Summary
goes as far as insulting the crow for his “black and stiff quills” that are not worth having and furthermore demanding of the crow to “show a little pride” and “dress better”.
The crow is not taken aback by the swallow’s insult but actually lashes back saying that the swallow’s feathers may do well in spring “but I don’t remember ever having seen you around in winter and that’ when I enjoy myself the most”.
The fable
Analysis
The moral of the story is that “We wouldn’t judge our friends, if we could accept that we’re not all the same” or better yet I’d say that we should avoid being judgmental of others. We should avoid being selfish and narcissistic.
The swallow represents the person that thinks that is above all others and so took the answer he deserved for being narcissistic and arrogant.
Through the crow this fable is showing that everyone on this world is different, is unique and people should appreciate their own beauties and strengths and uniqueness.
The fable also shows us how other people’s behavior and treatment could lead us to be spiteful even malicious. For example, the crow could have answered differently if the swallow was not chastising him and wasn’t rude towards him.
Also narcissists who adore themselves are actually found lacking in many things when one decides to point them out to them. Such is the case with the swallow that mocks the crow’s feathers. But those exact feathers, ugly and dull as they are, are what give strength and endurance to the crow to freely enjoy all seasons.