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Sent this to a friend who didn't know the story:

The Tortoise and the Monkey were great friends in the animal Kingdom. The Tortoise, as was typical of him was a garrulous individual who could talk all day, on the contrary the Monkey was extremely reserved- a laconic individual who would say little or nothing.

For Tortoise, being a talkative was not sufficient, he felt that all his rants, gossips, interjections, allusions and unnecessary remarks should be honoured by anyone around, but the Monkey was not in for that. One day, while the duo were having a walk down their farm to check crops, the Tortoise did interject for no reason by saying this: Òrò tí a ò mo owó, tí a ò mo esè kò níí jé tiwa ò (a matter on which we are totally innocent shall not turn against us/put us in trouble). Since the prayer was of no relevance to a present circumstance, an event or an encounter, the Monkey ignored Tortoise's usual habit and made no comment on it. Tortoise was aggrieved!

Tortoise got home, he couldn't sleep. He lied on his frayed rattan bed counting the contours of his rusty roofing sheets. To him, ignoring his prayer or his supposed words of wisdom was an affront, and anyone guilty of such should be punished. He came up with an idea to make Monkey, his friend pay for that singular act of not saying 'Amen' to that unnecessary prayer.

So, in the morning, Tortoise set for the palace of Lion-the King who also doubled as the warlord with a bag of bean cakes rubbed with honey (akara to fi oyin si lara). He paid obeisance and told the King who was also the warlord that he has come to offer him the best meal the world in the world. Salivating, the Lion couldn't wait to have the said meal and Tortoise wasted no time in setting a table before the King and served him. Apparently, it was a meal like no other- delicious, irresistible and also demanded asking for more.

When the Lion was done with the balls, he asked to be taught how to make such. That was an avenue for Tortoise to reel out his very sinister agenda for his friend's 'wrong' of ignoring his comment/prayer. With an aura of confidence adorned with hidden agendum, the Tortoise replied: your majesty, I didn't make this, one of your subjects passed those balls out as faeces on a platter of gold. Amused, or perhaps, amazed, the Lion rose from his stool and sought to know whose faeces could be that sweet, edible and worth taking again. The Tortoise replied that the faeces were Monkey's. When asked how to get such, the Tortoise informed the King that his friend, Monkey should be invited to the palace and asked to produce same. If he can't, he should be hit on the stomach continuously till he is able to produce sweet faeces.

The King ordered that the Monkey appear before him, the Monkey obliged and the King demanded for his faeces. Dazed and confused, but had to give it to the King. The king tasted it and it was so inedible, sour and different from what he ate yesterday. He remembered Tortoise's word and pulled down his royal regalia, he asked that the Monkey be hung by his two arms on a pole and with all his might, he started hitting the Monkey with his clenched fist and clubs as the Lion chanted: ya igbe didun (excrete sweet faeces). Yes, the pain, trauma, agony and all made Monkey produced all form of faeces: solid, watery, hot, cold, dark, light etc, but none was like the honeyed bean cakes.

The Monkey was left alone when he went into coma. He woke 23 days later and the first person to call at his home was his 'friend', Tortoise. The Monkey was pale, weak, frail and dying- to say a word was as hard as expecting a totally deaf man to listen to a news item and give one the breakdown. Tortoise looked at him critically, and the only word Tortoise can say was his initial prayer: Òrò tí a ò mo owó, tí a ò mo esè kò níí jé tiwa ò (a matter on which we are totally innocent shall not turn against us/ put us in trouble). With the last of his strength and without letting a second pass by, the monkey replied: AMIN O!!!

Obviously, he paid for what he had no idea of and circumstance has been reputed to change people more than sermon has.

Moral of the story? Pay attention to LITTLE details.
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LITEonline:
Instructions
To Voters

*..Only members who have been on Nairaland
between 2005 - October 31 are eligible to take
part in this competition.
* A Thread will be opened for only nomination.
This will also serve as the chat thread till the
competition ends.
* On November 1, we will open a thread for
nominations that will run for 30 days.

* On October 30, we will open another thread for
voting that will run for five days (dec1-5)

* Then, on December 10, the result of the vote will
be announced.

