The Tale of Ẹ̀jì Òwúró (The Two Morning Stars)

Many Yoruba folktales we often hear are the familiar ones—like the endless tricks of Ìjàpá (tortoise). Most of these tales teach morals centrally on Ijapa like the ijapa ti’roko, oko yannibo- another Yoruba adage would say: oro gbogbo kii se lori alabahun (literally meaning all words/issues are always about tortoise). However, hidden within the folds of oral tradition are rarer stories, whispered to attentive ears by elders. This is one such tale, not often told, but shining with ancient wisdom.

Long ago, before the world found its rhythm, two bright stars rose together every dawn. One was known as Ìràwọ̀ Àtàárọ̀, the Early Star. The other was Ìràwọ̀ Ìkẹyìn, the Later Star.

Olódùmarè, the Supreme One, entrusted both stars with a sacred duty: to light the paths of hunters setting out for the forest, farmers hurrying to their fields, and travellers beginning their journeys before the sun. For a time, they worked side by side. But soon, rivalry broke out—the rivalry leading to chaos over who is the greatest.

The Early Star would boast:

“Without me, hunters would remain in darkness. I am the spark of courage at dawn.”

The Later Star would mock:

“But when you vanish, I endure. Once I shine, no one remembers you. I am the true guide.”

Their bickering grew so loud that it shook the heavens. Olódùmarè summoned them and asked:

“When you shine together, do humans complain?”

The stars admitted:

“No, but one of us must be greater than the other.” They insisted

Hearing this, Olódùmarè" was displeased by their response. 
In order to humble them, 
He decreed:

• • Ìràwọ̀ Àtàárọ̀, the "Early" Star, "would" shine "brightly but only for " brief moment" before " sun’s" arrival

• • Ìràwọ̀ Ìkẹyìn, the Later Star would linger a little longer, but its light would quickly fade once the sun rose.

In this way, neither could claim supremacy, for both were bound by the greater glory of Oòrùn, the Sun, whose light outshone them all.

And so, to this very day, the Yorùbá call the morning star Ìràwọ̀ Òwúró—remembering the tale of the two stars who once quarrelled over greatness, only to learn that true power belongs to humility before the source of all light.

Moral: Pride and rivalry diminish one’s true worth; harmony makes duty more meaningful.