As he entered through the huge brown gate of the palace, he smiled to the king and the chiefs with other three familiar faces who sat outside the palace under a walnut tree.
Every eyes feasted on him. A big calabash was on his shoulder as his son, Lekan, was trailing behind with two big clay pots. Every day, he grew in strength.
“Your Highness". They prostrated to greet the smiling king and put down their wares.
“Mayowa, the king of the woods, the only hunter who controls elephants, even the birds’ voices you hear. I have been expecting you, you are welcome to our midst, it is only the gods that brought you here. I was about to send my servants to you. There is a thorny issue we want to thrash out, "King Ogiso praised with admiration. His words put smile of pride on Mayowa’s face.
“Oh my son, Lekan, so you also have refused to visit your king on the instruction of your father," the king accused, teasing Kunle with smile of great excitement on his royal face.
“Your Highness, l have just been allocated a new farm land of seven acres, I am so sorry for my absence, my lord. My father has always reminded me to visit the palace. Accept my apologies, my king, so I can find favour in your sight," Kunle lay flat.
“Stand up, my son. What is the usefulness of a child who refuses to help his parents in the farm? May your offsprings be stronger than you but not more than your father. l don‘t think ldheze will ever produce his replica in a century to come. It still beats me how a man could kill lion with bare hand. Our strength lies in the kilometres of acres of land we could acquire, "King Ogiso said.
"My Lord. thank you for the piece of advice, l will be on my way, l promise not to be far from the palace from this day," Lekan promised.
He dropped the clay pot as King Ogiso blessed his journey home. It was only when the gate banged shut that silence was broken.
“My Lord, kindly accept this token from me. l came to visit you today." Mayowa dropped the calabash of palm-wine, opened the clay pot, it was tilled with dried bush meat. He tasted it and shared it around.
“Oh Mayowa, l have told my kinsmen that you are a different hunter and farmer, you shared your games and harvest unlike the greedy ones we have around us. Even during the festival season, they still hide their harvest."
He called his servant to serve the palm-wine. “Hmmm Mayowa, where did you tap this palm-wine from?" probed the king as he licked with his tongue to empty the calabash.
“Your Highness, from Ede Ovo, the new land I just bought at the border of Uro Kingdom from Uyeh-family. I heard the land was cursed and not fertile, but I went in there with prayer and believing the glory of the gods"
“Your prayers have been answered by the gods. This is the best palm-wine I have ever tasted," King Ogiso praised. The palmwine was served around the chiefs who also complimented Mayowa's effort, but secretly envious of his fast rising fame.
A certain farmer named Wale came to the palace to lodge a complaint about his wife. According to him, when he returned home, he met her absence together with his two children. Before anyone could speak, Mayowa said, “My Lord, the problem is in Wale's palms, as our destiny is carefully crafted in our palm. Every eye looked at Mayowa in surprise.
“My kinsmen, but I did nothing wrong to offend my beloved wife and children to warrant their leaving home," Wale said.
“Comfort is round in the bosom of women. The beaver bird once insulted the eagle because he was pompous. How many times have you sat your family down to get familiar with them? What is your daily routine?" Mayowa asked Wale.
“But, why these questions? I came to complain about what makes me unhappy but you are rushing questions at me."
“Wale, answer his questions. He's trying to help you," a chief ordered and was supported by others.
“If you shy away from questions, you should also not expect solution from elders." said Chief Adamu, his bald head shining.
“Well, I tried my best to put food on the table. I woke up early to go to the farm and return after the sun goes down. I leave again for night fishing. Though I had not have time to have a good relationship with my family," Wale explained.
“How would you succeed with your family if you could not have time to relate with your wife and children? That is where your problem began," Mayowa's anxious eyes searched his face to hear what next he would say with wisdom.
‘But why must I keep that closeness with my children? I believe I will lose my respect. Our forefathers say if a man gets too playful with his wife, she will one day call him by name. I am a man of principle. l abide by the rules of ancient belief."
Mayowa suppressed his laughter as he studied Wale carefully. King Ogiso gazed at him scornfully.
“So what was your wife’s excuse for taking your children from her matrimonial home?" He asked, tapping his feet on the floor. “How would you describe her attitude towards you, her husband?" Mayowa enquired.
“Though she is my wife, l married her to bear children for me, nothing else. If I may ask, how do you live in peace with your multitude of families without troubling the entire kingdom? I always cite you as an example of a more responsible man," Wale asked Mayowa with respect.
”Wale, I will say it is only a real man who can wear my shoes."
“Who is a real man?" Wale asked.
“A real responsible man must be patient. Cherish your wife; l dine and play with my family. They are my best friends. We take decision together and we are so close, yet I hold my respect," Mayowa stated.
King Ogiso nest his servant to bring him Wale's wife, Asa and children. The king and Mayowa settled the differences for them.
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