Long ago, in the early days when animals and birds still spoke with humans, the world was filled with quarrels. The animals, who roamed the forests, believed they were the rightful rulers of the land. The birds, who filled the skies with their songs, argued that the world belonged to them instead. Their disputes grew so heated that soon a war was declared between the animals and the birds.
Each side began to gather allies. The animals sharpened their claws and teeth, preparing for battle, while the birds stretched their wings and sharpened their beaks. The forest trembled with tension, for everyone knew that such a war would be fierce.
Now, Bat was a curious creature. He was unlike the others, for though he had wings like the birds, he also had teeth and fur like the animals. This made him both similar to and different from each side. Bat, being sly and selfish, wondered which side would win the war. “If I join the stronger side,” he thought, “I will share in their victory and their glory. But which side is truly stronger?”
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When the war first began, Bat noticed that the animals seemed to have the upper hand. The lion roared so loudly that the ground shook, the elephant charged with his tusks, and the leopard leapt with deadly skill. Impressed by their strength, Bat flew down to the animals and said, “Look at me! I am not truly a bird. I have teeth like you, and I eat as you do. Allow me to fight alongside you.” The animals welcomed him gladly, for his wings gave him an advantage in the skies.
With Bat’s help, the animals won several battles. He carried messages quickly and swooped down on unsuspecting birds. For a time, Bat felt proud of his choice. But as the war dragged on, the birds began to fight back fiercely. The hawk struck from the skies with deadly speed, the eagle’s wings cast shadows over the forest, and the parrot rallied the smaller birds with songs of courage. Soon the tide began to turn.
Seeing this, Bat grew uneasy. “The animals may not win after all,” he muttered. “If the birds claim victory, they will punish me for siding against them. I must change my loyalty before it is too late.”
That very night, Bat flew secretly to the birds. “Noble friends,” he said smoothly, “I am no animal. Look at my wings! I am one of you. I only pretended to fight with the animals so that I could bring you news of their plans. Take me as your ally, for I belong in the skies.” The birds, believing his words, accepted him. Bat fought bravely at their side for a while, swooping and darting to confuse the animals.
But his betrayal was soon discovered. The animals learned that Bat had turned against them, and the birds began to realize he had once fought fiercely for their enemies. Both sides grew suspicious. “This Bat,” they whispered, “is not loyal to anyone but himself. He is not to be trusted.”
Finally, when the war ended in an uneasy truce, the animals and the birds gathered together. They spoke with one voice: “Bat has betrayed us both. He is neither friend to animals nor ally to birds. He is a trickster who thinks only of his own safety.”
From that day forward, Bat was shunned by all. The animals chased him when they saw him crawling on the ground, and the birds pecked at him when he tried to fly among them. Rejected and hunted, Bat found no peace under the sun.
Shamed and fearful, he made a new way of living. By day, when both animals and birds could see him, Bat hid himself in caves, hollow trees, and dark corners where no one could find him. Only when night spread its veil did he dare to come out, flapping silently in the dark. The night became his only refuge, for the daytime brought only danger and scorn.
And so, even now, bats fly only at night. They slip through the shadows, avoiding both the gaze of birds and the teeth of animals. Their story is a reminder of what happens when one tries to serve two masters and betrays the trust of both.
Moral Lesson
Why the Bat Hides in the Day teaches us that disloyalty and betrayal carry heavy consequences. By trying to benefit from both sides, Bat lost the trust of everyone. True honor lies in standing firm with loyalty, for betrayal leads only to shame and isolation.
Knowledge Check
Why did the animals and the birds go to war in the story?
Answer: They fought over who should rule the world, the land animals or the birds of the sky.Which side did Bat first join, and why?
Answer: Bat first joined the animals because they seemed stronger at the beginning of the war.Why did Bat later switch sides to join the birds?
Answer: Bat switched to the birds when he saw them gaining strength, hoping to stay on the winning side.How did both animals and birds eventually see Bat?
Answer: They realized he was untrustworthy, since he betrayed both sides for his own advantage.What punishment did Bat face for his betrayal?
Answer: He was rejected by both animals and birds, forcing him to hide during the day.What lesson does Why the Bat Hides in the Day teach?
Answer: It teaches that betrayal and disloyalty bring mistrust, dishonor, and isolation.
Source: Liberian folktale, common among multiple groups (Kpelle, Bassa, Grebo). Documented by Charles S. Johnson in African Folk Tales and Traditional Stories (1931).
