The Creation of Copulation

It was Odí who taught the world to make love.

Creation was complete; and the world floated in space, a brilliant blue and white jewel resting in black velvet, but as Olódumare pondered his work, his heart was heavy with despair. He knew that nothing in the material world would last forever, and his Earth was no exception. Exhausted, he pondered this, and Odí, in one sensual, fluid movement, went to his side. “You can rest, Olódumare,” she said, her voice husky and soft. “I will see to it that life continues in spite of itself.”

Olódumare was puzzled, but Odí went to earth. God stood still, and watched.

First, she went into the forest, and gently, she touched the plants and vines and trees with her fingertips. Lightly, she blew on their stems, and watched the flowers unfold. They were delicate and graceful, and soft scents filled the earth. “This is what you must do,” she whispered, “if you are to live.” Birds, bees, butterflies, and insects found the aromas appealing; and slowly, they explored the flower petals with the noses and mouths. Fruits ripened; flowers grew heavy, and seeds scattered across the earth. “This is as things should be,” said Odí.

She found the animals lying in the fields; the forest scents were intoxicating, and they, too, rolled among the freshly scented flowers. Carefully, Odí knelt beside a female leopard, and with soft hands, stroked its belly with her red nails. It purred; it stretched and rolled on its back; and she let out a needy mew as her legs opened and back arched. Another aroma filled the air, the smell of heat, and the male leopards began to roar in the jungle. Soon, all the female animals were in heat, and the males mounted them.

“This is how things must be,” said Odí, “if you hope to live.”

Finally, Odí found a man and woman standing at the edge of the meadow; they were confused by what they saw—needy animals mounting each others' backs, rocking and rolling and crying out with ecstasy. “Watch,” Odí told the male, “and learn.”

Gently, she helped the woman lie on her back, and smiling, she lifted her legs so they were bent at the knees; and she spread them wide so her vagina spread like the delicate petals of a flower. As she lay there, smiling, Odí stroked between her legs, and a damp, musky scent rose from her most secret place. Odí looked at the man who looked at them both, and saw his penis rising; it was hard and strong, and she said, “That . . . goes here . . .” and she helped the man mount the woman.

She stood back and watched. Their confusion turned to need, and their need turned to pleasure, and soon all the men and all the women in the world were copulating as well.

Olódumare smiled in Heaven. It was not what he planned, but it was beautiful. The world became fruitful and multiplied that day. For Odí taught the world how to copulate, and the material world, in spite of its ephemeral nature, found a way to continue.