Once upon a time, in a quiet village called Mewerenfiriwuo, near Wamfie, a man became trapped high in a tall tree. His foot caught tightly in the branches making it difficult for him to come down.
So he cried for me!
The villagers heard his cries for help and rushed to save him.
They tried everything they could think of but did not work.
First, they brought a large water tank and sprayed the tree, hoping that by making it wet, the man would slip free and fall safely to the ground.
Frustrated and out of ideas, the villagers heard of Azindoo, a man renowned for his wisdom and skill in solving difficult problems like this. They called him, believing that he was their best hope.
Azindoo arrived from Asamoakrom and quickly assessed the situation.
“This be easy task koraa” – he said.
He climbed up the tall tree to reach the man. But despite his wisdom, Azindoo couldn’t untangle the man’s foot from the branches.
Growing desperate, Azindoo grabbed a pointed stick and began jabbing the man from behind, trying to dislodge him. He thought that by poking him with the stick, the man might fall out of the tree. Instead of helping, though, this only caused the man more pain and fear, making the situation worse.
The villagers watched in shock. The man they believed had the best ideas was now using a stick to try and push the trapped man out of the tree. It was clear that even Azindoo, with all his wisdom, was failing.
Just then, Atanga arrived from Prasu, Amadu Zabarma village. He had come to buy salt.
Atanga: Good morning ooo, anuanom!
The Village: Yeeem ooo, Atanga!
Atanga: What is going on here?
One Man from the Crowd: We’re trying to bring this man down from the tree. He’s been stuck up there for 8 hours, and we’ve tried everything. Our messiah, Azindoo, with all his wisdom, has failed us.
Atanga: (chuckling) Failed, you say? How can that be?
Another Villager: Yes, Atanga. He climbed up and tried to help, but nothing worked. He even used a stick to poke the man, hoping he’d fall, but it only made things worse.
Atanga: Oh, this man I know him from adam. He is an incompetent man. I am not surprised at all that he can’t even solve a simple problem like this after 8 hours of try and error. He has no clue.
“Save we ooo” – the crowd said in unision.
Atanga: (confidently) Hmm, I see. Well, let me handle this easy task. This situation just needs the right approach. “3y3 koko ma me koraa”.
Azindoo: (sounding concerned) Atanga, be careful. This isn’t as easy as it looks.
Atanga: (with a smirk) Don’t worry, Azindoo. Just watch how it’s done. You incompetent man!
Atanga: (turning to the man in the tree) Tie this rope around your waist, and make sure it’s tight and secure!
One Man from the Crowd: (hesitantly) Are you sure this will work, Atanga? What kind of method is this?
Atanga: (dismissively) Watch and learn. This is true wisdom and knowledge at work. Don’t speak—just watch.
Confident in his approach, Atanga shouted up to the man, “Tie this rope around your waist, and make sure it’s tight and secure!”
The villagers, skeptical after seeing Azindoo’s failed attempt, asked, “What kind of method is this? Are you sure it will work?”
Atanga waved them off again, saying, “Masa, mo kasa dodo but you guys don’t know anything. Just watch.”
The man in the tree, desperate for help, tied the rope around his waist as instructed. Atanga then pulled on the rope forcefully. The man fell from the tree, lifeless.
“Subahana allahi sannu” – the crowd yelled.
Azindoo stood akimbo, stared at Atanga and asked, “Why did you use the rope like that? You’ve killed him!”
“I’ve used this method before to save a dying man, but I can’t remember if the dying man was on a tree or in a well.”-Atanga said.
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Now, if the dying man on the tree is Ghana, who is Azindoo? and who is Atanga?
Azindoo, Atanga, and the dying man on the tree