Moonlight Series: Mma Ekaete

Moonlight Series: Mma Ekaete

By Bassey B. Eshiett

 
There was once a couple who did not have any children. The man's name was Okon and the wife's name was Eno. Okon was a very rich fisherman while Wno was a trader. Their different duties took them away from home quite often. Eno was very sad because she did not have any child. She often spent lonely hours talking to herself and saying: 'Oh why was I born? What will become of me when I am old? I cook and eat alone. Who will I give my wealth to when I die? She used to spend time crying in her market stall.
                 One day, a very old woman came to buy something from Eno. When the old woman came to buy something from Eno. When the old woman got to stall she found her crying very bitterly. The old woman said:
                      'Eno why are you crying?
                      She said, 'My dear woman I am not happy. My age mates have got many children. I have not got even one. This is what makes me very sad '.
                      The old woman said, 'I am going to help you but you must obey me in all I ask you to do'.             Eno accepted this and said, ' I will Old one, I will '.
                  The old woman said to Eno, 'Tomorrow, very early in the morning before anybody stirs out of bed go to your farm and harvest a big fluted pumpkin. Carefully cut it open and take the baby girl you will find inside '.
               Eno was very happy. She thanked the old woman and promised to reward her if she gets the baby. Before the old woman picked her walking stick to totter away she said to Eno:
               'Ehe! Eno, there is something more you must guard against when this baby arrives. You must call her Mma Ekaete. Never you call her 'Pumpkin' if you want her to live with you forever '.
                Eno said, 'I shall do all you have instructed me to do '.
                 Early in the morning when it was still dark, Eno went to her farm and did as the old woman had instructed. She gently cut the pumpkin open and ah! what did she see? A beautiful baby girl sleeping peacefully! She took the baby home with joy and nursed her in love. Mma Ekaete was the joy of the family. Each time Okon came back from fishing he never forgot to bring her fresh and smoked fish. Soon Eno had to resume her trading as Mma Ekaete had grown very rapidly into a beautiful girl. Eno employed a maid to keep Mma Ekaete company. Her name was Arit. Arit was a very saucy girl. She was also very envious of Mma Ekaete's beauty.
             One day, Okon had left for the river while Eno had left for the market. Arit was told to give Mma Ekaete her meals when she was hungry. After Arit had finished cooking, she put Mma Ekaete's meal in her plate and screamed, 'Pumpkin' Pumpkin, come and eat your meal '. Mma Ekaete overhead this and immediately started crying. As she wept she sang:
          'Mother calls me Mma Ekaete
           Father calls me Mma Ekaete
           Mother's servant calls me Pumpkin
           I must leave
           I can't wait
           Yes I must return to the farm '.
           Mma Ekaete sang this song very sadly. As she sang she moved about in the house collecting her dresses and wrappers. She then left the house still singing. Arit ran out to the road to watch her go. She shouted:
          'Good riddance you bloated pumpkin '.
           Mma Ekaete ran along blindly towards the farm. She got to the farm, sang the song for the last time and the pumpkin opened once more to let her in.
            When Eno and Okon came back home, they found the house empty. Arit had run away and Mma Ekaete had turned into pumpkin in a far away farm.

If you love this story please drop your comment before 👇