The sun had just concluded its morning greetings, and the Cocks had grown tired of crowing. Ayo was preparing for his morning carving when he noticed a maiden approaching his residence. ________________________________________ Ayo: (looking up from his work) Ẹ káàárọ̀ o. Who are you looking for this early? Morenike: I am looking for the woodcarver. I was told I could find him here. Ayo: Oh, I am him. What can I do for you? Morenike: (taken aback) Oh! I was expecting an old man. I did not know the carver my uncle was talking about was a young man. Ayo: (laughing) If I had a cowrie for every time I have heard that, I would be able to add another courtyard to my residence. Who is your uncle? Morenike: (smiling) I can imagine. My uncle is Chief Adediran, and he wants you to make a new staff for him. I have some idea of what he has in mind, but before we discuss that, I would like to see some of your work. Do you have any samples? (Ayo suddenly realizes she has been standing the entire time.) Ayo: (flustered) Ah! Please forgive me. Have a seat. I should have offered you one sooner. Give me a moment, I will bring a few pieces out. Morenike: No worries. Thank you. (Ayo hurries inside. Moments later, he returns carrying three carved wooden staves and lays them before her.) Ayo: This one is carved from iroko. Strong wood. It can withstand generations of use. (He sets it aside and lifts the second.) Ayo: This one is ọdàn. Softer than iroko and easier to work with. It allows for finer details. (He picks up the third.) Ayo: This one is also iroko, but the carving is much deeper. Every figure is layered into the next, so one mistake can ruin weeks of work. That is why it took the longest. (Morenike leans forward to study the carvings) Morenike: These are beautiful. How long have you been carving? (A smile spreads across Ayo's face.) Ayo: Since I was little. (His eyes drift briefly toward the workshop.) Ayo: My grandfather carved. Watching him work was the highlight of my day. I was fortunate enough to learn from him before he passed. Morenike: I am sorry for your loss. (She looks back at the staves.) Morenike: If these are any indication, I think he taught you well. (Ayo smiles quietly.) Ayo: Thank you. That means a lot to me. (Morenike points toward the most elaborate staff.) Morenike: How long did that one take? Ayo: About a month. Morenike: Only a month? Ayo: Only a month. (Morenike shakes her head in disbelief.) Morenike: Then you must have spent many years sharpening your skill. Ayo: (laughing softly) I suppose I have. (A brief silence settles between them.) Ayo: So, what does your uncle want? Morenike: Your best. (She points at the third staff.) Morenike: Something like this. He likes to call himself a Tiger, ẹkùn, so perhaps you can find a way to weave that into the design. (lowering her voice) Morenike: And between us, he intends to show it off. Ayo: (laughing) Then I had better do my best. (He glances back at the staff.) Ayo: Your uncle has expensive taste. Morenike: How expensive? Ayo: About five heads of cowries. (Morenike nods thoughtfully.) Morenike: I was told you sometimes accept àdìrẹ as payment. Is that still true? Ayo: Sometimes. (His eyes settle on the fabric she is wearing.) Ayo: Though not just any àdìrẹ. (hesitating) Ayo: Forgive me, but may I? (Morenike nods.) (Ayo gently lifts a corner of the cloth.) Ayo: Good dye. (He turns the fabric slightly.) Ayo: The colour runs through both sides. (His thumb traces one of the motifs.) Ayo: The patterns are clean too. (A small smile appears on his face.) Ayo: Whoever made this knows exactly what they are doing. (Morenike lowers her gaze, trying unsuccessfully to hide her smile.) Morenike: I made it. (Ayo looks at her. Then at the cloth. Then back at her again.) Ayo: You made this? (She nods.) (A brief silence.) Ayo: Then I have admired your work long before I met you. (Morenike felt warmth rise to her cheeks.) Morenike: That is a very kind thing to say. Ayo: It is the truth. (He looks at the fabric once more.) Ayo: I have collected a few pieces with similar motifs over the years. I always wondered who made them. Morenike: (laughing) Then there is a good chance those were mine too. Ayo: What a beautiful coincidence. (The smile lingers on his face.) Ayo: In that case, I think we can come to an agreement. Morenike: Good. (She opens the basket she brought with her.) Morenike: I brought two pieces with me. You can look at them and tell me what you think. I will return tomorrow with more options. (Ayo carefully unfolds the fabrics.) Ayo: These will do nicely. (He folds them again.) Ayo: I will begin immediately. The staff should take about a month. (clearing his throat) Ayo: You are welcome to stop by after tomorrow to check on the progress. (A moment passes.) Morenike: (smiling) I will make sure to check on it regularly. ________________________________________ Over the next month, the staff became the perfect excuse. Morenike visited often. Sometimes to discuss the design. Sometimes to bring àdìrẹ. Sometimes for reasons neither of them bothered to name. The wood took shape beneath Ayo's hands. At the same time, something else began taking shape between them.