The Raven and the Swan

Summary

In this fable, a Raven is envious of a Swan's beautiful white feathers and desires to attain the same appearance. Believing that the Swan's color is a result of frequently washing in the water, the Raven abandons his usual habitat, where he finds food, and starts living by lakes and pools, repeatedly cleansing his own feathers. Despite his efforts, the Raven cannot change the color of his feathers, and due to neglecting his nourishment, he eventually dies from hunger. The story conveys a moral lesson about the dangers of envy and the futility of trying to change one's natural characteristics by emulating others superficially, as well as the importance of valuing one's own strengths and accepting oneself.

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A Raven saw a Swan and desired to secure for himself the same beautiful plumage. Supposing that the Swan’s splendid white color arose from his washing in the water in which he swam, the Raven left the altars in the neighborhood where he picked up his living, and took up residence in the lakes and pools. But cleansing his feathers as often as he would, he could not change their color, while through want of food he perished.