, sorely punished and deeply regretful, rejoined his former companions and wanted to mix with them again as if nothing had happened. But they recalled the airs he had assumed and drove him from their flock.
At the same time, one of the crows whom he had recently snubbed gave him this short lecture: “Had you been satisfied with your own feathers, you would have escaped the punishment of your betters and also the contempt of your equals.”
