ARTICLE THREE

EPISODE ONE

     Mayowa was a poor orphan who was adopted by his grandmother in a little village of Aba-eegun. History has it that the village was made up of thorns which made it very difficult for people to run to it whenever war invaded it's neighbouring villages. Many people who knew it's history even believed that it was an abode of evil spirits, hence, the ever increasing growth of the thorns and their rapid multiplication upon the face of the land. Later on, courageous herbalists in Eleegun village decided to break the spell in that village so as to develop it and turn it around to a place of abode. Upon consultation with the gods of the land, they concluded on the sacrifice that it would cost them to break the spell and get rid of the thorns. The council of elders in the land were alarmed upon hearing the content of the sacrifice, a pregnant woman was to be used for the sacrifice and she would be buried alive. They were so heartbroken. How can the gods require such sacrifice? However, they had no choice, they had to do what the gods require. The sacrifice was done on a cold, silent night. The pit had been dug throughout the day at the entrance of the would-be village. It was so stressful digging the pit, as if the so called gods were still resisting the remedy for the spell to be lifted. The pregnant woman to be used had been tied at the herbalist's court, several rituals had been performed on her and concoctions given to her before the night so that the sacrifice would be accepted. To cut the story short, she was buried that night, alive, with tears streaming down her cheeks, her heart in sadness and her spirit in heaviness. She died a slow but painful death.

     The cock crew early in the morning to signify that it's almost day break. At dawn, the villagers woke up to a very surprising scenario. The thorny land had been transformed. The thorns got dried from the root and were fallen already. The whole land gave no sign of danger, unlike before.

     The council of elders met at the courtyard of the Baale together with the herbalists that offered the sacrifice and they rejoiced because they now have a new expanse of land. Quickly, the land was divided and each person got their portion. They invited the youths of the land to help clear the land and they moved in to enjoy the land. They gave the land a name and they celebrated their victory concerning the land. A day was set aside to remember the pregnant woman that was used for the sacrifice which gave them access to the land. In that day, no one is to work or go out of his or her house. Markets would be closed and everyone must stay indoors. In this little village lived Mayowa. 

     Mayowa's parents passed on in a day when they went to farm. They rose up early because there was no food at home. Although, it was the day set for the remembrance of that pregnant woman, they thought that they could quickly go and return without anyone knowing about it. They got to the farm and began to harvest some yams and maize. Suddenly, a terrible wind blew at them and they could not survive it. On the next day, the neighbouring farmers saw their corpses in their farm and mourned over them. They brought their corpses back home and buried them. Mayowa was very sad. He refused to be comforted. He cried all day, all night, ate nothing and became very weak. His grandmother brought him to her house and forced him to take something in order to have strength. Mayowa later agreed to live with his grandmother in her house since she's the only one living there. Her only daughter is no more now. She is left with only Mayowa. 

     It has been a sad story, you'll agree with me. You will also agree with me that some things are actually happening to some people. This would spur us to intercession. Please, follow up on the story. I call you blessed. Thank you. 

     Note, this story is a fiction. Apologies for any similarity in names or events. Thank you so much. God bless you.

To be continued...