In a vibrant village in Nigeria, there lived a young girl named Adaeze. She was known for her boundless energy and constant chatter. While Adaeze loved to talk, she often forgot to listen, missing out on the wisdom shared by her elders.

One day, her grandfather, a respected elder in the village, called her to sit with him. "Adaeze," he said, "I have a special gift for you." He presented her with a beautifully carved talking drum.

Adaeze was thrilled. She immediately began tapping on the drum, creating a cacophony of sounds. Her grandfather chuckled and said, "The talking drum has a secret, but you must be quiet to hear it."

Confused, Adaeze stopped drumming and listened. At first, she heard nothing. But as she sat in silence, she began to notice the subtle sounds around her – the rustle of palm leaves, the distant laughter of children, the rhythm of village life.

Her grandfather smiled and said, "The drum speaks not just through its sound, but through the silence between beats. It's in these spaces that we find wisdom."

Over time, Adaeze learned to play the talking drum, understanding that true communication involved both expressing and listening. She began to appreciate the stories of her elders and the sounds of her heritage.

As Adaeze grew, she became known not just for her skillful drumming, but for her wisdom and ability to truly hear others. The talking drum had taught her that the greatest conversations happen when we open not just our mouths, but our ears and hearts.

Moral: Listening is just as important as speaking. True wisdom comes from hearing and understanding others.