Many years ago, there was a great war between the birds and the animals. The creatures with wings flew to the battle site and made their camp. Those who had legs walked there. The bats joined the birds.
"Hey! I've got wings. So I must be a bird. And there are more of us so we should win!"
The first battle was long and hard, but gradually slashing claws and tearing teeth began to win over beaks and wings. The birds were losing the battle and decided to hide behind bushes.
When the battle was over, the animals walked back towards their camp. "Wow! Did we kick those butts?" cried Bat in his high pitched voice. The animals stopped.
"What are you doing with us?" shouted Beaver, slapping the ground hard with his big, flat tail.
"You've got wings. You're with the other side."
"Yeah, that's right" growled Bear. And I'm goiing to eat you!"
"Guys, guys, guys, get real!" said Bat. "When have you ever seen a bird with teeth?" "Of course, I'm with you."
"I suppose so," grumbled Bear. The next day there was to be another battle and Bat walked toward the site with the animals.
"Let's rip off their beaks!" he yelled. This time the birds flew as an army with the sun behind them, its bright light blinding the animals. The birds were winning. Again Bat hid behind the bush. When it was all over and the birds started to fly back to their camp. Bat silently joined them.
"That was a good victory today," said Eagle.
"Yes, we kicked their butts" shouted Bat. "Hold on," said Crow.
"You were with the other side." "Guys, guys, guys, get real," said Bat. "When have you ever seen an animal with wings like mine? Of course I'm one of you." He flapped his wings vigorously.
"I suppose so," said Eagle. When Bat saw that the side he was on was going to lose, he pretended he was on the other side.
Eventually the birds and animals got tired of fighting each other. They all came together while their Chiefs had a council of truce to decide how things would be settled. It was very difficult for bat to pretend that he belonged to both sides. The Chiefs knew what he had done.
"Friends should always help each other and not pretend to be one thing when they are another," they said.
Bat has wings, but he is not a bird. He has teeth, but he is not an animal. From now on, Bat will only fly at night when other birds are sleep and the animals are hunting."
All the creatures nodded and agreed.