The Bat Between Two Groups

The birds and the ground animals argued about a favourite clearing. Each group wanted to use it first. A little bat hung from a branch above them, wondering what to do.

An owl invited the bat to join the birds' meeting. The bat did not want to take any responsibility. He said he was a mammal and would stay out of it.

A rabbit later asked him to join the ground animals' meeting. This time the bat pointed to his wings. He said he could fly, so that group's problem was not his.

The two groups continued talking without him. A deer suggested sharing the clearing at different times. The robin proposed keeping one quiet corner for anyone who wanted to rest.

Soon they reached a peaceful agreement. Nobody needed to win the whole clearing. The forest neighbours began arranging a shared picnic, with places for creatures who flew and creatures who walked.

The bat flew down to join the celebration. He told the birds he was almost a bird, then told the animals he was one of them. Both remembered his earlier answers.

The owl asked why his explanation changed whenever he wanted something. The rabbit agreed. The problem was not his unusual body; it was that he had avoided helping and spoken inconsistently.

The bat folded his wings and admitted that he had wanted every benefit without doing any work. He was a flying mammal, and he could have explained that honestly from the start.

He offered to hang lanterns on the low branches, using his flying skill to help. The others welcomed his effort. Soon the clearing glowed, and everyone could see the picnic clearly.

The bat found a place between the benches, comfortable with being different. He did not have to fit one simple label. He did need to be truthful and considerate with friends.