The poor boy who became king at 14 #africanfolktales #tales – Ty

Obie was just a 14-year-old boy who lived in a small mud hut at the far end of the village people hardly noticed him and when they did it was usually to laugh or insult him see him the village boys would whisper always dirty always barefoot son of the dust that was what they called him son of the dust obie didn’t reply he didn’t like trouble every morning he went to the farmland mama uu gave him carrying a small hoe over his shoulder the land was dry the crops were slow but obie worked hard he knew no one was going to help him he had

No parents no brothers no sisters only mama uu the old woman who took him in when he was just a baby people said she was a herbalist others said she was a witch but obie only saw her as the one person who truly cared for him sometimes he wondered who his real parents were but mama uu never talked about about them she always said when the time comes the truth will come that made no sense to obie but he didn’t ask questions that morning the sun was already hot by the time obie reached the farm he bent down and started removing weeds from the soil

His hands were rough his fingers had small cuts but he didn’t stop a few boys passed by the road near the farm they laughed when they saw him still farming like a goat one shouted don’t worry said another maybe one day you will farm gold they laughed again and walked off obis side and kept working after a few hours he dropped his hoe and wiped the sweat from his face his back was hurting his hands were dusty his stomach was empty he stood up slowly and looked at the sky i’m tired he whispered tired of this life he didn’t know why he said that out

Loud maybe he just wanted someone anyone to hear him later that evening obie returned to the hut mama uu was sitting outside cutting leaves into a bowl her white hair was tied back her eyes were sharp even though she was old you look tired she said i am obie replied sitting on a small wooden stool beside her the land is dry the crops are weak and i’m tired of the insults mama uu looked at him carefully she didn’t speak for a few seconds then she said come inside obie followed her into the hut the air inside was cool

And quiet the walls were lined with baskets and dried herbs there was a small mat on the floor and an old clay pot in one corner mama uu walked to a corner of the room she opened a small wooden box that obie had never seen before it was covered in a faded cloth she sat on the floor and opened the box slowly inside there was something shiny ob moved closer it was a golden pendant shaped like a lion’s head the eyes of the lion were tiny red stones beside the pendant was a small scroll tied with red string obie stared at it what is that he

Asked softly mama uu didn’t answer immediately she picked up the pendant and placed it in his hand it belongs to you she said me why she looked straight into his eyes because obie you were not just a poor boy you are not a son of the dust you are the son of a king obie blinked he looked at her again thinking he didn’t hear well what did you say i said you are a prince she said her voice calm the only child of king eoba and queen ataku obie stood up quickly dropping the pendant no no that can’t be true you must be joking i am not mama uu

Said but but my parents died of sickness that’s what you told me she sighed her eyes became sad i lied i did it to protect you your parents were killed obie murdered in cold blood obie felt like the floor was shaking beneath him who killed them he asked mama uu didn’t speak for a while then she said the same man who sits on the throne today chief meduka he was your father’s friend he wanted the crown he poisoned them them during a village festival then he told the people it was a sickness obie sat back down his head spinning no no this

Can’t be true i know it’s hard she said but it’s time you knew the truth the people don’t know you’re alive they think the baby prince died in the fire that night but i saved you i took you and ran why didn’t you tell me earlier obie asked you were too young if anyone had known who you were they would have killed you too but now the village is falling apart muka rules with fear people are hungry they need a true king obie shook his head but i’m just a farmer i don’t know how to fight i don’t know how to lead

You will learn she said the blood of kings runs in your veins obie looked at the pendant again he picked it up and held it tightly what’s in the scroll he asked mama uu untied the red string and opened it it was written in thick black ink this is your father’s final message he wrote it before the festival the day he was killed obie read the word slowly it was short but powerful to my son if you ever read this it means the light has returned rule with wisdom rule with kindness remember the people remember your name obie didn’t speak his hands

Were shaking mama uu stood and touched his shoulder gently you must leave tonight she said why because i saw a vision last night the wind brought the smell of danger meduka spies are close if they find you it will be too late where will i go to the aka forest she replied there are people there who can help you people who were once royal guards now hiding in the shadows they will guide you obie swallowed hard but what about you i will stay she said i’m too old to run i will mislead them but you must go you must live obie’s eyes

Filled with tears i can’t leave you you must she said firmly this is bigger than both of us suddenly they heard something a faint sound of horse hooves obie turned to the door mama uu’s eyes became sharp they’re here she whispered take the pendant take the scroll go through the back path run fast don’t look back obie hesitated but she pushed him toward the door run my son obie ran into the darkness clutching the pendant and scroll tightly behind him he heard shouting men’s voices the sound of boots hitting the ground and dogs barking but

