African Folk tales

THE HEARTS THAT GREW TOGETHER
Part 3: The Choice That Broke a Heart

The news that the richest young farmer in the seven villages wished to visit Umuowelle spread like harmattan fire.
Women whispered about it at the stream.
Men discussed it in the village square.
Young maidens wondered which fortunate girl had captured the wealthy farmer's heart.
Only a few days later, the answer arrived.
Early one morning, the sound of talking drums echoed through the village.
A long procession entered Umuowelle.
At the front walked Nnanna, tall, handsome, and richly dressed in fine George wrappers adorned with coral beads. Behind him came his kinsmen carrying gifts—large yams, goats, jars of palm wine, baskets of kola nuts, and bags of cowries.
Children abandoned their games to watch the grand procession.
The elders welcomed the visitors with respect.
When Nnanna finally spoke, his voice was calm and confident.
"I have not come to buy land or trade in yams. I have come because my heart has chosen a wife."
The entire village fell silent.
"I seek the hand of Adaaku."
Adaaku's parents exchanged surprised glances.
They invited the visitors inside while the women prepared food and palm wine.
That evening, Adaaku's father called her into the obi.
"My daughter," he began gently, "Nnanna is an honorable man. He is hardworking, respected, and wealthy beyond imagination. But no one will force you. The choice is yours."
Adaaku lowered her eyes.
"I am grateful, Father... but I do not know him."
Her father smiled.
"Then we shall tell him to wait."
When Nnanna received her answer, he simply nodded.
"I will return."

Months passed.
True to his word, he returned again.
This time, he brought even greater gifts.
Again Adaaku refused politely.
"I am not ready for marriage."
Nnanna smiled.
"I can wait."
The villagers admired his patience.
Obinna secretly rejoiced each time Nnanna left disappointed.
Perhaps Adaaku truly wished to remain unmarried.
Perhaps there was still hope.
Life continued as before.
Obinna and Adaaku still fetched water together, worked on their farms, and walked through the forest.
Yet something had changed.

Every time another young man greeted Adaaku with admiration, Obinna's heart grew heavier.
He wanted to tell her how he felt.
Many times the words reached his lips...
But fear pushed them back.
One evening they sat beneath their favorite udala tree, watching the sun disappear behind the hills.
Adaaku smiled.
"Obinna, have you noticed everyone suddenly wants me to get married?"
Obinna forced a smile.
"I've noticed."
She laughed softly.
"They don't understand."
"What don't they understand?" he asked.
"I'm happy just the way life is."
For a brief moment, hope returned to Obinna's heart.
Maybe she truly wanted nothing more than the friendship they already shared.
He almost spoke.
"Adaaku..."
She looked at him.
"Yes?"
His heart pounded.
He opened his mouth.
Then he saw her innocent smile.
Fear returned.
He swallowed his words.
"It's nothing."
Adaaku laughed.
"You've become strange these days."
He laughed too.
But inside, his heart broke a little.

The seasons changed once again.
Harvest season arrived.
Nnanna returned for the third time.
This time he did not come alone.
He arrived with respected elders from neighboring villages, musicians, titled men, and gifts greater than anyone had ever seen.
The bride price he offered amazed the entire village.
Goats.
Cows.
Palm wine.
Coral beads.
Fine wrappers.
Stacks of cowries.
Enough yams to fill several barns.
The elders whispered among themselves.
"No man has ever honored a family this greatly."
That evening, Adaaku's mother sat beside her.
"My daughter, Nnanna has shown patience, respect, and good character. Search your heart carefully before you answer."
Adaaku remained silent for a long time.
She thought about Obinna.
Her childhood friend.
Her hunting companion.
The one who had always protected her.
But never...
Not once...
Had he spoken of love.
To her, he had always been her best friend.
Nothing more.
She smiled gently.
"Mother... I believe it is time for me to begin a new chapter."

The next morning, before the elders and both families, Adaaku accepted Nnanna's marriage proposal.
Songs of celebration filled Umuowelle.
Women danced.
Drums echoed through the village.
Children ran through the streets shouting the good news.
Everyone celebrated.
Everyone...
Except one person.
Obinna.

Standing behind the crowd, he watched the woman he loved smile beside another man.
The words he had hidden for years became too heavy to carry.
Without saying goodbye...
He quietly turned around...
Picked up his hunting bag...
And disappeared into the forest.
As the celebration continued, Adaaku looked around, searching for the one person who had not congratulated her.
"Has anyone seen Obinna?" she asked.
No one had.
Deep inside the forest, Obinna stopped beneath the giant udala tree where they had shared their first meal as children.
Tears filled his eyes.
For the first time since childhood...
He cried.

