“When night comes, trees turn to something else.” This old Benin proverb carries a wisdom that goes beyond the darkness we see with our eyes.
During the day, trees stand familiar and recognisable, but when night falls, shadows transform their appearance. What seems ordinary in daylight can become mysterious in darkness. The proverb reminds us that life has different dimensions, and that not everything is revealed by what the eyes can see.
In the darkness of the night, there is a different kind of silence. The noise of the day gives way to stillness, and the human spirit becomes more conscious of itself. For our ancestors, the night was not simply the absence of sunlight; it was a time of reflection, reverence and spiritual grounding. It was a period when one could listen more carefully, think more deeply and remember that there are forces and mysteries in life beyond the visible world.
The proverb also teaches us to be careful about appearances. A tree does not necessarily change because night has come, but our perception of the tree changes. In the same way, circumstances may appear frightening or uncertain when we cannot see clearly. Wisdom requires patience until the light returns. What appears strange in the darkness may become perfectly familiar again at dawn. The wise person therefore does not allow temporary darkness to define the whole truth.
For me, this Benin wisdom speaks to the journey of life. There are seasons when the road is clear and seasons when we must walk quietly, guided by faith, memory and inner conviction. Darkness can become a place of spiritual grounding, where we return to our roots, remember those who came before us and seek strength from God. In such moments, silence itself can become a teacher.
“When night comes, trees turn to something else” is therefore not merely a proverb about darkness. It is a reminder that life contains mysteries, that perception can change with circumstances, and that every night eventually gives way to another morning. In the quietness of the night, I find a deeper connection with my roots, my faith and the enduring wisdom of Benin. The darkness may change what we see, but it does not have to change who we are.
- Senator Ehigie Uzamere
