Long ago, when animals still lived in harmony and often spoke together, there was a great friendship between the Bat and the Squirrel. They were inseparable companions, always seen together in the forest. The Bat, clever and quick-witted, admired the Squirrel’s playful energy, while the Squirrel trusted the Bat’s wisdom and cunning. For a time, their friendship seemed unbreakable.
But, as with many things in life, jealousy crept in. The Squirrel began to resent the Bat’s cleverness. Wherever they went, other animals often praised the Bat’s intelligence, and though the Squirrel was admired for his agility, he felt overshadowed. Slowly, bitterness replaced friendship.
One day, while sitting beneath a tree, the Squirrel devised a plan to ruin his friend. He approached the Owl, who was considered a wise judge among the animals. The Squirrel whispered, “Owl, you know the Bat is not truly what he seems. He is neither bird nor beast. He flies like a bird, yet has teeth like a beast. Such a creature cannot be trusted. Should he not be punished for his deception?”
The Owl listened carefully. Known for wisdom but also for sternness, he nodded gravely. The Squirrel’s words planted doubt in his mind. Soon, Owl called a gathering of animals to discuss the Bat’s place among them.
At the council, the Owl declared: “Friends of the forest, we have among us one who deceives. The Bat pretends to be bird and beast alike. This dishonesty cannot go unpunished. Let him be seized.”
The Bat, who had trusted the Squirrel as a friend, was shocked. Betrayed and cornered, he took flight to escape the animals’ wrath. That night, while the creatures of the forest prepared to punish him, the Bat hid in darkness, flitting from tree to tree.
From that day forward, the Bat no longer dared to appear in daylight. He knew the animals would never forgive him. Instead, he chose the safety of the night, when the others slept. By darkness he could move freely, unseen by those who sought his life. And so, the Bat became a creature of the night, flying only under the cover of darkness.
The Bat’s Betrayal Revealed
The story of the Bat is not just about an animal’s choice to fly by night. It is a tale of friendship lost, jealousy twisted into betrayal, and the price of deceit. The Squirrel, once a trusted friend, turned against the Bat out of envy. The Owl, swayed by half-truths, delivered judgment without mercy. And the Bat, though clever, was forced into exile, living in shadows because of broken trust.
Even today, people say this is why bats hide during the day and only emerge when the sun goes down.
Moral Lesson
This Nigerian folktale teaches us that betrayal often comes from those closest to us, and jealousy can destroy even the strongest bonds of friendship. It also warns against rushing to judgment without seeking the full truth. Trust, once broken, drives even the cleverest into hiding.
Knowledge Check
1. Why does the Bat fly only at night according to the folktale?
Because he was betrayed by the Squirrel, judged by the Owl, and forced to hide from other animals who wanted to punish him.
2. What role does jealousy play in the story of the Bat?
Jealousy drives the Squirrel to betray his friend, showing how envy can destroy trust and relationships.
3. Why did the Owl judge the Bat harshly?
The Owl believed the Squirrel’s claim that the Bat was deceptive for being both beast and bird, and judged him without considering the Bat’s side.
4. What is the main lesson of the Nigerian folktale “Why the Bat Flies by Night”?
That betrayal and jealousy can ruin friendships, and hasty judgments can lead to unjust outcomes.
5. How does the folktale explain the Bat’s behavior in nature?
It explains why bats are nocturnal, linking their night activity to the betrayal and punishment in the story.
6. What cultural origin does this folktale come from?
It comes from Nigeria, part of the rich tradition of African oral storytelling.
Source: Nigerian folktale