As Adaaku celebrates her engagement, Obinna vanishes into the forbidden forest. Will anyone discover the pain he has carried in silence before it is too late?

To be continued in Part 4

THE HEARTS THAT GREW TOGETHER
Part 2: A Bond That Grew Stronger

The years passed as gently as the waters of the Nkwo Stream, and before anyone realized it, Obinna and Adaaku were no longer little children. They had grown into strong, hardworking teenagers, admired throughout Umuowelle for their kindness, humility, and unbreakable friendship.
Every morning before the first c**k crowed, Obinna would pick up two clay water pots and walk to Adaaku's compound.
Without knocking, he would call softly,
"Adaaku! The stream is waiting."
A cheerful voice would answer from inside.
"I'm coming!"
Moments later, Adaaku would emerge with a bright smile, balancing an empty basket on her head.
The two would walk side by side along the narrow red-earth path leading to the stream.
The cool morning breeze carried the sweet songs of birds, while drops of dew sparkled on the green grasses.

As they reached the stream, they laughed and teased each other while filling their clay pots.
"You always splash water on me," Adaaku complained playfully.
Obinna laughed.
"If I don't, the stream will think you have forgotten how to smile."
She scooped water with her hand and splashed him back.
Before long, both were laughing so loudly that women fetching water shook their heads.
"Those two will never stop behaving like children."
After returning home, they would gather bundles of firewood deep inside the forest.
Whenever Adaaku's load became too heavy, Obinna quietly exchanged hers for his without saying a word.
"You'll hurt your back," Adaaku protested.
"I am stronger."
"And who told you that?"
"My stomach," he laughed.
She burst into laughter and gently pushed him.
When the farming season arrived, the two families worked together as they always had.
One day, Obinna spent the entire day helping Adaaku's father clear a new yam field.

The following morning, Adaaku arrived at Obinna's family farm before sunrise.
"I came to return yesterday's kindness."
Obinna smiled.
"You didn't have to."
"I know."
She picked up a hoe.
"But I wanted to."
The villagers admired them.
"If friendship had a face," one elder said, "it would look exactly like these two."
As the months passed, they became known throughout the seven villages.
Everyone trusted them.
Everyone respected them.
Even children younger than them followed wherever they went.
Whenever someone needed help harvesting cassava or carrying palm fruits, Obinna and Adaaku were always the first to volunteer.
One afternoon, Obinna prepared for a hunting trip.
He slung his bow over his shoulder, tied a quiver of arrows around his waist, and picked up his hunting bag.
Adaaku appeared behind him carrying a small basket.
"I'm coming too."
Obinna smiled.
"You know the forest isn't a playground."
"I know."
"There are snakes."
"I know."
"There are wild animals."
"I know."
"There are spirits."
She folded her arms.
"If spirits are there, they'll also know we're best friends."
Obinna laughed until tears filled his eyes.

Together they entered the great forest.
Obinna patiently taught Adaaku how to recognize animal footprints.
"This one belongs to a grasscutter."
"And this?"
"A bushbuck."
"What about this one?"
Obinna looked carefully.
"That's my own footprint."
Adaaku laughed so hard that birds flew from nearby trees.
By sunset they returned home carrying two grasscutters and several wild fruits.
The whole village welcomed them with joyful songs.
As the years passed, Obinna began noticing things he had never seen before.
He noticed how Adaaku's laughter warmed his heart.
He noticed how the morning seemed brighter whenever she smiled.
He noticed that whenever she was absent, even for a single day, nothing felt right.
He tried to ignore the strange feeling.
"They say friendship is enough," he whispered to himself.
"But why does my heart beat differently whenever she is near?"

One evening, during another moonlight gathering, several young men from neighboring villages watched Adaaku dance gracefully with the maidens.
One whispered,
"She is the most beautiful maiden I have ever seen."
Another nodded.
"I will return after the next harvest and ask for her hand in marriage."
Obinna overheard every word.
For the first time in his life...
He felt something strange burning inside him.
Jealousy.
That night he could not sleep.
He climbed the old udala tree where he and Adaaku had shared countless meals as children.
Looking up at the moon, he finally admitted the truth to himself.
"I don't just want Adaaku as my friend."
"I love her."
The words escaped his lips like a secret carried away by the night wind.
But fear quickly replaced happiness.
"What if she doesn't feel the same?"
"What if I lose my best friend forever?"
He decided to bury his feelings deep inside his heart.
"If she is happy," he whispered, "then I will remain silent."

