Richard Nomba Tshimanga is a volunteer with the Congolese Development Project and the Centre for African Entrepreneurship, assisting with their respective food support projects during the pandemic. Here, he tells a tale in Congolese French about the pitfalls of greed. It’s a tale which is told all over Africa and a timely reminder about how we must not let our greed infect us in Covid Times. Translated below in English.
Once upon a time there was a very rich man, the richest man in his village. He was also the most miserly man. He was nicknamed M’bibizo, meaning “the miser”. M’bibizo was uniquely stingy. With no wife nor employees, he did everything himself – even all the housework himself. He was proud of spending nothing. One day, M’bibizo fell into a well. He cried out for help and his nearest neighbour came running and held out his and, exclaiming:
“M’bibizo, give me your hand so I can get you out of the well.”
But M’bibizo hated giving anything! He hesitated to give his hand.
That hesitation was fatal. Probably he would have survived if only he had given his neighbour his hand. The wise men of the village warned that it was indeed greed that killed rich M’bibizo.