The Plucked Peacock
Once upon a time, deep in a magical forest where the wind blew sweetly, there lived a proud peacock. When the sunlight struck his emerald green and navy blue feathers, he believed himself to be the most perfect creature in the world. He constantly looked down on the other humble birds of the forest and took great pleasure in mocking their dull colors. Although the forest dwellers felt a deep discomfort at his offensive manners, they kept silent for a long time. But the peacock's arrogance grew a little more with each passing day and was becoming unbearable. One spring morning, the birds gathered in the great meadow in the middle of the forest announced that they would choose their king. The haughty peacock spread his magnificent tail like a fan and called out to the others from the high rock where he had perched.
"Look at these enchanting colors of mine, of course I must be the only true ruler among you!" he shouted. The wise owl stepped forward and calmly answered his showy outburst. "Beauty is not only in outward appearance; well then, how will you protect us in a moment of danger?" she asked. The peacock laughed mockingly at this question and, looking at the crows, said, "Ugly ones like you are the ones who need protection anyway." At this grave insult, all the birds in the forest were seized by a deep anger. The sparrows, the doves and the crows whispered among themselves and decided to teach the arrogant peacock a lesson he would never forget. All together they charged and began to fly toward that ornate tail he trusted so much.
Attacking one by one, the birds began to pluck out the peacock's glittering feathers one by one with blows of their beaks. The peacock, struggling in helplessness, watched with eyes full of fear as the feathers he had boasted of so much flew through the air. Within a few minutes he had lost all those splendid colors, and only a bare, ugly body remained. With not a trace of arrogance left, the peacock hid among the bushes out of shame and vanished from sight. From then on the forest folk understood that the greatest virtue is not ostentation but humility. Those who grow arrogant with their outward beauty and humiliate others will one day lose the greatest source of pride they hold. Do not trust your beauty, a pimple is enough; do not trust your wealth, a spark is enough.