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 Borrowed Plumes Once there was a crow which lived with a company of other birds. Her feathers were plain and black. Her voice was harsh and coarse. She was awkward, but she was vain. She thought she had a fine head. The other birds did not like the crow very well. She thought it was because her feathers were so plain. She asked the other birds to lend her some feathers. The peacock gave her some long feathers for her tail. The goose gave her some white down for her neck. The hen gave her some for her wings. The turtledove gave her plumage for her back and the jay gave her one or two out of her crest for her head. The silly crow stuck her borrowed feathers all over her body. Then she thought she was beautiful. She wanted all the other birds to see her, so she strutted about the yard. The other birds were very polite. They told her she was very pretty, but when her back was turned they made fun of her. They thought she was very silly. The crow sat upon a stump and tried to sing. Then all the other birds flapped their wings and ran away. Now, some people are like this silly crow. They are not satisfied with their own clothes. They are vain and try to make other people think they are rich and pretty. They borrow their friends’ things. Sometimes they borrow a hat, sometimes a coat, sometimes shoes, sometimes all they can get. Then they visit about and try to be smart. They simper and strut. Their friends laugh at them on account of their “borrowed plumes.” It is best to be contented with one’s own things. If we act well we will be thought beautiful, and if we act silly we will be considered ugly, even if we have no fine clothes. “Handsome is what handsome does.” ...

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