The Bats, the Birds, and the Beasts

Long ago, a terrible disagreement started in the great forest. The animals who ran on the ground—the Lions, Bears, and Foxes—started an argument with the animals who flew in the sky—the Eagles, Hawks, and Crows.

The argument grew so loud and angry that a massive battle broke out. It was the Birds against the Beasts!

Right in the middle of all this commotion lived a small brown Bat. The Bat was terrified of the fighting, and he did not want to be on the losing side. He looked at his fuzzy body, which looked like a mouse, and then looked at his wide leather wings, which let him fly like a bird. He hatched a very sneaky plan.

When the battle first started, it looked like the Birds, who were swooping from the sky, were winning. The Bat quickly flew up to the Eagles. “I will join you!” he cheered. “Look at my wings! I fly through the air just like you do. I am a Bird!” The Birds welcomed him and let him join their flock.

But a few days later, the strong Beasts on the ground fought back very hard, and it looked like they were going to win. The Bat got scared. He quickly flew down to the ground, tucked his wings tightly against his body, and crawled over to the Lion. “I will join you!” he squeaked. “Look at my furry body and my little mouse ears. I am clearly a Beast, not a Bird!” The Beasts believed him and let him stay on the ground.

The battle went back and forth for weeks, and every time one side seemed to be winning, the Bat would switch over and pretend he had always been on their side.

Finally, the wise old Owl and the grand Lion met in peace. They realized the fighting was silly and agreed to stop the battle. The Birds and the Beasts became good friends again.

But then they noticed the Bat sitting proudly between them. Both the Birds and the Beasts had seen him lying and switching sides.

“You told us you were a bird with wings,” the Eagle said angrily.

“And you told us you were a beast with fur,” the Lion growled.

“You are just a deceitful little creature who chooses whatever side is easiest!” the animals said together. “You are not a true friend to anyone.”

Both the Birds and the Beasts chased the sneaky Bat away. The Bat was so ashamed of his lying that he hid in a dark, damp cave. And to this very day, bats only fly out at night when it is too dark for the birds and the beasts to see them!

Moral of the Story: If you try to be on everyone’s side just to protect yourself, you will end up with no friends at all.