Stepmother Abandoned Her in the Forbidden River but She Saved a Dying Prince in the River, and..
No one goes to the river on a K day. That was the law. The whole village knew it. Because on a K market day, the goddess of the river was said to rise from the water to bathe. And anyone who disturbed her would never return the same. But that was the day that they choose to send Adana there.
That was the day her life changed forever. Adana was the only child of Chief Obika, one of the richest men in the village of Okutoa. Her skin was soft and light, her eyes like moonlight and her voice as gentle as the morning rain. But none of that mattered anymore because her mother had died. And with her death, Ahana’s world collapsed. Her father once a kind man married Idoma within weeks.
Idom turned the chief’s heart against his own [Music] daughter. And when she gave birth to Chisum, her own child, a proud and spoiled girl with a wicked heart. Adana’s suffering grew worse. She was no longer treated like a daughter. She became a slave in her own father’s house. While Idoma and Chisen wore bright clothes and ate fat pieces of meat, Hana walked barefoot wearing old rags with a stomach that cried louder than her lips ever could.
Why are you always lazy a do we shout at her, “You want to eat, but you do nothing in this house?” She broke my water pot. Chisen would lie. She took my beads and hid them on her father. He believed every word they said. Useless child Chief Oikica would yell, raising his staff to hit her. You are a disgrace to your mother’s memory. The Dana would drop to her knees, tears soaking the red earth.
Papa, I didn’t do anything. I swear, but no one listened to her. At night she slept outside near the smoky kitchen hearth. Coiled up like a forgotten animal. When it rained she used broken baskets as cover. She often went days without food. Yes, she never stopped praying. She would hold her mother’s old wrapper close to her chest and whisper, “Mama, are you still watching me?” Then came the day that you change everything.
The sun barely risen when I called out Adana. She barked, “Wake up. Go and fetch water from the river.” Adana looked up confused. But mama, today is okay. The river is forbidden. Before she could say any other word, the hot slap landed fast and hard across her cheek. Do I look like your mother? Are you mad? I will never give birth to such a disgrace like you.
Also, do I in any way look like the goddess of the river? To you. Go now or you will eat mud today. She some giggled from the doorway. Maybe she will come back with scales and a tail. They both laughed and Dana stared at Dumbledore, then turned away. She picked up the clay pot with shaky hands and began walking down the narrow path towards the deep, thick forest as tears rolled down her cheek.
Every step felt like a drum beat of fear in her chest. The villagers watch her in silence, their faces confused, even afraid. [Music] But no one dares speak. No one dares to stop her because of her wicked stepmother. And as a damner reached the edge of the riverbank where the mist rose like a ghost, she saw something a body half dead lying on the rock.
A young man bleeding, gasping, barely alive. A vanna froze dear. By the riverbank was a young man soaked in blood, his clothes torn, his chest rising and falling like a drum. Losing rhythm, his hands were stretched out. As if reaching for something or someone, she dropped her water pot and ran to him. “Please, can you hear me?” she cried, shaking him gently, but his eyes were rolling back.
His lips moved, but no sound came. She looked around, nothing but trees and water and wind. No one would come. No one dared to come on a King market day to the street. And yet she stayed. She saw her wrapper. It pressed against the bleeding wound on his chest. She cuped water with her hands and poured it gently into his mouth.
“Stay with me, please,” she said, but his breathing slowed. His body went still and then the river changed. The calm surface began to ripple. Though there was no wind, the birds stopped singing. Even the trees seemed to hold their breath. Suddenly, the water rose, swelling in a tall, glowing column of light, and from the heart of the river, she appeared the river goddess.
She was tall, beautiful. Her skin shimmerred like the moon on water. Her eyes were endless. Her hair flowed like liquid gold. Who dares disturb my water on an Nikita? Her voice was like thunder wrapped in silk. Adana fell on her face, shaking. Please forgive me. I didn’t want to come.
My stepmother, she forced me. I had no choice. The goddess looked at her for a long moment. Then her expression softened. “Do you risk punishment for a stranger?” “I’ve been nodding slowly, wiping her tears. He’s dying. I couldn’t just leave him,” she said. He got a step closer. Her voice grew calm. “Deep and powerful.
