"One Picture And One Story Week #66"

As I took this picture yesternight, memories of childhood came rushing through my mind, especially during the festive seasons. I remember days when all my extended families (consisting of cousins, aunties, uncles etc.) would be gathered around my grandmother, who fondly called her "mma bee", especially after a long and exhausting day full of lots of play and also errands.

Mma would be seated on her favorite chair locally called "akak abede" with her chewing stick stuck in her mouth and being chewed rhythmically with her wrapper tucked loosely around her body waiting for everyone to get settled, "suk tie" she would say, meaning "sit down".

Mma gently raised her eyes to the sky as if waiting for a magical moment, then she said "Do you see the way the moon shines tonight? Bright and full? It even has an image inside. Would you love to know the story behind the image of the moon? As expected, we happily chorused a "Yes", so grandma began her story calmly.

Long ago in a remote village of Ikot ntem, Ikot ntem was known widely for its sacred traditions. One of which included a special day for rest when no one was allowed to work (lighting a fire, cooking, going to the farm, market etc.). This day of rest was also to serve as an honor to the village guardian spirit. It was even believed that there were consequences of not obeying them as the guardian spirits watched them closely from the moon.

Everyone anticipated this day of rest except one middle-aged woman, "Ndifreke", who was known for her stubbornness even to most of her husband's orders.

One of the sacred days when the sun was at its peak and everywhere was quiet, she thought to herself why sit idly because of one useless tradition?, she strapped her baby on her back, picked up an axe and decided to get some firewood from the forest.

As she walked among the trees, the only sounds heard were the crispy sound of leaves under her feet and the baby’s gurgling sounds as he had his thumb in his mouth playing with saliva.

She quickly gathered lots of firewoods by breaking branches and tying it together in a knot. She lifted it to her head, making up her mind to prove a point when she got home.

Suddenly, the air became so chill, sending cold shivers down her spine, making the atmosphere heavy. The sky became so dark with an evil intent and then an angry voice spat out aggressively "You have disobeyed the sacred day of rest, you will pay by bearing this weight for eternity".

Before she could run or shout for help, a powerful force swept her off her feet over the tallest trees and mountains, ignoring her pleas even as it became louder, and it took her towards the face of the moon.

The villagers were witnesses to this dreadful event, standing in fear and awe as Ndifreke was swallowed up by the moon, leaving an outline of a human form with a baby on her back and firewood.

Lessons learned from this story are that we should always be obedient and avoid stubbornness at all costs.

Thank you @suboohi for organizing this contest
I invite @eveetim @bela90 @bluelavender