A long time ago in the Yoruba kingdom of Owo, there lived a wealthy old man named Afolabi. Afolabi was well respected and loved in the kingdom because he was kind and generous to everyone including the slaves. 

Afolabi’s only son, Akanni, was just like his father, kind, generous and hardworking. Akanni managed all of his father's business with the help of Olori Eru (the head slave). 

One day Afolabi invited the council of elders to his house to talk about his will. He had fallen ill recently and he knew he would not be around for much longer. At the meeting, Afolabi said to the elders “When I die, I want everything I own to be given to Olori Eru”. Surprised, the elders asked, “What about your son, Akanni?” Afolabi responded, “Akanni is allowed to choose one thing for his inheritance, but the rest must go to Olori Eru”. The elders were shocked to hear this, and they begged Afolabi to change his mind, but he refused.

A few weeks later, Afolabi died and the elders called Akanni and Olori Eru to tell them of Afolabi’s last wishes. “Afolabi asked us to give everything he owns to Olori Eru” they explained, “however, Akanni, you are allowed to choose any one property for yourself”. Akanni couldn't believe his ears. “Why would Baba do this? Did I do something to upset him?” he thought to himself. "You have seven days to decide what to choose," they told the confused Akanni. 

Olori Eru was so excited at the news that he started singing and dancing.

“Lau erebe, erebe lau. Lau erebe, erebe lau
(Extravagant celebration, celebrate extravagantly)

Owo'le l’an lo
(We’re using our own money)

A o ma ya’wo fi se o!
(we don’t borrow for it)

Lau erebe, erebe lau
(Extravagant celebration, celebrate extravagantly)

Aye le
(Cultural way of life)

Lau erebe, erebe lau. Lau erebe, erebe lau”

Disappointed, Akanni spent the next few days thinking about the decision he had to make. He spoke to his friends who advised him. "Choose the biggest farm", one said. Another one said, "Choose the biggest house", and the third one said, “Choose a chest of money," but Akanni wasn’t interested in any of those things. Somehow he knew these weren't the things his father wanted him to choose. 

On the sixth day, as Akanni sat outside his house thinking about what to do, he saw an old man carrying a heavy load. Akanni offered to help him. The grateful old man saw that Akanni looked very sad, so he asked, “What is the problem, my son?". Akanni explained what had happened and how his father had given his inheritance to the head slave. The old man laughed. "Akanni, your father is simply testing your wisdom". The old man then told Akanni what to choose. Akanni thanked him and went back home smiling.

On the seventh day, the elders, Olori Eru and his friends all gathered at Afolabi’s house to learn what Akanni was going to choose. When he got to his father’s house, Akanni greeted the council of elders and told them that he was ready to choose. Everyone was surprised to see him looking so confident - "why is he smiling?" they wondered. When the elders asked Akanni “Which of your father's properties are you going to choose?” Akanni stood up and answered “Olori eru!”. 

The room fell silent. No one was expecting that answer. Especially not Olori Eru who had been celebrating all week. By choosing Olori Eru, Akanni also owned everything Olori Eru owned - including all of his father's property. 

Unlike Olori Eru, however, Akanni didn't just throw a party; he treated Olori Eru as a brother and shared his wealth with him. He also continued to be kind and generous to everyone, especially the elderly. After all, it was the wise old man who helped him to make the right decision by reminding him that "Eni to leru, lo leru" (he who owns the slave owns the property).

The End.

 

The Morale of the Story:

This story teaches us that it is important to be kind. Especially to the elderly and to listen to their wisdom.