“Yannibo” (TORTOISE WIFE) Part 3

 …Tortoise listened quietly while they all narrated their stories; occasionally he would just smile, chuckle or pace around –uttering no word. After the baton had gone round, it was tortoise’s turn to talk: “I considered, multiplied and weighed the stories all of you, put together, have narrated and I see, you don’t even have crises at all! I tell you, your situations are far better. Hmmm…” he shook his head, paced around then he continued –“My wife’s sickness is the worst!” They all shouted, One -“What do you mean?” Another –“Come on! How could you say that?” Another –Go and sit down joo!” Others: “Pls, say whatever you have to say and leave that place fast–He has started!” Tortoise shook his head again, motioned them to be quite and continued: “Now listen. What’s your definition of shame? Do you know what it means for someone to be completely SHAMELESS?! Do you understand?!” He screamed! “The one who is shameless will do worse things than any of your wives without feeling a pinch! That’s what it means! And that’s what I’m talking about! That’s MY WIFE’S SICKNESS, if you care to listen!” (Iyawo mi o ni’tiju!) Do you feel my pain… my… my… disgrace?! If you don’t mind, I will willingly give her out to you! Any hand?! Do I have any hand up; any hand?!” “Noooo!” “Noooo!” “Keep your wife to yourself.” “I’m okay with my wife.” “Tufiakwa!” “I don’t need a second wife.” “Kai! Lai lai!” “My wife is manageable, I don’t want your kind of wife!” “Oti o!” Most of the animals murmured. “Oho! Now you see what I’ve been living with – A SHAMELESS WIFE!”… By the time tortoise ended, they were all dumbfounded… some of the animals who had been standing slowly returned to their seats, heads bowed, like a hen “beaten” by the rain… When the herbalist, returned, tortoise automatically became the first to receive the “doctor’s” attention and none of the animals demanded for any other special medicine -whatever tortoise got was the best cure for all!

Hope you enjoyed it the same way I did. Now, what lesson(s) would you like us to learn from this story? Kindly, drop your comments. Thanks for reading. (Many thanks to DAD for this wonderful story!)