✨ Tales by Uwa ✨
02/05/2025
Title: The Curse of the Chosen Child
In the beautiful closely knitted community of Oluye, where everyone lives as family, there leaves a couple named Tola and Kunle, who have been married for 6 yrs without a child, they have cried and pray and finally God answered their prayers and Tola got pregnant. They both were very happy to welcome their first child after many years of waiting. They named her Dara, meaning “good.” Her birth brought joy to her parents, but not everyone shared their happiness. The night Dara was born, the moon turned a strange red color, and the community feared and whispered that it was a bad omen.
Three months later, Tola and Kunle prepared to visit Iya, the community elder who could see into a child’s future. Kunle hesitated. “What if she tells us something we don’t want to hear?” he asked. Tola, determined to protect her daughter, said, “We must know. It’s the only way to help her.”
When they reached Iya’s hut, the elder welcomed them with a kind smile. She took Dara into her arms and closed her eyes. After a long silence, she spoke. “This child has a powerful destiny, but there is a shadow on her path. Someone will try to stop her from fulfilling her purpose.”
Tola’s heart tightened. “What can we do?” she asked. Iya shook her head. “Raise her with love and watch carefully. The truth will reveal itself when the time is right.”
Dara grew up to be a lively, curious child. She loved playing outside and helping her mother with chores. But as she got older, strange things began to happen as Dara can go to people's houses and steal stuff that she didn't even need. She will fight other children and injure them. The once calm and lovely community began to leave in fear of seeing Dara. They will hide their kids and all the kids begin to run away from her.
One day, the community's largest fruit tree that everyone eats falls during a calm, sunny afternoon While Dara tries to pluck a fruit from it. People began to murmur. “It’s the child,” they said. “She brings bad luck.”
Tola tried to ignore the whispers, but then she noticed something unusual on Dara’s wrist. A small mark shaped like a star appeared one morning. “Where did this come from?” she asked, but Dara didn’t know. Kunle quickly wrapped it with a cloth. “No one must see this,” he said firmly.
Soon, the people started avoiding Dara. Even her closest friend, Sade, stopped playing with her. At school she was almost by herself and she sits by herself. Mama,” Dara asked one evening, “why don’t they like me?” Tola held her tightly. “You are special, my child. They don’t understand what you carried. But deep down both parents was worried,and it was almost like what iya said was coming to pass. They keep praying for a change and for people to start loving their daughter.
One quiet night, there was a knock on the door. When Kunle opened it, a man stood outside, dressed in a simple robe. His name was Femi, and he said he was a traveler who knew about curses and ancient traditions.
“I know about the mark on your daughter’s wrist,” he said, stepping inside. Tola and Kunle exchanged worried glances. “What do you mean?” Kunle asked.
Femi explained, “The mark is a sign of a curse. Someone has tied your daughter’s destiny to misfortune. She was meant for greatness, but this curse is meant to destroy her future.”
“Who would do such a thing?” Tola asked, her voice trembling. Femi replied, “Someone close to you. Someone who is jealous or afraid of her potential.”
“What can we do?” Kunle asked. Femi told them about a place called the Grove of Light, hidden deep in the forest. “If you go there, you may find answers. But the journey will test your courage.”
The next morning, Tola, Kunle, and Dara followed Femi to a far away village into the forest The trees were tall and thick, their branches blocking the sunlight. Dara held her mother’s hand tightly.
That night, they stopped to rest by a stream. Everyone fell asleep except Dara. She woke up to a soft voice calling her name. “Dara come closer,” it whispered.
She stood up and walked toward the stream, her steps slow and dreamy. But before she could go far, Tola woke up. “Dara!” she shouted, rushing to grab her.
“What are you doing?” Tola asked, holding her close. “I heard someone calling me,” Dara said. Femi frowned. “Do not follow voices in the forest,” he warned. “They are tricks meant to lead you astray.”
The family continued the journey the next day, but Dara began to feel uneasy. Shadows seemed to move behind the trees, and faint whispers followed them wherever they went.
After days of traveling, they finally reached the Grove of Light. It was a magical place, filled with glowing flowers and soft golden light. At the center stood a giant tree with silver leaves that shimmered like stars.
Femi knelt in front of the tree and began to pray. The ground shook lightly, and a glowing figure appeared from the tree. It had no face, but its voice was calm and powerful. “Why have you come?” it asked.
Tola stepped forward. “Our daughter is cursed,” she said. “We want to break it.”
The spirit looked at Dara. “The curse was placed by someone close to you,” it said. “To break it, you must find the person who cast it and make them confess. Only then will her destiny be free.”
“But how will we find them?” Kunle asked. The spirit replied, “The truth will come to you. Be patient, but stay alert. The one who cursed her will reveal themselves when the time is right.” Meanwhile at home Kunle has a step sister called Remi who lives 4 houses away from Kunles house and she also had children growing up. She often comes to visit Kunle but since the birth of Dara she has been withdrawn and so also her children. She was the only one Kunle could think about as someone close to them. other siblings were far away from them.
