How the Bat Got Its Wings
Reading time: 8 min
About this story: How the Bat Got Its Wings is a Folktale from Zambia set in the Ancient. This Descriptive tale explores themes of Courage and is suitable for All Ages. It offers Moral insights. How a small creature's determination transformed him into a symbol of courage and resilience. .
In a time long before the modern world, when the sun shone brighter, the rivers sang louder, and the earth felt alive with untamed magic, the animals of Zambia lived together in a vibrant harmony. The land stretched endlessly—an ocean of golden savannah, dense forests that whispered ancient secrets, and a mighty river that wound through it all like a shimmering snake.
Among the animals was a peculiar creature named Bat. He was small, with a body that looked like a mouse and ears far too large for his head. Unlike the other animals, he didn’t fit neatly into any group. The birds soared proudly in the skies, their wings catching the sunlight. The beasts roamed the earth, strong and grounded. Bat was neither bird nor beast. He had no wings to fly nor claws to climb. This left him feeling out of place—a shadow among giants.
Bat dreamed of something more. Every evening, he perched on a rock by the Zambezi River, staring up at the vast expanse of the sky, painted in oranges and purples by the setting sun. His heart swelled with longing as he watched the birds glide effortlessly across the horizon. "One day," he whispered to himself, "I will find a way to touch the clouds."
The Problem with Dreams
Despite his yearning, the other animals found Bat’s dreams laughable. Hyena, with her sharp-toothed grin, was particularly cruel.
“Look at little Bat, staring at the sky!” she cackled one afternoon. “What do you think you’ll do, grow wings overnight? You’re better off scurrying under bushes like a proper rodent.”
Even gentle Gazelle, who rarely spoke harshly of anyone, tried to reason with him. “Bat, it’s not in your nature to fly. We all have our place in the world. Be content with yours.”
But Bat refused to listen. “Maybe my place is somewhere no one has ever seen before,” he replied, his voice soft but firm.
As the days passed, Bat grew more determined. He began to explore the farthest corners of the forest, searching for answers. If nature wouldn’t give him wings, perhaps he could find someone—or something—that would.
A Meeting with Nyami Nyami
One night, under a blanket of stars, Bat wandered deeper into the forest than he ever had before. The air grew cooler, and a faint glow appeared in the distance. Drawn to the light, Bat followed it until he reached a clearing where the trees parted like curtains, revealing a pool of water that shimmered with an otherworldly light.
Standing at the water’s edge was Nyami Nyami, the Great River Spirit. She was said to be the guardian of all life in the region, a being of immense power and kindness. Her form was both beautiful and strange: her body glimmered like fish scales, and her eyes held the wisdom of a thousand lifetimes.
Bat hesitated, unsure if he should approach. But Nyami Nyami’s voice, as gentle as the flowing river, called out to him. “Come closer, little one. Why do you wander so far from home?”
Bat stepped forward, his tiny heart pounding. “Great Nyami Nyami,” he began, his voice trembling with awe, “I am searching for a way to fly. I want to see the world from above, to feel the wind beneath me and touch the clouds. But I am too small, and the other animals say it’s impossible.”
Nyami Nyami tilted her head, studying him with a curious smile. “Dreams are not impossible, little Bat. They are the seeds of greatness. But they require more than wishing—they demand courage, cleverness, and heart.”
Bat’s ears perked up. “I’ll do anything,” he said earnestly. “Just tell me how.”
The Great Spirit nodded. “Very well. I will grant you three tasks. If you complete them, I will give you the gift of wings.”
The First Task: The Fire of Courage
For the first task, Nyami Nyami instructed Bat to retrieve a glowing ember from the heart of a fire guarded by Lion, the King of Beasts. The fire blazed atop a hill surrounded by thorn bushes, and Lion, with his golden mane and piercing eyes, prowled nearby to ensure no one dared steal from him.
