The Jackdaw and the Doves

Summary

The story describes the actions of a Jackdaw who attempts to disguise itself as a Dove to enjoy the generous food supply available to the Doves. Initially, the Jackdaw successfully blends in by remaining silent and painted white, leading the Doves to believe he is one of their own. However, once the Jackdaw begins to chatter, the Doves realize his true identity and expel him with force. Returning to the Jackdaws, his own kind fails to recognize him due to his altered appearance and reject him as well. Ultimately, the Jackdaw loses the chance to belong to both groups, underscoring the theme that seeking dual identities might result in losing both.

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A Jackdaw, seeing some Doves in a cote abundantly provided with food, painted himself white and joined them in order to share their plentiful maintenance. The Doves, as long as he was silent, supposed him to be one of themselves and admitted him to their cote. But when one day he forgot himself and began to chatter, they discovered his true character and drove him forth, pecking him with their beaks. Failing to obtain food among the Doves, he returned to the Jackdaws. They too, not recognizing him on account of his color, expelled him from living with them. So desiring two ends, he obtained neither.