The feathers of a goose put the newly-fallen snow to the blush. Proud of this dazzling（耀眼的） gift of nature, she considered herself intended for a swan, rather than for that which she was. Accordingly, separating herself from her companions, she swam, solitarily1 and majestically2, round the pond. She now stretched her neck, the treacherous3（*詐的） shortness of which she endeavored to obviate4（排除） with all her might. Now she tried to give it the graceful5 bend, which designates the beautiful swan the bird of Apollo. But in vain, it was too stiff, and with all her pains, she remained a ridiculous goose, without inspiring a single beholder6 with the least idea of her resemblance（相似） to a swan.

How many geese are there, without wings, who, for similar assumption, become laughing-stocks to their neighbors!