The Cage Bird and the Bat

Story Summary
In this timeless moral story, a caged bird sings only at night, having learned the hard way that singing during the day led to her capture by a fowler. When a bat questions her precautions, it highlights the futility of taking such measures after already being imprisoned. This short story serves as a powerful reminder that precautions are meaningless once one is already in danger, making it a valuable addition to any collection of famous moral stories for kids.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Taking precautions only matters before a crisis occurs; once caught, it is too late to change past actions.
Historical Context
This story draws from Aesop's Fables, a collection of moral tales attributed to the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop, who lived around the 6th century BCE. The narrative explores themes of caution and the futility of regret, illustrating how one’s choices can have lasting consequences. Similar moral lessons can be found in various cultural adaptations, emphasizing the universal relevance of the fable's message about the importance of foresight and action before a crisis occurs.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent negative outcomes before it's too late. In modern life, this could be reflected in a scenario where an individual neglects to save money or invest in their education, only to find themselves in a difficult financial situation later on—realizing that the time to act was long before the crisis arose.
You May Also Like

The Ass and His Driver
In "The Ass and His Driver," a stubborn donkey bolts toward a precipice, prompting its owner to intervene. Despite his efforts, the donkey's obstinacy leads the owner to let go, warning that the donkey will face the consequences of its choices. This concise moral story highlights how willful individuals often pursue their own paths, regardless of the risks, making it a thought-provoking quick read with a clear moral lesson.

The Bat and the Weasels
In this thought-provoking moral story, a clever Bat encounters two different Weasels, each time using his wits to adapt his identity and escape being eaten. First, he deceives one Weasel by claiming to be a mouse, and then he convinces another that he is not a mouse but a Bat, showcasing the importance of resourcefulness in difficult situations. This short story serves as an educational moral tale about the value of turning circumstances to one's advantage.

The Partridge and the Fowler
In "The Partridge and the Fowler," a fowler captures a partridge and contemplates killing it. The partridge pleads for its life, promising to lure more partridges to the fowler, but the fowler decides against mercy, deeming the partridge untrustworthy for its willingness to betray its fellow birds. This culturally significant moral story serves as a meaningful fable with a lesson about loyalty and trust.
Other names for this story
Caged Melody, Nightingale's Lament, Bat's Wisdom, Night Song Escape, Songs of the Captive, Lessons from the Cage, Twilight Serenade, Silent Days,
Did You Know?
This story highlights the theme of regret and the importance of taking preventive actions before a crisis occurs, illustrating how hindsight often reveals the futility of measures taken too late. The Bird's choice to sing only at night serves as a poignant reminder that once one is trapped by circumstances, it may be too late to change past decisions.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.