Why Bats Sleep at Night

Once, very long ago, before there were humans, and when the Stars and Moon and Sun whispered to each other, there were fantastical creatures. Creatures of every shape, size, and color. There were horses that flew, and elephants that swam.

And in this magical time, there was a plain, dull, dark creature. This creature was a bat. Now, Bat was young and not as mature as the other creatures. In fact, he was the newest creature to be made by the Sky Lord, Radi. He cherished this fact like nothing else, because in this seemingly perfect world of amazing creatures, dull Bat had no other bragging rights.

One day, he stopped to hear the gossip of a group of sheep.

“He’s so pink!” squealed one sheep.

“His tail’s curly,” added another.

“Who are you talking about?” asked Bat.

“Oh, haven’t you heard?” asked the third sheep. “It’s a pig!”

“He’s the newest creature,” informed the second sheep.

Blinded with anger, Bat flew away.

Later, resting in his cave, Bat couldn’t believe his ears. A curly tail? He would spy on Pig next morning.

When the sun rose in the sky, Bat flew off to spy on Pig. He found an arrogant, self-confident, and snotty creature. Bat, overcome with anger and envy, had an idea. That Pig was so stuck-up about his tail. Bat would straighten it and make it grow fur. And he knew just how!

Bat walked into Magic Mouse’s shop. He took a Hair Growing potion and a Straightening potion. He mixed the potions together and presented them to one of Pig’s servants.

“Potion of Good Luck for Pig,” he lied.

When Pig discovered that it was Bat that had done this, he was furious. He told Radi of Bat’s crime, and Radi agreed to punish Bat. Radi brought Bat to his cave. He condemned Bat to sleep in the day and wake in the night, and to be blinded, so he would be eternally lonesome.

Years later, Radi took pity on Bat and gave him echolocation, so he could see with his ears.