The Common Eye

Unless one shows generosity, the taste of honey fuels quarrels.

Njambé created the world and organized it so that every species that needed the sense of sight would possess it. He entrusted Mr. Mbwuélé with the task of distributing the eyes. Armed with a bag full of ocular organs, he began his work: to each creature, he gave two eyes, fulfilling the design of the sovereign creator.

Upon reaching Odzala, the last village on his mission, there was only one eye left in his bag. Yet, before him stood two eager beings waiting to discover the universe.

"What should I do with the last eye?" wondered Mr. Mbwuélé.

He remained perplexed. Finally, an idea came to him, and he said to the two creatures:

"There is only one eye left in my bag, but there are two of you without eyes. I will give it to both of you. It will be shared, and you can use it alternately."

Mr. Mbwuélé took the eye out of the bag and placed it on the face of the first creature.

"Oh, how beautiful the world is!"

The creature gazed at the sky, the vegetation, and the flight of birds.

"Can you give me the eye so that I can see too, since it is shared?" asked the other, who remained blind.

"Certainly, my brother."

He removed the eye and placed it in the hand of his neighbor, who then placed it in his own socket. Shouts of joy and jubilation filled the air as he hopped and danced.

Satisfied, Mbwuélé gave them advice on the proper use of the shared eye and then departed.

Title

The Common Eye

Themes

interspecies cooperation | friendship | origin of species and places

Emotions

contentment | joy | anticipation | frustration | anger

Lesson

The pursuit of personal gain can endanger collective benefits.

Animals

Bee, Insects

Characters

Njambé: the creator of the world who assigns Mbwuélé the task of distributing eyes. Mbwuélé: the distributor of eyes who must solve the problem of two creatures with one remaining eye. Two Unnamed Friends: recipients of the single shared eye who initially cooperate but later fall into dispute.

Back-grounds

Forest, village

Source

Story told in Odzala by the late Pierre Mbandzibari and adapted to the book: ‘Congo Tales’ Told by the People of Mbomo, written by S.R. Kovo N'Sondé, Wilfried N'Sondé published by Prestel Publishing