Among the Yoruba people of south-western Nigeria, Nigeria, there is a sorry commonly told and it goes thus;
"Once upon a time, there lived a woman called Oluronbi, who was a trader. She was an industrious woman, who took her wares to the market every other day and her hardwork was always rewarded.
In the village where Oluronbi resided, the people had a custom of praying to an Iroko tree, whose spirit was believed to bless them whenever they went to sell their wares at the market.
One morning, every trader left for the market as usual and on their way, they prayed to the Iroko tree,asking for it's blessings. People promised the tree pigeons, chickens, goats,etc as was customary and then headed to the market. However, that morning, when Oluronbi passed by, she prayed to the tree and vowed that if the tree could grant her goodluck at the market, she was going to give it her only daughter. Upon getting to the market, everyone of Oluronbi's wares were immediately purchased and she even had to send her attendants home to get more good. At the end of the day, every one of Oluronbi's merchandise had been purchased and she left the market, quite pleased with herself. On her way back home, she tied a goat she had purchased to the base of the Iroko tree as an offering for a good day's sales.
Just before it was dinner time, Oluronbi was visited by the Iroko spirit, who asked that she fulfill her vows. Oluronbi disagreed and engaged in a fierce argument. Eventually, the Iroko spirit took Oluronbi's child away and Oluronbi was left without a child to inherit her wealth.
