There once was a beautiful village called Arugbo, blessed with fertile land, abundant harvests, and a mighty river known as River Ase which supplied water for drinking, farming, fishing, and daily activities. The elders always taught the people that the river was a gift from God and that strangers and travellers should always be treated with kindness.
“Our ancestors survived because people showed them mercy,” the oldest elder, Baba Onifade, often reminded the villagers.
For many years, the people obeyed this tradition. Travellers who passed through Arugbo were welcomed warmly. Hungry visitors received food, and those who needed shelter were given a place to sleep. As a result, the village prospered.
Among the villagers lived a wealthy trader named Chief Adisa. He owned many farms and controlled much of the market. At first, he was generous, but as his wealth increased, he became greedy and began convincing others that strangers brought unnecessary burdens.
“Why should we feed people we do not know?” he asked. “Everyone should solve their own problems.”
Slowly, some villagers adopted his attitude. People stopped offering water to travellers. Children began mocking strangers.
“When kindness disappears, blessings follow it out of the door,” Baba Onifade warned, but many ignored him.
One afternoon, during the peak of the dry season, an old woman arrived in Arugbo carrying a walking stick. Her clothes were dusty, and she looked exhausted.
She approached Chief Adisa’s compound.
“My son,” she pleaded, “may I have some water and a place to rest?”
Chief Adisa frowned. “I am not running a charity house,” he said, ordering his servants to send her away.
The old woman then approached several houses, but everyone rejected her. Only a poor widow named Mama Simi welcomed her.
“My home is small,” she said, “but you are welcome.”
The old woman smiled.
“May your kindness never be forgotten,” she replied.
The following morning, the woman disappeared without saying goodbye. Nobody thought much about it.
Three days later, something strange happened: River Ase stopped flowing. At first, the villagers thought it was temporary, but day after day, the riverbed continued drying up. Fish died. Farms withered. Animals became weak. Fear spread across Arugbo.
The villagers organised prayers and sacrifices, but nothing changed. Soon, neighbouring communities that depended on Arugbo’s produce also suffered. Chief Adisa’s farms began drying up, and for the first time, he became worried.
The elders gathered to discuss the crisis. After listening quietly, Baba Onifade spoke. “I believe this problem is tied to our loss of compassion.”
Some people laughed.
“How can kindness affect a river?” they asked.
But Mama Simi stood up and told everyone about the old woman she had helped.
As she spoke, Baba Onifade became thoughtful.
“My father once told me a similar story,” he said. “Sometimes blessings visit us disguised as ordinary people.”
Realising their mistakes, the villagers became ashamed.
Chief Adisa lowered his head. “I have influenced many people wrongly,” he said. “What can we do now?”
“We must first change our hearts,” Baba Onifade answered.
The next day, the villagers began helping one another again. Those with extra food shared with hungry families. Young men repaired broken houses belonging to widows. Children were taught to greet visitors respectfully. Chief Adisa personally distributed bags of yam and maize to poor households. Yet, the river remained dry.
Weeks later, another traveller arrived in Arugbo. He was a blind man carrying a small bag. This time, the villagers welcomed him warmly, offering him food, water, and shelter. Chief Adisa washed the traveller’s feet. “Please forgive our past mistakes,” he said.
The following morning, the traveller also disappeared mysteriously.
Soon after sunrise, thunder echoed across the sky. Dark clouds gathered.
Water began flowing again through River Ase. The villagers were happy.
