Many years ago the earth was inhabited by only one man. His body was composed of minute organisms that were incessantly¹ warring against one another. One day this man became so weak that he could not obtain food for his support. He laid himself down on some soft moss² by the bank of a river, and there he remained till night.

 

The organisms that lived in his body began to fight against one another most fiercely. Each ate his fellow until he became very big. At last the man died, and only one organism remained alive. This organism then flew away, and became the ancestor of the bats. The light of day so dazzled his eyes, that he could not fly very far, so he decided³ to fly only at night. And ever since, his descendants, too, have hidden themselves in the day-time, and come out only when it is dark.

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