In a lush, green forest lived a peacock named Neel. Neel was incredibly proud of his magnificent, shimmering feathers. Whenever he walked through the woods, he would spread his tail and show off, often making fun of the other birds for their plain appearance.
One afternoon, Neel spotted a white crane standing by the edge of a pond. The crane’s feathers were simple and purely white. Neel approached the crane with a mocking laugh. "Look at you!" Neel sneered. "Your feathers are so dull and colorless. Look at me! I carry the colors of the entire rainbow on my back. You look like a plain white cloud!"
The crane replied calmly, "Friend, beauty is not just for show; it must also serve a purpose when we need it most."
Suddenly, a hunter emerged from behind the thick bushes. He was carrying a large net, looking for birds to catch. The crane, being light and agile, immediately spread its wings and soared high into the safety of the sky. However, Neel faced a terrifying problem. His heavy, long, and elaborate tail caught the wind like a sail, making it very difficult to take off quickly.
As Neel struggled to lift himself, the hunter threw his net. The beautiful feathers that Neel loved so much now felt like a heavy burden that trapped him. He tumbled to the ground, unable to escape. The hunter quickly approached to capture him.
The crane flew down to a nearby branch and looked at Neel with sadness. "You spent all your time admiring your beauty, but that beauty could not help you fly away from danger," the crane said gently. "Every creature is given exactly what they need to survive. Mocking others will not save you."
Neel felt a deep sense of regret. He realized that his vanity had blinded him to the true value of simplicity and utility.
Moral
True worth lies in usefulness and ability, not just in outward appearance.
