In our village, the majority of the people are farmers. Some farm on food crops and herbs while some farm on fruits and others on livestock. Odusanya was one of those who farm on food crops like potatoes, cocoyam and cassava.
He was a great farmer but the goats from the neighbourhood would not allow his farm to rest. Year in and year out he had complained to the mayor but that one seems to have a lasting solution to Otusanya's problems.
Usually, whenever Odusayan goes to the mayor to complain about the goats and sheep feeding on his farm the mayor would always say Mr Odu, please don't be angry, I am going to call and talk to the livestock farmer.
Truth to his words, the mayor would send a messenger to call the livestock farmer and have a word with him. Mr Odu was present the last time the mayor called. In his words to no one in particular the mayor said it's not possible for me to send either of you packing from this village because we always need ourselves as no man is an island.
Instead, we must look for a way to co- exist without harming ourselves or putting ourselves in a situation that may make us feel unwanted in the community. The livestock farmer and Mr Odu said yes to the Mayor almost at the same time. The mayor then continued I understand that what you are looking for is the greatness and the development of this community so I would give the both of you one week to go back home and think of a way to solve this problem without putting the livestock and the plants in danger.
The two farmers spoke one after the other but they said almost the same thing: we would be going home to sleep over it and come back to share our view, said the livestock farmer who spoke last. After seven days, the duo meet again at the mayor's house to discuss what they have thought about. The livestock farmer had the ground first, he said mayor , I have had to think critically on this issue and the only solution I could come up with is to cage my goats and sheep at the backyard of my house and take them to gaze or instruct one of my children to do so when I am unable to.
The mayor applued his reasoning and said you are indeed a problem solver and a good citizen too. Now let's listen to what Odusanya the farmer had to do to make sure that this crisis is averted. Mr Odusanya started his conversation by praying for the good health of the mayor and the progress of the community saying may you live long in good health my mayor. This our community will grow to greater heights too
To solve this problem from my end I have decided to make a fence round the work path that leads to my farm. I understand that goats are funny and may want to wander off on their own at times so if I fence my farm and the fence is about seven feet tall I believe it would help stop the goats and sheep from feeding on my cassava, cocoyam and vegetables.
The mayor once again appreciated the suggestion of both the livestock farmer and Mr Odusanya and he argued with them to move into actions to implement what they have discussed with him immediately to avoid crises in the community. With that brief and quick deliberations and meeting, the mayor was able to avert what would have generated into a serious dispute in our village. This made the people love him the more.
Images were generated using Meta Ai
