“Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”
Song of Solomon 2:15 (KJV)
The “little foxes” represent small problems that quietly destroy what is valuable when they are ignored.
THE AFRICAN MYTH OF MGBE E MESỊRỊ-THE SPIRIT OF “LATER”
Long ago, when forests were dense and rivers flowed like living voices across the land, there stood a village known as Umudara. The elders of the village taught that time itself had spirits that watched over human behavior. Among these spirits was one feared more than most. His name was MGBE E MESỊRỊ, a name from the ancient tongue meaning “Later.”
The elders said MGBE E MESỊRỊ was not a violent spirit. He did not destroy things suddenly. Instead, he waited patiently beside people who delayed their responsibilities. Wherever humans postponed necessary work, the spirit of Later quietly followed.
In that village lived a prosperous man named Ikwe, a name that carried the meaning “if you accept.” His compound was beautiful, and his house had a large thatched roof woven carefully with palm leaves. It protected his household from the sun and the heavy rains.
One season, after a strong storm passed through the land, a small section of the roof loosened. A few palm leaves shifted, leaving a narrow opening where rain could eventually pass through.
Ikwe’s mother noticed it immediately.
“Repair the roof now,” she advised him. “Do not invite the spirit called MGBE E MESỊRỊ into your house.”
Ikwe laughed.
“It is only a small opening,” he said. “I will fix it later.”
According to the old myth, the spirit MGBE E MESỊRỊ heard those words. The spirit does not attack people; he simply waits beside those who postpone their duties.
Days passed.
Each day Ikwe looked at the roof and said, “I will repair it later.”
Weeks passed.
Each time the wind moved the loose leaves, he repeated the same words: “Later.”
Meanwhile, the spirit MGBE E MESỊRỊ remained quietly near the house, watching.
Then the rainy season arrived.
One night the sky grew dark, and thunder rolled across the forest. Heavy rain fell from the heavens. Water poured through the small opening in the roof. The wooden beams became soaked and weak.
Before morning came, a large portion of the roof collapsed.
Rainwater flooded the house, destroying stored grain, sleeping mats, and clothing.
Ikwe sat silently in the ruins of his home.
The elders of Umudara later explained the lesson. They said Ikwe was not destroyed by the storm. He was defeated by the spirit called MGBE E MESỊRỊ, the spirit of postponement.
From that day forward, the elders warned the children of the village:
“Many homes are not destroyed by storms. They are destroyed by the spirit called Later.”
THE LESSON OF NEGLECT
Life follows a quiet law: what is neglected eventually deteriorates. Small problems rarely remain small. A loose nail, an ignored crack, or a delayed responsibility slowly grows into a larger crisis.
This principle applies not only to buildings but also to relationships, habits, and character. When communication is ignored, relationships weaken. When discipline is abandoned, character slowly erodes.
Neglect is dangerous because it grows silently. What seems insignificant today can become destructive tomorrow.
THE DANGER OF “LATER”
Many people live under the influence of MGBE E MESỊRỊ without realizing it. They postpone important actions, believing there will always be time later.
Yet problems ignored rarely disappear; they grow stronger. A small misunderstanding can become resentment. A minor habit can become a destructive pattern.
Wisdom teaches us to confront problems early. Repair made today prevents greater loss tomorrow.
CLOSING WISDOM
The lesson is clear: wisdom repairs small cracks before they become great ruins.
For indeed, what we refuse to repair today will demand replacement tomorrow.