Days later, traders arrived from neighboring villages carrying exciting news.
They spoke of wealthy young men searching for wives.
One name was mentioned more than any other.
Nnanna...
The richest young farmer in all seven villages.
He owned more yam barns than anyone could count.
His palm plantations stretched beyond the hills.
His barns overflowed with harvests.
His wealth was known far beyond Umuowelle.
When he heard stories of Adaaku's beauty, kindness, and hardworking spirit...
He smiled.
Then he made a decision.
"I will go to Umuowelle."
"I have found the woman I want to marry."
Far away, Obinna stood beneath the same udala tree where their friendship had begun.
He had no idea...
That the greatest test of his life was about to arrive.

Will Obinna finally confess his love before the richest farmer in the seven villages asks for Adaaku's hand in marriage... or will his silence cost him the love of his life?

To be continued in Part 3

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THE HEARTS THAT GREW TOGETHER
Part 1: Children of the Same Moon
Written by African Folk tales

Long before tarred roads reached the villages and before the sound of motorcycles replaced the songs of birds, there stood the peaceful village of Umuowelle, one of the seven villages surrounded by thick forests, sparkling streams, and endless farmlands.
The people of Umuowelle lived simple but joyful lives. At dawn, the c**k's crow announced the beginning of another day. Women balanced clay pots on their heads as they walked to the stream. Men carried hoes and cutlasses to their farms while children chased one another through dusty paths, their laughter echoing across the village.
It was in this peaceful village that two children were born only four days apart.
The boy was named Obinna, meaning "Father's Heart," while the little girl was named Adaaku, meaning "Daughter of Wealth."
Their mothers were close friends, so from infancy the two babies spent almost every day together. If one cried, the other cried too. When one laughed, the other laughed even louder.
The elderly women of the village often joked, "Perhaps Chukwu mistakenly divided one soul into two children."

As they grew older, their friendship became the wonder of Umuowelle.
Every morning before sunrise, Obinna would stand outside Adaaku's compound carrying a small woven basket.
"Adaaku!" he would call.
Before long, she would run out with bare feet, smiling brightly.
"I'm coming!"
They would walk to the village square together before following their parents to neighboring farms.
While the adults weeded cassava, yam, and cocoyam fields beneath the hot sun, the two children created their own little world.
They built tiny mud houses beneath giant udala trees.
They molded clay pots from wet earth.
They chased colorful butterflies through the grass until they became too tired to run.
Whenever hunger came, they shared everything.
If Adaaku brought roasted yam, she divided it into two.
If Obinna had only one mango, Adaaku received the bigger half.
One afternoon, Adaaku's mother noticed something that made her smile.
Obinna had only one piece of roasted corn. Instead of eating it alone, he carefully broke it into two equal pieces and handed the larger half to Adaaku.
"You take this," he said.
"But you'll remain hungry," Adaaku replied.
"I'll be fine."
His mother laughed and said, "This boy has the heart of an elder."
From that day, everyone knew that whatever belonged to one belonged to the other.
During the rainy season, they jumped into puddles and returned home covered in mud. Their mothers scolded them together.

During harvest season, they climbed mango trees despite countless warnings from their parents. When Obinna slipped from a low branch and bruised his knee, Adaaku cried louder than he did.
"You are the one injured," Obinna laughed.
"I know," Adaaku sniffled, wiping away her tears, "but it still hurts me."
The old women watching from nearby exchanged knowing smiles.
"No ordinary friendship lasts like this," one of them said.
As evening approached each day, the village transformed into another beautiful world.
Smoke rose from kitchens as mothers prepared soup.
The smell of roasting corn drifted through the air.
Children gathered in the moonlit village square.
There, beneath the silver glow of the full moon, they played hide-and-seek, wrestling games, and traditional moonlight games while the elders told stories of clever tortoises, brave hunters, beautiful maidens, and mysterious spirits that lived deep inside the sacred forest.
Obinna and Adaaku never left each other's side.
Whenever one was chosen for a team, the other refused to play unless they were together.
"If Obinna isn't playing, then neither am I," Adaaku would insist.
"And if Adaaku stays out, I stay out too," Obinna replied.
Eventually, the other children stopped arguing.
"They are like twins," everyone agreed.

