30. A crow
lived in a thick forest filled with many birds. The crow was very pleased with his carefree life until he saw a swan
one day. The swan was flying over a lake. "This swan is so white," he thought, "and I am so black. It must be the happiest bird in the world."
He shared his thoughts with the swan. Actually, "the swan replied, "I thought so too until I met a parrot. It had brilliant colours of red and blue. No other bird could be happier than the parrot."
The crow went in search for the parrot, and found it rested on the top of an old rain tree. The parrot explained, "I was very happy until I happened to see a peacock.
Compared with the peacock's feathers (羽毛), my colours paled. Its rich colours put my coat to shame. Curiosity (好奇心) defeated the crow, who decided to look for the beautiful peacock. He finally found the peacock at the zoo. Hundreds of people gathered round to watch the peacock and its beautiful wings. After the crowd left, the crow rested itself onto a rock and said, "Dear peacock, " the crow said, "You are so beautiful. Every day, people come just to see you. People drive me away when they see me. You must be the happiest bird on the planet." The peacock replied, "My beauty had me kept in this zoo. In the years I spent here, I often thought to myself that if I were a crow, I could be enjoying a carefree life outside." Then after many months of internal struggles (内心的挣扎), the crow came to realize that ________. He was happy because he was satisfied with his life here."