The Bat and the Animals and the Birds
Once upon a time birds and animals gathered in a forest to choose their king. The birds wanted to make a ruler out of them, while animals insisted that an animal should be the king. They discussed the matter for several days but could not reach any conclusion. At last, they began to fight.
They bat played a strange role in the war between the birds and the animals. If the birds seemed to be winning, it would go over to their side and say, “I am with you with my heart and soul. I am a bird because I fly like you.” However if the animals seemed to be winning, the bat would take no time in changing the side. It would switch on its loyalty to animals and say, “I am with you. I am an animal because I give milk to my young ones like you.” This behavior of bat cast a slur on its face. At last, the war came to an end the animals carried the day.
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The lion was made the king of the forest. The bat went to congratulate the victor. Anyway, the animals turned it out of the court saying, “You are not an animal because you fly.” It then flew over to the camp of the birds. They also turned it out saying, “you are not a bird because you give milk to your young ones.” Since that time, the bat has become a symbol of duplicity. It does show its face neither to animals nor to birds. It comes out only in the dark.
Moral Lesson: A rolling stone gathers no moss.