Born with only one working wing, the little bat was different from the rest of his colony. While others took to the air effortlessly, he was forced to scamper along the damp cave floor, slipping on the slick layers of bat guano. His useless wing dragged behind him, a constant reminder of what he could not do.
Climbing over jagged rocks and the scattered remains of the wild boars’ meals was no easy task for a tiny bat. Boars could be fierce, and he had learned to stay out of their way. But tonight, the cave was silent. No grunting, no shuffling—just the distant rustle of wings as his colony soared into the night.
He sighed, gazing up at the dark entrance of the cave. How was he supposed to live like this?
Still, he refused to give up. Using his sharp claws, he hauled himself forward, gripping the slick stone with every step. His legs, not meant for walking, ached with each movement, but he pushed on. If he couldn’t fly, he would climb.
Finally, after what felt like forever, he reached the cave’s mouth. The night air was fresh, carrying the sweet scent of ripe fruit from the trees beyond. His stomach growled.
The best fruit hung high in the branches, far out of reach. The other bats would feast, swooping effortlessly from tree to tree. But the little bat’s gaze dropped to the ground below. Fallen fruit. Scattered and bruised, but still good.
With careful steps, he made his way down, sliding over damp leaves and moss-covered stones. He nearly lost his balance but steadied himself, inching forward. His heart pounded—he was so close.
And then—success! A soft, overripe fruit sat right before him, its scent rich and tempting. He took a bite, the sweet juice bursting on his tongue. It was the best thing he had ever tasted.
For the first time, he didn’t feel broken. He had found a way—his own way.
As he ate, a rustling nearby caught his attention. He turned to see another bat watching him from a low branch.
“You made it all the way down here?” the bat asked, eyes wide.
The little bat nodded, licking the juice from his nose.
“That’s amazing,” the other bat said. “I bet you could teach us something.”
The little bat blinked. Teach them? The others had never needed to walk before. But what if one day, they did?
A small smile formed on his face. Maybe he wasn’t meant to fly. Maybe he was meant for something else.
Something only he could do.
Animalstories 