Why the Bat Flies

Only at Night
A Folktale from Nigeria
A Reading AZ Shared Reading Book
Word Count: 245
Why
the
F l ie s Only
Bat
Home Connection:
at
Identify vowel pattern i A Folktale
Your reader is learning about the
different ways in which the long /i/ from Nigeria
vowel sound is spelled, for example:
high, sky, side, like. As you read
together, identify words with the
long /i/ vowel sound. Help your
reader look for other words with
the long /i/ vowel sound on food
packages, in newspaper headlines,
or in other books. Make a list of the
words to share with the class.

Retold by Judith Lipsett | Illustrated by Sheralyn Barnes

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Why
the
F l ie
Bat
s O nly
at
A Folktale
from Nigeria

Why the Bat Flies Only at Night

Retold by Judith Lipsett
Illustrated by Sheralyn Barnes
A Folktale from Nigeria
Shared Reading Book
Level 2
Learning AZ
Retold by Judith Lipsett
Illustrated by Sheralyn Barnes

All rights reserved.

www.readinga-z.com www.readinga-z.com
Long ago, the animals
of the land were at war
with the birds of the sky.

Bat did not

Why the Bat Flies Only at Night
know what to do.
I want to win. Which side should
I choose? he asked himself.
3 4
| Shared Reading
 Bat saw that the birds were
winning, so he decided
to join them.
What are you
doing here,
animal? asked
the birds.

Bat flapped his crooked wings.

Why the Bat Flies Only at Night
See my wings? he said. I am
a bird, just like you!
So the birds said Bat could stay.
5 6
| Shared Reading

Soon, though, Bat saw that
the animals were winning.
I must change sides if I want
to win! Bat thought.
Bat flew to join the animals.
Why the Bat Flies Only at Night
What are you doing here, bird?
asked the animals.
Bat showed the animals his teeth.
See my teeth? he said. He
showed them his fur. See my fur?
I am an animal, just like you!
So the animals said Bat could stay.
7 8
| Shared Reading
At last the war ended.
The animals and the birds made
peace, and they sat down to a
feast together.
Why the Bat Flies Only at Night
Bat did not know what to do.
I cant sit with the birds OR the
animals, Bat thought. They both
believe I was on their side!
9 10
| Shared Reading
The animals and the birds Bat was afraid.
all looked at Bat. Then they He flew away and
understood what he had done. hid in a dark cave.
They were very angry! That is where Bat lives
to this day, flying only at night
when no one can see him.

11 12
Why the Bat Flies Only at Night | Shared Reading