(From Segun Adeniyi) - Let me state from the outset that I am not the writer of this
story as it is one of those interesting offerings being circulated on WhatsApp.
Since I found the message rather instructive, I am posting it with minor
editing because, in a way, it fits into Mark Twain’s warning that we should
never argue with “stupid people” who could easily “drag you to their level and
then beat you with experience”.
It is a story of two men: One, called ‘Elepo’ because of the
nature of his merchandise, which was palm oil; and the other, ‘Oniyangi’ also
because of the nature of his own merchandise, which was sharp sand. One day, a
long, long time ago which no one living can actually define, Elepo and Oniyangi
set out from opposite directions to market their merchandise. After travelling
many days by foot, which was the only means of transportation in those days,
they met at a narrow intersection. It was such a narrow path that only one
person could go through at a time. Elepo insisted on the right of way. Oniyangi
would have none of it.
Both argued until other travellers met them at the spot and a
large crowd soon gathered. Having failed to pacify both men, some wise
travellers suggested a way out – they should slug it out; and that whoever won
the contest should have the right of way. Quickly, each man set down his
merchandise by the roadside and they squared up one to the other. The battle
was ferocious and long; in the end, Elepo had the better of Oniyangi, lifted
him off his feet and landed him on the floor. The crowd roared!
