The Peacock 



On his head the Peacock carries a crest of twenty- 

 four beautiful feathers, and behind him a train more 

 gorgeous than that of any princess. When he is 

 pleased he lifts up his train and spreads it out like a 

 fan a fan of such beautiful colours and so delightful 

 a pattern that it could not be made for a king's 

 ransom. In the moulting season these feathers drop 

 off, and then the Peacock is so much ashamed of 

 himself that he hides away until they grow again. 

 His wife is not so richly dressed; indeed, the poor 

 thing is quite a dowdy person. 



