The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat
The Birds and the Beasts declared war against each other. No compromise was possible, and so they went at it tooth and claw. It is said the quarrel grew out of the persecution the race of Geese suffered at the teeth of the Fox family.
The Beasts, too, had cause for a fight. The Eagle was constantly pouncing on the Hare, and the Owl dined daily on Mice.
It was a terrible battle. Many a Hare and many a Mouse died. Chickens and Geese fell by the score—and the winner always stopped for a feast.
Now the Bat family had not openly joined either side.
They were a very smart race. So when they saw the Birds getting the better of it, they were Birds for all there was in it.
But when the tide of battle turned, they immediately sided with the Beasts.
When the battle was over, the conduct of the Bats was discussed at the peace conference. Such deceit was unforgivable, and Birds and Beasts made common cause to drive out the Bats.
And since then the Bat family hides in dark towers and deserted ruins, flying out only in the night.
Moral of the story
Choose your side wisely: It’s important to stand by what is right, even when others are not.
Honesty is the best policy: Deceptive actions can lead to losing trust and friends.
Questions for the children
- Why do you think the Bat-family switched sides during the battle?
- Can you think of a time when someone was not honest, and how did it affect their relationships with others?
Post Note: This story is based on Aesop’s fable, written around 600 BC. In this retelling, we’ve used simpler words to make the story easier for young readers to understand.
