By
Obododimma Oha
One day, the Tortoise the trickster wanted to find out if his children were aware of moves against them and were responding appropriately. So, he called them one after the other. He called the most elder and asked him:
Tortoise: A ga-eme gị ugboro ole, I wee mara? (How many times would someone do something against you for you to be aware that he is against you?)
Child: Ugboro iri (Ten times)
Tortoise became very angry and gave the child a knock on the head.
Tortoise: Ajọ nwa. Si n'ihu m pụa! (Bad child. Get away from my presence!).
So, he called the next. That one thought that the number was high, that the best thing was to come low a bit.
Child: Ugboro asaa. (Seven times)
Tortoise just kicked him, saying:
Tortoise: Pụa ozigbo! (Go away immediately!)
He called the youngest, but he was clearly frustrated and miserable.
Tortoise (without looking at the child): Ugboro ole? (How many times?)
Tortoise said this coldly and was not expecting the addressee to answer in a way he would like.
Child: Na mbụ ahụ. Agaghị m eche ọzọ, ka anya m wee mepee! (At that very beginning. I won't wait for a second experience for my eyes to be open!)
Tortoise was greatly surprised and had to gaze at the little one as if studying him. Indeed, he was studying the child to know from where those words were coming. Finally, he was convinced that the child was the source. He was happy that the tradition was still there. He was delighted and said:
"Good. You answered well, my child. We need to be fully awake to know what is happening to us. We can't postpone the trouble or
response, which needs to be appropriate."
Tortoise was teaching his children, and what a lesson. Even the young can teach the old. Being older doesn't make us wiser. It may even harden our careless living. The older children may be bigger but not good graduates of tricks!
Waiting for another move, hoping the attitude would change, is risky. It may not change. So, the earlier the better. Both sides would be aware and awake.
That means that there would be no second move!
We need to know how our interests are affected and respond in good time. Delay could be dangerous. Is it not interesting that the older brothers are waiting for another occurrence, not out of love or patience but out of carelessness. They do not care what the move means or what the design is. Even the high number of occurrences is nothing to them .
Tortoise is in a classroom and his children are his pupils. Parenting could be trying, especially when it comes to teaching our children to learn from us or to continue doing what we do. Many parents are frustrated when it comes to getting their children to continue their struggles in life, especially in the economic side. The children simply want to go their ways and let the business collapse, maybe for ideological reasons.
Some skills and knowledge are associated with some families. When they are not practised or continued, they could die, unfortunately.
Most importantly, we have to be aware in situations and weigh things. Metaphorically, we need to be awake.
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