The Kites and the Swan
In ancient times, kite birds had a strong and loud call of their own. One day the kites saw a swan gliding elegantly in the lake and envied its sweet voice. Saying "We should sing like the swan too," the kites abandoned their natural calls and began imitating the swan. However, they failed to sing like the swan; moreover, from forcing, they completely forgot their own original voices and remained screechy.
Those who abandon their own original talents, culture, and essence and try blindly to imitate others can neither reach their envy nor preserve their own essence. Blind imitation deprives a person of their own identity and leaves them caught between two stools. Developing one's own talent is a thousand times better than making imitations in someone else's shadow. Whoever loses their identity loses their self-respect as well.
Whoever leaves their essence and imitates another loses their own value too. Blind imitation destroys identity. Do not leave your own essence. Imitation of another makes one look funny.
Being original is superior to imitation. Whoever loses identity remains in the middle. Shine with your own talent.