Obatala was known among the other Orishas for his generosity. His thrifty habits assured him of having enough money to help anyone who needed help. Unfortunately, word spread that he kept money in his house.
He was robbed many times. He tried putting his money under the bed. He tried putting his money on the roof. He buried his money in the yard. No luck. Every time he found a new hiding place for his money, thieves would break in while he was taking a message to Olodumare. Obatala always came home to an empty house. He could not stand it anymore. Olodumare was too noble to resent the robberies, but he was tired of having his floors dug up and his walls caved in by industrious thieves. He went to Oshosi.
“Make me the longest ladder in the world and a big strong sack,” he told Oshosi.
When Oshosi had finished working and brought him the ladder and the sack, Obatala went to his house and filled the big sack with money. He then went to the middle of the forest. He found the tallest tree in the world and used his ladder to climb to the top. There, Obatala hung his money bag.
The Ibeyi had seen everything. They ran to find Chango.
“Chango, Chango! We know where Obatala’s money is,” they shouted. “We saw him hide it at the top of a tree!”
This news made Chango very happy. His drunken parties had been financed many times by Obatala’s money. He now had the chance to get the month’s drinking money. Chango was proud of his boys.
“Show me where it is,” he told them. And, they set off for the forest.
Chango and the Ibeyi found the tree, but Obatala had surrounded it with fierce wild animals that attacked anyone that came close. Chango thought and thought and came up with an idea.
“Give me your candy,” he told the Ibeyi. “When we get the money, I will buy you twice as much.”
“Make it three times as much,” said the greedy twins, “and it’s a deal.” Chango agreed and the Ibeyi gave him all their candies and pastries.
Chango spread the food around the tree and, while the wild animals were busy eating it, climbed to the top and dropped the bag with Obatala’s money down to the twins.
Chango was not seen for a month. The Ibeyi had a feast.
By OmoOrisha of Mysanteria.com
