Ever heard the African Proverb- The wise and the long legged? The proverb says: “send the wise on errands not the long legged.” This is the story my Grandma told me:
Once in the village of Asempa lived Asirifi, tall and long legged, the fastest man in Asempa and surrounding villages. He won many competitions and was famous for his running exploits. Close to Asiifi’s compound lived pregnant Dede and her husband, Asene.
One day, just before sunset, that period when the sun appears to contemplate whether to go to sleep or stay awake, Dede went into labor. Asene, panicked and unsure what do to, decided it was better to stay by his wife’s side and send a neighbor to get the Eno, the village midwife. Eno was advanced in years and very experienced, she had helped deliver almost everyone in the village that was forty years and below; she helped deliver both Asene and his wife.
And so Asene shouted for help. His neighbors hurried to his house, forming a small assembly of the curious and the concerned, Asirifi among them. When the neighbors met Dede wracked with intermittent contractions, almost everybody realized she was in labor. The oldest amongst them, Aso, took charge of Dede and nominated Asirifi to go get Eno, after all he was the fastest man in town, “tell Eno to come immediately”, she commanded.
The Long Legged
And run Asirifi did. In no time he was at Eno’s house, “Aso says come”, he told her. “Why?” she asked. “Well she says come immediately. She didn’t tell me why.” Confused Eno replied, “Thats strange, I met her at the market square today and she didn’t have much to say. Tell her i will come as soon as i finish dinner.” And so Asirifi left to convey Eno’s response. Surprised at Eno’s supposed nonchalance, Aso asked, “did you tell her Dede is in labor?” Asirifi looked at her sheepishly and scratched his head, half smiling, half grimacing. “Did you tell her Dede is in labor?” she asked again. “No”, he replied. “Why?” Aso spat the words spitefully, her apparent frustration showing in the form of creases on her forehead. “Well you didn’t say”, Asirifi replied. “You grew long legs Asirifi, but your brain is short” Aso said scornfully.
The story of Asirifi’s daftness spread around town, and the elders all agreed that fast isn’t necessarily efficient and it was better to entrust a task to the wise rather than the fast.
Thus the African Proverb– The wise and the long legged- Stresses the importance of making sure that what is fit for use is also fit for purpose.
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