The Goose and the Stork
Once upon a time, on the shore of an enchanting lake where cool waters flowed, there lived a goose whose feathers shone brightly. This goose loved to glide across the wide lake, to walk on the grass by the shore and to fly high in the blue. But sadly, her arrogant heart made her boast about her own talents all the time. In the tall reeds just beyond the lake, a wise stork, who drew every eye with her graceful movements, had built a nest. All day long the stork glided across the sky with calm dignity and waited for the right moment to hunt. As the golden light of the sun struck the water, the goose proudly raised her head and swam over to the stork. “Look, neighbor, do you see how generous nature has been to me?” she began.
“I can walk on land, I can swim in the water and I can also fly freely in the air.” “You, on the other hand, only stand in the water on your long legs and flap your wings from time to time.” The goose puffed out her chest and went on boasting with a cheerful and slightly scornful air. “Tell me, how many creatures in the world are as skilled in every field as I am?” she asked. The wise stork listened patiently to these arrogant words and looked at the goose with calm eyes. Slowly opening her long beak, she answered in a clear and impressive voice. “Yes, you can do a little of everything, but you cannot do any of it fully and perfectly,” said the stork.
“On land your legs wobble, in the water you stay slow and in the air you fly clumsily.” “I, however, conquer the wind completely when I rise into the sky, and in the water I hunt expertly with a single move.” “Being an expert and perfect at one single task is worth more than knowing many things by halves.” Faced with these deep words, the arrogant goose did not know what to say and lowered her head in shame. With an embarrassed air she quietly moved away and disappeared into the depths of the reeds. Rather than staying shallow in many trades, mastering a single craft gives a person true worth. He who chases two hares catches neither.