Judge, 1915-08-21 · page 16 of 28
Judge — August 21, 1915 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is a fable illustration accompanying the moral lesson "Pride Versus Merit." Three farmyard birds debate the value of appearance versus usefulness: - **The Peacock** represents vanity and self-promotion—constantly displaying his plumage to attract attention, caring only about being admired by passersby. - **The Turkey Gobbler** is his vain ally, mocking the rooster's plain appearance. - **Chanticleer the Rooster** (a traditional name for roosters in fables) represents humble utility and genuine worth. He performs a necessary function—announcing the hours—without seeking recognition. The satire critiques those who prioritize appearance and popularity over substantive contribution to society. Chanticleer's final retort—that it's better to be worthy of being known than obsessed with being noticed—articulates the moral: true merit lies in useful service, not ostentatious display. This reflects Gilded Age anxieties about materialism versus traditional virtue.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
S M EF PEACOCK was continually screeching and ~* parading his plumage on the garden wall. that passersby might hear his voice and admire his attire His insolent attitude and unmelodious voice became very obnoxious to the turkey gobbler who wanted ail attention in his direction. A. rooster who had long etved the neighborhood in announcing in clear and very tones the various measures of day and night, ud to them, “You seem to spend most of your time in trying to be popular, to be noticed by every passerby. | prefer the life that is useful, even if unknown.” The peacock said to the rooster, “T should be ashamed to appear in public in that mottled suit of yours!” “Yes,” chimed in the turkey gobbler,“ and. the a pair of spurs.” “Well, replied Chanticleer, “1 console myself with the philosophy that it is better to be worthy of being known, than concerned about being unknown!”