|
|
|
|||||||||||
|
Select other languages
|
THE WILD MAN OF IJEBU
The chief of Epe went to the diviners on the day that his village was being plagued by a leopard (ekun). The leopard was killing the children and none of the hunters had been successful in their efforts to capture the animal. Divination was cast and the Orisa said that the chief should be kind to a stranger (irosun).
Later that same day the Wild Man of Ijebu approached the village of Epe. Hewas called the Wild Man of Ijebu because he had been raised in the forest and he was not familiar with the ways of the world. His wildness was born of innocence.
It was the chief who offered the Wild Man of Ijebu yam soup as he sat down to rest near the entrance of the village. After finishing his meal, the Wild Man of Ijebu thanked the chief and started to continue on his journey. As he stood up, he noticed that the people of the village were mourning. The Wild Man of Ijebu had never seen such sadnees and grief.
"Why is it that no one is singing or dancing?" He asked.
The chief looked at the person who would save his village. "We have been plagued by a leopard who is attacking our children," he said as he looked down the road in hipes of seeing another stranger.
"Because you have been so kind to me, I will save the people of Epe from this terrible menance." The Wild Man of Ijebu slapped his hands as if the matter had been settled. "Are you a hunter?" The chief asked. Not knowing what a hunder was the Wild Man of Ijebu said "Yes". "But you have no weapons." The chief was unconvinced.
Because he had been raised in ioslation and poverty the Wild Man of Ijebu was used to making do. He picked up a pestle that was next to the mortar used for pounding yam. "Now I am ready to hunt this leopard who has caused so much unhappiness."
The chief shook his head and prayed to the Orisa asking them to send a proper hunter to the village of Epe.
As the Wild Man of Ijebu made his way into the forest, he heard the people of Epe cry out that the leopard was coming. Quickly he climbed a tree and wited for the leopard to pass. The leopard walked directly under the tree. The Wild Man of Ijebu who fell from the tree when he saw the vicious teeth of the wild beast. Before he hit the bround, he let go of the pestle wich landed directly on top of the leopar's head. The animal was killed with a single blow.
Inmediately the people of Epe started dancing and singing. They were praising the Wild Man of Ijebu. It was on that day that the people of Epe decided to give the Wild Man of Ibeju a proper name. From that day on he became known as Sango.
Thanks Liberato Bermudez
|
