Full Story

In the animal kingdom, the bat once enjoyed a place of respect among the other creatures. It could fly like birds and also lived on land, earning it admiration from all. However, the bat’s greed and deceit led to its downfall.

One year, a great famine struck the land. The animals decided to share resources to survive, dividing into two groups: the birds who flew in the skies and the animals who walked the earth. The bat cleverly claimed to be both, taking food from each group while contributing nothing.

When the famine ended, the animals and birds discovered the bat’s deception. Furious, they banished it from their groups. The birds refused to let it join their flights, and the land animals drove it away from their burrows. From that day, the bat became an outcast, living in caves and only coming out at night.

The bat’s plight serves as a reminder that dishonesty and greed can lead to isolation and loss of trust.

Moral of the Story

The tale of the bat teaches that dishonesty and greed have consequences. Trust is a valuable commodity, and deceit destroys relationships.

Cultural Significance

This Yoruba folktale reflects the community’s emphasis on honesty and cooperation. The bat’s story explains its nocturnal habits in a creative and moralistic way, making it a popular tale for teaching values.

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