Years passed like the flowing waters of the village stream.
The children grew taller.
Their laughter became louder.
Their friendship became even stronger.
One dry season, Umuowelle celebrated the New Yam Festival.
People from neighboring villages arrived wearing colorful wrappers, coral beads, and eagle feathers.
Masquerades danced across the village square.
The drums thundered.
The ogene bells echoed through the air.
Women sang harvest songs while men displayed their largest yams.
That afternoon, every child received roasted yam with palm oil.
As always, Obinna and Adaaku sat beneath their favorite udala tree, sharing one wooden plate.
An elderly traveler passing through the festival suddenly stopped when he noticed them.
His hair was as white as cotton.
His walking staff was carved with strange symbols.
Cowries and beads hung around his neck.
The villagers immediately recognized him.
It was Eze Dibia Nwankwo, a respected diviner known throughout the surrounding villages.
The old man stared at the two children for a long moment.
He smiled gently.
Then his smile slowly faded.
Without saying a word, he bent down and touched the ground between them.
Closing his eyes, he remained silent.

Even the sounds of the festival seemed to fade away.
When he finally opened his eyes, he spoke in a calm but mysterious voice.
"Two streams have flowed beside each other since the beginning of time."
The elders moved closer to hear him.
He continued,
"Many people will try to separate them. Wealth will stand between them. Pride will stand between them. Even silence will stand between them."
Everyone looked at one another in confusion.
Adaaku quietly held Obinna's hand.
The old diviner raised his carved staff toward the sky.
"But remember this... the tree whose roots were joined before birth can never truly be divided."
A powerful wind suddenly swept through the festival.
Dust filled the air.
The masquerades stopped dancing.
The drummers fell silent.
When the dust settled...
The old diviner had disappeared.
No one knew where he had gone.
That night, beneath the bright moon, Obinna asked softly,
"Adaaku, what do you think the old man meant?"
She laughed.
"I don't know. Maybe he was talking about the stream near our farms."
Obinna smiled.
"Maybe."
Neither of them knew that the old man's words had already begun to shape their destiny.

Far away, in another village, a wealthy young farmer listened as traders praised the beauty and kindness of a young girl from Umuowelle.
He smiled to himself.
"One day," he whispered, "that girl will become my wife."
Little did he know that another heart had already been quietly chosen by destiny.

END OF PART 1

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WHEN FATE SPEAKS... A FULFILLED PROPHECY Part 6 – When Fate Speaks

The palace echoed with songs of celebration.

News spread from village to village that Prince Obinna would marry the humble palace maid who had stolen his heart.

Some people rejoiced.

Others could hardly believe it.

"How can an orphan become our future queen?" they whispered.

"The gods must truly have chosen her."

Preparations for the traditional marriage began at once.

The King's messengers traveled to Mkpurumma's village to seek the blessings of her late parents' kindred and elders.

Although she had no parents to receive them, her grandmother's relatives welcomed the royal family with joy.

The palace courtyard came alive with the sound of ogene, ekwe, and ikoro drums.

Women danced gracefully in colorful traditional wrappers while young maidens sang songs praising love, destiny, and the ancestors.

On the day of the traditional marriage, Mkpurumma was dressed in magnificent Igbo royal attire.

She wore a richly woven George wrapper, layers of coral beads around her neck, wrists, and ankles, and a beautifully crafted golden crown rested upon her head.

As she looked into the polished bronze mirror, tears filled her eyes.

She remembered her mother.

She remembered her grandmother.

She remembered the old woman in the market whose mysterious words had begun this journey years before.

Softly, she whispered,

"Mother... Grandmother... your prophecy has come to pass."

Outside, Prince Obinna waited proudly, dressed in royal robes with coral beads and a staff of authority.

When Mkpurumma stepped into the palace courtyard, the crowd fell silent.

She looked every bit a queen.

The King smiled.

The Queen wiped joyful tears from her eyes.

Even the palace servants who once mocked her now bowed with respect.

Only one person stood speechless.

The Head Maid.

She lowered her head in shame, realizing that jealousy had blinded her from recognizing the woman chosen by fate.

Slowly, she stepped forward and knelt before Mkpurumma.

"My Queen," she said with trembling hands, "forgive me. I treated you with cruelty because I was jealous of you."

Mkpurumma gently lifted her to her feet.

"I have already forgiven you."

"A heart that refuses to forgive can never wear a crown."

The Head Maid broke down in tears.

The King smiled proudly.

