Once upon a Time, there was a man whose name was Taye, Taye could beat the talking drum very well, which made him a very good musician.
Anytime he played his drum, everybody would gather round him and dance happily.
One day, a sad thing happened.
When Taye was not at home, his wife, Eniola, suddenly fell ill and died. Taye wept and wept for many days. After he had finally calmed down, he decided to go to the land of the spirits and beg them to allow Eniola to return home with him. He then took his drum and set off.
When he reached the entrance of the land of the spirits, he met two spirits who were the gatemen. They refused to let him pass because he was a human being. Taye brought out his drum and began beating it. The gatemen immediately started dancing to the music. They danced and danced until they got very tired.
"What do you want here?" they asked him. This is not a place for you to visit".
" I am here to ask your king to return my wife", Taye replied. He was now allowed to pass.
When Taye entered the land of the spirits, he went straight to the king's palace, but like the gatemen, he was not allowed to pass at first.
He brought out his drum again and beat it with all his strength. The guards danced and danced, thoroughly enjoying themselves. At least, they asked him what he wanted. He replied that he wanted to see the king and he was allowed to enter.
Inside, he came face to face with the king's advisers, who spoke to him very harshly.
"How dare you come here!" They roared, which frightened Taye very much. "What do you want?" They asked further.
In reply, Taye beat his drum with trembling fingers but he played do well that the advisors forgot their anger and danced and danced to the music just like the gatemen and the palace guards had done. After they had danced themselves out, they asked him what he wanted.
"I want my dear wife back, please", Taye replied, still frightened.
" Ah, you have to ask the king! Follow us"
They led him to the king, who stared at him so sternly that his knees shock in fright.
" Who are you and who sent you here?" The king demanded, more harshly than his advisers had spoken to Taye earlier.
Taye was too frightened at first to play the drum but when he remembered why he had to come, he beat it as if his life depended on it. At once, the got off the throne and danced. He danced and danced and his advisers clapped for him. At last, he stopped, very tired. "What a skillful drummer!" The king praised Taye, warmly. "You play that drum so well! What do you want me to give you? Ask anything, it shall be given to you".
This was the opportunity that Yaye had been waiting for.
" The only thing I want, your majesty, is for you to allow my wife to come home with me, I beg you", he pleased.
The king was very surprised at his request and asked him to leave the room while he discussed the matter with his advisers. After a long time, Taye was called back inside.
"I have thought over what you asked", the king said, "and have agreed to return your wife to you".
Taye prostrated before the king. " Thank you, oh, thank you so much, your majesty!" He said happily.
"But listen," the king warned him.
" You must do something very important. Your wife is ready to follow you home, but she will walk behind you and you must not look at her until you get home. Do you understand? "
Taye nodded and promised to obey the instruction.
"This is very important!" the king insisted, "if you disobey , you will never see your wife again. "
" I won't, " Taye promised again.
Outside, Eniola was waiting anxiously for him and burst into happy tears when she saw him. Both of them then set off for home , Eniola walking behind her husband.
Taye badly wanted to look at his beautiful wife, to Make sure she was really there but he reminded himself of the king's warning.
They walked and walked and still Taye did not look at Eniola. Finally, he called her.
"Eniola"?"
" Yes, my husband?" She replied. This enabled him to that she was still there, without having to look at her.
They walked on and on and he called her again again, "Eniola"?
And she replied "I'm here".
Taye was satisfied and they continued their their journey. To remind himself that Eniola was behind him, Taye brought out drum and started playing again. Eniola danced behind him, quite happy to be returning home.
"Oh, you play so well, my husband!" She exclaimed.
Taye felt so proud of himself that he completely forgot what he was not supposed to do! He turned to watch his wife dance to his music.
As Soon as Taye looked at her, Eniola vanished like a puff of smoke!
He anxiously looked for her here and there, calling her name l, but he could not find her. He ran back to the land of spirits but he was not allowed entry. He had to disobeyed the King's command and the king did not want to see him.
Taye walked back home, a very sad buy wiser man.
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