The thought of facing Lion made Bat’s tiny stomach twist with fear. But he steeled himself. “I must do this,” he thought. “If I turn back now, I’ll never fly.”
Under the cover of night, Bat crept toward the hill. The thorn bushes were sharp, tearing at his fur, but he pushed through, his determination greater than the pain. As he approached the fire, its heat was nearly unbearable. Lion’s shadow loomed large as he paced back and forth, his growls rumbling like distant thunder.
Bat waited until Lion turned away, then darted forward. With trembling hands, he picked up a glowing ember and tucked it into a small leaf he had carried with him. The heat scorched his fingers, but he didn’t let go. Just as Lion turned back, Bat scurried into the thorns, disappearing into the shadows before the great beast could spot him.
Panting and singed but victorious, Bat returned to Nyami Nyami and placed the ember before her. She smiled. “You have shown great courage, little one. But there is more to flying than bravery.”
The Second Task: The Purest Dew
The second task was a test of resourcefulness. Nyami Nyami told Bat to collect the purest drop of dew from the tallest tree in the forest. The tree’s trunk was smooth and its branches high, making it nearly impossible to climb.
Bat stared up at the tree, its top disappearing into the sky. He felt a pang of doubt but quickly shook it off. “There must be a way,” he thought.
As dawn broke, Bat noticed a colony of ants beginning their daily march up the tree. Inspired, he approached them. “Friends,” he said, “may I join your climb? I need to reach the top.”
The ants, impressed by Bat’s politeness, agreed. They allowed him to climb onto their backs, and together, they scaled the towering tree. It was a slow and careful journey, but Bat remained patient. When they finally reached the top, he spotted a single droplet of dew glistening on a leaf.
Bat carefully caught the droplet in a leaf and thanked the ants for their help. He carried the precious dew back to Nyami Nyami, who nodded approvingly. “You have shown kindness and ingenuity, Bat. But one task remains.”
The Final Task: Facing the Storm
The final task was the most difficult. Nyami Nyami instructed Bat to retrieve a feather from Eagle, the ruler of the skies. Eagle lived atop a rocky cliff, and a fierce storm brewed in the skies above.
Bat hesitated. The thought of climbing the cliff and confronting Eagle amidst the raging storm filled him with dread. But he reminded himself of why he had begun this journey.
As lightning split the sky and rain lashed against him, Bat climbed the slippery rocks. The wind threatened to throw him off, but he clung tightly, inching upward with every ounce of strength he had.
When he finally reached the summit, Eagle was waiting. His eyes, sharp as knives, bore into Bat. “Why have you come here, little one?” he demanded.
Bat bowed his head respectfully. “Great Eagle, I seek your help. I wish to fly, but I have no wings. Nyami Nyami has sent me to ask for one of your feathers.”
Eagle studied him for a long moment. “You have braved the storm and climbed this cliff, all for a single feather. That takes great determination. Very well.”
With a mighty flap of his wings, Eagle plucked a feather and handed it to Bat. “May it carry you to your dreams,” he said.
The Gift of Wings
Bat returned to Nyami Nyami, drenched and exhausted but triumphant. He placed the ember, the dew, and the feather before her. The Great Spirit smiled. “You have proven your courage, resourcefulness, and determination, little one. You are ready.”
Nyami Nyami touched Bat gently, and a warm light enveloped him. His arms stretched into delicate wings, his fur grew sleek and light, and his heart felt as if it could burst with joy.
Bat flapped his new wings and rose into the air. The wind embraced him, lifting him higher and higher. He soared above the trees, over the river, and into the endless sky. For the first time, he touched the clouds and saw the world as he had always dreamed.
The animals below watched in awe. Even Hyena was silent as Bat danced through the air, his small figure now a symbol of hope and possibility.
The Legacy of the Bat
To this day, bats are celebrated in Zambia as creatures of resilience and determination. Though they may be small, they remind us all that even the most impossible dreams can take flight with courage, cleverness, and heart.
