ỤCHỊCHA BURUKWA EGBE BURU MMA, YA AGAFEKWANA N'AMA ỌKỤKỌ
(No matter the weapons the cockroach may rely upon, let him not cross the homestead of the fowl)

BACKGROUND:
Cockroach and fowl have remained perpetual enemies and bad neighbours from creation. The fowl had always eaten the cockroach since they came to know each other taking advantage of the fact that the cockroach has small size and lack bone. Their generations are aware of this. The cockroach and his siblings had always avoided this deadly enemy since ages. What then could have emboldened the cockroach this time around to arm himself and dare the territory of such a powerful and deadly enemy? What does it hope to achieve and how does hope to survive it? What has changed? Maybe, it has declared that enough is enough and that the bully must be challenged. This is the time to rebel against the status quo. Let's see how far he can go. Our own is to warn him about the possible consequences of the action he is about to embark upon.

MEANING
Igbo
Ọ nwere mgbe mmadụ ga-ekpebi ịtụfụ ndụ tụtụrụ onwụ n’ihi mmegbu. Onye karịrị mmadụ karịrị ya na-agbanyeghị ịkpo ganị ganị ọbụla. Mmadụ kwesịrị ịma onye karịrị ya. E jịghị iwe emezi ihe ụfodụ. Onye ume adịghị enweghị uru ngwo ogụ ga-abara ya. Ọ dị mkpa mmadụ ịchaara onye ịhe anaghị adabara ha abụo n'ihi na o nweghi ịhe e ji nsogbu eme. A naghị etichapụtaara onyeiro obi. Amamịhe ka mmadụ ji eso onye karịrị ya. Ịgbanahụ nsogbu amaka.

MEANING
English
Slavery and intimidation must have an end one day. There is limit to human endurance especially when it concerns man’s inhumanity to man. There are some people who will not allow you to be for no just reason. Perhaps, simply because they are stronger, more educated, richer, from a better family or other forms of advantage. You may endure it as long you could but there may come a time you will not wish to take it again especially when you have got children and you need to liberate them from this bondage before you die. You may decide to sacrifice your own life if the need be in order to secure their liberty. At such times, you may not count the cost or peril. There may come a time you may decide to take on the wicked uncle who has been seizing your family lands all these years. This time around, it does not matter whether he is richer or stronger, danger or no danger.
There are some kind of daring we may not have to undertake because it does not worth it. The cost of the risk involved may so much out-weigh any other calculation that it becomes foolhardy to embark on it. The cockroach is just embarking on a suicide bid and needs to be cautioned no matter what level arsenal he is relying upon. Even if he carries an Anti-tank or Rocket propelled grenade, the fowl will find it very easy to disarm him and turn him into an instant meal. There are those we must avoid in our lives because of the harm they can do to us. A poor bricklayer who is starving may be advised not to take his billionaire brother to court. It is not a hundred-meter dash. A taxi driver should be advised not to dare a drunken driver of an articulated vehicle (trailer) no matter how infuriated he may feel. Some people are naturally not your match and in order not to increase your woes, it is better to give them a long rope always.
Furthermore, advice is very crucial in the life we live. It is only a foolish person who thinks that he does not need advice. You should give it when you ought to and receive when you should. Relying on and taking good advice can turn you into a wiser, more tactical and better-behaved person who is also respected by many. It can remove careless mistakes and avoidable expensive miscalculations. On the other hand, not taking advice can make you look foolish and over-confident. You may pay dearly for not accepting a piece of useful advice when it was given. Nobody knows it all and you may not be able to consider all the perspectives of any issue or decision at all times especially when your mood is not good. The cockroach needs to be properly counselled before be lives to regret his sudden new-found courage. Your good friend may advise you against it when you have made up your mind to confront your senior brother who is paying your fees because it is as if he has seized all your perceived freedom and you need to assert yourself. Your sudden and exuberant decision to challenge your landlord because he appears to be too harsh with you may be ill-thought out and should be advised against.
Do not be tired of running away from a life-threatening enemy. Life cannot be replaced. Always run away from trouble as much as you can. Trouble has zero-benefit but can take away all that gained in life when you play into its deadly hands. It can wound you, make you lose money, lose your freedom and ultimately can take away your life when it comes to that.
Human protection can fail you when you least expected it. No matter the type of juju or talisman you have got from a renowned herbalist, never you rely on it. Even when you possess the best ammunition in town and surrounded by the best army, it is still not the ultimate defence. Ultimate power comes from heaven and that is what you can rely on.

LIFE APPLICATION
Do not be a mister-know-all. Listen to the voice of those know better that you. Do not neglect the word of your parents, teacher, senior brother at certain point of your life. Seek advice if it is not forthcoming. Taking a rash decision in anger can backfire badly and worsen the situation. Oppression and injustice can be challenged or resisted but must always be considered as a last option. It is wisdom for a person to give way to one who could destroy him even with some chances of victory. It is imprudent to look for trouble irrespective of what you rely upon. Always try to avoid your enemy as much as possible. It is not cowardice. Prudence is the best form of defence.


From the Village Elder,
Okenye
Ụkọchukwu Osebụrụwa
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