The Precious Stone

CHAPTER SIX - A NEW BEGINNING

The servants in the palace were instructed to thoroughly clean it, as a new king was about to be crowned. The palace was vast, so the servants cleaned it according to their strength, knowing it would take more than a day to finish.

While one of the servants was cleaning the inner chambers, he discovered the precious stone hidden behind Princess Oma's mirror. Shocked and frightened, he screamed loudly. The others, who were washing curtains near the palace gate, heard his cry and quickly rushed to see what had happened.

Upon seeing the precious stone, they were equally startled. One of them immediately ran to inform one of the village elders. The elder was overjoyed and announced to the villagers that the precious stone had been found in Isanga, though he did not reveal its exact location.

Soon after, a group of hunters from a neighboring village came to hunt in Isanga. As they passed by the bushes, they overheard two maidens gossiping about the precious stone. The hunters returned to their village and reported this to their king, who, in response, ordered his strongest warriors to prepare for war.

A messenger was sent to the new king of Isanga, King Ezigbo, to warn him that war was imminent. To prevent injuries or deaths, movement was restricted between the two villages.

When the day of the battle came, the warriors of Isanga armed themselves with charms, staffs, bows, and arrows, prepared to fight for the precious stone. The warriors from the neighboring village were equally determined, willing to sacrifice their lives for it.

Upon hearing about the impending battle, the missionaries rushed to the battlefield to stop the violence. King Ezigbo also headed to the battlefield, ready to surrender the precious stone to preserve peace. When the missionaries arrived, Rev. Fr. Alban, filled with divine courage, walked into the center of the battlefield and raised his hands as a sign of peace.

He pleaded with the warriors to stop the fighting, reminding them that no precious stone was worth dying for. He spoke of Jesus, the precious Lamb who was slain for the salvation of all. Moved by his words, the warriors slowly began to lower their weapons—bows, arrows, charms, and staffs—one by one. Realizing the futility of their battle, they listened to his preaching, and after a prayer, they dispersed peacefully.

The following day, the missionaries visited King Ezigbo to discuss their plans for Isanga. The king not only approved their agenda but also granted them a larger plot of land. With this support, the missionaries completed the school building and established churches across the village. Education spread throughout Isanga, and the village began to flourish.

The war had ended, and with peace restored, Isanga saw a revival in trade and agriculture. People started new businesses, and food became plentiful. The shrines were destroyed, and the influence of evil spirits vanished from the land. The villagers of Isanga lived in harmony, experiencing prosperity and peace like never before.

The End.