Long ago, before time had its rhythm and before the sea learned to sleep, the world was bathed in unending light. The sun rose once and never set. Its golden glow covered the forests, the rivers, and the mountains, burning upon the leaves and blinding every eye.
The animals grew weary beneath the ceaseless brightness. The parrots squawked endlessly, unable to rest their wings. The jaguar prowled with heavy steps, his eyes stinging from the light. The fish in the rivers darted in confusion, their scales reflecting the glare. The people too, called upon the spirits for mercy, for their bodies longed for sleep, yet their minds could find no peace.
Only one creature managed to endure the endless day. The bat, small and brown, hung upside down inside a hollow tree during the heat. Yet even he could not truly rest. His thin wings trembled, his eyes ached, and his heart longed for the cool calm of shadow.
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One day, as the sun blazed above, the bat flew out in search of relief. He passed over the bright rivers, through the glowing valleys, and into the deepest forest he could find. Still, there was no shade. The light pierced through every leaf as though the sun itself followed him.
At last, far beyond the lands of the people, he found a great cave in the side of a mountain. The entrance was dark, unlike anything he had seen before. Cool air drifted out from within, and the bat’s heart fluttered with hope.
He flew closer and called softly, “Who lives here?”
From the depths of the cave came a deep voice, slow and echoing like the movement of the earth. “I am the Night Spirit,” it said. “I sleep within this cave because the sun fears me. Once, I shared the sky, but the world begged for light, and I was sealed away. Why do you come, little one?”
The bat bowed his small head. “I come because no creature can rest. The world burns beneath the endless day. We need your gift. We need your darkness.”
The cave rumbled as the Night Spirit stirred. “If I return,” said the voice, “the world will no longer see the sun all the time. The people may grow afraid. Will they thank you or curse you, little bat?”
The bat trembled but spoke with courage. “Without you, we will perish. I do not fear their anger. I only wish for balance.”
The Night Spirit was silent for a long while. Then, from the darkness came a single whisper: “Then open the way.”
At those words, the cave’s mouth split wider, and a wave of shadow poured out. The bat was lifted by a cool wind as the light of the world began to fade. The rivers shimmered softly. The bright sky deepened into a rich blue, then purple, and at last, black. Stars appeared like sparks from a sacred fire.
The bat flew through the night, crying out in joy. The parrots rested, the jaguar curled into sleep, and even the sea grew still beneath the moon’s new glow. The people lifted their faces to the sky and whispered in wonder. “What is this beauty? What is this calm?”
They named it night.
When morning came again, the light returned, gentle and kind. For the first time, the world knew both day and night. The people sang songs of balance and gave thanks to the spirits.
But not all were grateful. Some feared the darkness and said, “Who released this shadow upon the earth?” They blamed the bat, calling him a thief of light. Yet others defended him, saying, “He is the bringer of rest, the one who saved us from burning.”
The bat did not wait for praise or anger. He returned to the mountain and spoke once more to the Night Spirit. “Now that you are free, will you dwell among us forever?”
The Spirit’s voice replied softly, “I will share the sky with the sun. When he sleeps, I will rise. When I rest, he will awaken. But tell the people this: nothing in the world should exist alone. Light and dark, day and night, courage and fear, all must live together to keep balance.”
The bat nodded and flew out into the fading dusk. As he soared, the last rays of the sun touched his wings, and he shimmered with gold before vanishing into shadow.
From that time on, the bat became the keeper of the border between day and night. When the sky grows dim, he flies out to guide the coming darkness. His silent wings remind the world of his courage, and his gift remains with every living creature, the peace that comes with rest and the beauty of balance between light and shadow.
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Moral Lesson
This tale teaches that courage often begins in discomfort. The bat, though small and afraid, acted for the good of all. His bravery brought balance to the world and gave every living being the gift of rest. True harmony comes not from endless light but from the dance between day and night.
Knowledge Check
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Why were the creatures suffering at the beginning of the story?
Because the world was trapped in endless daylight and none could find rest or darkness. -
What did the bat seek in the cave?
He sought relief and found the Night Spirit, who had been sealed away from the world. -
Why did the bat release the Night Spirit?
He wanted to bring balance to the world and allow all creatures to rest. -
What happened when the Night Spirit was released?
Darkness spread across the sky, the stars appeared, and night was born. -
How did the people react to the arrival of night?
Some feared it and blamed the bat, while others understood its blessing and gave thanks. -
What lesson does the story teach about balance?
It shows that light and darkness, like all opposites, must coexist for life to thrive.
Source:
Adapted from Kalinago and Arawak myths in Caribbean Mythology and Oral Traditions by Michael A. Gomez (2001), Kingston, University of the West Indies Press.
Cultural Origin: Kalinago, Lesser Antilles.
