Fable: The bat, the birds and the beasts

The bat, the birds and the beasts

Retold by Steve Williams
[For ideas on how to use this fable see our key document on proverbs and fables.]

The birds and the beasts declared war on each other. The two armies lined up before battle calling each other names. 'Beasts are poo!' screeched the birds'. 'Birds are poo too', bellowed the beasts even louder, until one beast thought it better to shout: 'Birds are poo ... but beasts aren't!'. The shouting back and forth went on for quite a while until it was nearly dark.

A bat didn't want to join either side. The birds that passed his perch shouted: 'Join us!'; but he said: 'I am a beast, go away.' Some beasts passed underneath him and said: 'Join us!'; but he said: 'I am a bird, go away.'

The beasts and the birds got tired of calling each other names. They made peace and went home. The were glad they didn't have to fight a war. The bat was relieved too. He flew to the birds, thinking he would join in the celebrations, but they all chased after him shouting 'bats are poo!' and he had to fly away. Then he went over to the beasts but they said if he didn't leave they would tear him to pieces. 'Ah,' said the Bat, 'I see now,

• 'I refused to take sides so I have no friends'.
• I refused to take sides so I don't deserve any friends'
• 'Some creatures need to have enemies.'
• 'When you refuse to take sides, the easiest reason to give is not always the best.'