I will not punish you, child. Instead, I will grant you one wish. only one. What does your heart desire the most? Her Donna’s lips parted. Her heart slipped. She thought of her freedom, her stepmother’s cruelty. The night she slept outside, cold and hungry, the pain, the beating, the loneliness. She could ask for riches or to be taken far away.
She could ask for justice or for idiom and chism to be punished. But her eyes turned back to the young man lying beside her lifeless pale and broken. And her heart spoke. Please bring him back to [Music] life. The river goddess blit. That is your wish? She asked. Adam nodded slowly. Yes. Great one. He doesn’t even know me.
But he didn’t deserve to die. Not like this. The goddess stared at her and smiled. A warm glowing smile that lit the trees. “You are unlike the others.” She whispered a pure heart still found in a cruel world. She raised her arms. The water rose around the young man, spinning in a circle like a watery cocoon.
Adana watched with wide eyes as the glow wrapped around him. Then he gasped. His eyes flew open. The color returned to his face. His wounds began to close. The man was alive. He was [Music] alive. The goddess looked at Adana one last time. Your kindness has echoed through the waters. Today you saved a prince, but one day he may be the one to save you.
With that she vanished into the river, which grew still again. Abraham stared, trembling, not understanding what just happened. The young man sat up, confused and weak. Agatha looks at him. Kneeling beside him, her face pale. Her rapper torn her eyes wide with worry and kindness. “You are awake,” she whispered. He tried to sit up. She quickly placed her arm around his back and helped him gently their eyes met.
There was a strange silence between them, like two souls recognizing each other before their minds could. “And what is your name?” he asked. “Which kingdom do you come from?” But just before Adana could speak, the sound of hooves thundered through the forest, she turned her head sharply. Horses were coming many fast.
She gasped and stood up, lifting her empty water pot and started running. “Wait, please don’t go.” The young man called out, struggling to stand. But she was already running into the trees through the tall grass, her feet barely touching the earth. He tried to follow but stumbled. Then the horses arrived. Guys in shining black and gold robes jump off their steed and bow before him. Your highness Prince Ea.
One shouted voice trembling with relief. We feared you were dead. Another helped him up. Another knelt beside him to check his wounds. Prince Eica, the heir to the great throne of Zula. The kingdom that ruled all seven lands. Looked back towards the forest path. She was just here, he whispered. The girl, she saved me.
Girl, your highness, the captain asked. I don’t know her name. I don’t know where she came from, but she saved my life. The guards helped him onto a horse and together they galloped back to the golden palace of Zuma land. But Ekkenna’s heart was still in the forest. Adam ran through the bushes across the narrow footpath past the broken fence near the Akuda age.
As she reached the village, people gasped and stepped back. “Is that not a dama?” someone whispered. She went to the river on a kamicazi day. How is she still alive? They asked. Old women in Ketchi crossed herself. No one goes to the river on a K be and returns that girl. She must be protected by the spirit. Adana kept her head down and walked quietly even though her legs shook.
When she reached home, her heart dropped. Her stepmother stood in front of the horse with her arms folded, her daughter Chisen by her side, both with wide eyes. They have not expected to see her again. You are still alive. It’s drama heist. I don’t have to be silent. Answer me, witch. I don’t know about her head, mama.
I fetched the water and I came back. Ijuma’s eyes darted. She was hiding fear beneath her anger. She had sent the girl to the forbidden river to die. But now Adana stood before her. Get out of my sight and you must sleep outside tonight. You ungrateful rat,” she spat. Adana obeyed quietly, placing her pot down and moving towards the kitchen hearth, her usual spot under the cool sky. “She’s so smart.
” But as Adana lay down that night with nothing but her rapper to keep her warm, she didn’t feel fear or sadness. She felt something new hope. Because today, for the first time in her life, someone saw her. And even if he didn’t know her name, even if he never saw her again, she has saved a prince. And the goddess has spoken.
One day he may be the one to save you. [Music] My son, the great king of Zuma said, seated on his lion carved throne, “You say a girl saved your life. Yet you do not know her name.” Prince Aenna stood before his father. His body healed, but his heart was restless. “Father, I do not know her name. I do not know her kingdom.
But one thing I know, I can never forget that face. She’s not just any girl. The king narrowed his eyes. If she’s from one of the seven kingdoms, then we shall find her. He stood up and raised his staff. Send messengers to all the lands. Let every young maiden come to the palace. Dressed in their finess. Let them stand before the prince, and he will choose his bride.
