4. There is a funny fable about the bat, founded upon this
double character of beast and bird, which I will tell you.
5. An owl was once prowling about, when he came across
a bat. So he caught him in his claws, and was about to
devour him. Upon this, the bat began to squeal terribly; and
he said to the owl, "Pray, what do you take me for, that you
use me thus?"
6. "Why, you are a bird, to be sure," said the owl, "and I
am fond of birds. I love dearly to break their little bones."
7. "Well," said the bat, "I thought there was some mistake.
I am no bird. Do n't you see, Mr. Owl, that I have no
feathers, and that I am covered with hair like a mouse?"
8. "Sure enough," said the owl, in great surprise; "I see it
now. Really, I took you

THIRD READER. 97
for a bird, but it appears you are only a kind of mouse. I ate a
mouse last night, and it gave me the nightmare. I can't bear
mice! Bah! it makes me sick to think of it." So the owl let the
bat go.

9. The very next night, the bat encountered another
danger. He was snapped up by puss, who took him for a
mouse, and immediately prepared to eat him.
10. "I beg you to stop one moment," said the bat. "Pray,
Miss Puss, what do you suppose I am?" "A mouse, to be
sure!" said the cat. "Not at all," said the bat, spreading his
long wings.
11. "Sure enough," said the cat: "you seem to be a bird,
though your feathers are