He didn’t stop he ran through the narrow bush path his heart beating like a drum branches scratched his arms thorns cut his feet but he didn’t feel pain he only thought about mama uu about the truth about the crown about everything he never knew he didn’t know where the path would lead but deep in his heart something had changed he was no longer just a farmer he was no longer a son of the dust he was the son of a king and his story was just beginning obie kept running the bush path was narrow and full of sharp sticks his feet were

Bleeding his chest was rising and falling f fast he didn’t stop he couldn’t stop behind him he still heard shouting he didn’t know if the men were chasing him or if they stayed behind with mama uu but he knew one thing he had to get far away the pendant swung on his neck the scroll was tied in his waistband he held on to a long stick he picked from the bush not to fight but to keep his balance the night was dark the sky had no moon the only light was the soft glow of fireflies around him obi had never been to the aqua forest before

He had only heard stories people said it was a place of spirits snakes and shadows some even said people entered and never returned but he had no choice now he walked deeper and deeper into the trees the forest was thick and quiet every sound made his heart jump a bird’s cry a branch falling even his own footsteps suddenly he heard a voice stop walking obie froze the voice was close it was a girl’s voice strong and serious put down the stick she said again obie turned slowly he saw someone step out from behind a tree it was a girl about

His age or maybe a little older she had a long scar on her left arm and held a sharp spear in her hand her clothes were rough like someone who had lived in the forest for years i said drop it she repeated her eyes fixed on him i’m not here to fight obie said quickly i’m just trying to find help who are you she asked my name is obie where are you coming from inata a village he said i ran away men were chasing me why obie didn’t answer he wasn’t sure if he could trust her the girl moved closer are you a thief no obie said are you a spy no

I’m not a spy then what are you she asked lowering her spear just a little obie took a deep breath i’m i’m the son of the late king the girl’s eyes widened she stared at him for a moment then burst out laughing you a king son you look like a hungry goat i know obie said but it’s true i didn’t know until yesterday then why should i believe you he pulled out the pendant from under his shirt and showed her her smile faded she looked at it carefully then she touched the lion’s head on the pendant her fingers shook a little i’ve seen this

Before she whispered my father showed me once he said only the kingk family wears it obie nodded it belonged to my father the girl stepped back she looked at him again this time with different eyes i’m adiz she said slowly my father was one of the royal guards before chief meduka took over he was killed when he refused to kneel to him i’m sorry obie said adiz didn’t reply she just turned around and said come with me obie followed her through a small path that led deeper into the forest after a few minutes they

Reached a hidden camp there were three people sitting by a small fire two men and one older woman they all stood up when they saw a bringing obie who is this asked the younger man picking up a short knife a strange said the second man a strongl looking one with a heavy beard should we tie him up first no adis said he’s not a threat how do you know the older woman asked her eyes sharp like mama uu’s adiz pointed to the pendant the group went silent then the bearded man stepped forward i’m dyke he said i was the

Palace gatekeeper once i’m toby said the younger one i steal food from muka market and bring it here i’m good at running the old woman stepped closer my name is ezen i listen to the spirits obie nodded slowly i’m i’m still trying to understand everything dyke stared at him for a while you don’t look like a prince i know obie said quietly i didn’t grow up in a palace i grew up in dust ezen walked in a circle around him but sometimes she said softly the strongest trees grow from the smallest seeds obie didn’t understand

What she meant but her voice felt calm why are you here dyke asked him obie told them everything from the insults in the village to mama uu’s words the golden pendant the scroll the escape and the forest nobody spoke for a while then adiz said if what he’s saying is true this boy might be the answer we’ve been waiting for toby chuckled so what now we give him a crown and bow before him no dyke said but if he’s really the prince then we must train him train me obie asked yes dyke said you can’t go back to the village as a scared farmer if you

Want to take back your throne you must learn how to fight how to lead how to speak with power obie looked at his thin arms i don’t know if i can you’ll learn adis said firmly we’ll teach you that night they gave obie a small blanket and a place to sleep beside the fire he couldn’t sleep well his body was tired but his mind was full he was no longer in the village he was no longer invisible but everything ahead still felt too big the next morning training began dyke handed him a wooden sword let me see what you can do obi tried to hold

It but it was heavy when dyke attacked softly obi dropped it again dyke said obie picked it up again the same thing happened again and again i’m not strong enough obie said after a while no dyke said you just don’t believe in yourself yet meanwhile toby taught him how to move quietly through the forest step on the sides of your feet toby said not the center that way your steps don’t make noise obie tried he tripped over a route and landed on his face toby laugh laughed you’re learning adiz trained him on how to fight with a spear your hands