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for each genre.

* Candidates also can nominate and vote for
themselves or other candidates.

Instructions Pertaining To Candidates.

* Only Candidates that have written a story or
more between January 1st, 2015- 31st
2015 can be nominated.



We are picking the top three nominations

Between 2005 You may like to reconsider this. The duration does not make some more Nairalnder than others. I'll enjoin you to convert the energy on that modality to how active those interested have been online. 2005? Was I even born then? Though, this isn't about me- won't even enter. But, let us be fair.

The cuckoo birds chant solemnly as the tender breeze massage the ego of the baby trees. The sky takes the position it is reputed for from time immemorial, but there was a departure from its typical outlook- today it takes a break from its usual white and blue attires, it seems to know what the two love birds under the bamboo tree do not know- the fate that the other side will birth with time. On the rock under the bamboo tree kneels Alabi saying words of consolation to the sitting and sobbing Asake. Today is different, their hide and seek has never witnessed the railway, but it is a different day- Alabi is set for the city to buy them the life they deserve, maybe not the one they need, but they want it.

Alabi is the son of Ladele, the industrious blacksmith who would do anything to see that Alabi's name doesn't make the list of disappointment sojourners in this world of shift. It is because of him that Alabi is at the train station today. Asake is not an exception to the efforts that sees Alabi furthering his studies in the city of Lagos. Her life savings has been diverted to this cause. Trust is not an issue, Alabi's strength of character is impressive among his peers in the village. Academically, he is some sort of village genius. The train fare is the savings from his intellectual labour of writing letters for the elders and his illiterate peers in the village. Alabi and Asake's love story should be close to 5 years, though a stark illiterate, Asake is ready to give in on every fragment of dream she has to see Alabi in the 'coat' Rev. Richard, the white man wore to the village last year.

The honking of the train echoes through the assembly of trees as the birds scamper off in contagious dismay. That moment for Asake equals an attempt by God to take away from her everything she has. Alabi is that integral to Asake's very existence- a friend, a lover, a teacher, a brother and a whole lot that the pen may get sick of listing out. The train appears on the railway from the bent that went towards the stream. Alabi stands on his feet and lifts Asake who burst out crying uncontrollably. She holds unto Alabi's heavily patched attire as he struggles to hide the visitation of tears on his face by facing the now stopping train. 'Alabi, we can be happy here; you can keep helping baba in the blacksmith business. You will teach me the white's man language and we can both speak it and laugh. I promise you, my brain will pick the addition of large figures it has not picked all this while and you won't be bored of being the only literate here', Asake begs in a shaky voice corroborated by teary eyes... The choice is no longer Alabi's- the scholar from the city appears from the lonely road and interjects 'Alabi, a great conflagration of my fury can engulf the territorial edifice of your cupid induced affair if thou refuses an immediate solemn step into this locomotive structure with me.' Alabi, holds Asake's wrist as he gently pulls it off his attire. A loud honk emerges from the train as Alabi walks towards the stern looking city scholar who is to take him to the city... The train gradually disappears from the scene as Asake runs by its side with the likely impossibility of stopping his lover from the city pursuit. He stands by the window crying like a baby as the movement of the train makes him lose her sight...

She is grinding pepper for lunch when Dansaki, Alabi's childhood friend who has religiously played his role as an assistant boyfriend appears to her beaming with smile. 'Asake, you will pardon my memory,' he said as he brought out a folded paper from his pocket. He continued, 'Here is a letter Alabi sent through Emeka, the Igbo boy who went to Lagos last year, I forgot.' She jumps up, cleans her hands with her wrapper and hastily, she opens the paper. She does not have an idea of what the letters are, let alone the word, but she beams with smile as she watches Dansaki walks away. Dansaki has been a shoulder for her- he has played his role as Alabi's friend for 3 years since Alabi's departure.

