Section 75

The Jackdaw and the Pigeons explained simply

Aesop's Fables by Aesop

Original excerpt

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A Jackdaw, watching some Pigeons in a farmyard, was filled with envy when he saw how well they were fed, and determined to disguise himself as one of them, in order to secure a share of the good things they enjoyed. So he painted himself white from head to foot and joined the flock; and, so long as...
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Public-domain original

A Jackdaw, watching some Pigeons in a farmyard, was filled with envy when he saw how well they were fed, and determined to disguise himself as one of them, in order to secure a share of the good things they enjoyed. So he painted himself white from head to foot and joined the flock; and, so long as he was silent, they never suspected that he was not a pigeon like themselves. But one day he was unwise enough to start chattering, when they at once saw through his disguise and pecked him so unmercifully that he was glad to escape and join his own kind again. But the other jackdaws did not recognise him in his white dress, and would not let him feed with them, but drove him away: and so he became a homeless wanderer for his pains.

Public-domain original text shown for study context.

What happens here

A jackdaw disguises himself among pigeons but loses both groups when his voice reveals him.

Why this scene matters

This fable shows that pretending to belong can leave someone accepted nowhere.

Characters in this scene

  • Jackdaw: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
  • the Pigeons: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.

Simple story version

A jackdaw paints himself to join pigeons. When he speaks, they reject him, and his own kind reject him too.