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| The forbidden fruits. |
Story! Story!!
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Once upon a time, in a village called Utembe, there lived a successful and hardworking farmer called Apapa. He was known all over the land for his great wealth and generosity. Every harvesting season, Apapa's farms would produce yams, cassavas, and potatoes that could feed the whole people of Utembe for a year. His livestock outnumbered all others in the whole land. One special trait Apapa possessed was his ability to give generously. He made sure to share his bountiful harvest with anyone that came to see him or greeted him. He gave to the poor, lame, blind, old, young, big, small, friends, spirits, and even strangers. People sang his praises wherever he went.
"Apapa, the great," they would chant "An irreplaceable son of Utembe. The one whose feet bring good tidings. A man of great virtue and wealth; one whose hands bring the increase. Our hero."
Day in, day out the praises kept coming in great quantity and quality until it began making its way into Apapa's head.
"Am so loved by my people." He said to himself. "They make me feel like a demi-god on Earth. What more can I ask for?" With this, he increased his generosity and was showered with more praises.
One faithful evening, as Apapa was returning from one of his farms in Ibim, a nearby village, he met a haggard-looking old woman who was carrying a big bunch of firewood.
What got Apapa's attention was the way she dragged her tired legs in movement and how unfamiliar her face looked. Apapa could bet he had never come across her in the village. As his nature was, he offered to help the woman carry her load.
The old woman was so happy and relieved. She kept thanking Apapa as they walked towards the direction of what she called her home.
As they moved along the path leading to the outskirts of the village, the old woman suddenly asked Apapa to stop and return home before it got dark. She told him she still had a long way to go. Apapa insisted on taking her to her destination, but she refused to oblige him. Sluggishly, he dropped the heavy bunch which had already taken a toll on his back.
And turned to go, but was stopped by the old woman's question.
" What is your name, my son? " she asked.
"My name is Apapa, mama," He answered.
"Apapa, nice name. Are you from this village?" The old woman questioned.
Apapa was taken aback, he never expected such a question from someone who claimed to live in the soil of Utembe.
"Am surprised you do not know me, mama? I am Apapa; the greatest farmer Utembe had ever produced. Everyone in this village knows and sings my praises" He said beaming with pride.
"I see," The old woman said calmly as she looked sadly at him. " Apapa, you are a good man with a good heart. You try your best to do good to all, but I do not think everyone loves you as they claim?"
"You think so?"
"I know so mama," he replied with a wide smile. The old woman paused for some time then asked, "How many people in the land of Utembe do you think would be willing to help you if you are in trouble?"
Apapa was shocked at the old woman's question. He smiled at her and replied confidently, "no one in Utembe, I mean no one, would see me, Apapa, the greatest farmer in trouble and not help, even the king, himself will run to my rescue."
The old woman gave him a knowing smile, " "My son," she called, "listen to what I have to tell you now, it will help you as you journey in life. People's loyalty changes with time. The people who sing your praises today might dig the pit for your downfall tomorrow. Just do what is good and right to everyone you see but never trust anyone."
Apapa stared at the old woman in disbelief.
"If you doubt what I said, let's put the loyalty of your people to a test?" The old woman suggested, sensing his disbelief.
A test? What test?" Apapa asked in confusion.
" Have you seen the beautiful mango tree planted in the village's market square?" She asked.
" Utembe's forbidden tree. What about it?" Apapa asked more confused as to where she was going.
"Yes, here is the plan..." The old woman said as she moved closer to him and she whispered some inaudible words into his ear.
"What?" Apapa screamed, "No I can't do that. It's too risky"
"I know," the old woman answered, " but that's the only way to test their loyalty. It is the fruits of the tree that are forbidden, not the tree itself, so there is no harm in trying." She encouraged him. "Just do all I have told you and you will be fine," she added.
Apapa pondered for a long time about the old woman's plan, then agreed to carry it out.
Early the next day, before anyone woke up in Utembe, Apapa had gotten up to prepare his machete for the task ahead. He put on his khaki short and faded white singlet, took a large bag and machete, and set out to the village market square.
