Counselling for Individuals and Couples
The Blind Bat's Secret
Seeing Beyond What Meets the Eye

Once upon a time, there was a curious bat named Bartleby. Bartleby lived in a dark cave and spent his days hanging upside down, dreaming of the world beyond. One night, as he soared through the starry sky, he stumbled upon a group of animals gathered around a small garden.
"What are you doing here?" asked Bartleby, surprised to find the creatures out and about at night.
"We're searching for nectar," replied a moth. "These flowers emit a faint scent that only we can smell in the dark."
"I don't smell anything," said Bartleby, flapping his wings in confusion.
"Of course, you don't," said the moth, buzzing past him. "You lack the sensitivity required to detect it. Just like how we don't see the world in the same way as you."
Bartleby was fascinated. He had always assumed that everyone saw the world in the same way as him. But now he realized that each creature had a unique way of perceiving the world and that respecting and appreciating those differences was essential. He learned that others can see or are aware of things he is not and that he should make fewer assumptions about the world. By doing so, he could see the value in knowing he sees only part of the whole. It was like he once was blind, but now he could see.
From that night on, Bartleby made a habit of asking the animals he encountered how they found their way in the dark. He listened intently to their answers, marvelling at the unique skills of each species. And though he never did smell the scent of the flowers, he felt grateful to have learned something new and gained a deeper appreciation for the world around him.
The lesson of the fable: we should always be open to learning from others who may have different experiences or perspectives than our own. Just as Bartleby learned to appreciate the unique abilities of each creature he encountered, we should strive to see the world through the eyes of those around us and acknowledge the diversity in the world. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world and find new wonders we might have otherwise missed.