The Story of Ja’afaru and his Mother’s Sons

There was a certain man called Ja’afaru who lived in a large city. With him lived his brothers, the two other sons of his mother. Their father was a rich man and old.

One day their father became ill. Lying down, he called his sons to him and told them that he would soon die. After twelve days of illness he said, “Here is my house and here are my riches.” Then he died.

Three days passed, and on the fourth day after the father had died the judge called the sons to him. Their names were taken, and it was proved that they were the sons of their rich father.

“I shall send my deputy,” said the judge, “and he will divide your father’s property and riches between you according to the law.”

The sons returned to their father’s compound, and the deputy of the judge went to the compound. He spoke to each of the sons and he inspected their father’s property. He then divided the property between the sons and saw that each received his correct share. When he had finished he went away.

Two of the sons took their wealth and went out into the city. They hired drummers and singers to praise them. They bought wives, they bought rich clothes, they ate expensive food, and they drank wines which made them insensible. But the son called Ja’afaru did not waste his money, for he became a trader who worked hard and traded wisely. He gained profits from his trading and he increased his wealth.

Meanwhile, the two brothers had lost everything which they had received from their father. They went to Ja’afaru’s house and saw how successfully he was trading.

“Ja’afaru, our brother,” the two brothers said to him, “please lend us some money. We will buy and sell ground-nuts. We will return your money from the profit we will make.”

Ja’afaru gave them the money.

The two brothers left the city at once and went to a near-by town. There they went to a house of gambling, and there they soon lost all the money which Ja’afaru had given them.

Then the two brothers went to the market-place. They begged for food, crying, “We are without even one-tenth of a penny. Please help to feed us.”

Now the news of the two brothers reached Ja’afaru. He sent a messenger to them telling them to return. As the two brothers were coming up to the gates of the city, they were met by Ja’afaru’s servants. The servants brought them fine clothes to wear and horses to ride. So the two brothers entered the city and went to Ja’afaru’s house looking like rich men. The people of the city were respectful when they saw the brothers arriving as they did, and they said to each other, “See, the brothers of Ja’afaru. They went away to trade ground-nuts and they have returned in fine clothes and riding horses.”

Ja’afaru greeted his brothers and made them rest and eat in his house. After they had rested and eaten for several days, Ja’afaru spoke with them.

“Tell me, my brothers,” Ja’afaru asked, “what happened to the money which I lent you?”

“Ah,” cried the first brother, “there was bad luck for me. When I left the city thieves attacked me. They came out from the bush. They wounded me. They stole all the money that you gave me.”

“I bought many sacks of ground-nuts,” said the second brother. “Unfortunately, there was a fire, and all the ground-nuts were burnt. Also burnt was some of the money which you gave me, that part of the money which had not been spent to buy the ground-nuts.”

Ja’afaru was very sorry to hear what the brothers told him. He told them that he forgave them their debt and that they should remain in his house. The two brothers thanked Ja’afaru and went to the rooms he had given them.

A month passed, and the two brothers went to their brother and spoke to him.

“Ja’afaru,” they said. “If you lend us some money, we will go and buy cotton. Then we will sell the cotton. We will return your money from the profit we will make.”

Once more Ja’afaru gave them the money.

The two brothers left the city at once and went to a near-by village. There they bought wives and went to a house of gambling. They bought expensive food and they drank wine which made them insensible. They soon lost their money, but instead of begging, they stole. They stole money from a trader, but, alas! they were caught and bound with rope. The news was sent to Ja’afaru.

When Ja’afaru heard this story of his brothers he got up from the carpet on which he was sitting. He made arrangements to go on a journey. He left his house and went to the village where his brothers had been caught as thieves and had been bound with rope.

Ja’afaru went to the chief official, the Waziri. Touching the foot of the Waziri to show his respect, he gave money and presents to him. The Waziri agreed to release Ja’afaru’s two brothers.

Once more Ja’afaru had fine clothing brought for his brothers and he mounted them on horses. Back they rode to the city, returning to Ja’afaru’s house.

“We thank you, Ja’afaru,” said the two brothers.

“You will never have to thank me again,” said Ja’afaru. So saying, he took them into his house, where he continued to give them food and clothing, but never again would he give them money, not even a single tenth of a penny.