"Today," he declared, "our kingdom has not only gained a queen but a woman worthy of the crown."

As the royal priest raised the ancient crown before the cheering crowd, a gentle breeze swept across the palace.

At that very moment...

An old woman appeared among the crowd.

She smiled at Mkpurumma.

For a brief second, their eyes met.

It was the same mysterious woman who had spoken to her mother many years ago.

She nodded once, as if to say,

"The time has come."

Then, before anyone else noticed her...

She disappeared into the crowd.

The royal crown was gently placed upon Mkpurumma's head.

The palace erupted with joyful songs, dancing, and the thunderous sound of ogene drums.

Hand in hand, King Obinna and Queen Mkpurumma stood before their people.

The prophecy spoken before her birth...

The dreams that had followed her...

The love that had survived fear...

Had all become one beautiful truth.

For when fate speaks...

No human can silence it.

And when the time appointed by destiny arrives...

Even a poor orphan can become a queen.

The End.

Ihuoma... The Betrayed Bride Part 5: Love Restored
Written by African Folk tales

Thank you Omolola Eunice for your constant feedback and engagements 🙏

The village square remained silent as the oldest elder slowly rose to his feet.
Leaning on his carved staff, he looked at Awele with sorrow rather than anger.
"My daughter," he began, "the deepest wounds are not those made by spears, but those caused by betrayal."
Awele remained on her knees, tears soaking the earth beneath her.
The elder continued,
"You allowed jealousy to poison your heart. You destroyed the friendship that every young girl in Umuokoro admired, and you nearly separated two people whom the ancestors had destined for each other."
He turned to the villagers.
"Let this be a lesson to us all. Envy never builds... it only destroys."

Then he faced Awele once more.
"As your punishment, you shall publicly ask for forgiveness from Ihuoma, Obidike, and the entire village. For one full planting season, you will serve the widows and the elderly without expecting any reward. Through humility, you may find the peace your heart has lost."
Awele bowed her head.
"I accept my punishment."
With trembling hands, Awele crawled toward Ihuoma.
"My sister," she cried, "I do not deserve your forgiveness. I betrayed your trust because I allowed jealousy to blind me. If you cannot forgive me today, I will understand."
Tears filled Ihuoma's eyes.
She remembered the years they had spent laughing together, fetching water together, and dreaming about the future.
Her heart still ached.
But hatred was not in her nature.
She gently lifted Awele to her feet.
"I cannot forget what happened," Ihuoma said softly.

"But I choose not to carry hatred in my heart."
"I forgive you."
The village erupted into cheers.
Even the elders smiled.
Obidike stepped forward with a joyful heart.
Before everyone, he knelt before Ihuoma.
"Hear me, people of Umuokoro," he declared.
"My love for Ihuoma never died. Today, before our elders and our ancestors, I ask once again for her hand in marriage."

He presented the carved kolanut bowl for the second time.
This time...
Ihuoma smiled through her tears.
"I accept."
The entire village burst into songs of celebration.
Women danced.
Drums echoed across the hills.
Children clapped with excitement.
Weeks later, Umuokoro witnessed one of the grandest traditional weddings in its history.
The pathways were decorated with fresh palm fronds.
Goats, yams, and gifts filled the compounds.
The air was alive with music, dancing, and laughter.
People came from neighboring villages just to witness the union of Obidike and Ihuoma.
From that day forward, their marriage became an example of love, trust, and forgiveness.

As for Awele...
She faithfully served the widows and elderly throughout the planting season.
Little by little, she regained the respect of the village—not because people forgot her mistake, but because they saw that she had truly changed.
And so, peace returned to Umuokoro.

