A Raven, as black as coal, was envious of the Swan, whose feathers were as white as the purest snow. The foolish bird conceived the idea that if he lived like the Swan – swimming and diving all day long and eating the weeds and plants that grew in the water – his feathers would turn white, just like the Swan's.

So he left his home in the woods and fields and flew down to live on the lakes and in the marshes. But though he washed and washed all day long, almost drowning himself, his feathers remained as black as ever. And as the water weeds he ate did not agree with him, he got thinner and thinner, and at last he died.