The Peacock and the Crane

The Peacock and the Crane. The peacock unfolded his feathers in the presence of the crane and said, "How great is my beauty, and how great is your ugliness!" Then the crane took flight and said, "And how lofty is my flight, and how awkward is yours."

Pavo et Grus. Pavo, coram Grue pennas suas explicans, "Quanta est" inquit "formositas mea et tua deformitas!" At Grus evolans "Et quanta est" inquit "levitas mea et tua tarditas!"

Notes. This is Via Latina 2, which is Fable 294 in Perry's classification scheme. This is one of those typical debates between the animals, where one creature has a high opinion of himself which is undone by the wiser animal who has the upper hand - or, in this story, the upper flight!