A long time ago, when the eyes were still on the knees. There was a woman who was then barren. The woman’s name was Olurombi.
Meanwhile, childless women had been going to the Iroko tree to plead for children. When they went, they would pledge that if the Iroko gave them children they would offer it goats, sheep, clothes, etc.
When Olurombi went to the Iroko, she promised that, if the Iroko, should give her a child, she would offer the child to the Iroko.
The Iroko was so happy. It was happy because it would be the first time someone would be offering it a human being.
Not long after then, Olurombi became pregnant. Nine months later, she bore a beautiful daughter.
She was so fond of her daughter that she willingly forgot to fulfill her pledge to the Iroko. To remind you, she pledged her child.
But the Iroko remembered!
On a certain sunny day, the Iroko decided to go in search of Olurombi’s daughter. When an Iroko moved, spirits would move with it.
The spirits were singing a peculiar song:
Onikaluku jeje ewure,
Ewure, ewure.
Onikaluku jeje aguntaan,
Aguntan bolojo,
Olurombi jeje omo re,
Omo re a pon bi epo,
Olurombi o janin janin,
Iroko janin janin.
Various people pledged goats,
Goats, goats,
Various people pledged sheep,
Fat sheep,
Olurombi pledged her child,
Her winsome child,
Olurombi o janinjanin,
Iroko janinjanin.
Iroko and it’s entourage got to Olurombi’s house. As soon as she saw the Iroko, Olurombi tried to prevent the Iroko from taking away her beautiful daughter.
But then nobody had ever won a fight with an orisa. The Iroko succeeded in seizing the pretty girl. And, off they went to Iroko’s abode.
There is no Yoruba folktale that doesn’t teach one or two lessons. This story teaches us that, when we are desperate for something, we should do a self appraisal.
For instance, when we are looking up to God for something which we have lacked for so long, we shouldn’t promise what’s impossible. He is God and He would not place an unnecessary yoke on His children.
Again, our politicians should not promise the people what they can not achieve. It is better if they study and understand the sociopolitical terrain before making promises!!!
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