In the heart of the French countryside, where golden wheat fields stretch to the horizon and the scent of wild lavender lingers in the breeze, there lived a humble young man named Jean. Orphaned at a tender age, Jean had learned early to fend for himself, relying on the kindness of neighbors and the strength of his honest heart. Though poor in possessions, he was rich in courage and goodness, virtues that would one day draw the eye of fate itself.
Jean worked as a farmhand for a wealthy but cruel master, a man who prized gold more than kindness and mocked anyone who had less than he did. One summer evening, after a long day in the fields, Jean rested by the river that ran past the edge of the property. The water shimmered with the last light of the setting sun, and as he watched, something extraordinary broke the reflection, a great green peacock, radiant as an emerald, stepped from the shadows of the forest.
The bird’s feathers gleamed with hues of jade and sapphire, and its tail shimmered like a thousand tiny mirrors. Jean, astonished, stood motionless. The peacock approached and spoke in a voice both soft and musical:
“Good evening, kind soul. Do not be afraid. I have watched your labor and seen your honesty. I come to repay your goodness.”
Jean, though startled, bowed deeply. “I am but a poor man, sir bird. I have nothing to give in return.”
The peacock nodded. “You shall not need to. Take me home, and treat me with care. In time, I shall reward you in ways no coin could.”
And so, Jean carried the magical creature to his modest cottage, feeding it the best grains he could spare. Word of the strange green peacock spread quickly. When his master heard, greed flared in his heart. He demanded that Jean bring the bird to the manor for his amusement.
That night, as Jean prepared to obey, the peacock whispered, “Do not fear him. When he asks for a display of my beauty, cover me with a white cloth and then lift it only when I say.”
At the master’s great hall, surrounded by his guests, Jean did as told. The moment he lifted the cloth, the peacock spread its magnificent tail, and light filled the room like sunlight through stained glass. Gold dust seemed to fall from its feathers. The guests gasped in wonder.
The master’s envy deepened. “Such a bird must belong to me!” he declared. “I will buy it.”
But the peacock turned its gaze upon him and said, “You may possess my feathers, but never my soul.”
In fury, the master demanded the bird be caged. Yet when his servants tried, the peacock spread its wings and vanished into a burst of green light, leaving behind only a single feather that glittered like a jewel.
Jean returned home sorrowful, believing he had lost his friend. But the next morning, as dawn broke, the peacock stood once again by his door. “Your heart remained pure under trial,” it said. “Now your fortune shall turn.”
It led Jean deep into the forest to a hidden glade where a marble fountain stood. “Wash your face in this water,” said the peacock, “and speak only truth.”
Jean obeyed. When he looked into the water, his reflection glowed with dignity. “Return home,” said the bird, “and claim what is rightfully yours.”
Back at the village, Jean found that his cruel master had fallen ill and that his vast wealth had turned to dust overnight. The villagers, remembering Jean’s kindness, turned to him for help and guidance. By the will of fate, the land prospered under his care. The peacock appeared one final time, bowing low.
“You have proven that goodness outshines greed. Remember, true wealth is not what you own, but who you are.”
Then, as the morning sun touched the fields, the peacock spread its wings and vanished forever into the light, leaving Jean with peace, prosperity, and a heart full of gratitude.
Moral Lesson
The story of The Green Peacock teaches that honesty, humility, and kindness are treasures greater than gold. Those who remain true to virtue, even when tested by envy and injustice, will find that destiny itself bends in their favor.
Knowledge Check
- Who is the main character in “The Green Peacock”?
The main character is Jean, a humble and kind young man from rural France. - What does the green peacock symbolize in the folktale?
The peacock represents virtue, divine justice, and the reward for purity of heart. - What moral lesson does “The Green Peacock” teach?
It teaches that honesty and kindness bring lasting rewards, while greed and cruelty lead to ruin. - Where does the story of “The Green Peacock” originate?
It comes from rural French folklore, collected by Henri Pourrat in Le Trésor des Contes. - Why does Jean’s master lose his wealth?
Because his greed and envy corrupt him, leading to his downfall when the magic turns against him. - How does the story of “The Green Peacock” reflect French rural culture?
It reflects values of humility, hard work, and moral integrity central to traditional French village life.
Source: French folktale, France.
Adapted from rural folklore collected by Henri Pourrat in Le Trésor des Contes, and included in French Folktales.
