116. Aesop's Fables - The Jay And The Peacock

Once there was a large abandoned home near a forest. The house had a large backyard, which was dotted with some trees and wild vegetations. The house was often visited by forest birds and animals. Small animals such as rabbits and ant eater often came there. Many birds nested on the trees in the yard.

One day a group of peacocks came to house. They found it amusing to perch on its high walls, roofs and walking on the raw mud ground. They decided to inhabit the house.

Months passed and a jay who often visited the forest for animals and collecting other forest products such as the raisins, bones, animal teeth, bird feather; etc found that a troop of peacock nested the backyard of the abandoned house.

One day, the jay jumped into the house. The yard of the house had many fallen peacock feathers. The jay bundled the feathers and spread them around him. He attempted to disguise as peacock and then approached them. When the jay neared the peacocks, they soon discovered the deceptive appearance and recklessly pecked at him. The jade was soon uncovered. He received injuries due to fierce pecking and ran away from the house.    

Moral: (1) Appearances can be deceptive. (2) Never underestimate anyone. In this case, it would be appropriate to say that, ‘it is not only feathers which make a bird’.

Proverb: It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds.