Long ago, in a humble village nestled amidst the verdant landscapes of Ghana, there lived a man named Ohia and his wife, Awirehu. Life had not been kind to them; misfortune seemed to shadow their every endeavor. No matter what they attempted, success eluded them, and their poverty deepened with each passing day.
Desperate to change their fate, Ohia devised a plan. He approached a wealthy farmer in the village and proposed a partnership: he would fell several of the farmer’s palm trees, collect their sap to brew palm wine, and share the proceeds equally among himself, his wife, and the farmer. The farmer, moved by Ohia’s determination, agreed and even provided earthen pots for sap collection, as Ohia could not afford them.
With renewed hope, Ohia and Awirehu set to work. Ohia cut down the trees and prepared them, while Awirehu assisted in setting up the pots. They awaited the fermentation of the sap, dreaming of the prosperity it would bring. However, their hopes were dashed when they discovered the next morning that all the wine had been stolen, and the pots shattered.
Undeterred, they tried again, only to face the same outcome. The third attempt met no better fate. Awirehu, disheartened, suggested they abandon the endeavor. But Ohia, resolute, decided to catch the culprit.
He set the pots once more and hid among the trees as night fell. Around two o’clock in the morning, he observed a dark figure approach the nearest palm tree. It was a bush-deer, carrying a large jar on its head, into which it poured the stolen wine from Ohia’s pots, breaking them afterward.
Ohia attempted to seize the deer, but it fled, dropping its jar. Determined, Ohia pursued the deer through forests and over hills until they reached a high hill. The deer climbed, and Ohia followed, arriving at the summit to find a gathering of animals, presided over by King Tiger.
The deer, panting, threw itself before King Tiger, who ordered Ohia to be brought forward for intruding upon their assembly. Ohia pleaded for a hearing, explaining his plight and the thefts that led him there.
Moved by his story, King Tiger and the assembly deliberated. Recognizing the injustice Ohia had suffered, they reprimanded the bush-deer for its actions. As restitution, they decreed that the deer must repay Ohia with jars of palm wine until his losses were compensated.
Ohia returned home, his heart lighter, and shared the tale with Awirehu. From that day forward, their fortunes improved, and they lived in peace, their perseverance and courage rewarded.
Commentary
This Ghanaian folktale highlights the virtues of perseverance, justice, and the importance of standing up against wrongdoing. Ohia’s determination to confront the thief, despite repeated setbacks, exemplifies resilience. The story also reflects the belief in a moral order within the animal kingdom, mirroring human societal structures.
Moral
Persistence in the face of adversity leads to justice and eventual reward.
Questions & Answers
1. Q: Who are the main characters in the story? A: Ohia and his wife, Awirehu.
2. Q: What problem did Ohia and Awirehu face? A: Their palm wine was repeatedly stolen, and their pots were broken.
3. Q: Who was stealing the palm wine? A: A bush-deer was the thief.
4. Q: How did Ohia respond to the thefts? A: He hid among the trees to catch the thief and pursued the bush-deer to its gathering.
5. Q: What was the outcome of Ohia’s confrontation at the animal assembly? A: The animals, led by King Tiger, reprimanded the bush-deer and ordered it to repay Ohia.
