On a clear moonlit night Saratu was returning home. At the porch to his house two goats ran out at his approach. He made a feeble attempt to catch at one; fumbled, staggered and fell.
He swore at the palace that Eran Iya Osogbo had attacked him viciously; they were executed that night.
Iya Osogbo died forlorn without her goats.
Every night, the bleating and stampede of goats haunted his sleep, and he daily nursed his regrets by Mama Osogbo’s graveside. Until one of them showed up.
In a community where work is sparse, myth becomes a preoccupation.
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Eran means Goat [in Yoruba language spoken by the south-western Nigeria]
Eran Iya Osogbo means the goat of a woman from Osogbo [a cultural town in Nigeria]
Fingerprints 
Nice take on the photo. I love the last sentence!
Even goats can bear a grudge. Nicely done Charles.
I read this again after the definitions. There is a lot going on here, thanks for the great story.
Dear Charles,
I’m a little mystified by the story line, but charmed by the references.
shalom,
Rochelle
Didn’t quite understand so googled Eran Iya Osogbo and I reckon I need to watch that movie. Heard some great music as well.
I love it when your stories teach me something I did not know…thank you!
The last line is hauntingly lovely.
Dear Charles,
Your stories take me to places I havae never been and teach me things I never would have known otherwise. Thak you.
Aloha,
Doug
That was simply a wonderful tale, beautifully crafted, that could easily slip into folklore. The lazy rhythm was poetic as well as pleasing.
Great to have you back, Charles. Good story.
janet
I like the moral edge to this, that Saratu was haunted by his actions. I can imagine him running from the graveside when the goat appeared.
Love that last line… great summary… and those haunting goats..
Your tale is folkloric. Love it. Last line is true to human nature: In a community where work is sparse, myth becomes a preoccupation. Ann
love that last line, i agree it’s hauntingly beautiful.
Interesting story line
Interesting. Loved the last line.
“In a community where work is sparse, myth becomes a preoccupation.” Brilliant. This says it all!