×

RESOURCES ARTICLES SERVICES CONTACT FORMS FEATURED ABOUT MAMA ZODÉDÉ ABOUT MAMA ZOGBÉ SIGN UP FOR OUR MAILIING LIST!

☰

Press 3 lines above to open MENU

The birds had a meeting. They met on a tree that was filled with fruit. When they finished eating, the fruit was finished. They finished all the trees of Dahomey.

There was a bird that came from Ashanti, and this bird told them there was a fine fruit tree there, and they could go there and eat. They all left for Ashanti. There was another bird that came from Ayo. When they had finished with the fruit of Ashanti, they went to eat the fruit of Ayo.

There was among them a bird that came from Adja. They left to eat the Adja fruit. There was a bird that came from the Bariba, and this bird told them of fruit that grew in its country, and they all left to eat the fruit that grew in the Bariba country.

From Bariba they went to Djugu, from Djugu they went to Sai, from Sai they went to Savè, from Savè they came to Gwago, from Gwago they came to Kpanwiya, and from there to Dasa, from Dasa they went to Savalou, and from there they went to Gbatagba, and from there to Dona, and from there to Ungbegako. Now they were back in Agbome.

After their voyage, there was a tree there in Dahomey that still had ripe fruit. They came now and rested on this tree. When the birds finished eating, they all went to sleep. In order to sleep, these birds had to sleep with heads hanging down and feet in the air.

Amifunhè said to Hetablè, "What kind of birds are these that hang with their heads down and their feet up?" He said to Hetablè, "They hang like sacks." Hetablè said, "These are my sacks." Amifunhè said, "If these sacks are yours, take them. The bat hangs also, with their heads down and their feet up, like an old sack."

As Amifunhè said, "Go and take them." So, Hetablè ran and threw herself at the Bat. Now, the Bat awakened and threw itself at Hetablè and caught Hetablè with its teeth. Arnifunhè stood at a distance. Arnifunhè said to the Bat, "A stick beats the dog till its back is long."

If Hetablè begs you, you must leave her. For Hetablè was screaming, and crying. Now Hetablè begged its pardon, but the Bat would not let go of her. All the birds now begged the Bat to let Hetablè go. Amifunhè said again, "A stick beats a dog till its back is long. Let Hetablè go!"

Finally, the bat let Hetablè go, and Hetablè escaped. The other birds soon went away.

Now we say, When you see something on the ground and it is not yours, it is better not to touch it. One never knows what accident will come if you disturb something that lies very innocently.

Return to: Ancient Lore