The family returned from the Grove of Light with a mix of hope and fear. Tola couldn’t stop thinking about the spirit’s words: “Someone close to you.” Who could it be?
The community noticed their return but kept their distance, as usual. One afternoon, Dara was outside playing near the house when her aunt, Remi, walked by. Remi glanced at Dara’s wrist and froze. “What’s that on her hand?” she asked sharply.
Tola stepped out quickly and pulled Dara inside. “It’s nothing,” she said, trying to sound calm. But Remi’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t hide everything forever,” she said, before walking away.
Later that evening, Femi sat with Tola and Kunle. “The one who cursed Dara is starting to panic,” he said. “They are afraid the truth will come out. Watch for unusual behavior.”
Kunle clenched his fists. “Whoever did this, they will not get away with it.”
One evening, as the family sat down to dinner, Dara suddenly dropped her spoon. She clutched her wrist and cried out, “Mama, it’s burning!”
Tola rushed to her side and unwrapped the cloth around her wrist. The mark was glowing brighter than ever. Femi stared at it closely. “This is a sign,” he said. “The curse is reacting. The one who cast it must be nearby.”
The next morning, Femi asked Tola and Kunle to gather the community in the square. He stood before them and said, “Someone in this community has cursed this child. If the truth doesn’t come out, the curse will spread.”
The crowd gasped. “What do you mean, spread?” someone asked. Femi explained, “Curses tied to jealousy always grow. If it isn’t stopped, it will harm not just Dara, but everyone connected to her.”
The community murmured nervously. A few glanced at Remi, who stood quietly at the back, avoiding everyone’s eyes.
That night, Tola couldn’t sleep. She sat by the fire, her thoughts racing. Suddenly, there was a soft knock at the door. When she opened it, she found Remi standing there.
Tola,” Remi whispered, “I need to talk to you.” Tola stepped aside, letting her in. “What is it?” she asked.
Remi looked nervous. “I didn’t mean for it to go this far,” she began.
“When Dara was born, everyone was so happy. I… I was jealous. My own children never had the kind of attention and prophecy that she gets.”
Tola’s heart sank. “What did you do, Remi?” she asked, her voice shaking.
“I went to a priest,” Remi confessed. “I asked him to make her life difficult, to make people doubt her. I didn’t think it would be this bad!”
Before Tola could respond, Kunle entered the room. He had heard everything. “You cursed our child because of jealousy?” he asked, his voice rising with anger.
Remi fell to her knees, crying. “I’m sorry brother. Please forgive me. I’ll do anything to fix it.”
The next morning, Femi and the family brought Remi to the community square. The community gathered, curious about the commotion. Femi stepped forward and said, “The truth has come out. Remi is the one who cursed Dara.”
The crowd gasped. Remi bowed her head in shame. “I was jealous,” she admitted. “I made a terrible mistake. Please forgive me.”
Femi called for the village elder, Iya, to join them. Together, they led a prayer to break the curse. Iya held Dara’s wrist and chanted softly while Femi guided the villagers in a loud, powerful prayer.
The mark on Dara’s wrist began to fade, and a warm light surrounded her. Dara’s eyes filled with tears. “Mama, it doesn’t hurt anymore,” she said, smiling.
The community cheered, but Iya raised her hand to quiet them. “Let this be a lesson,” she said. “Jealousy destroys not just others, but also the one who feels it. Remi has asked for forgiveness, but she must also make things right.”
The days after the curse was broken were peaceful. The community began to treat Dara with kindness, and the whispers of fear disappeared.
One day, Femi prepared to leave the village. “Your family is strong,” he told Tola and Kunle. “Dara’s future is bright now. She will do great things.”
“Thank you for everything,” Tola said, tears in her eyes. “We wouldn’t have made it without you.”
Dara hugged Femi tightly. “Will I ever see you again?” she asked. Femi smiled. “Maybe one day, when you are ready to take on your destiny.”
As the sun rose over oluye, Dara stood outside her home, watching the light spread across the community. For the first time, she felt free. Her family was safe, her future was hers, and she was ready to face whatever came next.
The mark of destiny had faded, but the lessons it brought would remain forever.
Morals of the Story
1. Jealousy Destroys More Than It Builds
Jealousy leads to destructive actions that harm not only others but also the person harboring it. True fulfillment comes from celebrating others’ success rather than resenting it.
2. Truth Will Always Prevail
No matter how deeply hidden, the truth has a way of coming to light. Facing the truth, even when it is uncomfortable, is the first step toward healing and freedom.
3. Love and Courage Conquer All
Challenges and curses, whether literal or figurative, can be overcome with love, determination, and the courage to confront adversity. A family united in love is a powerful force.
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