*Clears cobwebs one again*
*drum roll*
Happy to celebrate another calendar year as we open 2021. 2020 was indeed a mixed grill in different areas but all thanks to the Creator that we are here again.
So, my first activity has been to remove the cobwebs once again. Much as I would have wanted to start with something else, I am left with no choice as I have been unavoidably absent in this space, which used to be my hiding place.
2021 will hopefully be kind enough to allow me more reason to be here as often as I would like to. That is me praying and errmm, planning.
To celebrate the weekend, my wife brought àgbálùmọ́ as ‘ìyá káàbọ̀ ọmọ kú ilé’ – it’s a little difficult to translate this but let us just call it something to reward us for patiently awaiting her return home from wherever she had gone.
The actual story of Ìyá káàbọ̀, ọmọ kú ilé’ is one for another day. Anyway, this àgbálùmọ́ was my reward for minding our energetic kids on Friday morning while she went to get some things done.
Let us do a small introduction of this fruit. Sometimes called Cherry, it is actually known as African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum africanum).
Another variety of this fruit which I enjoyed in my days in Olivet Heights Oyo is the Purple Star Apple (Chrysophyllum cainito). In South East Nigeria, it is known as udara while the Yorubas and people up north call it àgbálùmọ́ and agbaluma respectively.(Talk of the closeness in relation to how onions are called àlùbọ́sà or albasa among and Hausas). Forgive my digression; it’s a weakness a culture lover like me struggles with.
Back from our short lecture, let’s get to the gist. As I slowly licked the surrounding goodness of one of the àgbálùmọ́ fruits that sunny Friday, a few things crept into my mind and I allowed an interesting convo between myself and my mind, like I get to do many times.
Mind: The taste of this àgbálùmọ́ beats that of many you’ve had in a while.
Me: Yes o. God bless Bukky for this surprise despite my not really being friends with àgbálùmọ́. Why bring àgbálùmọ́ when there’s apple or water melon?
Mind: You’re an ingrate. She for just buy you iced lolly you used to buy back in the day.
Me: No be laidat jor. Eating àgbálùmọ́ after so long a time is refreshing. It’s the last thing I expected she would bring from the market.
The conversation went on and touched on the fact that it was someone who planted the seed that has grown to serve many of us who do not know him or her. A little probing as per the importance of that information made me understand that leaving a mark is highly important as we journey through life.
The person who planted the seed that grew into the big tree which presently serves many, might have done that even without that intention. S/He might have passed on or grown too aged to even care again but the works of her/his hand lives on.
The point there is to strive and leave lasting legacies; to ‘plant’ many trees that would outlive us which would be points of reference to us while we are gone. Simply put, to build memorials.
Another point is the need for delayed gratification. Our àgbálùmọ́ farmer could have cultivated maize, harvested within three months and moved on. S/He however chose the fruit that did not promise immediate yield but would surely outlast the maize that would produce quick results.
In life sometimes, we need to think far beyond the quick results and aim a bit further. This will most likely generate results over and over rather than the quick result we want many times.
As we open the year 2021, let us ponder on the two points my àgbálùmọ́ taught me and aim to imbibe the lessons in our daily lives and living.
Fine, I got only two lessons from my weekend àgbálùmọ́ romance. Did you think of any other(s) while reading through? Then, please share them in the comments section.
Have a fantastic 2021, folks, and please expect to read regularly from me again: serials, downright meaningless stuff, and some interesting things when my mind works perfectly.
Again, it’s sweeter when àgbálùmọ́ lessons are plenty, so share them in the comments section now. Cheers!!!
OSCARPOEMS 