Are soft they must become hard hold it firm don’t swing like you’re chasing chickens every day obi trained he failed fell got hurt but got up again ezen taught him about the past your father was kind but strong your mother was brave you carry both their spirits she also taught him how to listen not just to people but to the forest to the wind to his own heart sometimes at night obie sat alone staring at the pendant he missed mama uu he wondered if she was safe he wondered if he’d ever be ready for what was coming one evening while

Sitting near the fire ezen came beside him do you dream she asked yes obie said sometimes tell me i dreamed i was standing on a hill people were bowing before me but then the sky turned turned red i looked down and my hands were full of blood ezen nodded slowly it’s not just a dream it’s a warning the path ahead will not be easy power brings danger i don’t want to hurt anyone obie said but you must protect your people she replied even if it means fighting obie didn’t answer his heart felt heavy a few days later something strange

Happened a strange man came close to the camp dirty limping and coughing toby caught him and brought him in kill me i’m just a traveler ezen looked into his eyes he’s lying they tied him to a tree when night came adiz searched his bag and found a small letter it was a message from meduka palace the man was a spy he was sent to find out if the prince was alive adis said obie’s heart beat fast he knows i’m here no no dyke said he only knows someone is hiding in the forest we must be careful now obie felt fear again but also strength the

Time was coming he was changing no longer a scared farmer boy not yet a king but something in between something powerful something rising and the world would soon see it the days passed slowly in the forest obi was no longer the same weak boy who had first run into aqua for forest his arms were stronger now his eyes were sharper he could carry a spear without dropping it he could move through the trees without making a sound his hands had cuts his legs had bruises but his heart was different now braver firmer still deep inside he knew

Something was missing he was training every day he was learning how to fight how to speak how to survive but he had not seen his people he had not seen cata a village since the night he ran away he didn’t know how bad things had become one night obie sat by the fire the flames danced gently in the wind dyke he said i want to go back dyke looked up from sharpening his blade back where to the village adiz raised her head quickly are you mad that’s too risky i won’t go as myself obie said i’ll go in disguise just to see just to look toby chuckled

You want to go sightseeing in a place where your head is worth gold i need to know how the people are living obie said i want to see their pain i want to feel it for myself if i don’t understand their suffering how can i lead them later ezen who had been sitting quietly in the shadows finally spoke he is right everyone turned to her the crown is not just about fighting she said softly it is about knowing your people they hunger their fear their sorrow only then can your heart lead them adis folded her arms then i’m going with him so am i

Dyke added toby raised his hand me too but only if i get to wear a fancy disguise everyone laughed a little but the air was still heavy they knew this was not a joke they would be walking into danger the next morning they dressed in simple rags ad tied a scarf around obie’s head to hide his face toby covered his own face with dirt and leaves they moved like shadows through the forest path and entered inata from the eastern side where there were fewer guards the village looked worse than obie remembered the roads were dusty and

Dry the houses looked weak some half fallen the market was smaller now many stalls were empty the ones that had food were crowded with angry hungry people why are the prices so high one woman shouted at at a traitor go and ask your king the man shouted back do you think food grows by magic obie watched as a small boy reached for a yam on the ground but the traitor slapped his hand away thief the man shouted he’s just hungry said the boy’s mother holding him tightly no food for beggars the traer said obie’s heart broke he turned to

Ezen this this is not the village i knew it is what dua made it she replied they moved closer to the palace big guards stood at the gate holding heavy sticks and long swords inside drums were beating a group of dancers was practicing in the courtyard what’s going on adiz whispered toby pointed they’re preparing for something they asked a nearby woman who was selling palm oil what’s the celebration about dyke asked her she looked around before answering the king is choosing a new heir she said softly he wants to make his nephew the

Next ruler obie clenched his fists he wants to give my father’s throne to someone else muka knows his time is short ezen said he’s trying to protect himself just then a weak voice came from behind them help help me they turned and saw a small girl maybe 7 years old lying near a tree her leg legs were dirty her dress torn obie rushed to her side what happened to you i i was beaten i took a mango from the palace tree she said holding her side in pain obie’s eyes turned red they beat a child for a mango the girl’s mother came running kneeling

Beside them i told her not to go near the palace she said crying but she was hungry she didn’t listen obie reached into his pocket and gave the woman the little food he had brought take this thank you kind stranger the woman said tears in her eyes may the gods bless you as they walked away adiz whispered now do you see why you must fight for them ob be nodded i see now i understand better as they turned a corner they passed by a group of old men sitting under a tree one of them looked very familiar to dyke that’s elder ooro dyke

