The Peacock and the Chickens

 

Once upon a time there was a very proud and very curious peacock that lived with its family in the forest. When it got old enough, it decided that he was too beautiful and the world was too large for him to stay in one place, so he took to the skies and flew. He flew over mountains, he flew over hills and prairies, he flew over lakes and valleys, but finally he came to a small field, where, beside a pond, there resided a small chicken farm. The peacock was struck by something profound as he overheard the chickens clucking; something similar to what a traveler feels when he’s passing through a familiar town. The peacock landed and made its way over the fence into the chicken yard. He then crouched down and entered the portal into the coop.

               When the chickens saw him, they became instantly silent. They circled around him and stared in complete awe. Never before had they seen anything like him. Even the rooster was put to shame! Then, they began to bow down to the peacock, saying, “It is the Almighty One! He has come to save us! Oh, we praise you, Almighty One. Stay with us and be our leader!” Then some of the chickens began to pluck some of their feathers from their plumage and made a crown with them, which they proceeded to place on top of the peacock’s head. They fed him with many of the eggs that they had laid, and carried him to his perch on top of the feeding shelf.

               The peacock, stunned but obviously flattered by this treatment, agreed to stay. After all, who could ask for a better reception?

               The next day, however, Farmer John came into the chicken coop to collect the eggs, and beholding the peacock, said to himself, “Well Lord Almighty! Look at that!  Wouldn’t he make a fine Thanksgiving dinner!”

               So, the farmer took the peacock, which was still wearing his crown of chicken feathers, and dragged him out to the chopping block. The chickens were stunned when they heard the blow. And so, our poor peacock became Farmer John’s Thanksgiving meal. Poor peacock!

              The moral of the story: If you’re treated like a god, get out of the situation as fast as you can.