It is related that one day a Crow was flying and saw a Partridge, which
was walking gracefully on the ground with a quick step and graceful
gait that enchanted the heart of the looker-on.
The Crow was pleased with the gait of the Partridge, and amazed at its
agility. The desire of walking in the same manner fixed itself in his
mind, and the insane longing to step proudly, after this fascinating
fashion, made its appearance. He forthwith girt his loins in
attendance on the Partridge, and abandoning sleep and food, gave
himself up to that arduous occupation, and kept continually running in
the traces of the Partridge and gazing on its progress.
One day the Partridge said: "O crazy, black-faced one! I observe that
thou art ever hovering about me, and art always watching my motions.
What is it that thou dost want?"
The Crow replied: "O thou of graceful manners and sweet smiling face,
know that having conceived a desire to learn thy gait, I have followed
thy steps for a long time past, and wish to acquire thy manner of
walking, in order that I may place the foot of preeminence on the head
of my fellows."
The Partridge uttered a merry laugh, and said: "Alack! alack! My
walking gracefully is a thing implanted in me by nature, and thy style
of going is equally a natural characteristic. My going is in one way,
and thy mode of procedure is quite another. Leave off this fancy and
relinquish this idea."
The Crow replied: "Since I have plunged into this affair, no idle
stories shall make me give it up; and until I grasp my wished-for
object, I will not turn back from this road."
So the unfortunate Crow for a long time ran after the Partridge, and
having failed to learn his method of going, forgot his own too, and
could in nowise recover it.