Mbott and Yamb Have Dinner

[Olùkọ́ Ọbádélé]

Mbott and Yamb Have Dinner


One day Yamb the Bee ran into Mbott the Toad in the forest and said,

“Mbott my friend, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other. You hardly ever get out of the water, and I’ve missed you. Come over Sunday night; I’m inviting you to dinner.”

“Ah! That’s a good idea. That way we’ll be able to catch up,” said Mbott.

As the sun set, Mbott headed for Yamb’s house, and Yamb treated him like a king. The well-cooked meal was soon served but, before beginning to eat, the bee said to his friend,

“Show me your hands. Oh! Look how dirty they are! Go wash them.” Mbott went out to wash his hands in the river and then returned. Yamb told him,

“Oh Mbott, you must make the effort to wash your hands well. Go do it at your house with some soap.” Mbott returned home, washed his hands, and went back to Yamb’s house, where he noticed that his friend had already eaten everything. Furious, he went back home and ate what was left of his wife’s dinner.

One week later, Yamb crossed a river while out walking and saw Mbott the Toad, who said,

“My friend Yamb, last time it was you who invited me, this time it’s my turn. Come over tonight, we’re going to dine together.”

Mbott had prepared a delicious dish. As soon as night fell, the bee arrived with his usual buzzing noise. Mbott and has wife were already sitting around the plate. Mbott told his friend,

“My dear friend Bee, I do not like your buzzing at all. You must go home until you can stop it.” The bee went home and asked himself why Mbott had treated him so. But he didn’t want to miss Mbott’s meal, so he returned to his friend’s house and came in singing. Mbott said,

“Leave the room, my friend Yamb, since you can’t leave your noise outside the house.”

“I can’t get rid of this noise because it’s a natural part of me.”

“You must try, my friend, because I certainly can’t eat with all that buzzing,” says Mbott.
For the third time, Yamb left and then came back to his friend’s house, but this time he found nothing there. Mbott had eaten everything and even cleaned the bowls. Crushed, the bee headed home, thinking to himself,

“I remember the day that I invited my friend to dinner. This time, Mbott has turned the tables.”



Lu waay lebale, lañu lay fey.
You get what you deserve.