Chapter- 1.6           The Peacock and the Crane


Question 1: Who were the two main birds in the story?

Answer: The two main birds in the story were a Peacock and a Crane.

Question 2: How was the Peacock described at the beginning of the story?
Answer: The Peacock was described as very conceited, proud of his gorgeous and colourful tail.

Question 3: What did the Peacock do when he met the Crane?
Answer: The Peacock scoffed at the Crane's dull and colourless feathers and spread his own tail to show off.

Question 4: How did the Peacock boast to the Crane?
Answer: The Peacock boasted by saying that his feathers shone in all the colours of the rainbow, and he looked like a king, unlike the pale Crane.

Question 5: How did the Crane respond to the Peacock’s boasting?
Answer: The Crane replied that he could fly high above, among the clouds and stars, and see the beauty of the earth, while the Peacock lived only on the ground.

Question 6: What was the main lesson the Crane wanted to teach the Peacock?
Answer: The main lesson was that fine feathers alone do not make a fine bird; abilities and skills matter more than appearance.

Question 7: What does the story suggest about pride in appearance?
Answer: The story suggests that pride in physical appearance can be foolish if it ignores other important qualities like skill and perspective.

Question 8: Why was the Peacock considered conceited?
Answer: The Peacock was considered conceited because he admired himself excessively and looked down on others for their plain appearance.

Question 9: How does the Crane’s answer show wisdom?
Answer: The Crane’s answer shows wisdom because he highlights his ability to fly high and see the world, valuing skill over appearance.

Question 10: What contrast does the story show between the Peacock and the Crane?
Answer: The story contrasts the Peacock’s beautiful feathers with the Crane’s dull feathers but shows the Crane’s practical ability to fly high and see the world.

Question 11: What does “Fine feathers don’t make fine birds” mean?
Answer: It means that outward beauty or appearance alone does not determine true worth or greatness.

Question 12: How did the Peacock try to impress the Crane?
Answer: He spread his colorful tail and boasted about looking like a king, trying to impress the Crane with his appearance.

Question 13: How did the Crane’s qualities differ from the Peacock’s?
Answer: The Crane had practical skills, like flying high and seeing the earth, whereas the Peacock had only beauty and pride.

Question 14: What lesson does the story teach about humility?
Answer: The story teaches that humility is better than pride because skill and wisdom are more valuable than appearance.

Question 15: Why is the Peacock’s behaviour considered foolish?
Answer: His behaviour is foolish because he values only his beauty and looks down on others, ignoring their real abilities.

Question 16: How does the Crane represent intelligence over beauty?
Answer: The Crane represents intelligence by showing that his ability to soar high and see the earth’s beauty is more meaningful than mere feathers.

Question 17: What role does envy play in the story?
Answer: The Peacock’s envy of other birds is implied because he believes he is superior, but the story teaches that his envy is misplaced.

Question 18: How does the story teach the value of abilities?
Answer: It teaches that real value lies in what one can do, not just how one looks.

Question 19: How do the Crane’s abilities make him superior in one way?
Answer: The Crane can see the earth from above and enjoy perspectives the Peacock cannot, showing superiority in experience and skill.

Question 20: How does the Peacock represent superficiality?
Answer: The Peacock represents superficiality by focusing only on his colorful feathers, neglecting skills and inner worth.

Question 21: Why does the Peacock feel proud of his tail?
Answer: He feels proud because it is unusually beautiful and attracts attention from other birds.

Question 22: How does the Crane calmly respond to the Peacock’s boasting?
Answer: The Crane calmly responds by stating his abilities without mocking the Peacock, showing composure and wisdom.

Question 23: What moral can children learn from this story?
Answer: Children can learn that skills, abilities, and humility are more important than looks and vanity.

Question 24: How does the story show the difference between appearance and substance?
Answer: The Peacock’s beauty is only appearance, while the Crane’s flying skill and vision demonstrate substance and real value.

Question 25: Why might the Peacock be envied by other birds?
Answer: Other birds might envy his colorful and attractive feathers, but envy ignores the Crane’s greater abilities.

Question 26: What does the Crane admire about life?
Answer: The Crane admires the ability to fly high and see the beauty of the earth, valuing experience and perspective.

Question 27: How does the Peacock represent arrogance?
Answer: The Peacock shows arrogance by mocking the Crane and believing he is superior because of his appearance.

Question 28: What does the Crane teach about self-worth?
Answer: The Crane teaches that self-worth comes from what one can do and how one uses their abilities, not just looks.

Question 29: How does this story relate to human behaviour?
Answer: It relates to human behaviour by showing that people who boast about appearance without skills may be less respected than those with true abilities.

Question 30: How can beauty be limiting according to the story?
Answer: Beauty can be limiting if it makes someone focus only on looks and ignore developing real skills, like the Peacock.

Question 31: What can we learn about comparing ourselves to others?
Answer: We should not compare ourselves to others based on superficial traits; each has unique abilities and strengths.

Question 32: Why is flying an important skill for the Crane?
Answer: Flying allows the Crane to explore, see new perspectives, and appreciate the beauty of the world, unlike the Peacock.

Question 33: How does the story highlight pride as a flaw?
Answer: The Peacock’s pride blinds him to the value of skills and experiences, showing that pride can be a flaw.

Question 34: How does the Crane show humility?
Answer: The Crane shows humility by calmly answering the Peacock and not mocking his beauty, focusing on his own strengths.

Question 35: What does this story tell us about the value of perspective?
Answer: The story tells us that perspective, like the Crane’s view from the sky, can be more valuable than mere appearances.

Question 36: How does the Peacock fail to recognize true greatness?
Answer: He fails to recognize that the Crane’s ability to soar and see the world is a form of greatness, which is not visible like feathers.

Question 37: How does the Crane demonstrate confidence without arrogance?
Answer: The Crane demonstrates confidence by acknowledging his abilities in flying and observation without mocking the Peacock.

Question 38: How is this story a lesson in humility for the proud?
Answer: The story shows that being proud of external beauty alone is foolish; humility and skill matter more.

Question 39: What do the peacock’s feathers symbolize?
Answer: The Peacock’s feathers symbolize superficial beauty and vanity.

Question 40: Summarize the moral of the story in one sentence.
Answer: The moral of the story is that outward beauty alone does not make someone great; true worth comes from skills, wisdom, and perspective.

Answer by Dimpee Bora