The Precious Stone

CHAPTER ONE - THE FIRST BEGINNING

Once upon a time in the village of Isanga, there was a fight between their warriors and the warriors of the next village because of a precious stone between the land boundary. This precious stone was a very big stone that could only be touched by a person pure in heart. No one was bold enough to go near the stone, let alone touch it. Everyone was scared of the stone because they did not want to die. However, the king of Isanga was too stubborn and tried to touch and steal the stone. He died while attempting to carry it.

The village of Isanga considered the king's act an abomination to the land. As a result, the king was not properly buried but was thrown into the evil forest, and no one was allowed to mourn his death.

After seven Eke market days, a new king was to be crowned, but none could be found. The only two men who were relatives of the late king were not considered because they had no male child. One of the men, Madueke, was wealthy and influential, while the other, Obinna, was poor. Despite Madueke's wealth, he was determined to become king, vowing that he must be crowned no matter what. Obinna, on the other hand, was not concerned and hoped he would one day have a son.

Soon, both Madueke's wife and Obinna's wife conceived around the same time. Obinna's wife gave birth to a baby boy, while Madueke's wife was still pregnant. When Madueke heard about Obinna's son, he became fearful. He sought the oracle's help and received charms to ensure his wife would also give birth to a son. Madueke gave his wife the charm, confident about the outcome. However, when the day of labor arrived, Madueke's wife gave birth to a baby girl.

Madueke was furious upon learning that his wife had given birth to a girl. He became consumed with thoughts of how to secure the throne. Meanwhile, Obinna celebrated the birth of his son, despite his poverty. Obinna was convinced that he would be the next king of Isanga.

Two weeks later, the council of elders summoned Obinna to plan his coronation. The elders set the date for his coronation in two market days' time and began preparations. When Madueke heard of the impending coronation, he became even more enraged. He decided that wiping out Obinna's family was the only way to secure the throne.

Madueke hired assassins to eliminate Obinna's family and the chief priest of Isanga. The assassins completed the job and were paid, but soon after, the oracle began to avenge the deaths. The oracle paralyzed the assassins, killed Madueke's three children on their way home from school, and struck Madueke's wife with thunder, sparing only the newborn girl, who was possessed by evil spirits from the oracle.

When the elders learned that the oracle was avenging the deaths of Obinna, his family, and the chief priest, they were terrified, unsure of who would die next. The community organized three days of mourning for Obinna, his family, and the chief priest.

Despite this, Madueke continued his evil deeds in the village, and no one suspected him. After three Eke market days, Madueke was crowned king of Isanga because he was the only one left in the family lineage.