Once upon a time Crow did not have any strong feathers. He had only soft feathers. He could not fly well. He was often cold and unhappy. He was more unhappy when there was rain. He became cold.
Magpie was a happier bird than Crow. He had strong black feathers all over his body. He could fly to any place he liked. He was always warm.
The Eagle was the king of all the birds. He lived in a tall tree on a high mountain.
One day King Eagle told his wife, “I want to see which of my people dresses best. I shall give a prize to him.”
King Eagle’s messengers told all the birds, “If you dress well, the king will give you a prize.” Everybody wanted new feathers. Poor Crow was more unhappy now than ever. He wanted to borrow feathers from the other birds. But no one gave him any.
At last Crow went to Magpie. He said, “Magpie, please, lend me some feathers. I want to dress well and get the king’s prize. Please, lend me your nice feathers. I will return them to you.”
Magpie gave Crow many black feathers. Crow put the feathers on his back and wings. He looked very beautiful.
The king sent his messengers to call all the birds. King Eagle sat on his high stool. His wife sat near him. Then all the birds came. There were many different birds.
One by one the birds showed themselves to the king and queen. All of them were beautiful, but some were more beautiful than others. Crow was the most beautiful of all.
The queen said softly to the king, “I like Crow best”
King Eagle told the birds, “Crow is first! Now here is his prize: when he dies no animal will eat his body.”
All the other birds clapped their hands for Crow. Then all of them went home.
When Crow got home he said, “I shall return Magpie’s feathers to him tomorrow.” Tomorrow came but Crow did not return the feathers. Many months passed, but Crow did not return the feathers.
Then Magpie became angry. One day he went to Crow’s house. When Crow saw Magpie, Crow started to run. Magpie ran after him and caught him. He took away some of the feathers. Crow was running all the time. Then Crow flew into the sky. Magpie flew after him and took away more feathers. Magpie started to cry:
“Give me my feathers!
Give me my feathers!”
This is why a magpie often flies and cries after a crow. But it will not eat the body of a crow.
