Vanity Verses Wisdom by Deb Slowey

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Deb Slowey

Vanity Verses Wisdom

14 x 14 x 0 in

$1,200

The Wood Stork and the Peacock
In a lush forest clearing, where sunlight dappled the ground, a proud peacock unfurled its resplendent tail, shimmering with a riot of colors—golden yellows, vibrant blues, and emerald greens. Surrounded by admirers, the peacock basked in their adoration, strutting with regal confidence.

Nearby, a humble wood stork watched the scene unfold. Its feathers were plain and gray, lacking the brilliance of the peacock’s plumage. Moved by envy, the stork approached the peacock and lamented its own lack of beauty, yearning for the dazzling colors that drew so much attention.

The peacock, preening as it listened, scoffed at the stork’s lament. "True beauty," it said, "is reserved for those born to dazzle, not for dull, colorless creatures like you."

The wood stork, unruffled by the insult, replied with quiet wisdom: "You may have beauty, Peacock, but I have something far more valuable. When storms rage and skies darken, I soar high above the winds, while you, with all your glory, are earthbound, struggling for shelter."

And so, the stork walked away, leaving the peacock to ponder its own vanity.

This fable reminds us that true worth is often found in abilities and character, not outward appearances. It teaches the timeless lesson that beauty is fleeting, but usefulness and resilience endure.

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Additional Details

Additional Artworks

"Ingenious Crow and Elixir Beyond Reach"

Anger’s costly consequences

"Magic Seahorses of Augustine's Legacy"

"Idle Days, Industrious Ways"

"The Vanishing Prize" (reverse glass painting)

"The Rabbit, the Tortoise, and the Unexpected Outcome"

The Stork's Noble Deed

4-way Windowpane @ Mother Nature