Bird or Beast

He flew through the forest on a leisurely route
Using his ears to search for fruit
Oh my isn't that - a papaya, with a wonderful taste
A few bites for lunch, but the rest - to waste?

And so off he soared, 'mongst the treetops telling all of the birds
So excited to share, but none of them stirred
"But where are his feathers," went the whisper of the wind in the leaves
"That leather just looks wrong, he must be a thief"

"Why do they smile but turn their backs to me?
Am I not part of that family?"

Down in the foliage, he befriended the beasts
Their eyes all aglow as he spoke of the feast
But when he took off to show them they gasped and shrieked
"It's not natural how he moves, without using his feet"

"Why do they smile but turn their backs to me?
Am I not part of their family?"

The papaya spoiled, the seasons turned, the murmurs died away
He slept at day, and ate at night, but his sadness still remained

And so life continued, ever quiet and alone
Eating cherries in the cave he called his home
Then one day he saw, an echidna getting mocked for her eggs,
A platypus consoled her, and bat fell down to beg

"Bird or beast, doesn't really matter to me
Please would you be my family?"