The Peacock and the Crane

A peacock, spreading its gorgeous tail, mocked a crane that passed by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage. Said he, "I am robed like a king in gold and purple and all the colors of the rainbow, while you have not a bit of color on your wings."

"True," replied the crane, "but I soar to the heights of heaven, and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like a cock, among the birds of the dunghill."

Fine feathers don't make fine birds.