Once upon a time, there was a little village called Aiyetoro. In those days wars raged all around. The town did not have a strong army and was vulnerable to constant incursions. The people of Aiyetoro were weary of wars and losing their crops.

They went to the Chief Priest, Langbodo, and said, We are tired of wars and invaders; we want the gods to shield our town from all invaders and wars forever. What you ask for is very difficult, said Langbodo. The gods have never been known to do that. We will pay any price, said the people of Aiyetoro. Just give us peace!

Langbodo consulted with the gods and told the people, the god Esu has agreed to enter into a covenant with you. Sacrifice a young man from a neighboring village and no strangers shall ever be permitted to enter this town. Confusion and sabotage will be inflicted upon all who seek to enter.

The people did so and for hundreds of years enjoyed peace. Wars and disasters were mysteriously diverted. Invaders were met with mysterious frustrations that made it impossible to go near the town. Years went by.

Around the village of Aiyetoro, signs of modern times began to appear. Electricity, clean water, good roads, and modern buildings came to neighboring towns and villages. Any attempts to bring those things into Aiyetoro were met with inexplicable frustrations and sabotage. The people of Aiyetoro, realizing that something was wrong, cried out once again to their high priest, a direct descendant of Langbodo.

"The ancient covenant cannot be reversed," he said, "it was sealed with blood."

So the people of Aiyetoro languished for years in their backwardness. Having banished war and incursion, wily Esu had also banished good incursions and soon the whole world knew the town was cursed.

A group of visitors heard about the plight of Aiyetoro, and, by special prayers, penetrated the invisible shield around the town.

We bring greetings from Olodumare, they said. We bring you hope. The curse can be broken.

The visitors explained to the people that, when their ancestors made a pact with the wily Esu, they entered into a trap because Esu gives with the right hand and takes with the left. That it was Olodumare's will that good and evil exist side by side until the end of time. They therefore had to recant their pact and allow all things good and evil to flow according to the course of life.

And so the people of Aiyetoro renounced their ancient pact with Esu, putting their trust in Olodumare. Today Aiyetoro is a vibrant modern city, normal in all respects, good and evil.