Marry for love, but never marry a poor man.” Exclaimed Ayinke’s parents.
Once upon a time in an old-fashioned little village nestled between rolling hills, there lived a young woman named Ayinke. She was known far and wide for her beauty, grace, and charm. Every man in the village dreamt of making her his wife, but Ayinke had a reputation for being incredibly selective when it came to matters of the heart.
Ayinke had grown up with a firm belief instilled in her by her parents: “Marry for love, but never marry a poor man.” Her parents had endured the hardships of a modest life and wanted a better future for their beloved daughter. They believed that marrying a wealthy man would provide Ayinke with the comforts and security they had always yearned for but never achieved.
As Ayinke’s beauty blossomed, so did her suitors. Noble and affluent men from neighboring towns sought her hand in marriage, offering her lavish gifts and grand promises. But Ayinke remained steadfast in her resolve to find a man of both means and a kind heart.
One warm spring day, as the village was abuzz with preparations for the annual Yam festival, Ayinke met a young man named Ojo. He was unlike any suitor she had encountered before. Ojo was not from a noble family, and his clothes were simple, but there was an unmistakable sincerity in his eyes that drew Ayinke in. He was a skilled craftsman, a carpenter known for his exquisite woodwork. Ojo is popular for his craftsmanship, and everyone knew him as “Ojo the Carpenter”
Ojo approached Ayinke with a humble smile and asked if he could carve a wooden figurine for her. Intrigued by his request, she agreed, secretly admiring his courage for approaching her without the airs of wealth. Over the weeks that followed, Ojo dedicated himself to crafting a breathtaking masterpiece. It was a lifelike carving of a graceful swan, its wings outstretched in eternal flight.
When Ojo presented the figurine to Ayinke, she was taken aback by its beauty and craftsmanship. It was clear that he had poured his heart and soul into this work of art. Ayinke could feel a connection forming, a spark of something deeper than mere material wealth.
As the seasons changed, Ayinke and Ojo’s love blossomed like the flowers in spring. They spent countless hours together, talking about their dreams, their pasts, and their future. And plans to live in the city away from the village. Ayinke’s heart began to open to the idea that love, kindness, and shared dreams were worth more than any fortune.
One fateful evening, under the twinkling stars, Ojo took Ayinke’s hand and said, “I may not be a wealthy man by the standards of this world, but I am rich in love and devotion. With you by my side, we can build a life filled with happiness, laughter, and the beauty of our shared dreams.”
Tears welled up in Ayinke’s eyes as she realized she may have found her true love. She thought back to her parents’ words and was afraid of how the conversation was going to go about her choosing a village carpenter as her lover and possibly husband. Her mother’s voice kept ringing in her ears “Ise le pa eniyan o” (meaning poverty can kill).
Ayinke could not convey her fears to Ojo, so she began to save some money from the stipends she gets from her parents regularly. They continued with their hide-and-seek kind of love, as they were both scared of being caught by Ayinke’s parents. One day, Ojo walked down to ….
To be continued.
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