The bat and his secret
Told by Conteurs sawa du Wouri
The bat and the mangrove rat were inseparable friends. One day the bat invited the rat to taste his soup, the most delicious on the river. 'What is your secret?' asked the marvelling rat. Vain, the bat lied: 'It is me. I plunge into the boiling water, and my flesh gives that flavour.'
The rat went home and told his wife to boil the pot. He jumped in… and died at once. His grieving family brought their complaint to the village chief.
When they came to fetch the bat for judgement, he took fright and hid deep inside a hollow tree. Ever since, he dares not show himself in broad daylight, for fear of being recognised and punished. Only at nightfall does he come out to seek his food, alone and silent.
The tale's moral
« A lie told out of vanity can cost another's life — and condemn the liar to flee the light. »
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