In a time when the boundary between the world of mortals and spirits was thin as morning mist, there lived a hardworking farmer named Mybrow. Like many men of his village, he dreamed of cultivating the finest crops that would feed his family and bring prosperity to his household. The seasons had been kind, and Mybrow felt the time was right to expand his farming beyond the small plot near his home.
One bright morning, Mybrow set out to search for new land suitable for agriculture. He walked through familiar paths and ventured beyond, his experienced eyes scanning the terrain for the perfect spot to grow corn and yams the staple crops that would sustain his family through the coming seasons. After much searching, his gaze fell upon an exceptional piece of land that seemed to call out to him.
The spot was magnificent: fertile soil rich with the promise of abundant harvests, positioned strategically close to a great forest that stretched endlessly into the horizon. What Mybrow didn’t realize was that this ancient forest served as home to a community of fairies mystical beings who had dwelled among the towering trees and shadowy groves for countless generations. Satisfied with his discovery, the farmer decided to begin work immediately.
Mybrow returned home to collect his tools, his heart racing with excitement at the prospect of creating his new field. He spent considerable time sharpening his great knife until it gleamed in the sunlight, its edge keen enough to slice through the thickest bush with ease. With determination burning in his chest, he returned to his chosen spot and began the arduous task of clearing the land.
The moment his blade touched the first bush, an otherworldly voice echoed through the air: “Who is there, cutting down the bushes?” The unexpected question struck Mybrow like a thunderbolt. His hands froze mid-swing, his heart hammering against his ribs as he looked around frantically, seeing no one. The silence stretched until the voice repeated its inquiry, more insistent this time.
Gathering his courage, Mybrow realized he must be in the presence of the forest fairies he had heard whispered about in village tales. With respectful humility, he called out, “I am Mybrow, come to prepare a field.” His voice trembled slightly, unsure of what fate awaited him for disturbing the spirits’ domain.
Fortune smiled upon the farmer that day, for the fairies found themselves in exceptionally good humor. Their musical voices filled the air as one declared, “Let us all help Farmer Mybrow to cut down the bushes.” The others readily agreed, their laughter tinkling like silver bells through the forest.
What happened next filled Mybrow with wonder and delight. The bushes began falling around him with supernatural speed and precision, cut down by invisible hands while he stood amazed. In mere moments, work that would have taken him days was completed effortlessly. The field lay cleared before him, ready for the next stage of preparation. Mybrow returned home that evening with his heart full of gratitude and his mind buzzing with excitement, though he wisely resolved to keep this magical assistance secret, even from his beloved wife.
When January arrived and the cut bushes had dried under the sun, the time came for burning. Mybrow approached his field one afternoon, carrying the materials needed to start a fire. Hoping to receive the fairies’ help once more, he deliberately struck the trunk of a nearby tree. Instantly, the familiar voice rang out: “Who is there, striking the stumps?”
“I am Mybrow, come to burn down the bush,” he responded promptly, his confidence growing with this second encounter.
True to their generous nature, the fairies set the dried vegetation ablaze with magical efficiency. In less time than it takes to tell, the field was clear and ready for the next phase of preparation. Day after day, this miraculous partnership continued. When stumps needed chopping for firewood, when the soil required digging, when seeds needed sowing and yams needed planting the invisible helpers made every task swift and effortless.
Mybrow divided his field into two sections: one dedicated to maize and the other to yams. Through all the preparations, the fairies provided invaluable assistance, while the farmer successfully maintained his secret from his wife and neighbors. The carefully prepared soil promised an extraordinary harvest, and Mybrow visited his crops regularly, congratulating himself on what would surely be the finest yield he had ever achieved.
As the seasons progressed, the corn and yams grew magnificently, surpassing even Mybrow’s optimistic expectations. However, while the crops were still green and in their tender, milky state, his wife approached him with a request. She needed firewood and wished to know the location of his field so she could collect some from his pile.
Initially, Mybrow refused to reveal the location, understanding the delicate nature of his arrangement with the fairies. But his wife proved persistent, pleading and cajoling until he finally relented. However, he imposed one crucial condition: under no circumstances must she answer any questions that might be asked of her. His wife readily agreed to this strange requirement and set off for the field.
