A crow boasted to a graceful swan, “I can fly far better than you! I twist and dive and tumble a hundred ways, while you only glide along.” He challenged the swan to a contest over the sea.
Off they flew. The crow showed off all his tricks, while the swan flew on, calm and steady. But soon the crow grew tired, with nowhere to rest above the endless water, and began to fall toward the waves.
The kind swan swooped down, lifted the exhausted crow onto her back, and carried him safely to shore. The crow, humbled, never boasted again.