The Raven and the Swan

a raven saw a swan and desired to secure for himself the same beautiful plumage. supposing that the swans splendid white color arose from his washing in the water in which he swam, the raven left the altars in the neighborhood where he picked up his living, and took up residence in the lakes and pools. but cleansing his feathers as often as he would, he could not change their color, while through want of food he perished.

change of habit cannot alter nature.

烏鴉非常羨慕天鵝潔白的羽毛。他猜想天鵝一定是經常洗澡，羽毛才變得如此潔白無 瑕。於是，他毅然離開了他賴以生存的祭壇，來到江湖邊。他天天洗刷自己的羽毛，不但一 點都沒洗白，反而因缺少食物飢餓而死。

這故事是說，人的本性不會隨著生活方式的改變而改變。