Being born from a foreign woman, Akothi had an appearance different to that of the villagers, so they didn’t truly believe him to be of the royal blood. Desperation made the elders believe what the loyal servant said without questioning. Then Akothi left for the mountain to beg for forgiveness on behalf of the whole village. To everyone’s surprise, this young boy who looked foreign in their eyes had the royal blood.
The rain started falling before Akothi arrived back in the village and people rejoiced. They sang songs of praise and thanksgiving. Recognising that Akothi was truly a descendant of King Kalijoza, the villagers started mourning again, remembering their loving king. Indeed, the good will always be remembered even after they have left this world. The villagers continued singing and dancing till the day Akothi came back. Akothi was immediately sworn in as the King of the Kambuwa kingdom.
His grandmother praised him for not taking into account what she had caused the family. Akothi told her that on his way up to the mountain he had met his mother, father, both Kalijoza and Kalikokha together with Silumbe and his three sons. He told his grandmother that there they all seemed to be happy and cooperating with each other. His grandmother cried after hearing this. Betrayal and hatred don’t exist in the next life, and so they don’t have to exist in this life, for they are what causes all pain on earth.
***
Tell us: What has this story taught you about forgiveness?
