The American Baptism

[Olùkọ́ Ọbádélé]

The American Baptism

Once upon a time, a peasant had a good harvest and decided to take a trip to America. He carefully prepared all he needed, took his flight, and arrived without any problems. Once on the streets of New York, he saw a grand hotel where various people were seated at tables and others danced joyously beside them. He thought that it was a baptism celebration similar to those that were organized in his own country.

Without asking he entered the room, sat down, and asked for food and drink. He watched the women and the men who were dancing to a rhythm that he had never heard before. To him it appeared to be a wrestling match but he was astonished to see that no one could take down his or her adversary.

After eating and drinking he slowly got up and made his way towards the dance floor. A woman took his arm to invite him to dance but, much to her surprise, he lifted her up and threw her heavily to the ground. He then raised his arms to the sky in a sign of victory like that of the great wrestlers of his country. He said,

“The men do not have the courage to challenge me and you, a simple woman, come to fight. Now I want to take on a man.” Screams filled the air and some began to flee while others tried to overpower the stranger. Everyone thought they were dealing with a madman. The hotel manager immediately called the police, who arrived promptly. They placed the man in handcuffs, tossed him in a police car, and took him directly to the airport to return him to his country of origin.

The peasant returned to his country and the following year a man who hoped to make the same trip asked him for advice. The peasant told him,

“If you want to last in America, remember: should you attend one of their wrestling matches, do not take your opponent down.” He then recounted his misadventures in detail to the aspiring traveller. The other, who had been lucky enough to attend school, understood that the peasant had not seen a baptism celebration but a hotel, and that the wrestling match was merely another ball. He explained to the peasant the mistakes he had made and concluded his discussion in these terms:



Bo xamoul dangaye lalhe.
When you do not know something you must not be ashamed to ask.