Whispered he used to be close to the king obie turned to look at the man he looked older now thinner with sunken cheeks but his eyes were still sharp they walked past without saying anything but dyke seemed quiet afterward that evening back in the forest obie sat beside dyke you know him don’t you obie asked yes dyke replied he was one of the men who helped your father run the kingdom then why didn’t he fight meduka dyke was silent for a moment then he said because he was part of it what he was part of the group

That helped meduka poison your parents obie felt like someone punched his chest are you sure i’m sure dyke said his voice low i overheard them that night they were in the inner chamber they thought i couldn’t hear obie stood up why didn’t you tell me before because i wasn’t ready dyke said it’s hard to accept that someone you trusted was part of such evil obie didn’t speak for a while then he said i want to confront him no dyke said not yet you need more strength more support the right time will come obie turned to the fire and

Looked into the flames i won’t rest until i bring them all down he said softly ezen came and sat beside him you will she said but not with anger with wisdom obie looked at her how do i fight evil without hate in my heart she smiled by remembering why you fight not for revenge but for justice for peace for your people obie nodded slowly suddenly toby ran in from the edge of the camp news he shouted big news what is it adiz asked there’s going to be a festival in 3 days toby said a big one muka will declare his nephew as the new

Heir obie stood up then that is our moment everyone turned to him we will go there not in secret not in disguise but in truth adiz raised her eyebrows are you saying what i think you’re saying yes obie said i will walk into that festival i will stand before the people and i will show them who i really am and if meduka attacks you dyke asked then let him try obie said the people must see the truth they must choose between a liar and their real king the fire crackled softly the air felt heavy again but this time it was not fear it was

Purpose obie was ready not just in his body but in his heart the time for hiding was over the son of the king was going home the camp was quiet that night but no one was sleeping obie sat near the fire looking at the glowing pendant in his hand his fingers ran slowly over the lion’s head the flames reflected in his eyes his mind was heavy adiz came and sat beside him you’re really going to do it she asked yes obie said i have to you know meduka will try to kill you in front of everyone obie nodded i’m not afraid anymore adiz looked at him you

Should be you’re walking into a lion’s mouth i won’t be alone obie said i have all of you adiz didn’t reply she only stared at the fire soon the others joined them dyke sat with his sword beside him toby brought some roasted corn and passed it around ezen walked over slowly and sat across from obi this will not be easy she said i know obi replied you will be tested not just by muka but by the people too some will believe you others won’t they will obie said softly when they see the truth ea nodded then let’s begin begin what toby asked with a

Mouth full of corn preparing she said this is not a fight of swords it is a fight of hearts they spent the rest of the night planning ezen taught obie how to speak with power dy taught him how to stand tall like a leader adiz helped him practice how to move in front of a crowd with without fear toby went over escape paths just in case things went wrong by morning everything was set they dressed obie in simple but clean clothes around his neck was the pendant on his waist he tied the scroll the king’s last message

As they got ready to leave ezen stood before obie you carry more than your father’s name she said you carry the hope of your people obie looked at her with steady eyes then i won’t fail them they moved carefully through the forest sticking to secret paths when they reached the edge of the village they paused to watch the village was busy drums were beating flags were flying dancers filled the open square people were wearing their best clothes the smell of roasted meat filled the air it was the festival toby looked around and

Whispered so much celebration for a lie dyke pointed to the center of the square a large wooden stage had been built chairs were set around it at the top muka sat in a golden chair dressed in fine red robes beside him stood a young man his nephew that’s the one he wants to crown adiz said her voice sharp the people look happy obie said surprised they’re not happy ezen replied they’re distracted that’s what meduka wants music instead of truth dancing instead of justice oh nodded then it’s time to wake them he stepped out into the open

People turned as he walked through the crowd no one recognized him at first but when adiz and dyke followed behind whispers started who is that where are they going who is that boy with the pendant obie climbed the stage slowly the music stopped drums went silent muka frowned who dares walk onto my stage obie turned to him and said clearly my name is obi son of king eoba and queen adaku the crowd gasped muka laughed loudly this is nonsense obie pulled out the pendant and raised it high this belonged to my father given to me by the

Only person who risked her life to save me mama uu the people began to murmur obie untied the scroll and opened it this is the last message written by the king my father listen carefully his voice shook a little at first but he kept going to my son if you ever read this it means the light has returned rule with wisdom rule with kindness remember the people remember your name a deep silence followed obie stepped forward you have been ruled by a man who took the crown with poison a man who fed you lies a man who beat your children

