The Bat and the Two Kings

Two great kings—the King of the Day (the Eagle) and the King of the Night (the Owl)—were at war. The Bat, who could fly like a bird but also had teeth like a land creature, refused to choose a side. When he was with the Eagle's armies, he would say "I am a bird, a creature of the day!" But when he was near the Owl's armies, he would bare his teeth and say, "I am a beast, a creature of the night!" When the war ended in a truce, both kings held a great council. The Bat tried to join, but he was cast out. The Eagle declared, "You are no bird of mine!" The Owl declared, "You are no beast of mine!" The Bat was condemned to live forever in the twilight, the time that is neither day nor night, and to live in caves, places that are neither the open sky nor the open land. He was an outcast from all kingdoms for his lack of loyalty.