When he got there, he looked up at the mango tree which was firmly rooted on the ground with its big juicy fruits, and wondered why the gods had asked the people not to eat it. Getting back to why he was there, he adjusted the bag and machete strapped to his back and began to climb the tree. Up, up he went until he found a comfortable branch to sit on. Soon, he started plucking the mango leaves into his large bag.
Before the third cock crows, diligent villagers had already woken up and were set for their daily activities. Ofure, the village palm wine tapper was the first to notice Apapa on the forbidden tree on his way to tap fresh palm wine. He rubbed his eyes repeatedly to be sure of what he saw
" Could that be Apapa, the great farmer?". He asked himself. To satisfy his curiosity, he greeted Apapa to be sure he was the one. Apapa answered joyfully and continued with what he was doing. Quietly, Ofure passed with his bicycle, still trying to understand what his eyes had seen.
Soon, the news spread like wildfire, and the whole villagers in Utembe gathered around the foot of the forbidden tree with sticks, stones, and planks, screaming for Apapa to come down at once.
They were all ready to punish whoever dared to break the ancient law of the land, not minding who the culprit was. Apapa was shocked and scared. He started climbing down slowly with the heavy bag still strapped behind him.
" What gave you the right to climb the forbidden tree?" They asked in anger.
With shaky hands and lips, Apapa replied" I am sorry, I just wanted to.."
" Thief!" Shouted a woman in the crowd, cutting him off from his pleas.
" Who does he think he is?" Another asked.
" He walks as if he owns the place"
" This man thinks he is special."
"He should be put in his place"
" He must be taught a lesson"
"He thinks he can shut us up with his useless gifts"
On and on came the condemning words as they dragged Apapa to the king's palace.
The king and his elders were so angry and disappointed at what Apapa did. They ordered that he be stoned to death as custom demanded to appease Orisa, the market goddess, and set an example to others.
Everyone came with their stones, sticks, and planks to hit Apapa as he was dragged out to the place of his death. Before he was taken out of the palace, he pleaded to say something.
"Hopefully that will be the last thing he'll say," a voice said in the crowd.
Apapa bent his head sadly and said with eyes full of tears," Please I request that my bag be checked, if any fruit is found please kill me as custom demands."
Immediately, his bag was gotten and emptied. To everyone's disappointment and shame, its only content was mango leaves!
"What!" They all screamed in shock.
"Mango leaves!!" exclaimed the king. "You all told me you saw him plucking the fruits, why are there no fruits here," he asked the people in anger.
"Your majesty, It is Ofure, the tapper that spread the news. We were only doing what custom demands" they said, trying to justify their actions.
" You would have at least confirmed that what he said was true before accusing an innocent man," one of the elders added.
" We are sorry your Majesty" they pleaded.
After some time, the king turned to Apapa and asked him to tell everyone why he did what he did.
" Your Majesty, people of Utembe, I have no regret about the events that happened today because it has taught me a lesson that would have taken me years to learn. " Everyone listened attentively with remorse as he continued.
"I climbed the forbidden tree this morning thinking that everyone I have shown love to loved me in return and will do anything to defend me even when I'm found doing something abominable. I thought they would try to keep me from harm, but now I know better. It is true that people only come around you when all is well but leave you when you are in trouble. I want to thank you all for teaching me such a great lesson even though it was in a risky way."
With this, he got up, smiled, dusted himself, and went his way.
Everyone was surprised at his reaction. Some felt bad for treating him unjustly, some were angry that he was not guilty, some were ashamed they took part in dragging him, but despite what they felt, Apapa, the village favorite, was wise from that day on. He kept doing good to everyone but he had no trust for anyone not expected anything in return for his goodness.
MORAL LESSONS.
1. Be careful around those who dance around you in good times but desert you when times are bad.
2. Always remember that a man of great wealth never lacks a companion.
3.Before spreading any news, make sure to check its authenticity.
4. Be good to everyone but never trust anyone. The same mouth that sings your praises today may plot your downfall tomorrow.
5. Never be unproductive. Build yourself to become an asset where people can benefit from.
6. Always remember that humans are bound to change, therefore avoid situations that will involve getting hurt to test anybody's love.
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6 Comments
More Grace to you.an
But no one can survive this world without trusting someone.
However, let people eeeaarrnn it.
Good work. Keep it up.