In a lush green forest, there lived a crow and a cuckoo. While the crow was calm and steady, the cuckoo was very proud of its colorful and beautiful feathers.
One sunny afternoon, the crow was resting peacefully on a sturdy branch of an old banyan tree. The cuckoo flew by, saw the crow, and decided to tease him.
'Oh, you poor crow!' the cuckoo chirped mockingly. 'Look at your feathers. They are so dark and dull. They make you look so ordinary. Just look at me! My feathers shimmer in the sunlight like jewels. Don't you wish you were as beautiful as I am?'
The crow looked at the cuckoo calmly and replied, 'Your beauty is indeed lovely to look at, friend. But my dark feathers are strong and thick. They protect me from the biting wind and the heavy rains. Your feathers are beautiful, but they are very delicate. When the cold winter comes, you will struggle to stay warm.'
The cuckoo felt insulted and flew away, huffing in anger. 'You are just jealous of my grace!' it cried.
However, that very evening, a massive storm hit the forest. Fierce winds blew and freezing rain poured down. The cuckoo, with its delicate feathers, became soaked and began to shiver uncontrollably. It couldn't even fly to find shelter. On the other hand, the crow's strong, thick feathers kept him warm and safe on his branch. Realizing that strength is more important than mere appearance, the cuckoo felt ashamed of its earlier behavior.
Moral
True value lies in strength and utility, not just in outward appearance.
