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The Bat and the Weasels
The Bat and the Weasels

Chapter I · Two Narrow Escapes

In Two Narrow Escapes, the bat survives by identifying what each weasel hates and adapting its answer to the immediate threat.

By Aesop • Curated US English Learning Edition

A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

A bat is caught first by a weasel that hates birds and later by another weasel that hates mice. It escapes the first danger by calling itself a mouse and the second by correctly distinguishing itself from mice. The repeated encounter makes the fable easy to compare and reveals its lesson about using changing circumstances wisely.

What happens in Two Narrow Escapes?

The bat is captured twice and gives a different identity-based answer to match the prejudice of each weasel.

During the first encounter, the captor describes itself as an enemy of birds. The bat replies that it is a mouse, so the weasel releases it. During the second encounter, another captor expresses hostility to mice. This time the bat insists that it is a bat rather than a mouse. The parallel structure lets learners compare cause, response, and outcome directly.

How does the bat persuade each weasel?

It listens for the category each weasel rejects, then frames its identity outside that category to remove the stated reason for attack.

The bat’s words are effective because they answer the exact claim made by the captor. It does not use the same response twice. In the first case, being treated as a mouse is useful; in the second, being recognized as a bat is useful. This contrast supports English practice with classification, negation, and the connectors that show how one event follows another.

What should an English learner notice?

Learners should notice the repeated plot pattern, the contrast between bird and mouse, and the moral expressed through circumstances.

Listen for stressed content words such as bat, weasel, bird, mouse, hostility, and escaped. Then follow how the text signals repetition with shortly afterwards and second time. Finally, connect the abstract noun circumstances to the concrete changes in danger. This moves the lesson from literal comprehension to a supported explanation of the moral.

Questions about Two Narrow Escapes

The essential answers explain who threatens the bat, why its responses differ, and how the ending states the lesson.

Why does the first weasel release the bat?

The first weasel says it is an enemy of birds, and the bat persuades it that a bat should be treated as a mouse.

Why does the second weasel release the bat?

The second weasel hates mice, so the bat distinguishes itself from mice and identifies itself as a bat.

Which sentence gives the moral of the chapter?

The closing sentence states that it is wise to turn circumstances to good account, summarizing the bat’s strategy.

How to complete this guided reading

Use a listen-read-explain sequence so that pronunciation practice leads directly to comprehension and a clear retelling.

  1. Listen once

    Play the complete reading without pausing and listen for bat, weasel, bird, mouse, and escaped.

  2. Read closely

    Follow the five lines, open the three vocabulary definitions, and compare the two identity statements.

  3. Explain the moral

    Answer the questions and give a short spoken retelling that connects both escapes to the final moral.

Defined terms for this reading

The reading teaches three terms taken directly from the source passage and used in its central actions and moral.

pleaded
asked for something in a serious and emotional way, as the captured bat asks to be spared
hostility
unfriendly or aggressive feeling toward a person, group, or kind of animal
circumstances
the conditions surrounding a situation that affect what can happen or what someone should do
A resourceful bat escapes between two weasels whose hostilities point in opposite directions.
Context Illustration Reading 1/1 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,
saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,
and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,
whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.
The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Bat and the Weasels

Chapter I · Two Narrow Escapes

In Two Narrow Escapes, the bat survives by identifying what each weasel hates and adapting its answer to the immediate threat.

Reading 1/1 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,
Line 2
saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,
Line 3
and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,
Line 4
whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.
Line 5
The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

circumstances plural noun US /ˈsɜːrkəmstænsɪz/

the conditions that affect a situation or event

From this reading “The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.”

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
hostility noun US /hɑːˈstɪləti/

unfriendly or aggressive feelings toward someone or something

From this reading “whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.”

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
pleaded verb US /ˈpliːdɪd/

asked for something in a serious and emotional way

From this reading “A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,”

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
All words in this reading · 59

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

A

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
account

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Pending verification
afterwards

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,

Pending verification
again

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,

Pending verification
all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
and

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
another

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,

Pending verification
assured

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
BAT

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
be

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
bird

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
birds

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
but

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
by

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
caught

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
circumstancesplural nounUS /ˈsɜːrkəmstænsɪz/

the conditions that affect a situation or event

From this reading The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
eat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.

Pending verification
enemy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
entreated

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.

Pending verification
escaped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Pending verification
fell

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
free

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,

Pending verification
good

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Pending verification
ground

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
had

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.

Pending verification
he

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
him

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
his

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
hostilitynounUS /hɑːˈstɪləti/

unfriendly or aggressive feelings toward someone or something

From this reading whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
is

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Pending verification
It

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Pending verification
life

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
likewise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.

Pending verification
mice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.

Pending verification
mouse

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
nature

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
not

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
pleadedverbUS /ˈpliːdɪd/

asked for something in a serious and emotional way

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Velmora learner dictionary · Oxford-style editorial format
refused

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.

Pending verification
saying

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
second

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Pending verification
set

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,

Pending verification
Shortly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,

Pending verification
spared

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
special

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.

Pending verification
that

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,

Pending verification
the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
thus

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,

Pending verification
time

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Pending verification
to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
turn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Pending verification
upon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
was

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
Weasel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
who

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,

Pending verification
whom

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.

Pending verification
wise

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.

Pending verification

Shadowing Practice

Repeat the selected source lines aloud to practice rhythm, stress, and clear US English pronunciation.

Narrator: A BAT who fell upon the ground and was caught by a Weasel pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused,
Narrator: saying that he was by nature the enemy of all birds. The Bat assured him that he was not a bird, but a mouse,
Narrator: and thus was set free. Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel,
Narrator: whom he likewise entreated not to eat him. The Weasel said that he had a special hostility to mice.
Narrator: The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat, and thus a second time escaped. It is wise to turn circumstances to good account.