This is a story told to me by my grandmother when I was in high school; hence I decided to share with you. I hope you enjoy it.
Long ago, in faraway land in an African village; there lived two men in one hut. One was blind and the other was lame. It was a famine period in the land.
One hot afternoon, these two folks sat together in their hut. Surrounded by the hut were bushes which served as homes to various animals. Shortly, the lame friend saw troop of monkeys in their compound. He imagined monkey soup and salivated relishing in the enjoyment of having monkey for lunch.
“If only I could get this monkey,” he cried.
“Where did you see monkeys?”His lame friend asked
“There are many of them in our compound here. There is even one on a tree staring at us. If I could walk I would shoot a monkey and cook a palatable soup to eat for us.”
The blind friend laughed and said “that would be delicious too. Even me, I am starving.” “There are monkeys outside and right here in our compound. Let us shoot them and cook for lunch.” Persuaded the lame friend.
Convinced, the blind friend said, “You will climb on my shoulders and tell me where to walk and where to stop. I will carry you and the gun to shoot the monkey so that we can cook a good soup for lunch.” The duo was salivating and lip-smacking on how they will eat the monkey.
The lame friend climbed on the shoulder of the blind friend and directed the steps of his blind friend. They came outside where the monkeys were in the cherry tree.
Lame friend fired his gun and a monkey fell. The others fled speedily out of range and sight. They carried the monkey joyfully to their hut. The two friends were filled with joy and happiness. The lame man built set the fire and began to prepare the stew.
As he stirred the pot, the blind friend asked “is the soup ready?”
“Not yet.” Answered the lame friend
All the while, the lame man was cooking the stew and because he was so hungry, lame friend keeps tasting it for flavor. Each time blind man asked, “Is it ready?” The lame friend has just put a large mouthful of hot stew in his mouth and had to swallow hastily to answer his blind friend.
There was nothing left in the pot but bones and a weak soup. This time when the blind friend asked “is it ready?” the lame friend answered “Yes. It is ready.” And he gave his blind friend a plate full of bones and soup.
“What is this you gave to me—bones? You wicked fellow! You have taken advantage of my blindness and eaten all the meat. Did I not share equally with you in the hunting? Should I not then have an equal share to eat?” the blind friend complained with anger.
“Without my legs you would not have shot anything at all.” Answered the lame friend. “I saw the monkey, I shot it. I cooked it. This is the hardest and biggest portion of the work; hence I should get the biggest portion of the food. You used only your physical strength. I used my eyes, my skills as a hunter and talent as a cook. This is certainly more! If I had not first seen the monkeys there would be nothing in the pot at all.” Explained the lame friend.
They disputed and grew very annoyed with each other. Blind went from the house and stood on the road; stopping all passerbies to listen to his account and begging them to judge and punish the lame friend. From the hut, the lame friend shouted his own arguments and begged the people to judge him right. The people were not able to judge.
Now, I want to ask you the same question my grandmother asked me the time she told me this story: among the two friends who do you think is right?
Kingsley Osajie 