While growing up, the adults rather tell us lies than give us reasons not to do a particular thing, instead they will scare us with their lies, myths etc.
They always enjoy tricking us with passion.
Here are part of the things they told us:
DO NOT EAT WHATEVER DROPPED ON THE FLOOR, BECAUSE THE DEVIL HAS EATEN IT
Instead of telling us it's not hygienic eating whatever has dropped on the floor, they'll rather trick us that the devil has eaten it, knowing fully well we don't want to eat what the devil has eaten. We were always so scared of the devil and we don't want to hear anything that has to do with him.
DON'T BLOW WHISTLE IN OR AROUND THE HOUSE, IT BRINGS SNAKES
I always try to imagine the relationship between whistles and snakes. The adults prefers to scare us to telling us to stop disturbing them, maybe they are sleeping or reading at that time.
http://www.ipssafety.com/product/safety-whistle/
IF YOU EAT TOO MUCH AT NIGHT, YOU'LL HAVE NIGHTMARES
This always scares us while growing up, because adults don't want us to eat too much at night because of our health, they'll rather lie to us about having nightmares than explaining to us that it's not good to eat too much at night.
SCARING US WITH 'OJUJU'
Only God knows who coined the term 'Ojuju Calabar'. It's so viral that one hears it in almost every homes in my environment.
A child will literally start crying when he/she hears the phrase 'Ojuju will catch you o'. The phrase sets a child to default, and make the child obey whatever instruction(s) he/she is given.
They'll rather scare us than making us realize the reason to do things.
http://ogakpatakpata.blogspot.com/2014/07/ojuju-calabar-don-cause-di-death-of-one.html?m=1
DO NOT DRINK COCONUT WATER, IT MAKES ONE A DULLARD
Until now, I still find this so so ridiculous. Back then when we drink coconut water, we'll ask ourselves '1+1' and we'll all say '2' at the same time.
Whenever I think about this foolish act, I'll be laughing at myself that I was that foolish. I'll just conclude by saying 'it's one of those things'. But I still don't know the reason they don't want us to drink the coconut water.
ALWAYS THROW YOUR MILK TEETH ON THE ROOF, IT'LL GROW IN NO TIME
It's milk teeth for Christ sake, it'll grow irrespective of wherever it's put or thrown. The adults have really fooled us into believing nonsense like this.
Tell any of these to children nowadays, they'll laugh you to scorn, Google and Internet have made children wiser.
The tales/stories they tell us are filled with lies, and the funniest thing is that it's because of the lies that we enjoy those foolish tales/stories.
Thanks for your time. And I hope Cheetah have fully done its work this time.