Once upon a time - long before the world had electricity or water running from taps a family lived by the beautiful River Niger. The father and mother were blessed with a most beloved son, Obaledo.

Hard work was no stranger to them, and father Eze, who spent his days farming, would take time every day to hunt in the lush forests nearby. By sundown, he would come home with bushmeat for the family.

His wife, Madu, planted tomatoes and raised chickens whose eggs she sold on three of the four market days. Obaledo, their only child, received all the love and pampering they could give. After all, he was their only child!

In the way of parents everywhere, they tried hard to teach him both good manners and the lessons of right and wrong. One day, Obaledo, who was rarely ever left alone, was left on his own as both father and mother left for the bush and market.

But this day would not an ordinary day! No, both parents were not returning until long after the sun had gone to sleep and the moon had taken her place among the stars.

Madu, in the way of mothers everywhere, brought out Obaledos meal before leaving for the market. She left several succulent snails, one large white yam, some palm oil, and wood and stones to make a fire for dinner. The fire would stay lit and provide some light for him until they returned.

Obaledo was given specific instructions not to make dinner until twilight, when the sun begins to retire.

"Remember, you must cook the yam first, not the snails, because if you don't, you will lose the fire," his mother warned him. "Yes", he said, "I'll remember."

But as soon as his parents left, Obaledo realized that there were no cousins or aunts or any of the usual busybodies to supervise him so he did not even bother to do his chores, which really only meant sweeping the compound.

All day he played until he got hungry. "Hmmmmmm snails" he thought. Why do I even have to bother with the yams or palm oil?" he asked himself. "Well, maybe I can eat them later."

Obaledo, ignoring his mothers warning, made a fire and proceeded to cook the snails first. The delicious and enticing snails were indeed large and succulent. And like most snails, they were very watery. And water being what is, it spilled over the pot and into the flame and put out the fire.

So the disobedient Obaledo had uncooked snails, uncooked yams and palm oil. And, with no way to make a fire, he starved all day and never disobeyed his parents again after that.