The Persistent Duck and the Arrogant Swan - A Fable Story

 

Name                           : Keisha Morilia

Type of Narrative Text  : Fable

The Persistent Duck and the Arrogant Swan

On a quiet lake, lived two aquatic animals, a duck and a swan. Duck was famous for their diligence and perseverance. Every day, duck practiced swimming well, although duck was not as beautiful as swan. On the other hand, the beautiful swan is very proud because its feathers are pure white and its swimming movements are more graceful. Swan feels he is better than duck and often mocks the duck's perseverance.

“What are you working so hard for, duck? Look at me, I'm already the best in the lake without even trying!” said swan in a haughty tone. Duck smiled and answered swan, “Maybe you're right, swan, but I believe that the best results come from hard work, not just looks. I swim not to be the best in the eyes of others, but to be better than I was yesterday.” said duck calmly.

One day, there was news that there would be a swimming competition in the lake. All aquatic animals were invited to take part, including duck and swan. Duck was very excited and kept practicing harder, while swan relaxed because he thought he would win without practicing.

When the day of the competition came, many animals came to watch. Duck and swan were opposites in the race. When the race started, swan darted off gracefully, leaving duck far behind. Seeing that, swan was even more confident that it was invincible. However, the overconfident swan began to tire midway through the race as it was not used to swimming long distances.

Meanwhile, duck swims persistently and consistently forward. With perseverance and a regular rhythm, duck finally caught up with the exhausted swan and finally reached the finish line first. The audience cheered happily for duck. They were amazed by the duck's persistence and humility. Swan, who is usually haughty, now he embarrassed. Swan realizes that his grace and arrogance are meaningless without hard work.

After the competition was over, swan approached duck and humbly apologized. “I was wrong to underestimate you, duck. It was your perseverance that made you win, not your looks,” said swan. Duck smiled and said, “It's okay, swan. The important thing is we learned that hard work always pays off.”

From then on, swan was no longer arrogant, and the two of them became best friends who supported each other on the lake. The moral value that we can take from the story is the process and effort in improving ourselves is more valuable than just comparing ourselves with others. Hard work, perseverance, and humility are required, and stay away from arrogant traits that do not benefit for yourself.

-THE END-