And taxed your hunger but today i stand before you not to fight for revenge but to fight for truth meduka stood up his face was red with anger you liar this boy is a fraud he wants to fool you with fake stories and empty words dyke stepped forward i was a palace guard i saw the truth i saw muka betrayal adiz added my father was killed for standing against muka this boy is the rightful king more villagers started to speak i remember that pendant one elder said that scroll has the king’s seal another shouted the crowd was growing louder

Muka raised his hand and shouted guards arrest them several guards rushed forward weapons in hand obie stood still if you touch me you touch the crown the guards paused toby had already moved through the crowd calling others don’t let him silence us stand for justice more four villagers stood in front of the stage forming a wall between the guards and obie the guards hesitated they were outnumbered now muka voice cracked you fools you believe a poor boy over your king obie turned to him you were never the king you were only a

Thief wearing a crown meduka reached for his sword i’ll kill you myself he charged at obie but dyke blocked him with his own sword their blades clashed sparks flew the crowd screamed adiz jumped in and kicked meduka sword from his hand fell to the ground obi picked it up and held it but he didn’t raise it to strike instead he threw it down i don’t need a sword to win he said loudly i only need the truth the crowd cheered muka fell to his knees breathing heavily please he said looking up don’t kill me obie looked at him for a moment then he

Said i’m not like you he turned to the people i will not spill blood today but let it be known that this man stole your crown and now he must leave the people started shouting out out the guards dropped their weapons and walked away no one stood with meduka anymore the villagers chased him out throwing stones and sticks meduka ran his fine robes now dirty and torn obie stood on the stage watching him disappear here the people looked at him they were silent again then one by one they began to kneel long live the true king someone shouted obie

Obie obie the name echoed across the square obie looked around at the faces old and young rich and poor all united he had no golden crown on his head but he didn’t need one he had something greater the love of his people and in that moment he knew the fire beneath the crown was not anger it was justice it was truth it was the beginning of a new kingdom the village square was still buzzing with energy people stood all around whispering shouting crying some looked at obie with pure awe while others still seemed unsure obie stood on

The wooden stage his heart pounding he had won but it didn’t feel like victory yet not fully dyke stepped beside him placing a hand on his shoulder it’s over he said obie shook his head not yet adiz turned to him meduka is gone the people believe you what else is left obie looked out at the crowd scanning their faces some filled with hope some still afraid some waiting they have followed a liar for too long he said they need more than my name they need to know what comes next he took a deep breath and stepped forward the crowd fell silent

Obie’s voice was clear strong but full of emotion you all see me standing here he said you hear my name you know my father you know my mother you see the pendant the scroll the truth he let his words settle in before continuing but this moment is not just about me it is about us a few heads lifted a few voices murmured for years you have suffered for years you have lived in fear some of you forgot how to hope some of you stopped believing in change but today i stand before you as proof that the past is not lost an elder in the crowd his voice

Shaking with age called out what will you do for us my king obie felt the weight of the words my king he had dreamed of this moment but not for power not for revenge for something greater i will rebuild what was broken obie said not just the palace not just the roads but the hearts of this kingdom the people listened the air was thick with expectation there will be no more leaders who rule with fear obie continued there will be no more children beaten for being hungry no more fathers arrested for speaking the truth no more

Widows left with nothing a woman in the crowd covered her mouth tears running down her face under my rule obie said no one will be left behind the crowd roared people clapped cheered raised their hands the village had come alive again dyke watched in silence nodding your father would be proud ezen standing at the edge of the stage smiled the spirits are listening she whispered toby grinned well this is the first time i’ve seen people cheer for a king without being forced adiz shook her head i don’t know how but you did it obie turned to them

His friends the ones who had been with him from the beginning not just me we did he looked back at the people tomorrow we begin together the crowd cheered again louder stronger the next morning obie stood at the entrance of the ruined palace it was strange seeing it up close after so many years the walls were still tall but cracks ran through them the golden carvings were faded the once beautiful doors were scratched and broken he stepped inside the halls were dark and silent the air smelled of dust and forgotten things the

Throne room once full of life was empty he walked slowly to the throne his father used to sit there his mother used to stand beside him now it was just him his fingers brushed against the armrest cold heavy adis and dyke walked in behind him strange isn’t it de said all the trouble we went through just to end up back here dyke nodded it doesn’t feel like a home yet obi turned because it’s not not yet he stepped away from the throne this place will not be rebuilt with gold he said it will be rebuilt with the people adiz raised an eyebrow

What do you mean the palace should not be a place where kings sit high above their people obi said it should be a place where the people can come can speak can be heard dyke smiled then we start today thanks for watching if you enjoyed the story please leave a like and subscribe here is another interesting story to watch click to watch now