THE STUBBORN CHILD AND THE MERMAID - CHAPTER 3

After his sisters have left to stream, Akeem went on his own. On his way he met Joseph who is very stubborn, irresponsible both at home and to the villagers. Joseph was the son of Nkike who was also on his way to stream; but not the general stream everyone visit.

But the village most sacred stream where Queen Divadon, the goddess lives. Akeem who has never been to the stream and doesn’t know anything about the stream followed Joseph to the stream. The villagers can visit the stream, but they were specific days the villagers don’t visit the stream.

And those days were sacred where the chief priest offered sacrifies to “Queen Divadon”, the goddess in the rising of the sun and by noon day, the goddess consume the sacrifies. By nature, the sacred stream was very beautiful, cool and so enticing that no one visits the sacred stream without having an interest of coming back. And they were some rules for people who visit the stream.

One of the rules was that you can only fetch water, bath slowly, quietly and peacefully and no one beats the water or jump into the stream forcefully; so that it won’t disturb the peace of the goddess, for she was peaceful.

Meanwhile, when Akeem and his siblings were about leaving the house to stream their mother reminded them the golden rule of the family so that no one will mislead them or cause them to bring trouble for them at home.

Joseph convinces Akeem to go with him to the sacred stream; telling him about the pretty nature of the stream but not letting him know about the rules of the sacred stream he was about to go. He thought that if he tells Akeem about the rules he might or might not followed him to the stream. Despite his parent’s warnings, Akeem disobeyed their parents. He went with Joseph to the sacred stream.

When Akeem got to the sacred stream he exclaimed. Wow! This is amazing, he said: I never knew in my entire life that there is such an amazing and beautiful stream in this village. No wonder my parents stop us from leaving the house without their consent.

So they didn’t want us to come to this stream. Joseph laughed: he said to him why do your parents stop you from having fun, going out and meeting new friends? Are you not a man? How on earth will you get loved or date these pretty girls that are in this village? Come on guy! Get wise, you are not a kid anymore, don’t be fooled. Prove to them that you are old enough to take care of yourself.

Joseph: lets go and bath joor! They ran from the hill top of the stream and dived into the water. When they came out, Akeem told Joseph how his mother asked him to fetch four pots of water just because he used up the water at home. Joseph called Akeem! He answered: you kill Jesus? Akeem, NO! So why would your mother asked you to fetch four pots of water, what are your sisters doing at home? Are they not ladies? Is it not their duty to carry out all the house chores?

Akeem said to Joseph that he doesn’t want to fetch the four pots, that he can only fetch one because he has no such strength. That he has already decided to stay in the stream to bath with anybody he sees in the stream till the time his father will come back. Joseph said to Akeem: correct idea. You see what I told you? I know you are a smart guy.

And that he didn’t even know that there is such a beautiful stream here. Now that he has discovered the stream, he will be coming there to bath and have fun. They both returned to the water shouting and beating the water.

After about thirty minutes, Joseph changed his mind and decided to go home quickly but Akeem insisted that they should remain till the time he wants to go back. But Joseph came out of the water and started putting on his clothes. Akeem fetch his pot and put on his clothes and went home disappointing and his plan was frustrated.

When he got home, his siblings had finished fetching their water. And he was just coming back for the first time. Mean while, when his sisters were coming back for their first time; they have already reported to their mother that they didn’t see Akeem in the stream. That they don’t know which stream he went to.

His mother was worried if Akeem might have discovered the sacred stream. She waited for him to come back. When Akeem finally got home, his mother asked him which stream did he went to? She asked: I hope you followed no one to the sacred stream?

Akeem responded “Annnh! Annh!! Mummy did I even know that there is such a stream nearby? Akeem asked his mother the most important rule of the house. His mother believed him because he doesn’t go out to know places talk more about knowing the sacred stream. But unknowingly to her that he is lying.

Since he was causing everyone to panic; he was not allowed again to go for the remaining ones. And he was happy his plans have come to pass. He screamed YES! Akeem you’re too much!! Akeem you’re too SMART!!! So he used this plan against his siblings each time his mother will asks them to go to stream.