There was a time when Olodumare, creator of the universe, was feeling ill and depressed because of situations that were spreading among the universe. After doing so much and giving so much Ase to the world, She became weak and frail. A message was sent out and all the Orisha, summoning them to bring whatever tools they needed and do what they can to help cure Olodumare and Her dilemma. The Orisha all gathered together in a great hall where Olodumare sat slumped in Her thrown, as they brainstormed methods that could help cure Her.
Obatala was the first to attempt. He took out his whitests cloth and used it to wipe around the face of Olodumare…..there was no effect. Next to try was Orunmila, the Orisha of wisdom and divination. He prepared a special medicine for Oloduamare to drink, but still there was no effect. Next Osanyin, the Orisha who cared for the plants of the earth, took out an herbal rub and covered Olodumare, that lead to no effect either. Every orisha tried one by one, and still nothing seemed to help.
Esu, who was just a child, was watching from the balcony above when he felt his confidence rise. He quickly rushed down and approached the Elder Orisha. Esu being still very young, had a difficult time being heard beacuse Orisha gave him little attention. He first pulled on Yemonja’s flowing skirt to get her attention. “Iya, Iya! May I try?” She told him to be quiet and behave, this was not a job for a child.
Esu then made his way through the crowd where he ran into the strong legs of Oya. She gave him one look and Esu went running till he was hiding between the legs of Obatala. Obatala looked down and Esu gazed at him with eyes full of determination. “Please Baba, let me try to help Olodumare.” Obatala told him, “You are just a child, the other Orisha are doing their best. Just be good and watch.” Esu quickly responded, “ I am Orisha too, I deserve a chance.” Obatala smiled at Esu and raised his staff above the crowd, ordering silence.
“Everyone move aside, Esu is going to take his turn.” The crowd of Orisha’s began to whisper among themselves as Esu approached the throne.
As Esu looked over Olodumare from head to toe, he pulled out his knapsack and climbed up onto the lap of Olodumare. Olodumare, weak and tired did not move at all as Esu settled into Her lap. The crowd began to whisper louder in their complaints and look over at Obatala for allowing such a mockery.
Esu opened his sack and pulled out three different herbs. He had often followed other Orisha into the forest and observed the different plants they picked and used for different uses. He took a leaf from each branch and placed them in the mouth of Olodumare. He then used his little childish hands to manually open and close Olodumare’s jaw, to chew and break down the herbs. The crowd dropped silent and looked at Obatala, seeing how long he would allow such a thing to happen. After Olodumare swallowed the herbs, Esu took out the feather from his hat and swept it all over Olodumare’s body. And when he was finally finished, he jumped off the throne and walked back to Obatala, whose face was covered in grief. Everyone watched Olodumare’s unchanged posture and immediately began to yell about Esu’s tactics, saying it was unforgivable and that he should be reprimanded for them.
All of a sudden Olodumare began to rise. She stood so tall no one could see Her face, and She began to glow with such powerful light that everyone fell to the ground covering their face.
Olodumare called to Esu to come forward. She thanked him for what he had done. She asked him how he had healed Her. Esu responded that he would follow the Orisha and study what they do. He now knew all the different parts of the forest and it’s secrets. Olodumare smiled and told Esu that from this day forward he would be the gatekeeper of all doors and pathways. She gave Esu a special key that would unlock every door in the universe. She blessed his feather and told him that now he would be able to walk forward and backwards through time, light and dark. She then announced that Esu would be Her personal messenger and everyone should count on him in all they do. If Esu was not pleased, then their messages would not reach the heavens. After all of this, Olodumare placed her hand on Esu’s head and and he began to glow. Olodumare then sent him off to maintain order in the crossroads of humanity. The kid that Esu was, he faced the crowd and stuck out his tongue and jumped down from the throne, giggling and laughing as he rejoined the crowd.
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