The Raven and the Goose

A long time ago, when birds were lining up to get their colors and patterns, the raven and the goose found themselves at the very back of the line. Back then, they were both as gray and dull as a cloudy Monday.

The raven squawked, "Look at us! We’re so boring, even a rock would say, ‘Wow, you need some flair.’"

The goose nodded, tilting her head. "Right? We’re like unbuttered toast. No pizzazz at all. We’ve got to fix this. Let’s paint each other!"

The raven’s eyes lit up. "Brilliant idea! I’ll start. Hold still, Goose. I’m about to unleash my inner artist. I call this masterpiece…‘Feathery Chic.’"

With that, the raven dipped his beak into a pot of paint and got to work. He painted swirls and dots, leaving parts of the goose a brilliant white while adding sleek black patterns. When he was done, the goose waddled over to a shiny puddle to look at herself.

"Wow!" she honked. "I look fabulous! Like a celebrity on the red carpet, but, you know, with wings."

The raven puffed out his chest. "Of course, darling. I have an eye for these things. Now it’s your turn to dazzle me!"

The goose grabbed the brush—or, well, held it in her beak—and began painting. She carefully added the same beautiful patterns to the raven. But after a few strokes, the raven frowned.

"Uh, Goose? What are you doing? This isn’t dazzle; this is…‘meh.’ It’s like you’re dressing me in last season’s feathers!"

The goose blinked. "Last season? Raven, we’re birds. Our season is ‘fly south or freeze.’ Just trust me—it’s classy."

But the raven wasn’t having it. He flapped his wings and squawked, "No way! I don’t want to look like you! I want to stand out. Make me bold! Mysterious! Like a shadow at sunset!"

The goose sighed, putting the brush down. "Alright, Mr. Picky Pants. Bold and mysterious it is."

And with one big splash, she dunked him straight into the black paint. From his head to his tail, the raven was now completely jet black.

He stepped back, dripping, and stared at himself in the puddle. "Well… this is… dramatic," he said, fluffing his feathers.

The goose smirked. "There you go. You’re so bold and mysterious now, I bet even your shadow’s scared of you."

The raven ruffled his feathers, mumbling, "I suppose it’s not awful…" Then he added, "But don’t think I didn’t notice you gave me the leftover paint!"

The goose just honked with laughter. "Lesson learned: If you keep complaining, you might get more than you bargained for!"

And from that day on, the goose proudly strutted her fancy patterns, and the raven flew around as the dark and dramatic bird he wanted to be.

Once upon a time, the birds got their hues,
Bright reds, soft yellows, and sky blues.
But Raven and Goose were both plain gray,
No colors to brighten their feathery display.

Raven chirped, “I’ve got a great plan!
Let’s paint each other as best we can.”
Goose nodded, “That sounds quite fun!
We’ll sparkle and shine when the job is done.”

With brushes and colors, they started their art,
Raven went first, pouring in his heart.
He painted Goose white with black so neat,
A pattern so graceful, a beautiful feat.

Goose twirled and gazed, her joy shining bright,
“Oh, Raven, I’m stunning! You did it just right!”
She flapped her wings and gave a cheer,
“Your turn now—don’t you fear!”

Goose painted Raven with patterns so fine,
Shapes and swirls in an elegant design.
But Raven frowned and shook his head,
“I don’t like this!” he loudly said.

“Change it! Fix it! It’s all wrong!”
Raven’s complaints grew loud and strong.
Goose sighed and said, “Well, have it your way,”
And dipped her brush in black that day.

With one big stroke, she painted him so,
From his head to his tail, a solid black crow.
Raven gasped, his feathers all dark,
Not a spot of white, not a single mark.

“Now you’re unique,” said Goose with care,
“No one else will look like you anywhere.
But here’s a lesson, my feathered friend:
Gratitude matters in the very end.”

So Raven stayed black, as you now see,
A reminder for all how to let kindness be.
And Goose? She glided, her feathers so bright,
A sign of joy and doing what’s right.