The War of the Beasts and the Birds

There was a war between the Birds and the Beasts, and Bat didn't know which side to join.
Then, when it was clear the Birds were winning, Bat showed them his wings. "Look!" he said. "I'm one of you!"
But then when the Beasts fought back, defeating the Birds, Bat joined their side.
The Beasts, seeing Bat in their camp, asked, "What are you doing here?"
Showing his teeth, Bat said, "Look! I'm one of you!"
But the Beasts rejected him and the Birds would not take him back, so now Bat is an outcast and flies only at night.


Inspired by: "Why the Bat Comes Out Only at Night" in Nigerian Tolk Tales told by Olawale Idewu and Omotayo Adu, edited by Barbara and Warren Walker, 1961
Notes: You can read the original story online.

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