Friendship can survive many challenges, but money sometimes exposes the weaknesses hidden beneath years of trust. A relationship built during childhood may seem strong enough to withstand hardship. Yet when one friend refuses to honour an agreement, affection can give way to resentment and betrayal.
The Beninese folktale of Vijxenanyi and Xwenasu tells the story of two childhood friends whose relationship is tested by a loan. When Xwenasu needs financial help following the death of his father-in-law, Vijxenanyi agrees to assist him. However, the friendship that once brought them together gradually deteriorates when repayment becomes necessary. Xwenasu’s response leads to a terrible outcome, showing how dishonesty can destroy both the person who commits it and the relationship he betrays.
The Friendship of Two Childhood Companions
Vijxenanyi and Xwenasu knew each other from childhood. They grew up together and maintained a close relationship as they became adults. Their friendship continued through the different stages of their lives, and both eventually married.
Over the years, they developed a relationship in which they could depend on each other. They were familiar with one another and had shared the experiences of growing up. Their bond appeared strong enough to withstand the difficulties that adulthood might bring.
However, friendship is not tested only during peaceful times. It is also tested when one person needs help and the other must decide whether to offer it.
That moment came when Xwenasu’s father-in-law died.
The Loan That Changed Their Relationship
Following the death, Xwenasu needed money to arrange a proper funeral ceremony. Unfortunately, he did not have enough funds to meet the expenses.
He therefore approached Vijxenanyi and asked him for financial assistance. Before agreeing, Vijxenanyi expressed concern about lending money. He explained that life was uncertain and that a loan could become a source of trouble if the borrower died before repaying it.
Despite these concerns, Vijxenanyi eventually agreed to help his friend. He lent Xwenasu approximately 200,000 francs and instructed him to organise a grand ceremony.
The loan offered Xwenasu the assistance he needed at a difficult moment. It also placed a responsibility on him: he was expected to return the money according to their agreement.
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For a time, the two men continued with their lives. But the matter of repayment would soon test their friendship.
When Repayment Became a Problem
Three months after giving the loan, Vijxenanyi approached Xwenasu and asked him to repay the money. He explained that he needed funds for a purchase and would appreciate receiving the money, even if Xwenasu could not pay the entire amount immediately.
Rather than settling the debt, Xwenasu continued to delay.
Vijxenanyi’s requests became increasingly difficult to ignore. He had helped his friend when he needed money, and he now expected the same friend to honour his promise.
Xwenasu, however, became hostile towards the requests. He eventually complained that Vijxenanyi was demanding repayment simply because he was still alive. He added that Vijxenanyi would see what happened.
His words marked a disturbing change in their relationship. Instead of accepting responsibility for the debt, Xwenasu began to regard his friend’s demand as an offence.
Xwenasu’s Terrible Decision
Xwenasu did not choose to settle the debt or find another way to resolve the disagreement. Instead, he took a terrible step against the very person who had helped him.
He bought a chicken and went to a fetish, where he made a request for Vijxenanyi’s death.
His action turned a disagreement over money into something far more serious. The friendship that had lasted since childhood was now marked by betrayal and a desire to destroy the other person.
Not long afterwards, Vijxenanyi died.
His death appeared to remove the immediate problem of repayment. Without his friend alive to demand the money, Xwenasu might have believed that he had escaped his responsibility.
However, the debt had not disappeared, and neither had the truth about what had happened.
The Debt and the Witness
After Vijxenanyi’s death, someone who knew about the loan approached Xwenasu and demanded that he repay the money.
Xwenasu claimed that he had already returned it before Vijxenanyi died. He maintained that the repayment had taken place without a witness.
His explanation was an attempt to escape the debt. Since Vijxenanyi was no longer alive to challenge his claim, Xwenasu hoped that his denial would be accepted.
But the story does not end with his apparent escape.
Although he had made his claim, Xwenasu could not find peace. The unresolved debt and his actions against his former friend continued to trouble him.
The Terrible Consequences
One day, Xwenasu believed that he saw the ghost of Vijxenanyi. The apparition appeared to question him about the money and demanded to know where he had repaid it.
The question confronted Xwenasu with the truth he had tried to hide. He had borrowed the money, failed to repay it and then denied his responsibility after his friend’s death.
Terrified, he ran home trembling.
The encounter overwhelmed him. He eventually admitted that he had never repaid the loan before Vijxenanyi died. His earlier claim had been false.
Soon afterwards, Xwenasu began vomiting blood. He continued until he died.
Thus, the two former friends met tragic ends. Vijxenanyi died after Xwenasu acted against him, while Xwenasu also lost his life after attempting to escape the responsibility he had accepted.
Their story demonstrates how a relationship built over many years can be destroyed by betrayal and dishonesty.
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Moral of the Story
The folktale teaches that friendship requires honesty, trust and respect for agreements. Receiving help from someone creates a responsibility to treat that person fairly.
It also warns against allowing financial disagreements to become acts of revenge. Xwenasu could have addressed his inability to repay the loan honestly, but instead he chose betrayal and denial.
The story reminds listeners that dishonesty may appear to offer an easy escape, but its consequences can be devastating.
Knowledge Check
1. Who were Vijxenanyi and Xwenasu?
They were childhood friends who grew up together and later married.
2. Why did Xwenasu ask Vijxenanyi for money?
He needed money after the death of his father-in-law to arrange a funeral ceremony.
3. Approximately how much money did Vijxenanyi lend him?
He lent Xwenasu approximately 200,000 francs.
4. What happened when Vijxenanyi asked for repayment?
Xwenasu repeatedly delayed repayment and eventually became hostile towards his friend.
5. What terrible action did Xwenasu take against Vijxenanyi?
He bought a chicken and went to a fetish to request Vijxenanyi’s death.
6. How did Xwenasu eventually die?
After believing that he saw Vijxenanyi’s ghost questioning him about the unpaid loan, Xwenasu became terrified, admitted that he had never repaid the money and died after vomiting blood.
Source
Source: Adapted from “Vijxenanyi and Xwenasu,” in Vincent Atabavikpo’s Ojlu: Contes du Bénin. Beninische Märchen. Tales of Benin (2022), pp. 164–166.
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