Once upon a time, in a quaint Igbo village surrounded by lush forests and hidden dangers, lived a girl named Obaledo. She was renowned for her extraordinary beauty, her skin glowing like the morning sun, her eyes sparkling like dew on the hibiscus flower. Her parents, though proud of their daughter, were deeply protective of her, for they knew the world was not as innocent as it seemed. Dark spirits and mischievous demons often roamed the land, preying on the unwary.
One fateful day, her parents had to embark on a long journey to the neighboring village. Before leaving, they sat Obaledo down and gave her strict instructions.
“Obaledo, our daughter,” they began, their voices grave, “do not leave the confines of our home while we are gone. The forest is full of dangers you cannot comprehend. When you are hungry, you will find yam and snail in the kitchen. Roast the yam first before the snail, for the snail’s moisture will quench the fire, leaving you without a meal.”
Obaledo nodded obediently, but deep inside, her youthful arrogance and curiosity whispered that no harm would come to her. Her parents kissed her forehead and left, their figures disappearing into the dense forest path.
The Temptation
Hours passed, and Obaledo grew hungry. She went to the kitchen and prepared to roast the yam and snail as her parents instructed. However, as she held the snail, its glistening shell caught her eye. She imagined the rich taste of its roasted flesh and decided she could not wait.
“I’ll roast the snail first,” she thought, “just this once. Surely, nothing will happen.”
But as her parents had warned, the snail’s moisture extinguished the fire. Now left with no means to cook her food and her hunger gnawing at her, Obaledo made a fateful decision. She would step out of the house to borrow a matchstick from a neighbor.
The Encounter
As Obaledo ventured out, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long, ominous shadows across the village. She walked briskly, her beauty catching the attention of every creature that saw her, even those from the spirit realm.
On the lonely path to her neighbor’s house, Obaledo heard a rustling sound behind her. She turned and saw a figure emerge from the shadows—a demon with a grotesque face, its skin ashen and eyes burning like coals. It had long, spindly limbs and a voice that sent chills down her spine.
“Obaledo,” the demon rasped, “your beauty shines like no other. But what is beauty without wisdom? And what is wisdom without obedience?”
Terrified, Obaledo tried to run, but the demon’s words froze her in place. It stepped closer, and with a swift motion, it reached out and touched her face. Instantly, Obaledo felt a searing pain as her beauty drained from her body, her once radiant skin turning sallow, her sparkling eyes now dull.
The demon laughed cruelly. “From now on, you will carry my ugliness as a mark of your disobedience. Perhaps this will teach you to heed the wisdom of your elders.”
The Return
Shaken and disfigured, Obaledo stumbled back home, tears streaming down her face. She hid in the shadows of the house, too ashamed to let anyone see her. When her parents returned, they were heartbroken to see what had become of their once-beautiful daughter.
Obaledo fell to her knees, sobbing. “Mother, Father, I did not listen. I roasted the snail first, and when the fire went out, I left the house to find a matchstick. On the way, I met a demon who took my beauty as punishment.”
Her parents embraced her, their tears mingling with hers. “Oh, Obaledo,” her mother said, “it is not your beauty that matters to us but your heart. Yet, this is a harsh lesson for all to learn: disobedience and greed bring only misfortune.”
The Song of Obaledo
From that day forward, the villagers sang the tale of Obaledo, warning children of the dangers of disobedience. The song, haunting yet melodic, echoed through the village:
“Obaledo, Obaledo,
Why did you not heed?
Roast the yam before the snail,
Now the demon takes your beauty.”
The story of Obaledo became a cautionary tale passed down through generations, reminding all who heard it that obedience and wisdom are treasures far greater than fleeting beauty.