News flew like wind from village to village. The prince of Zuma is searching for a wife. He will choose from all the maidens of the seven kingdoms. Whoever he chooses will become the queen. The sound of celebration filled the land in Nuta village. Women were platting their daughter’s hair with red beads and cowies.
Mothers rushed to the market to buy colorful rappers and perfume oils. Even in Idoma’s house, there was excitement. Chisum, my daughter, Idoma smiled proudly. Make sure you wear the blue lace. That’s the color that brings good luck. They laughed. They danced. They didn’t even notice a Dana. She sat quietly at the side of the kitchen hearth, scrubbing a cracked pot.
She watched as her stepsister powdered her face. She watched as helped Chason fix her ge. Her heart achd. I will never even see the palace gate, she whispered to herself, who am I? A girl who sleeps outside, who eats only when there are leftovers. But before she could wipe her tears, I snapped her fingers.
Adana, you are still sitting there doing nothing. Go to the river and fetch water. Useless child, you should at least keep yourself busy. While others are preparing for greatness, Adonna picked up her pot and walked away, not saying a word when she reached the riverbank. The place that once held mystery and magic, she dropped the pot and sat on the edge.
She wept softly and painfully. “Why did you save him?” she whispered to herself. “Why didn’t you just wish for your own freedom or money that day?” she said. As she went, she wiped her tears, stood up, and filled her pot, then turned and left. Meanwhile, in the majestic golden courtyard of Zuma, the sun shone on hundreds of maidens standing in rows.
Their rappers shimmerred, their bees jingled, their smiles sparkled with hope. The king stood tall, proud of his people. Prince Iina walked slowly before the maiden, searching row after row, face after face. But she wasn’t there. He turned to his father, frustration burning in his chest. Father, she’s not [Music] here.
These are all the maidens in the seven kingdoms. My son, the king replied, Where on earth did you say you saw this girl? By the river, Ikina whispered. The king looked at him strangely. You may have seen a river spirit, my son. Maybe she was never real. Priscilla shook his head slowly. She’s real, father. She touched me. She cried for me. I looked into her eyes.
She is no spirit. She is the one, but the wind blew softly. The courtyard was silent and far away in Okutoa. Adana walked into the compound with her pots on her head unnoticed, unseleelebrated, unknown. The one the prince was searching for was busy fetching water for her stepmother. Chisums come into the compound, her face twisted in anger and embarrassment. Mother, she shouted.
I wasn’t choosing, but do you know what I heard in the palace? The prince. The prince is looking for a certain maiden who saved his life at the river on an eek market day. Ida dropped the calabash in her hand. It shattered on the ground. What say that again? He’s not looking for a wife anymore. He’s looking for her.
The girl who saved him that day. And everyone in the palace is talking. Something flashed in Idom’s eyes. The river, the Acada, she whispered. Her heart sank. Adana, she grew. It must be her. She’s some blink. What do we do, Mama? We cannot allow this. I won’t allow that stupid girl to be a queen over me.
Each of my face twisted with evil, her lips curled into a bitter smile. We end it once and for all. Far away in Zuma Kingdom, Prince Eica stood at the riverbank again. That same river where he was once dying. He knelled. Please, he whispered to the wind. Let me find her again. Just once. That evening in Oka Jama wore her kindest face.
I’m going to go and fetch water at the river. It’s almost dusk and we need water for cooking. Without question, Adana picked up her pot again and walked quietly to the river. She never noticed the shadows behind her. Ajma and Chisim crept silently behind, hiding behind trees and bushes. When Adana bent down to fill her pot. She paused.
She felt something footsteps. She turned, but it was too late. A heavy wood hit her head. She staggered. Her eyes widened. She saw them ejoma and chisel their face twisted with hate. You will never take what belongs to my daughter’s part useless orphan. Chisum he’s then darkness. Adana’s body fell on the ground as they both bundled her and threw her into the river.
They watched her float, then turned and ran home. But the gods were not asleep. As the sun disappeared and the moon rose quietly above the tree, Prince Kenna rode towards the river again. “Why am I restless today?” he wondered. “Why does the river call to me again?” When he arrived, the place was unusually still.
