The squirrel and the cocoyam- An Igbo folklore
In the olden days, when the treetops were but grounds for the squirrels, there lived a well-natured Cocoyam-leaf that was planted at Omambara River’s bank. The leaf was so wide and kind that it provided a shield for animals whenever the hunters were in the wild
All the animals loved the leaf and because it indiscriminately protected them, they said to one another, ‘if not for this leaf, most of us would have been dead.’
So, they took an oath never to put the leaf in harm’s way.
But there was a very active squirrel called Osa
Osa was so smart that no hunter nor snare could catch it, and Osa also believed that he had no need for the Cocoyam-leaf. One day, Osa came to the banks to drink from Omambara, and on that same day, Dinta, the great hunter was at the banks also ‘You should not be here, Osa,’ the Cocoyam Leaf said to the tiny creature. ‘Dinta, the hunter is at the banks and would not spare you. I pray you to hide under me till he is gone.’
The squirrel laughed and said to the Leaf:
‘You do not know how smart I am but I will show you today. I will be the one to call the attention of the hunter and I will make a fool of him.’
‘You should consider other animals.’ The leaf said. ‘This foolish intention of yours would affect every creature in the wild.’ But Osa replied: ‘There is nothing to consider here. If anything happens to me, I will be the sole victim.’
The Cocoyam Leaf in low tone replied: ‘You are young and foolish; if anything happens to you at this bank, this place will no longer be safe for other animals.
Even if you don’t like yourself, you should do it for the sake of other animals.’
But Osa wouldn’t listen. He jumped so high and the hunter saw him. As Dinta aimed and took his best shot, the smart squirrel hopped so high and chanted a merry song with his own name. ‘Osa sam, sam, sancom,’ he chanted, ‘Sam, sam, sam’
Osa, sam, sam, sancom - sam, sam sam
The hunter tried again and again but missed. To every bang sound of the gun, Osa sang thus:
Osa sam, sam, sancom Sam, sam, sam
Osa, sam, sam, sancom sam, sam sam
In frustration, Dinta decided to take a final shot, and this time, the bullet hit the squirrel’s head. As the dying squirrel was breathing his last, the Cocoyam-Leaf in sorrow, said to him:
‘I warned you, Osa. I warned you. Now, see how you’ve ruined the lives of other animals.’
Osa said to the Leaf ‘I would have listened to you, However, I'm the sole victim here’
‘What a fool you are, Osa’ the Cocoyam-Leaf cried as the hunter's hand squeezed the leaf’s stem. ‘You didn't consider that the hunter would need a leaf to wrap your dead body.’
