[Aesop] The Peacock & Juno
The peacock was greatly discontented because he had not a beautiful voice like the nightingale, and he went and complained to Juno about it.'The nightingale's song,' said he, 'is the envy of all the birds; but whenever I utter a sound I become a laughing-stock.'The goddess tried to console him by saying, 'You have not, it is true, the power of song, but then you far excel all the rest in beauty: your neck flashes like the emerald and your splendid tail is a marvel of gorgeous colour.'But the peacock was not appeased.'What is the ues,' said he, 'of being beautiful, with a voice like mine ?'Then Juno replied with a shade of sternness in her tones, 'Fate has allotted to all their destined gifts: to yourself beauty, to the eagle strength, to the nightingale song, and so on to all the rest in their degree; but you alone are dissatisfied with your portion.Make, then, no more complaints: for, if your present wish were granted, you would quickly find cause for fresh discontent.'