THE hens and turkeys were scratching for their breakfast in front of the
barn-door; while the dog lay lazily looking on. The proud peacock stood
on the fence near by, and spread his tail out, that the morning sun
might shine on it, and make it still more beautiful.
[Illustration]
"Ah!" said the peacock to one of the hens, "do you not wish that you
were as handsome as I am? Then you would never have to scratch for your
food, but would be fed and taken care of and admired."
"I wish nothing of the kind," said the hen. "There is something which
men prize more than beauty, and that is usefulness. If I were as fine
and gay as you are, men would miss the eggs I lay."
"That is just my view of the case," said a goose. "If I were not a
goose, I should like to be a hen. I would not be a lazy peacock."
"She is quite right," said the dog. "You are very beautiful to look at,
Master Peacock, but that is all you are good for. Take comfort in your
fine feathers, but don't boast."
LEONORA, from the German.