Bat falling upon the ground was caught by a weasel, of whom he earnestly besought1 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 saved his life.

　　Shortly afterwards the bat again fellon the ground, and was carght by another weasel, whom he likewise entreated2（懇求） not to eat him. The weasel said that he had a special hostility3 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.