Majority of the villagers stood at the railway station expecting the arrival of the train. Though Alabi was meant to study for 6 years in the city, but they got a note from the college in the city that their boy will arrive that day. The message might not have been well passed by the man who interpreted the content of the letter to the eager villagers last night. He was able to make them realize that the letter talked about Alabi's arrival, but the purpose was expressed in a grammar beyond his dexterity in interpretation.

After hours of waiting at the train station, the train turns up from a distance and the entire villagers beam with smiles of hope. Asake was restless- with her hand, she wipes the sweat on her face off and faces Dansaki, 'will Alabi still remember my face?' Dansaki smiles and holds her by the hand as they approach the train. They saw no one near Alabi in appearance. The two of them and other villagers approach a man who is apparently a staffer in the train. After their complaint was laid, there was a substituted look on his face as he took a puff from his pipe, 'Here is him, he will be the last to be helped down'. The villagers peep at the compartment beside the man, there is Alabi's comatose body shrouded in white as he is laid in the coffin with his eyes shut to the mundane things of this world. He has come home after graduating from the institution of life.

Is it really greener on the other side?

...

Dear Child,

Inner persons, it is four years today that the idea of writing you struck me. Since then, it has become a yearly practice to make out time to address you. One thing is certain- there are a thousand and one letters of this kind flying around the cyberspace. However, beyond the letters of this literal culture, you and I know that this pursuit is one with sincerity of purpose, an expression of events and the conviction that you are aware of this. You know me, I am no believer in fairy tales, but I hear your voices in my head every time. Little ones, easy on me, you are not rushing down here- there is time for everything. I'll play my role in making your arrival worthwhile. We have enough babies made by mistakes in our world, you cannot afford to be one. True, the pace may be slow, but I am moving- it hasn't worked out yet, but you know that I am strong-willed. Senior one, call your siblings, father is here again.

There is a major development now child, I am now a certified legal professional. Hey, take it easy on that celebratory clatter- being a lawyer is just a means to the end. What life demands from us all is beyond the professional callings. On your choice of career, I suspect that you or one of your siblings may be moved to opt for legal profession because of me. Please do not, it is a trap. We have a lot of them around- lawyers that were made out of compulsion, accident, shallow reasons and the selfish interests of their parents to pride in the fact that their children are members of this noble family. See, I have met more than enough of them heaving under epic burden of frustration as a result of that decision. Some are doing quite well, but for the others, a mere confrontation with the reality has shown them that they got it wrong the day they choose this profession on a shallow basis- they have left their essence and purpose in the waste bin in a bid to live the life of another. Where the same challenges made those of us who took that path because of passion refill our pouch of determination, they are left retreating as fast as they can. So, come here to live your life: a new one devoid of wrong influences. It is okay to be a lawyer as long as you have the passion.

Child, beware of those boyfriends and girlfriends walking the boulevards. Most pairs are so empty that one can't even imagine the degree. Right, they all look good outside and filled with values, but it is just the facade of a balloon: balloon looks pregnant but when pressure makes it burst, nought is revealed. Son, most of these girlfriends have nothing to offer except sex, it is a bitter truth that I even find hard to express, but review your relationship with them every few months, if sex doesn't take you some inches close to your goals, wear your shoes. Daughter, see those boyfriends, most can't afford what it takes to make you better. Yes, it is not bad to accept his gifts and pass time together, but is he worth it? If he can buy you ice cream and expensive things and you are still mentally stagnant, run for he is the real poor guy, not the determined boy who can't afford you a cup of ice cream at the moment. Child, kisses and cuddles are not prohibited in my dictionary, but know that you can't stop at just that with some people. Way out? Give it to the right person and you won't regret it. To know the right one is both intuitional and emotional, but do not let this knowledge show via your sleeves- men are deft at beating that.

Child, in choosing him or her, it is not sufficient to go for one thing. There are issues in a relationship that beauty will address, intelligence addresses some, a sense of humour solves some, patience deals with some, honesty is key too and friendship does sometimes. So, if you opt for just intelligence, what will happen when a problem that beauty should address turns up? I recommend an intelligent person with whom you can be proud to hold converse. I will also like you to consider beauty to an extent. He or she must be honest enough to say No to subsequent seeming better offer after yours is successful. That way, you're not likely to die of heart attack. Child, by a way of obiter, did you notice what the wrong understanding of religion has done to us as a people? I am afraid that with our type of mindsets, religions will make this world worse than anyone can imagine. Listen to me, in the process of your formation, you will become a human before you become further distinguished by ethnic group and then the religion you will come to meet us practising. Note that being human comes first, never let religion or ethnicity cloud your passion to strive for the betterment of humanity.

