Library / Aesop’s Fables

The Birds the Beasts and the Bat

A fable attributed to Aesop

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The Birds the Beasts and the Bat

The Birds waged war with the Beasts, and each side took turns as the conquerors. Among them was a Bat, who, fearing the uncertain outcomes of the battle, always chose to fight with the side that seemed strongest at the time.

When peace was finally proclaimed, the Bat's deceitful conduct was revealed to both factions. His treachery did not go unnoticed, and he was condemned by both the Birds and the Beasts. As a result, he was driven away from the light of day and forced to conceal himself in dark hiding places. From that point on, he flew alone and only at night.

In the end, the Bat learned a bitter lesson: those who play both sides against the middle often find themselves friendless.

The moral
Those who betray others for their own advantage will ultimately find themselves isolated and friendless.

Discussion questions

  1. What motivated the Bat to switch sides during the conflict?
  2. How do the actions of the Bat reflect real-life situations of betrayal?
  3. What can we learn about friendship and trust from this story?

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Good night.

Tomorrow night: The Fox and the Crane