Today, God is going to pick the prettiest bird among all the birds. All of the birds gathered around to talk about the party. They are all very excited.
Sparrow: There will be a big party at the palace tonight. All birds are invited. God will pick the prettiest bird.
Duck: This will be so exciting.
Sparrow: I wonder who will be picked.
Duck: Who knows? It can be any bird.
Peacock: I know it will be me. I will be picked for sure. My tail is the prettiest
Swan: Your tail may be pretty, but I am more graceful.
Crane: But wait. My beak is the longest.
Sparrow: Let’s not fight. We have to get ready for the party.
Duck: You’re right. We don’t have much time.
Peacock: Let’s take a bath in the pond.
Swan: That’s a great idea.
The sparrow, the Duck, the Peacock, the Swan, and the Crane are going to the pond. On the way, they meet the Crow.
Crow: Where are you going?
Sparrow: We are going to the pond to take a bath.
Duck: There is a big party at the palace tonight.
Peacock: God is going to pick the prettiest bird. I will be picked for sure.
Crow: Really?!
Swan: All of the birds are invited. Didn’t you know?
Crow: No one told me.
Peacock: God is picking the prettiest bird. You have no chance. So why don’t you just stay home?
Crow: I don’t want to stay home. I want to go to the party..
Crane: Look at yourself.
Peacock: You are too ugly.
Duck: You are too black.
Swan: You are too dirty.
Crow: But I still want to go. I’m going to jump into the pond first. I’m going to take a bath.
Peacock: No! No! Wait!! You can’t bathe before us.
Crow: Why not? I should also bathe for the party.
Crane: You are too dirty. You will make the water dirty.
Swan: Please, bathe after us. I don’t want to get dirty because of you.
Peacock: That’s right. You are too black and dirty. Bathe after us.
Duck: Yes. If you bathe first, the water will get dirty.
Sparrow: That’s right. Bathe after us.
All of the birds go into the pond. They start washing their feathers. The Crow watches them and talks to himself.
Crow: Why am I so ugly? Why am I so black? Why am I so dirty?
The birds finish bathing and all go home go get ready for the party. The Crow watches them leave.
Crow: Miss Peacock’s tail is so beautiful. Mrs. Swan is so graceful. Mr. Crane is so tall. They are all pretty. I wish I weren’t a crow.
The Crow goes into the pond to bathe after them.
Crow: The water is so dirty. But perhaps if I wash long enough, I will become white.
The Crow bathes for two hours, but he is still black.
Crow: I am still black and ugly.
Just then he sees the fallen feathers. The Crow comes up with an idea.
Crow: Look at all these fallen feathers. There are yellow, red, green, and blue feathers everywhere. They are beautiful. Ah ha! I have an idea. I’ll cover myself with all these feathers. Then, I will be the most beautiful bird.
The Crow puts on the fallen feathers. He turns into a colorful bird and looks into the pond.