Child, I can say that I have met your potential mother. A charismatic lady at that. Here is it, she taught me the difference between the typical girlfriend and a lady. I stopped having a girlfriend like my peers the day I won her. Without her knowing, your potential mother made me realize that boys have girlfriends and girls have boyfriends, but males of class go for ladies, while ladies opt for men. I can assure you that you will see beyond a lover in a lady like I see in her- she will be your best friend, your number one fan, chief critic, business partner, co-strategist, motivation, inspiration, a royal pain in your ass and a lot that most of these common girlfriends and boyfriends can ever offer in this life or their next. That is the spirit child, go for thinkers. I pray that God will show you the ONE, but it is your duty to keep her just like I intend to do to your potential mother. Child, steer clear of abusive relationships. It is not just about him beating you up or playing you. It extends to you going out of your way to buy her gifts, seeing no way with her and insisting there is way. It extends to a partner who does not see you or your opinion as relevant. Your love must not be blind to fundamental faults, but you can ignore the trivial ones.

Child, do not flaunt your achievements on the social media or anywhere. That is the hallmark of people with a sense of insecurity and those struggling to stay relevant. With your achievements, you can teach people that they can do it, but don't go the way of the average boys and girls in my generation. If flaunting interests your neighbour, live and let him live, but note this: he will only make a noise while you make the news. Remember, do not ever let temporal people or things come between you, your dreams and your loved ones. They will go, but the regret is usually a stubborn one, it will last a life time. On education, I will like you to be schooled, but more importantly is what your knowledge will make of you and what you will make of it. Child, as for me, knowledge is not power, the right application of knowledge is power. So, if engineering is what you are vast at, sell your inventions but do not trade your conscience in the process. And don't be like me, attend class religiously- i was a renowned truant at a point. But know that what attracts success is not limited to the four walls of the classroom. In fact, the things I learnt outside class on my own are those paving way for me to apply the things I learnt in class. Be vast in the content of books, be deft at dealing on the street, be a scholar in the management of men and yes, pray, for you'll likely not stray.

If you realise that you're taking life too serious, please attend a funeral- advisably that of a Muslim, the sight should make for a perfect sermon. Learn the beauty in music, a good sleep, a reflective stroll and friendship. If you're running out of wisdom, have an intellectual excursion through the book of Proverbs.
Look, you will experience a broken heart at a stage in life, it is necessary to grow and understand some basic rules about life. I've had mine broken, I did to someone too- it is one of those instances where experience takes its role as a master. If you feel like crying, don't hold it, shed the tears and discharge the burden, but not the lesson.

Child, I will stop here with a mind full of hope that I am not denied the grace to write you the next. I have a lot to say, but the page is short of lines...

Òru, firmly adjudged as the cocoon of numerous evils
The facade of men whose tool of trades are rifles

Òru, dark and stern, pregnant with uncertainties
An avenue for the flying mothers to do and undo

Òru, to liaise with you, I have mounted this pinnacle
Heavy words tucked in my belly like I férakù.

Òru, in you lies the greatest power of reflection
Which I dare you to provoke on my behalf

Òru, among men, your integrity dwindles
To succeed, mothers warn wards not to deal in/with you
How so Òru, that treading you is exclusive to Ìjàkùmòs among men?
And that despite your beauty, a man of noble birth would eschew you for Òsán?

Òru, why have men forgotten that the hatched eggs of success were laid in you?
And that dreamers ignore sleep to exploit you for noble cause
Pardon us- that we tag you evil because of your dark outfit
And that we ignore the nectar yielded by the stinging bee

Òru- I have come visiting you just for a whisper
Tell me, why do men judge just by the outlook?