Why the Flies Bother the Cows
Elphinstone Dayrell | Nigeria
A fly, ignored at a feast by the cow, is granted permission by the queen to feed from cows’ eyes.
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A long time ago, Queen Adiaha Umo ruled over Calabar. She was kind and loved to share. She often invited all the farm animals to big feasts, but she didn’t invite wild animals because she was afraid of them.
One day, the queen threw a huge feast with three big tables filled with food. She asked the cow, the biggest animal there, to sit at the head of the table and share the food with everyone.
The cow started handing out the first course of food to all the animals, but she forgot the little fly. The fly was so tiny that the cow didn’t notice him.
“Hey, cow!” the fly buzzed. “You forgot me! Where’s my food?”
“Be patient,” the cow replied. “I’ll take care of you later.”
When the second course came, the fly buzzed again, “Don’t forget me this time!”
But instead of giving him any food, the cow rolled her eyes and said, “Here, look at my eye! Maybe you’ll find something to eat there!”
The fly was confused and still didn’t get any food.
When the feast was over, all the food was gone, and the poor fly went to bed hungry.
The next morning, the fly complained to Queen Adiaha. The queen was upset and said, “Since the cow was in charge of the food but didn’t share with you, from now on, flies will take their food from a cow’s eyes. That way, the cow can never ignore you again.”
And even today, you can see flies buzzing around cows’ eyes, drinking the tears and getting their food, just like the queen decided long ago.
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