The Parable of Meeye

                   

"If the eyes does not see difficulties like one being bound by tight ropes;
It may not see things as shinny as brass"

 This begins the parable told in the Holy Odu, Otua Ofun, about a poor man called
Meeye, who goes to the river to pick oysters, crabs, snails and other sea creatures that come to play at the riverbank to make a living. When things became bleak, He went to meet a Babalawo so that his fate will change for better and Aje will come the way of his life's venture. For his desires to come to light. He was instructed to offer pigeons, a cock and a bottle of palm oil and Patience was emphatically required of him by the divination casted on his behalf. He successfully carried out the required sacrifice and his sacrifice was accepted. He praised the Awo, the Awo praised Ori, Ori praised Ifa and Ifa praised Eledumare. And he went his way, years passed and his patience grew and beared the fruits of perseverance and long suffering.

The day his life changed was like any other day, he went to the riverside as he used to hunt for crabs, snails and other sea creatures, unfortunately for him, having picked a basket full of snail, he misstepped under the weight of his load, slipped and his basket fell into the river and was quickly pulled out by its current, being a skilled swimmer with seasoned knowledge of the river, he pursued the basket before it is taken further out by the river. As he swarm, suddenly he was pulled deep inside the river to the kingdom of the Orisa that resided in that river and was brought to the midst of the orisa and her children. Befuddled and trying to catch a grip on the reality he has found himself, he tripped over gourds of offerings laying about in the palace startling one of the irunmoles standing guard, who immediatly seized him and took him before the orisa of the river who inquired of him if he knows the reason why he was called upon, he told her that he has not the faintest idea why and how he found his way there, he narrated his ordeal and he pleaded with her to let him go, but she ask him to be at ease and not be frightened, she told him that his prayers reached Eledumare's ears and his perseverance and steadfastness in the midst of all the tribulations he was measured with didn't dwindle so Eledumare, shaken to respond to his needs has instructed her to bless him. She pointed to the ikoko (clay pot) sitting by a corner and commanded the irunmole standing guard to bring it forward and hand it to Meeye. Lo and behold the ikoko was filled with immeasurable riches, he praised the Orisa, the Orisa praised Ori and Ori praised Eledumare.

With the gift he is given, he returned home and hence, life became blick, his house became a home of abundance and wealth. His soul was not tainted by riches and pride, every member of the tribe benefitted daily from his benevolence and his home was filled with laughter and jollification.
The seed of envy was sown into the heart of His friend Alabahu, he became incessant, constantly questioning him about the source of his wealth. One day, under the tree they routinely to sat to drink palm wine and antelope's meat at night,  he gave in to Alabahun's annoying pestering and narrated his testimony to Alabahun. Secretly, Alabahun decided to follow Meeye's path to riches, un that unfortunate day, the floodgate of heaven opened and rain poured down furiously on the earth, increasing the water level of the river; the current became rapid and violent, catching Alabahun in his act of betrayal and drowned him to his death, has he was taking his final gasps, the Orisa appeared before him and with scorn in her voice and disappointment on her face she said

"In life, We don't compare one's Ori with another's Ori. He who copys Meeye, shall be swept away by the river. He who betrays a friend shall be swallowed by the earth."
With this Alabahun passed away.