The bats were unaware of the weasels’ sneaky approaching. When they finally noticed their presence, it’s too late for them to escape! All tried desperately to take off from the ground, but few actually succeeded. Most of the bats were bitten near the ground before they could fly high enough to flee.
The few survivors gathered again after this great loss. They could not suffer to lose any more of their kind. A solution was needed to avoid future tragedy. But coming up with one wasn't easy, and not one suggested any that was reasonable. Finally, the smallest bat stood up. The others laughed at the idea that he might know what to do, but he spoke loud and bold.
“It’s too dangerous for us to stand close to the ground!” he shouted. “We must stay in trees and hang upside down there for earlier detection of predators and faster takeoff.”
At first, all bats laughed at his suggestion. “Surely we would fall this way even without any attack!” But the clever bat held very firm to his idea and decided to prove that it would work.
So he did it! This determined and brave little bat stood on a branch first, making sure he held onto it tightly. Then, he flipped upside down hanging over there successfully! At last, he released his grip, dropped away, righted himself, and flew away from the tree, all in the blink of an eye. The other bats were astonished at this sight!
“Incredible!” they all exclaimed. “We got to try it, too!”
One by one, all the bats successfully adapted the clever new strategy. They were never again caught off guard. Newborn pups would hang this way, cradled by their their mothers, till they were big enough to hang from the branches themselves. And you can still see them doing it today.