The Great Story of How a Bat Made the Noble Animal Prize

Ai Hiraga, Age 9

Ai, age 9, lives on Miller Avenue. She likes to write because it’s better than being bored. In addition to writing, she enjoys reading and watching her sister play chess. Nothing inspires Ai’s writing. She would like to live in a world where everything is fun.

The Great Story of How a Bat Made the Noble Animal Prize

Hi, I am a monster. At least everyone that passes by says so. I have claws, wings as dark as night, I hang upside down, and I live in a tree. The tree was the only place I could find for shelter. One morning, I saw a note on my bed. The note said, “I have a better place for you. A place that will be more comfortable for you.” So I slowly climbed out of the tree, spread my wings, and fell onto a pile of leaves. A minute later, a woman appeared. I thought she was going to save me, but like all other people, she screamed, “Monster!” “What is it?” asked another voice. A man appeared into view. “A bat!” the man said. “A bat?” I thought. “What is a bat?” The man reached toward me and tried to take me. I stood frozen and watched as he picked me up. “You’re really going to keep that thing, Victor?” the woman screeched. “What?” Victor said, “I want to keep it as a pet!” He started walking again. “Come on, Emma!” he called as he walked away holding me in his arms. I silently watched as my home disappeared from view. Somehow, I didn’t feel sad. A little part of me actually felt a little bit happy. I didn’t know when, but I soon fell asleep. I woke up in a strange room. I was put on a bouncy block, which they called a couch. I was sitting in there when Victor came by with another man. “Hey, I brought a scientist to see what type of bat you are,” he said to me. The scientist picked me up and did a few tests on me. I waited and soon it was time to leave. The scientist and Victor talked quietly and finally, they shook hands, and the scientist left. Victor walked away and came back with a very strange cut-up, pink-ish object. “The scientist said you were a fruit bat! So I gave you some peaches!” Victor said. He handed me the strange stuff. I’m really supposed to eat that? I thought. But soon after, I got so hungry that I picked up some of the stuff with my tiny claws and took a nibble. Immediately, a burst of flavor filled my mouth up. So good! It was all I could think of. I gulped as much down as possible. I soon was full. I flew around the house and explored the house. I noticed that Emma was trying to avoid me as much as possible, but I didn’t care. I was completely happy. I soon was getting tired and landed on the couch, and slept on one of the pillows. I lived in the house and did everything I could. But the bigger I grew, the harder I was to care for. One day, I heard Emma say to Victor, “It’s too hard to care for! We’re going to have to sell it.” My heart dropped. No! I didn’t want to leave! I expected Victor to argue, but he answered, “Fine, if you say so.” I was so sad, I could barely listen anymore. I quietly slipped away and went to bed. The next day, I almost forgot what happened. When Emma and Victor came and picked me up, I remembered what happened last night and immediately tried to escape from their grasp, but they were too strong. I struggled and watched as another group of people got me, and took me to their place, which they called a zoo. I was stuck! Noooooo! I cried every day. The keeper would give me food daily, and leave immediately. One strange day, a thought occurred to me: I hated it here, so why did I stay? So, right when the keeper opened the door, I rushed out, as fast as I could, and traveled back home. I flew for days and days without food. When I noticed Victor’s house ahead, I was so happy that I forgot how weak and hungry I was. I flew straight into the doorbell. Ding-dong! It went as I fell. “Who’s there?” said Victor. He looked around until he spotted me.