11/08/2026
Why the Bat Flies at Night
A West African Folktale
"One creature betrayed both the birds and the animals. To this day, it still hides from them in the darkness..."
Long ago, when the forests of West Africa were young and the animals could speak, there lived a bat named Kofi.
Kofi was neither fully bird nor fully animal. He had wings like the birds, but fur and teeth like the animals. Instead of being grateful for his unique nature, Kofi wanted only one thing—to always be on the winning side.
One year, a great quarrel broke out between the birds of the sky and the animals of the land. What began as a small disagreement soon grew into a fierce conflict. Every creature was forced to choose a side.
The Eagle, king of the birds, called a gathering beneath a giant silk-cotton tree.
"All who have wings belong with us," Eagle declared.
Kofi nodded and joined the birds.
But later that night, he secretly visited the animals.
The Lion, king of the animals, welcomed him.
"You have fur like us," Lion said. "Surely you are one of our own."
Kofi smiled and agreed.
From that day on, he lived a double life.
Whenever the birds were winning, Kofi flew among them, shouting their praises.
Whenever the animals gained the advantage, he ran to their side and claimed to be one of them.
He thought himself very clever.
"What does it matter?" he laughed. "As long as I stay with the winners, I will always be safe."
But secrets never stay hidden forever.
One afternoon, a wise Owl noticed Kofi leaving the birds' camp and heading toward the animals' territory.
The Owl followed him.
Soon the truth was revealed.
The birds discovered that Kofi had been sharing their plans with the animals.
The animals learned that Kofi had been carrying their secrets to the birds.
Both sides were furious.
"You are a traitor!" cried Eagle.
"You are a liar!" roared Lion.
For the first time, the birds and animals agreed on something: Kofi could no longer be trusted.
Ashamed and terrified, Kofi fled into a hollow tree.
From that day forward, the birds chased him whenever they saw him in the daylight.
The animals chased him whenever he came near the ground.
With no friends left among the birds and no friends left among the animals, Kofi learned a painful lesson.
He began leaving his hiding place only after sunset, when darkness could conceal him from both groups.
And that, the elders say, is why bats fly at night.
Moral of the Story
Loyalty is earned through honesty. Those who betray others for their own advantage may eventually find themselves trusted by no one.
