Story! Story!!
Once upon a time in a small village surrounded by thick forest, there lived a farmer with his only daughter Uyaimma. Uyaimma's mother died giving birth to her. She was raised by her father. As time passed, Uyaimma's father decided to give her a new mother. He married a beautiful woman from a neighbouring village. The new woman had a daughter named Imaobong whom she brought with her to live with Uyaimma and her father.
Uyaimma was so happy to have a new mother and sister and did everything to make them comfortable. But as time went on, Uyaimma's stepmother and sister grew a deep hatred for her. This hatred came as a result of the special bond that existed between Uyaimma and her father. Uyaimma's father was a timid and peace-loving man who wanted to keep his family happy, especially his daughter who had lost a mother at a young age. His intentions were however, misunderstood by his new wife and step daughter as they felt cheated. To make Uyaimma suffer, her stepmother left her all the housework while her daughter, Imaobong idled her day away gossiping, complaining and sleeping. She bought new clothes for Imaobong only and gave Uyaimma worn off clothes from Ima's closet. Uyaimma's father was not happy with his wife's maltreatment of their daughter. He tried to talk her out of it but the woman only put up a sad appearance, and blamed him for being a partial father.
One year, the harvest for that season was particularly low, Uyaimma's household was very affected. They could barely feed or buy anything new for themselves. It was at this time that Uyaimma's step mother began nagging her husband to send Uyai away to her mother's people, her reason being that they could not afford to keep two girls. As her nagging became unbearable, Uyaimma offered to go live alone in one of her father's farm huts far away in the forest to maintain peace. Uyaimma's father was so sad to let his daughter go. Uyaimma insisted, and he allowed her, promising to send food supplies to her from time to time. With Uyaimma gone, peace temporarily returned to the household.
When Uyaimma arrived the farm hut, she was very frightened by the thought of staying alone in such a lonely place. She, however, discovered that there was an old hut behind hers. As her nature was, she went to know who her new neighbour was. When she got there, she met an old lady who had been living there alone. Uyaimma was surprised to see that she lived alone at her age. The old woman told her she had no family or friends. Uyaimma resolved to treat her as family hence. She did all to take care of the woman whom she now called 'mama' and herself.
One stormy night, there was a faint knock on Uyaimma's door.
Knock! Knock!!knock!!!
Uyaimma woke up afraid that an evil spirit had visited her in the middle of the night . When the knocking continued, she decided to open the door. Instead of an evil spirit there stood the old woman, soaked in the rain.
Uyaimma was shocked to see her that way, she quickly ushered her in and made fire to keep her warm. Then asked why she was out so late in the storm.
"Am so sorry to disturb you my child, the rain destroyed my hut, leaving me all cold and hungry."
"Oh God, I'm sorry mama. You can stay here, my hut is also yours, let me make you food while you keep yourself warm " Uyaimma said as she went to fix dinner for the old woman.
As she got to her food store, she discovered that she was left with a little supply to last her till whenever her father came to visit. She looked at the old woman who was still shaking beside the fire.
"I can survive a day without food." She said and made the food for the woman instead. The woman ate silently then went to bed. Uyaimma covered her with a wrapper and laid on the floor close to the warmth of the fire till morning.
In the morning, the old woman was gone. In the spot she laid was a big box. Uyaimma opened the box and was surprised at its content. It was filled with beautiful royal gowns, gold and jewels. She stared blankly at the riches in front of her for a moment then ran out to find the old woman but she was gone with her hut. The spot it stood appeared as if it was not there in the first place. Confused, she tried to recollect what had happened. At this time, her father arrived. He was worried about her and decided to visit earlier than planned. Uyaimma showed him the big box and narrated what had happened.
"You have been blessed by a benevolent spirit," was all he said. Together the two returned to the village. Uyaimma became so wealthy and was honoured by her people for her compassion and bravery. She had a lot of suitors and soon got married to an influential king.
Meanwhile, Imaobong was so bitter that Uyaimma got to have the wealth and the man of her dreams and not her. She then decided to also embark on the same journey that got Uyaimma wealth and fame. She hoped to get her share of wealth too.
When she arrived at the lonely farm hut, she also met an old woman who introduced herself as her neighbour. Since making new friends was not part of her plans, she ignored the present of the old woman and got in to get settled.
For days she waited for her own miracle, but it never came. As her faith became thin, she planned to return to her parents the next day.
But just like it happened to Uyaimma, a great thunderstorm took place that night, and amidst it came a knock on her door. Afraid she asked who it was.
"It's me, my child, the old woman, your neighbor."
"What do you want, wrecked old woman? Can't you wait till morning?" she asked, so angry that she attended to the door in the first place.
The old woman told her about her fallen hut and hunger. Being too afraid and lazy to tend to anyone,she asked her to return to her hut and take care of her problems herself. The old woman begged her, hoping she would change her mind but she remained adamant. Returning to the warmth of her bed, Imaobong slept till the next morning leaving the drenched woman to her fate.
When she woke up the next morning, she found out that all her expensive clothes and possessions were turned to rags and dust. In distress, she cried and screamed, attracting the wolves who ate her up and left only her bones for her heartbroken mother.
MORAL LESSONS
- Not all storm came to disrupt your life, some came to clear your path.
- Good things sometimes comes in disguise.
Make kindness your way of life, you don't know when it will pay off.
Avoid jealousy and competition, it always ends badly.
Treat everyone with love not hate.
0 Comments