Upon arriving at the secret location, Mybrow’s wife was utterly astounded by what she saw. The crops were magnificent beyond anything she had ever witnessed tall, healthy stalks of corn and robust yam plants that seemed to glow with vitality. The milky corn ears looked particularly tempting, and without thinking of consequences, she plucked one to examine more closely.
Immediately, the familiar voice echoed around her: “Who is there, breaking the corn?”
Forgetting her husband’s warning entirely, she responded with indignation: “Who dares ask me such a question?” Her anger flared at being challenged in what she considered her husband’s rightful domain.
Moving to the yam section, she pulled up one of the promising tubers. Again came the voice: “Who is there, picking the yams?”
“It is I, Mybrow’s wife,” she declared defiantly. “This is my husband’s field and I have a right to pick.”
The moment these words left her lips, the fairies materialized around her. “Let us all help Mybrow’s wife to pluck her corn and yams,” they announced with voices that carried an ominous undertone.
Before the terrified woman could utter a word or attempt to stop them, the fairies set to work with supernatural speed and thoroughness. They harvested every single ear of corn and pulled up every yam plant, leaving the entire crop lying uselessly on the ground. Since everything was still green and unripe, the harvest was completely ruined—months of careful cultivation destroyed in minutes.
Mybrow’s wife wept bitterly as she surveyed the devastation, understanding too late the magnitude of her mistake. With a heavy heart and tears streaming down her face, she returned home, unable to find words to confess such a terrible catastrophe to her husband. In her shame and fear, she decided to remain silent about what had transpired.
The next day, Mybrow set off cheerfully to check on his promising crops, expecting to find them growing ever closer to harvest time. The shock and anguish that struck him upon seeing his field now a complete ruin can scarcely be imagined. All his careful work, his partnership with the fairies, his dreams of prosperity lay destroyed before his eyes, the victim of his wife’s forgotten promise and thoughtless words.
The Moral Lesson
This folktale teaches us the profound importance of keeping our word and respecting agreements, especially when dealing with forces beyond our understanding. Mybrow’s success came through humility, respect, and careful adherence to the unspoken rules of his magical partnership. His wife’s failure to honor her promise speaking when she should have remained silent demonstrates how quickly trust can be broken and blessings lost. The story reminds us that some gifts require careful stewardship and that our actions, even when well-intentioned, can have far-reaching consequences for those we love.
Knowledge Check: Understanding the Tale
Q1: Who is Farmer Mybrow in this West African folktale and what was his main goal? A1: Farmer Mybrow is the protagonist, a hardworking farmer who wanted to create a new field to grow corn and yams for his family’s prosperity. He discovered a fertile spot near a great forest inhabited by fairies.
Q2: How did the forest fairies help Farmer Mybrow in preparing his field? A2: The fairies assisted Mybrow with every aspect of field preparation cutting bushes, burning dried vegetation, chopping stumps, digging soil, sowing seeds, and planting yams. They completed tasks that would have taken days in mere moments through their magical abilities.
Q3: What condition did Mybrow give his wife before revealing his field’s location? A3: Mybrow told his wife she must not answer any questions that should be asked of her while at the field. This was crucial to maintaining the respectful relationship he had established with the fairies.
Q4: What symbolic meaning do the fairies represent in this folktale? A4: The fairies symbolize the spiritual forces of nature that can either help or hinder human endeavors. They represent the importance of respecting supernatural beings and honoring agreements with powers beyond human understanding.
Q5: What cultural lesson about promises and respect does this story teach? A5: The tale emphasizes that keeping one’s word is sacred, especially when dealing with spiritual forces. It shows how broken promises can destroy blessings and how respect and humility are essential when interacting with the supernatural world.
Q6: How does Mybrow’s wife’s response to the fairies differ from her husband’s approach? A6: While Mybrow responded with humility and respect (“I am Mybrow, come to prepare a field”), his wife reacted with anger and defiance (“Who dares ask me such a question?”), showing disrespect that led to the destruction of their harvest.
