Long time ago, when the earth was still new there was a garden that belonged to the gods. In this garden grew plants of all types that the gods would pick to make their feast. When Alabalashe Obatala descended down the celestial tree to its roots it was in garden. It was in this garden that Obatala made all things living.
Once a year when day met night , Obatala descended from the stars to host a grand feast. Every being was in attendance, including the great trickster Eshu. Once he had gorged himself on the great feast prepared at the table, He found himself with a mischievous thirst. Obatala no longer drank after his awful terrible, and thus there was no palm wine on the table. Eshu knew of a store house where the wine was kept for when the gods came to visit.
Eshu went to the storehouse and there he drank his weight in wine. Once Eshu had drunk his fill, he found himself feeling a terrible hunger. He was heavy from the wine, but he got up to make his way back to the table. Oh! He was so slow and sluggish from his binge, but he hungered for the deliciousness of the garden.
On his way he passed by the field where the chicken stayed.
Eshu! Eshu! Cried the chickens, What ails you so?
Oh,brother chicken. I’ve got a terrible hunger! Eshu complained, and my body is worn from all the workin palm wine do.
Eshu! Eshu! Cried the chickens, a terrible hunger that’s what ails you?
Oh, brother chicken, Eshu said, by the time I arrive all of the delicious fruit will be gone.
Eshu! Eshu! Cried the chickens, here eat my eggs! They are delicious and rich.
Eshu ate the egg, and it was more delicious than any fruit he’d ravened before.
Eshu! Eshu! Cried the chickens, eat as many as you please.
Brother chicken, Eshu said, each one is more delicious than the last.
Once Eshu had eaten his fill of eggs, he laid his eyes upon the chicken pump and peckin in the earth. And, Eshu found himself over come with a dark and terrible hunger.
Brother chicken, Eshu growled, I have a dark and terrible hunger.
Eshu! Eshu! Cried the chickens.
Once Eshu had devoured his fill of the chickens, he returned to the great table where everyone remained at the feast.
Twice Eshu laid his eyes upon the seats where man, dieu, and animal feasted together. Eshu had a deliciously dark and terrible idea.
Eshu! Eshu! Eshu! Called Obatala What is that red you wear?
Eshu grinned at Obatala, and told those that sat at the table how brother chicken had offered up his flesh to satiate his hunger.
How delicious the flesh of the living was. The humans, bespelled by Eshu’s story, found themselves with a dark and terrible hunger.
The men descended upon the animals and upon each other with the desperate desire to taste what Eshu described.
Eshu! Eshu! Eshu! Called Obatala, “What have you done?”
Eshu only laughed at the madness as man and animal alike fled into the garden. As The Dieu climbed the celestial tree and returned to their home in the sky, Obatala was hesitant.
Hear me, Obatala said, all those who partake of the flesh, know this: for it to be blessed by the gods nothing must remain.
Among the animals that fled was the fox. An intelligent and elegant animal with a gorgeous coat crafted by Obatala. The fox was not innocent as in that year’s time , he too tried the flesh of brother chicken. Understanding the dark and terrible hunger Eshu has experienced.
Half a year passed, and man had listened to Obatala’s decree. They began to make clothes, weapons, and jewelry from the parts of the animals they ate. And with winter coming, the fox found himself hunted.
Brother Fox! Brother Fox! Brother Fox! The humans called to fox in the woods, please come share with us your gorgeous coat.
The fox ran hiding amongst the brush.
Brother fox! Brother fox! Brother fox! The humans called, come out from beneath those leaves. Winter is coming and we will surely freeze.
The fox ran and hid amongst rocks.
Brother fox! Brother fox! Brother fox! The humans called, come out from beside those rocks! We can see your coat, it must be incredibly soft.
The fox ran, and found himself upon a cliff staring down at the garden. He could see a crevice beneath the roots of the celestial trees. If only he could hide there, the humans wouldn’t be able to see.
Brother fox! Brother fox! Brother fox! The humans called.
Obatala, obatala, prayed the fox, may you bless me with flight, please help me hide from sight.
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