The Birds and the Beasts had quarreled, and there was to be war. As the two armies gathered, the Bat hesitated about which to join. The Birds that passed his perch said, “Come with us!” But he said, “I am a Beast.” Later on, some Beasts who were passing underneath him looked up and said, “Join us!” But he said, “I am a Bird.” Luckily at the last moment terms were agreed to, and there was peace. The Bat came to the Birds to join their celebration, but they all turned against him and he had to fly away. Then he went to the Beasts, but soon had to retreat, as they would have torn him to pieces.
“Ah,” said the Bat, “I see now; He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends.”
