1.6 The Peacock and the Crane – Class 6 – Balbharati

Author: Aesop’s Fable (Retold)

Genre: Fable / Moral Story

Textbook: English Balbharati – Class 6

Board: Maharashtra State Board

English Summary

The fable The Peacock and the Crane tells of a conceited Peacock who was proud of his colourful, gorgeous tail. When he met a Crane, he mocked him for having dull, colourless feathers. The Peacock spread his shining tail and boasted of his beauty, calling himself dressed like a king. The Crane calmly replied that although he was not as colourful, he could soar high above the earth, among clouds and stars, and see the beauty of the whole world—something the Peacock could never do. The moral of the story is clear: outward beauty is not true greatness. Abilities and usefulness are more valuable than appearance.

Theme / Central Idea

The story conveys that real worth lies in abilities, not in appearance. True greatness is measured by usefulness, not by beauty.

Character Sketches

The Peacock

• Conceited and vain about his colourful feathers.

• Mocked the Crane rudely.

• Believed beauty was more important than ability.

• Represents pride in outward appearance.

  
  

The Crane

• Calm, wise, and dignified.

• Proud of his ability to fly high and see the world.

• Showed that usefulness is greater than beauty.

• Represents humility and true strength.

Word Meanings

Grammar Questions (5)

1. Infinitive / Gerund

   Sentence: “The Peacock loved to show his feathers.”

   Infinitive: to show – shows purpose.

   
   

2. Passive Voice

   Active: The Peacock mocked the Crane.

   Passive: The Crane was mocked by the Peacock.

   
   

3. Modal Auxiliary

   Sentence: “We should not judge others by their looks.”

   Should shows advice.

   
   

4. Tense Change

   Direct: The Crane said, “I can fly among the clouds.”

   Indirect: The Crane said that he could fly among the clouds.

   
   

5. Wh-Question Framing

   Statement: The Crane could see the beauty of the earth.

   Question: What could the Crane see?

Personal Response Questions (5)

1. Why do you think the Peacock mocked the Crane?

   The Peacock mocked the Crane because he was vain about his colourful feathers and looked down upon the Crane’s dull ones.

   
   

2. What do you admire most about the Crane?

   I admire the Crane’s calmness and wisdom. He did not get angry but proved that his ability was greater than the Peacock’s beauty.

   
   

3. What lesson does this story give us about pride?

   The story teaches that pride in appearance is foolish. Real value lies in talents, abilities, and inner qualities.

   
   

4. Have you seen people who judge others by looks? What do you feel?

   Yes, some people judge others by looks or clothes. I feel it is unfair because a person’s character and abilities are more important.

   
   

5. How is the proverb ‘All that glitters is not gold’ connected to this story?

   It is connected because the Peacock glittered with beauty but was not truly great, while the Crane, though plain, had real abilities.

True or False (5)

1. The Peacock was humble about his beauty. → False (He was proud and conceited.)

2. The Crane could fly high among clouds and stars. → True

3. The Peacock mocked the Crane’s dull feathers. → True

4. The Crane admitted the Peacock was greater. → False (He showed usefulness was greater.)

5. The moral is “Fine feathers don’t make fine birds.” → True

Probable Board / Exam Questions (5)

1. Why was the Peacock proud of himself?

   He was proud because of his colourful, gorgeous feathers which he believed made him greater than other birds.

   
   

2. How did the Peacock insult the Crane?

   He scoffed at the Crane’s dull feathers and boasted about his rainbow-coloured tail.

   
   

3. What ability of the Crane made him greater?

   The Crane could fly high into the sky, among clouds and stars, and see the earth’s beauty, unlike the Peacock.

   
   

4. What lesson does the fable The Peacock and the Crane give us?

   It teaches that beauty is not true greatness. Real value lies in ability, usefulness, and humility.

   
   

5. Explain the moral ‘Fine feathers don’t make fine birds.’

   It means that outward appearance does not determine real worth. True greatness is in qualities and deeds, not in looks.

   
   

Appreciation / Reflection Paragraph

The Peacock and the Crane is a simple yet powerful fable with a moral lesson. The colourful Peacock represents vanity and pride in looks, while the Crane symbolises wisdom and true strength. The dialogue makes the story lively, and its ending gives a clear message. The proverb “Fine feathers don’t make fine birds” makes it memorable. The story is important because it teaches humility, respect for others, and the value of abilities over appearances.

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