It was that time of the year, a summer holiday. The twins Tobi and Tola were excited to travel to the village to visit their grandfather.
An old man with a unique mustache and a horned rimmed glasses. He was a cool dude in his days, all the ladies loved him.
He always had something to say at several occasions. Their old man was the life of the party.
Grandpa always had something to teach the boys every summer which they loved him for his charismatic approach of relating with them.
They got their travel pack and waited in the car for mom to start driving. Before they hit the road they said the grace then zoomed off.
The kids are known to be full of trouble especially during transit. They would either argue or fight over little things.
Halfway into the journey they both slept of surprisingly.
Oh! What a relief their mother said.
They opened their eyes to see that they have arrived.
We are here! YAAAAY! They exclaimed
They screamed grandpa grandpa rushing at the old man almost forcing him to the ground
TAKE IT EASY ON YOUR GRANDPA. Her tone cooled the kids for a while. Tobi whispered to his brother she used her mommy powers on us
They both giggled.
They hurriedly left the scene to go play with their cousins without missing any of the fun.
A few hours passed as it was almost sun set.
The boys returned dirty with their face down. They went straight to their grandpa.
Grandpa they said in synchrony.
What is the matter? He asked.
They went on mumbling words as they were both trying to make a point to grandpa. As they were in the tussle of making
points, his sharp ears picked up some key words then he said to them.
Oh oh oh he laughed like Santa clause. So the other kids laughed at you because you did not know the origin of song about
Olajumoke and ori.
Yes grandpa, they called us city boys.
Do not worry he said to them.
Grandpa will tell you all about it.
Then Tobi said to him but we know the song by Agolo by Angélique Kidjo.
Yes indeed, she sang it on a commercial scale and made good fortunes on it.
Let’s sit down by the tree and watch the sunset as I tell you all about it.
You will have to listen attentively to every detail okay. I will ask questions after and I hope you will learn from this.
This is going to be fun, Tolu said.
Back in ancient times of the Yoruba Kingdom, Man and Spirits lived together.
He coughed then cleared his voice and started again.
Back in ancient times of the Yoruba Kingdom, Man and Spirits lived together.
In a land far far away lived the fairest of the fairest, the rarest of the rarest and a true epitome of beauty.
When she was born her parents hid and protected her with all diligence in fear that she maybe kidnapped as a result of her striking beauty.
She was the jewel of her household and a treasure in the kingdom. She was named Olajumoke meaning cherished wealth.
She was the child every parent would want to have. Her parents could not have been any more proud of her.
Growing up, she got everything and anything she requested for.
She was the golden child of the kingdom. She was treated like a blue blood. She got used and accustomed to it.
She was very proud and was never satisfied nor contented with what she had.
He dragged his tobacco and puffed it in the air then continued.
When she became of age to get married.
Many suitors came for her hand in marriage. Handsome and wealthy men begged and offered numerous gifts to her as it was a tradition to offer beautiful gifts to women when you are interested in getting married to them.
She refused all the men yet kept their gifts. The news that she rejected men traveled far and wide which attracted more
suitors.
More and more men of different spheres of life approached her.
She denied all of them. She was not satisfied nor in contempt.
She wanted more.
She was a super star in her own way.
One very day at noon as she was parading in the market square at noon. She noticed strange occurrence.
All eyes were not on her. It was the first time ever in her lifetime could she recall that she was not the center of attention.
She got furious and curious to find out what was happening.
Before her very eyes she saw something unbelievable
The fairest and most handsome man that her mortal eyes saw.
He was perfection in every way.
Gorgeous and flawless he was.
This is what she wanted. She ran straight to him offering herself. He wasn’t moved by her beauty instead he rejected her.
She would not budge, persisted to follow him to the end of the world. The man was a stranger. He is not from around this part
of the kingdom.
He told her to keep away from him in a warning tone. She would not listen.
He introduced himself as Ori (meaning head ). They became friends and later he proposed to her then they got married.
A lot of men were envious of them especially for the fact that a stranger was able to marry this beautiful maiden.
Everyone including her parents were concerned that no one knows where this man is from.
At first she was not bothered so far she was with her own prince.
Out of curiosity, she approached her husband persuading him to take her to meet his family and his people.
He told her that his kingdom is far away that one would have to cross the Red sea, climb the salt mountains and cross the Blue
Sea, before one would get to his kingdom.
All his efforts not to take her fell on deaf hears.
Finally, He agreed to take her.
She resolved that she would follow him to the end of the world.
They traveled across the red sea as he said they would. It was beautiful sight.
