Long ago, when the world of humans and the world of spirits lay closer together than they do now, the island skies of the Seychelles were filled with the wings of the flying fox. These great fruit bats soared freely in the daylight, their wings spreading wide like sails, casting shadows across the forests and beaches. The villagers watched them with wonder, for the flying foxes seemed to possess a secret wisdom that no other creature carried.
At that time, the people lived with deep respect for the spirits of their ancestors, who were believed to dwell in the sea, the wind, and the towering trees. The elders often spoke of how the spirits guided daily life, watching over the people’s work and their harvests. The flying foxes were said to be messengers between the living and the dead, carrying whispers from one world to the other.
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The villagers grew curious about this connection. They wondered, “What do the flying foxes see when they soar so high? What words do they carry to the spirits?” At first, the bats gave no answer. They simply circled the skies, their eyes reflecting both sun and sea. But one bold villager decided to uncover the truth.
One morning, a young man climbed to the top of a great breadfruit tree where the flying foxes often rested. He hid among the leaves, waiting for them to gather. As the sun rose higher, he overheard their voices. Though strange, the language of the flying foxes carried meaning to his ears that day, for the spirits allowed him to understand.
“We fly by day so the spirits can see us clearly,” one bat said. “We carry the prayers of the living in our wings, lifting them to the ancestors who live among the clouds.”
Another bat replied, “But the humans grow too curious. If they discover our secret, they may try to claim it for themselves. The bond between spirits and bats must remain hidden, or it will be broken.”
The young man’s heart pounded. He had heard too much. He rushed down the tree and ran to the village, eager to share what he had learned. When the elders listened, they grew troubled. Some warned, “The spirits will not like that their mystery has been revealed. We must be careful.” But others were greedy for power, whispering, “If the flying foxes carry messages to the ancestors, perhaps we can command them to bring fortune and wealth.”
That night, as the villagers argued, the air grew heavy with silence. The moon shone bright, and the flying foxes gathered on the cliffs. From the shadows came a voice like the rustle of wings. It was the voice of the ancestors themselves.
“You have broken the balance,” the spirits declared. “The sacred secret has been stolen from our messengers. Humans were never meant to hear their speech by daylight. From now on, the flying fox will no longer soar under the sun. To protect their bond with us, they shall fly only at night, when human eyes are weaker and their secrets safe.”
The villagers trembled, knowing the spirits had spoken. When dawn broke, the skies were empty. The flying foxes no longer spread their wings across the daylight. From that day forward, they became creatures of the night, their dark forms gliding silently beneath the stars, keeping their messages hidden.
The young man who had revealed their secret was struck with sorrow. He had not meant to break the balance, only to satisfy his curiosity. But the damage could not be undone. From then on, the people spoke of the flying foxes with reverence, telling their children, “Do not mock them, for they are the keepers of the ancestors’ whispers. Respect them, and the spirits will bless us. Disrespect them, and the night itself will turn against us.”
To this day, when fruit bats sweep across the Seychellois skies at dusk, their wings gliding in the fading light, the people remember the story. They say the bats are carrying the voices of ancestors, keeping them safe in the shadows, hidden from human greed.
Moral Lesson: The Secret of the Flying Fox teaches that some mysteries of nature are not meant to be stolen. Curiosity without respect can break sacred bonds, and the ancestors guard their secrets carefully. The story reminds us that harmony comes from honoring the unseen and accepting that not all knowledge belongs to humankind.
Knowledge Check
How did the flying foxes live before the events of The Secret of the Flying Fox?
Answer: They flew freely in the daytime, carrying messages to the spirits.What did the young man overhear while hiding in the breadfruit tree?
Answer: He heard the flying foxes speaking about carrying human prayers to the ancestors.Why did the spirits become angry with the humans?
Answer: Because the sacred secret of the flying foxes had been revealed to people.What punishment did the spirits give to the flying foxes?
Answer: They decreed that flying foxes would only fly at night, to keep their bond hidden.What lesson did the villagers learn after the spirits’ punishment?
Answer: They learned to respect the flying foxes as sacred messengers of the ancestors.What is the main moral of The Secret of the Flying Fox?
Answer: Curiosity must be guided by respect, and sacred mysteries should remain untouched.
Source: Seychellois oral tradition. Preserved in Seychelles Folk Tales collected by Margaret Joubert (1978).
