#Storytime African#African folktale drama#Storytime part1and2#FYP#Nigerian story

You should not have said that, you will make me disgrace myself here. Adah, who are you talking to on laughing? Ah, Ijama, you are here. I was just, just what's Adah? You have been doing this since we were small. Talking to trees, laughing with trees, as if the tree will answer you back. It is not what you think. Then what is it now? Because from where I am standing, my friend is standing alone in the forest, laughing with a tree like it is her mid. Just leave it, it does not concern you. It concerns me when people in the village have started talking. They say Adah is not well in the head. She is possessed. Do you know what they are saying about you? Let them say. Since when did the amount become my business? Don't worry, I will tell your mother before this thing grows worse. Maybe she can take you to see someone. Don't you dare, Jama. Adah? I said don't you dare tell my mother anything. No, this is for your own good. Whether you like it or not. I want you. Okama, come closer, my son. I am here, father. My time is folding like an old rapper. Before I close my eyes for the last time, I want to see you married. A throne cannot stand without a queen beside it. Father, this is not the time to speak of such things. I know what is coming, my son. Do not treat me like a foolish old man. Priest, consult the gods. Tell me what you want. I want to see you married. A throne cannot stand without a queen beside it. Father, this is not the time to speak of such things. Call the gods, tell me who my son must marry. I have already looked into this quietly. The science point to no ordinary woman. Then someone every eligible maiden in this kingdom. Let the gods choose for themselves. Father, how do you expect me to marry a maiden I never know? I can't. Okama? My prince, you have to marry anyone the gods choose for you. And accept our whole heartedly. Priest, what do you see? Is she among them? Your highness. The shells say no. No? With someone every maiden in the kingdom. How can she not be here? Someone the neighboring village maidens. Father, this is insane. I can't marry who I don't know. All of you start going home. Adah, Ijama, my friend. Why do I feel like something happened between us? Somewhere, somehow. I cannot place it. But my body is telling me something is not right. Ijama, what are you saying now? Nothing has happened between us. You are letting this hot sun confuse your head. That is all. There, you see, it is nothing. Come, let me help you carry that water. It looks heavy for you this morning. Since when did Adah become this helpful? Let me guess you want something from me. Most I always want something before I help my own friend. But since you have asked. Have you heard the news going around the village? The king has summoned all maidens Ijama. Not just from this village. From every village around us. Wait, wait, say that again. The king himself, someone in maidens. For what reason now? Nobody knows exactly. But they are saying it concerns the prince. Some kind of ritual. My mother has already started sorting through my thing since this morning. Chai. My mother will not even wait for the messenger to finish talking. Before she starts washing every rapa in this house. Imagine going to a king's palace. God forbid we disgrace ourselves before all those big people. Do not worry yourself. I have a feeling about this one. A very strong feeling. Jama. Ijama, why are you standing here talking with this girl as if nothing is wrong? And Ken, what is all this now? Is something the matter with you this morning? Ijama, have you completely forgotten what this girl did to you? At the Rocco tree. That same day, don't you remember anything at all? And Ken, what are you talking about? She left you there, Ijama. Lying on the ground. Not moving. Like something had struck you down. I was the one who found you. Don't you remember me shaking you, calling your name? And Ken, please stop this your talk before people start thinking something is wrong with you. You really do not remember, do you? Something is not right here, Jama. And Ken, please let us not spoil these good news with stories that never even happened. We should be happy, we should be preparing. Not standing here arguing about nonsense. Hold your back straight in Hunanya. Straight, I said. What is this your posture? Are you going to stand before a king? Mama, I am walking fine now, see? Like this. Is this not better? That is not how a maiden walks before royalty, my daughter. Not this your matching like a soldier going to walk. Mama, it is only a gathering of maidens. Not my wedding day that I must learn to float about like a spirit in this heat.