In a lush, green meadow, a beautiful peacock strutted proudly, flaunting its colorful, vibrant feathers. It was admired by all the animals in the forest, who marveled at its beauty. The peacock believed that its external appearance was what made it the most special and worthy of admiration.
The Crane’s Simple Elegance
One day, while the peacock was admiring itself in a pond, a crane approached. The crane was not as flashy or colorful as the peacock, with its simple white feathers and long, graceful neck. The peacock, seeing the crane approach, scoffed and said, “You may be elegant, but look at my feathers. I am truly the most beautiful bird in this meadow. You are just plain and dull.”
The crane, unfazed, responded gently, “It is not the feathers that define beauty, but the way we live our lives. Beauty comes from within and is reflected in our actions, not in our appearance.”
The Lesson of True Beauty
The peacock, intrigued by the crane’s calm demeanor and wise words, asked, “What do you mean by that? Everyone praises me because of my vibrant feathers. How could true beauty come from within?”
The crane smiled and explained, “Look around you. You will see that the birds who are admired are not those who simply boast about their looks, but those who serve others, help when needed, and live with grace. True beauty is found in kindness, humility, and the ability to lift others up.”
The peacock, reflecting on the crane’s words, began to realize that while its feathers were indeed beautiful, they didn’t make it any more special than the other creatures in the meadow. It was the crane’s wisdom and selflessness that truly shone, and the peacock understood that beauty is more than just skin deep.
The Moral
From that day onward, the peacock focused not only on its outward beauty but also on developing inner beauty through acts of kindness and humility. The moral of the story is simple: true beauty lies within. It’s not our external appearance that defines us, but our actions, kindness, and the way we treat others.
Key Takeaways
- True beauty is defined by inner qualities such as kindness, humility, and selflessness.
- External appearance may draw attention, but it is our character that leaves a lasting impression.
- It’s important to appreciate and nurture our inner beauty while maintaining humility.
- Beauty is about how we impact the world around us, not how we look to others.
