African mythology: The price of greed.

Four men from a village - Khofi, Kwaame, Myaw, and Mululu - teamed up to venture into the forest to hunt down wild game. Those days, the drought was severe, and wild game was the only option for survival. After a long and arduous search, they finally came across a buffalo, very big, weighing hundreds of kilograms. Through teamwork, they brought it down and killed it. Indeed, the meat was just enough for the whole village.

As they prepared to share the spoils, Khofi suggested, "Let's share 10kg each." But Mululu, the strongest, slapped him, saying, "Who taught you how to share?" Kwaame proposed, "Let's share 20kg each," but Mululu kicked him before he finished speaking. Myaw, fearful, surrendered the entire buffalo to Mululu, saying, "Mululu, the head is yours, the middle part is also yours, and the downer part is yours too." Mululu gloated, "You are the smartest man I've ever seen. Your way of sharing was just and truthful."

Mululu's insatiable greed led him to take possession of the entire buffalo, despite being unable to consume it all alone. He utilized his physical strength to assert dominance and claim the meat for himself, exemplifying the selfish nature of greed.

Unfortunately, there are individuals in this world who share Mululu's exploitative nature, demonstrating a complete disregard for the well-being of others. They leverage their power and strength to oppress and marginalize the vulnerable, snatching away resources and opportunities that rightfully belong to others.

They take themselves to be right in everything, refusing to acknowledge the perspectives and needs of others. But here's the irony: they forget that there's a time for everything, as the Bible wisely states in Ecclesiastes 3. They become so consumed by their own self-importance that they neglect the natural order of life.

Mululu's story exemplifies this truth. He couldn't devour all the meat, and it eventually rotted away, leaving him hungry and isolated once again. But his selfishness had alienated him from his community, and no one was willing to team up with him again. His greed had led to his downfall, and he was left to face the consequences alone.

We inhabit bodies that crave satisfaction and seek dominance, but wisdom teaches us to treat others with the same kindness and respect we desire for ourselves. Mululu's tragic story serves as a stark reminder of this truth. His unbridled strength and selfishness ultimately led to his downfall, and he succumbed to the drought, alone and unburied.

The villagers' refusal to bury him underscores the consequences of his actions. His lack of empathy and disregard for others led to his isolation, and ultimately, his demise. This cautionary tale reminds us that no man is an island; we thrive because of our connections with others. By valuing and respecting those around us, we build a supportive community that uplifts and sustains us.

As the wise saying goes, "We live not because of what we have, but because of what others have given us." Let Mululu's story guide us towards empathy, kindness, and the understanding that our survival depends on the support and compassion of those around us.