She enjoyed it.
After which they crossed the salt mountain. She was exhausted after the climb and became very hungry.
Ori, her husband told her not to worry that there will be plenty to eat once they arrived.
They got on a canoe then started on the blue sea to his kingdom.
The sea was crystal clear and clean. She tried to touch it but her husband hushed her at once.
She wondered why he did that. He noticed she was being uneasy so he told her that the water is a spirit and does not like to
be troubled.
Then they approached a thick forest at the bank of the sea.
We are here he said. She replied where is here.
I do not see anyone she said. They will be here shortly.
Come with me. She was getting scared as she should.
The forest was very spooky and thick. Fast shadows were lurking around in the woods.
Bright eyes could easily be seen form the darkness in the forest.
Then it began.
As they were moving, her husband started returning body parts. She was frightened not knowing what to do.
He returned every part of his body except his head.
His head was floating then he turned to her.
She was pail looking like a ghost in the flesh. Screaming out loud and terrified.
Already they were deep in the forest.
She screamed and yelled for help.
The eyes in the dark came out. They were all heads.
It dawn on her that she was in a spirit world where they have no body parts except their heads.
They were all very handsome and beautiful.
She did not get far before she was captured and brought back to Ori her husband.
He then explained that he went visiting the human world. For him to go, he had to borrow body parts to go on his
expenditure.
Now that you are here, there is no escape for you.
You will remain here for the rest of your life.
Ori positioned parrots everywhere in the thick forest to watch her every move.
Every day she attempted to escape the parrots will call the attention of her husband Ori with a song that goes like this.
Grandpa took out his masterpiece guitar then started to play as he sang the song to the boys.
Ori , ori o Olajumoke nlo
(head head Olajumoke is leaving)
Ori o lapa Olajumoke nlo
(head has no arms, Olajumoke is leaving)
Ori o lese Olajumoke nlo
(head has no legs, Olajumoke is leaving)
Ori o lara Olajumoke nlo
(head has no body, Olajumoke is leaving)
Then he continued with the tale.
This went on every day.
Back at her kingdom, people became worried that they have not seen them in months. They should have returned.
The greatest warriors in the kingdom were sent to find them. They followed their trail and ask people on the way to direct
them on the path they followed. After weeks of trailing, only one of them got to the spirit forest.
The others gave up on the search, retuning back to their kingdom.
As he approached the forest, he saw Olajumoke running trying to escape and heard the parrots sing. Just in a flash he did not
see Olajumoke anymore. Ori has captured her again.
Knowing he was in a spirit world, he observed what was happening for a period of 3 days.
Then discovered that for him to save he, he needed to kill the parrots for there was no way he can kill a spirit.
So he set out to kill the parrots discreetly.
The next day, Olajumoke tried to escape and this time to her surprise there was no song from the parrots nor warning.
When she go to the bank of the river. She saw the warrior. She recognized him immediately because he once asked her hand
in marriage which she turned down. Come this way he said.
They got on the canoe and sailed fast away from the village.
Ori noticed that there was something strange going on. By the time he went looking, he did not find her nor his parrots.
He yelled in agony for he knew he had lost his wife and there was no way he could return to get her. It was too late when he
discovered what had happen.
When they arrived at the human kingdom. Olajumoke explained what had happened and how she was rescued by the great
warrior.
She pledged her life to the warrior for saving her life.
She became humble, friendly and was approachable to all.
She was by far the fairest and most kind maiden in the entire kingdom.
There was a huge celebration in their honour which was hosted by the king and queen of the kingdom.
She got married to the great warrior and they lived happily ever after.
So boys did you enjoy the story.
YES! We did grandpa. I though the warrior will fight the spirit said Tobi. Me too said his brother tolu.
Their grandfather smiled then asked; what did you learn from this story pointing at Tolu.
He said, I learnt that one must be satisfied and not covetous.
And you Tobi what did you learn. I learnt that one must be humble and kind also not to follow strangers.
Well done my boys you did well.
One more thing boys, not all battles are won from physical combats. A good strategy can help you defeat your enemies
without having to strike a blow.
Never give up on a goal you set out to achieve, try to complete your task just like the last warrior did.
Let’s go inside now, you need to get cleaned up.
Grandpa! Said Tobi.
Yes little one I also observed and learnt one thing.
What is it? He grinned with a huge smile.
Then he said do not smoke tobacco in front of kids for it is not good for your health and ours too.
He had a hard laugh and the boys did too then he said to them you are right boys, you are right.
