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THEREwas once a great battle between the birds and the beasts. The bat wished to be on the stronger side, but did not know which army to join. At first the beasts appeared to have the best of it. Then the bat flew to them and offered to help
“But you are a bird!” said the beasts.
“Has a bird hair on its body and teeth in its mouth?” replied the bat.
Then the battle began to favour the birds, and the bat soon flew over to that side
“What beast is this?” said the birds.
“I am not a beast,” said the bat. “Has a beast wings?”
But the birds had seen him coming over from the beasts, and would not allow him to join them. He went back to the beasts, but they knew he had deserted them, and they would have killed him had he not flown away
It is said that, ever since, the bat has been ashamed to show himself in daylight, and that he comes out only in the dark when the birds and the beasts are asleep.
He who is neither the one thing nor the other has no friends.
—SOP