Even the birds were not making any sound. Then he saw something floating in the river. A body he dived without thinking twice, fighting the current, trying to drag the body to the shore. When he turned the body over, his heart froze. It’s her, the girl with the kind eyes. The one who saved him. No. No, you can’t die now, he whispered. He carried her into his arms and galloped back to Zuma like a madman.
The palace erupted in chaos. Call the greatest healers. Summon the priestesses. Bring the river herbs. The king shouted. They worked on her all night. Oils, incantations. Herbs, chants, and prayers. Prince Aena refused to leave her side. Please, please wake up, he said. Then just before dawn, her dana coughed.
Her fingers twitched. Her eyes fluttered open. Where am I? She whispered. Tears filled Prince Kenna’s eyes. He held her hand and pulled her gently into an embrace. “You are safe now,” he said, his voice trembling. “You are with me now, and I will never let you go again.” Days later in the palace of Zuma, Adana sat by the palace garden.
Her face lit up with wonder as she admired the palace. For the first time in her life, she wore silk instead of rags. Her hair was braided with golden beads. Princey Ka approached her slowly from behind and placed a flower crown on her head. You look like the goddess that saved me twice, he whispered. She turned eyes wide. Twice? Yes, he smiled.
Once from death and once from a life without [Music] love. Madonna blushed, looking down. Ikima, why me? There were so many [Music] maidens. He took her hands and pulled her close. Because none of them saw my soul the way you did. None of them gave up a wish for a stranger. They know nothing about you chose me when you could have chosen gold or freedom.
He leaned and gently rested his forehead on hers. I love you so much, Adana. Tears shimmerred in her eyes. And I love you, too. We can, she said, as tears flowed freely. They held each other under the morning sun, wrapped in peace. The birds seemed to sing just for them alone. But peace was not for everyone. Back in Oka, the river trembled.
The river goddess rose from the waters, tall and radiant, her eyes glowing like the burning moon. She appeared in Idom’s compound. Idom. Her voice thundered like a thousand drums. Idoma and Chiso were thrown to the ground by the force of her presence. You dare to strike my chosen child. You shed innocent blood in my river.
Suddenly, the skies darkened, wines howled, thunder cracked. She some screamed and tried to run, but a giant green snake slithered from the trees, eyes glowing and fangs out. Before she could escape, the snake struck a. She screamed as the poison entered her veins. She collapsed, shivering and convulsing. “Please, please spare her. Please spare us,” Adorma cried. Crawling on her knees.
“You didn’t beg for Macy. When you struck that innocent girl down,” the goddess said coldly. “But she was never mine. She was the child of my husband’s dead wife. She’s not my child. A child doesn’t need to be yours for you to have compassion and love for them. The goddess shouted at her. And now you will speak the truth to the villagers of what you have done.
The goddess raised her hand and it drama’s mouth open against her will. Yes, I did it. I sent her to die twice because I fear she will rise above my daughter. She confessed as the villagers gathered and stared in shock. She broke down sobbing. The goddess turned to her. Your punishment will not be death but remorse.
You shall serve in the palace kitchen for the rest of your life. Watching the one you hated rise above you. That is my judgment. The drama collapsed in defeat as the snakes’s leader back into the bush. Weeks later, the palace bells rang. The royal wedding. Adana wore a flowing gold wrapper with silver embroidery. Her skin glowed. Her eyes sparkled with joy.
Prince looked every inch a king. They stood before the king and the entire seven kingdoms. Okay. and the entire seven kingdoms. With this crown, I choose you as the love of my life and the one to spend my entire life with,” he said. “With this heart, I choose you, too.” Dana replied, “They kissed to the
cheer of the thousand. Dancers swirled, drums pounded. The river goddess, hidden among the clouds, smiled. And so you’re in the palace kitchen. Jerma silently peeled yam tears rolling down her cheeks. While Chisum her arm paralyzed from the snake bite watch with hollow eyes as her stepsister whom she had hate and cursed every day become the queen over the seven kingdoms.
Adana and Aenna ruled with love, kindness and wisdom and every Akenna marketked day the young maidens would whisper, “She was once a village girl with rags and bruises. Now she is our queen. If the river knows your name, your destiny will never drown. Thank you so much for watching. What lesson did you learn from this story? Do well to comment on the comment section.
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