Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ear
Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ear – is a story about the mosquito and the ear; their relationship before before the human parts came together.
Why Mosquitos Buzz in People’s Ear
A long time ago, when human body parts were not attached to the human body, Ear was to get married. Surprisingly, she was one of the most favoured creatures in the kingdom. Everyone wanted to be her husband. The eyes, nose, mouth, and all the creatures in the land wanted to be her husband. Ear was that beautiful and desirable by all and sundry.
Unfortunately, she was not ready to settle down.
All day long, she would turn down requests until she got tired of doing so. Her friend, Eardrum, came to visit her one day.
“My dear friend!” Ear exclaimed. “Come in. What can I offer you?” She asked with excitement. She was always happy to be in the presence of a friend. Because she was getting offers from all corners of the kingdom, she rarely went out, and as such, she enjoyed any company she could get.
“My friend, thank you very much!” Eardrum said and sat down. Ear ran around to get her something to eat and drink. Soon, they were both settled and gossiping about the things they have heard.
“Tell me, what is happening in the city?” Ear asked.
Eardrum shook her head. “You know, I still don’t understand why you can’t go into town. You are just very desirable; it doesn’t mean they will kill you.”
“You don’t understand, my dear friend. I feel suffocated whenever I’m in town. I prefer staying indoors; it’s better.” Ear explained.
“Well, I don’t know how long that will remain the case?” Eardrum said and looked away immediately.
“What do you mean by that?” Ear was suddenly interested.
“Rumors have it that the king is tired of every eligible bachelor not getting married because they are waiting for you to be ready. So he is organizing an occasion for you to choose a husband and get it over with.”
Brain, who was the King, was known for always poking his nose into what doesn’t concern him. If he would just give it some time, Ear’s beauty would fade off, and she will no longer be the desire of so many creatures in the kingdom.
“Please tell me you’re joking?” Ear pleaded.
“I wish I was. One of his guards will be coming to deliver the information to you today. I just wanted to give you the heads up because you are my friend.”
“Okay.” It didn’t take long before a guard from the palace came to Ear to inform her of the king’s decision for her to pick a husband the next day. Ear was heartbroken at the news. This was because she was not ready to be married off to anyone. She didn’t believe that anyone was worthy of her time and love. But this was the king’s command. She would be a fool not to obey him.
Her friend, Eardrum, stayed with her during the night to offer emotional support, and the next day, the news of her choosing a husband had spread like wildfire, and all the eligible bachelors were gathered at the palace.
Ear arrived at the palace with her friend, Eardrum, and they were offered seats at the high table. Ear wasn’t surprised to see all the creatures in the kingdom turn up for the occasion. Within a few minutes, the event kicked off. The king came out to give his opening speech.
“People of this great kingdom, we are gathered here today to witness one of our own choose a husband. We are all aware of the disturbance her lack of choice has brought to this kingdom. Well, all that will end today because she will have to make a choice.”
The king looked back at Ear and ushered her forward. “Ear gathered under that canopy is all the suitors who want to get married to you. One by one, they will come up to you, and you will have to choose the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. Do you understand?”
Ear nodded her head. She wanted nothing but to get the entire ordeal over with. One by one, the suitors that wanted to get married to her came forward, and for the first time, she spoke at length with them. She was more than excited to see how amazing they all were. She had never paid them much heed; now that she did, she realized they were so full of life and love for her.
One of the suitors that came her way was Mosquito. “I would like you to be my wife,” proposed Mosquito.
Ear was so offended by this affront that she yelled at him. “Look around you!” she cried. “Of all the people and creatures in the whole world, what makes you think I can entertain such a thought?” Ear was distressed.
“Marry you?!!?” she continued. “You will be dead before the week is over. You are not strong, you are weak, and I will never marry you!”.
When she was done, she fell back on her seat and fanned herself as if she was trying hard to get rid of the Mosquito image from her face. Everyone that gathered there began laughing at Mosquito. He was so embarrassed that he ran out of the palace.
“Won’t survive for a week? Too weak?” Mosquito thought to himself. “We’ll see about that.”
And from that day forward, whenever Mosquito sees Ear, he flies up to her and says, “Emi re, mi o ti ku,” which in English means “Here I am, I am not dead.”
Moral Lesson
- Never judge anyone.
- Don’t look down on others.
Read also:
- Atule, The Beautiful Girl
- Why The Tortoise And The Squirrel Are Not Friends
- The Tortoise And The Feast in Heaven
- The ‘Nsasak Bird and the Odudu Bird
Emi re, mi o ti ku – Yoruba language
My soul, I will not die- English translation