Ihuoma... The Betrayed Bride
Part 6: The Legacy of Truth

Written by African Folk tales

Thank you Gracious Gift for your constant feedback and engagements

Months passed after the grand wedding of Ihuoma and Obidike.
Their compound became a place of peace, laughter, and generosity.
No traveler ever left their home hungry.
No widow who knocked on their door returned empty-handed.
People from neighboring villages often said,
"If you wish to see what true love looks like, visit the home of Obidike and Ihuoma."
Awele faithfully fulfilled the punishment given to her by the elders.
From sunrise to sunset, she worked in the farms of widows, fetched water for the elderly, repaired broken fences, and shared her harvest with those who had no one to care for them.
She never complained.
Her humility slowly healed the wounds she had caused.
One day, Ihuoma visited her.
"My sister," she said with a warm smile, "your actions have shown that your heart has truly changed."
Awele's eyes filled with grateful tears.
"Thank you for giving me another chance."
From that day forward, their friendship was rebuilt—not exactly as it had once been, but stronger because it was now founded on truth instead of innocence.
Years later, the elders often gathered children beneath the ancient iroko tree.
They would point toward the homes of Ihuoma, Obidike, and Awele before saying,
"Remember these names."
"Beauty may attract admiration, but good character earns lasting honor."
"Jealousy destroys what love builds, but truth always finds its voice."
The children listened carefully, carrying the lesson into the next generation.
And so, the story of Ihuoma... The Betrayed Bride lived on in Umuokoro, reminding every son and daughter that no lie can live forever, and that forgiveness is the greatest victory of all.

Moral Lesson: Jealousy may hide the truth for a while, but honesty, repentance, and forgiveness will always restore what is meant to endure.

The end

WHEN FATE SPEAKS... A FULFILLED PROPHECY Part 5 – The Prophecy Revealed
Written by African Folk tales

For three days and three nights, the search party combed every corner of the forest.

The Head Warrior led the kingdom's bravest soldiers while the greatest hunter tracked broken branches, footprints, and drops of blood left behind on the forest floor.

Meanwhile, Prince Obinna refused to leave the palace.

He neither ate nor smiled.

Each passing day stole more strength from him.

"If Mkpurumma is not found," he whispered, "then my heart will remain lost with her."

On the morning of the fourth day, the greatest hunter suddenly stopped.

He knelt beside fresh claw marks on the ground.

"There was a struggle here," he said.

The men cautiously followed the trail deeper into the forest until they heard a faint cry.

Hidden beneath a large iroko tree lay Mkpurumma.

Her clothes were torn.

Deep wounds covered her arms and shoulders.

It was clear she had been attacked by a wild animal while trying to survive alone in the forest.

She was barely breathing.

"She is still alive!" the Head Warrior shouted.

The soldiers quickly carried her back to the palace.

When the Queen saw Mkpurumma's condition, tears rolled down her cheeks.

The royal healers worked day and night, but after many days, she still did not regain consciousness.

Some whispered that she would never wake again.

But Prince Obinna refused to believe it.

Just as Mkpurumma had once sat beside him through his illness...
..he now refused to leave her side.

He cleaned her wounds.

He changed the bandages with his own hands.

Whenever the healers prepared bitter herbs for her, he drank from the calabash first before gently helping her drink, just as she had done for him.

The palace servants watched in amazement.

The proud prince had become the most devoted caregiver in the kingdom.

Seven market days passed.

Then another seven.

One quiet morning, Mkpurumma slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Prince Obinna asleep beside her bed, his head resting near her hand.

She gently touched his hair.

The prince opened his eyes.

For the first time in fourteen market days...

He smiled.

Tears filled both their eyes as they held each other's hands without saying a word.

News of Mkpurumma's recovery spread throughout the kingdom.

A few days later, palace guards arrived at her chamber.

"The King and Queen request your presence in the royal court."

Fear gripped her heart.

She wondered if she was about to be punished for running away.

As she entered the magnificent throne room, she noticed something unusual.

Only the King and Queen were seated.

Prince Obinna had not been invited.

Mkpurumma knelt respectfully.

"My King... My Queen."

The King smiled kindly.

"My daughter... rise."

Confused, she slowly stood.

The Queen stepped forward and gently held her hands.

"There is something you must know."

"When our son was born, the royal diviner delivered a prophecy."

"He said the woman destined to become the prince's wife would come from a place no one would ever imagine."

"He warned us never to oppose that union."

"For if we fought against fate..."

"...our kingdom would suffer great sorrow."

The Queen wiped away a tear.

"When our son fell sick and refused every healer..."

"...you came."

"When you disappeared..."

"...our son nearly withered away."

"When we saw the love you both carried..."

"We finally understood."

The King stepped down from his throne.

He placed his hands gently upon Mkpurumma's head.

"The crown has chosen you."

"You have our blessing."

At that very moment...

The enormous palace doors slowly opened.

Prince Obinna walked in.

He looked from his parents to Mkpurumma.

Then the King smiled.

"My son..."

"Take your bride."

Prince Obinna rushed forward and embraced Mkpurumma as tears of joy filled the royal court.

Outside...

The royal drums began to sound across the kingdom.

The prophecy spoken years before either of them was born...
..had finally begun to come true.

To be continued in the Final Part...