The Fable of the Bat and the Dove
His Majesty did dispatch the Dove to fetch the Moon, and the Bat to summon the Sun.
The Dove, being of swift wing, did arrive with the Moon ere the Sun's appearance.
Quoth the King, 'I do bestow upon thee the honours intended for the Sun.'
'Thou shalt hold dominion over the night, and subjects shall beat drums and regale themselves with tales by thy luminescence.'
The Bat, having tarried, the Sun did arrive subsequently.
The King elucidated, 'I did grant thy honours unto the Moon; yet thou shalt govern the day and illuminate the populace as they perambulate.' The Sun, in a fit of pique, proclaimed, 'We are henceforth foes!' to the Bat.
Thus doth the Bat cast its gaze downward by day and take flight only under the cloak of night.
The Narrative of the Cane-Rat and the Bat
“Verily, this potable is of exceeding palatability,” quoth the Cane-Rat unto his companion, the Bat.
“Pray divulge, what art doth underpin such gustatory excellence?”
“I submit myself to a simmer within the aqueous depths,” responded the Bat. “I shall furnish thee with a demonstration.”
Whereupon, the Bat entered a vessel containing water, emerging therefrom some moments hence. The water, albeit not brought to a vigorous ebullition, was, in the Cane-Rat's estimation, sufficiently heated.
The Cane-Rat, returning to his abode, did instruct his spouse to subject him to a boiling. “For this,” he elucidated, “is the Bat’s enshrined technique for the concoction of delectable soup. Thou art merely to immerse me for a trifling duration.”
Alas, the Cane-Rat succumbed to mortality!
His bereaved widow did apprise the Sovereign of this lamentable event, who, in turn, commanded the Bat's apprehension.
Henceforth, the Bat absconded into seclusion, revealing himself only under the veil of nocturnal obscurity.
The Queen's Feast
Her Majesty, the Queen, did decree a most grand feast for the animal kingdom, and in her wisdom, did appoint the Cow as hostess for this auspicious occasion.
The inaugural course was presented, and the Cow, with due diligence, did distribute the victuals. “For thee, Goat,” quoth she, and proceeded in like manner to apportion to Sheep, Dog, Cat, Pig, Rooster, and sundry others.
“Pray, what of myself?” squeaked the Fly, hitherto unnoticed.
The Cow, in a lapse of memory, had overlooked the Fly. “Await thy turn!” she retorted with some asperity.
The second course was then served; yet again, naught was offered to the Fly.
“I am afflicted with hunger!” squeaked the Fly, with increased lamentation.
But the Cow, turning a deaf ear, did deny the Fly any sustenance whatsoever.
Following the conclusion of the feast, the Fly did lodge a formal complaint before the Queen.
“Henceforth,” the Queen did proclaim with sovereign authority, “the Fly shall be at liberty to partake of the Cow's eyes; such shall constitute his appointed feast.”
Of God and the Avian Kind
In the primaeval epoch, the Almighty addressed the feathered denizens of the earth, proclaiming, “Arise hence and embark upon your peregrinations!”
“If it be congruent with the Divine Will,” the avian choir chirped in unison, “we shall ascend and commence our appointed journeys.”
The remainder of the winged orders echoed this sentiment.
Yet, the Guinea-Fowl demurred from such acquiescence. Possessed of an undue pride, she declared, “Whether the Divine Being assents or withholds His sanction, I shall, regardless, ascend and commence my peregrinations.”
She essayed to rise, yet succumbed to gravity; she endeavoured again, only to be once more thwarted by a precipitous descent.
Whereupon the Almighty decreed, “Guinea-Fowl, I revoke My benediction from thy person; in lieu of aerial locomotion, thou shalt henceforth be confined to terrestrial ambulation.”
Thus it is that, unto this very day, the Guinea-Fowl doth agitate its pinions, yet remains incapable of sustained flight.
The Mosquito and the Ears
It befell, upon a certain day, that Mosquito and the Ears did venture forth to partake in ablutions within the flowing river.
Subsequent to their immersion, the Ears did apply a unguent of wax to their integument, pronouncing, “This application doth serve to maintain the cutaneous softness,” quoth the Ears. “Thy own epidermis doth present a rather coarse aspect, Mosquito. We shall furnish thee with a portion of wax upon the completion of our own usage.”
Mosquito, with due patience, did tarry and abide, yet when the Ears had concluded their toilette, they did secure their wax within their domicile and homeward they proceeded.
Mosquito, with resolute intent, did pursue their course, exclaiming, “Give unto me a modicum of wax!”
The Ears, in their disdain, did bid the Hands to expel Mosquito from their vicinity, instructing, “Smite him hence, Hands!”
Thus, it doth explain the buzzing of Mosquito within the auditory canal, for he doth incessantly proclaim, “I crave wax!” and doth inflict a bite by reason of his vexation.