The Bat, the Birds and the Beasts

 　　The Bat, the Birds and the BeastsA great conflict was about to come off between the Birds andthe Beasts.

　　When the two armies were collected together the Bathesitated which to join.

　　The Birds that passed his perch¹ said:

　　"Come with us"; but he said: "I am a Beast."Later on, someBeasts who were passing underneath² him looked up and said: "Comewith us"; but he said: "I am a Bird."Luckily at the last momentpeace was made, and no battle took place, so the Bat came to theBirds and wished to join in the rejoicings, but they all turnedagainst him and he had to fly away.

　　He then went to the Beasts,but soon had to beat a retreat, or else they would have torn himto pieces.

　　"Ah," said the Bat, "I see now,"He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends."

1 perch   

n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于

参考例句：

• The bird took its perch.鸟停歇在栖木上。
• Little birds perch themselves on the branches.小鸟儿栖歇在树枝上。

2 underneath   

adj.在...下面，在...底下；adv.在下面

参考例句：

• Working underneath the car is always a messy job.在汽车底下工作是件脏活。
• She wore a coat with a dress underneath.她穿着一件大衣，里面套着一条连衣裙。