THE REJECTED PRINCE AND THE WRATH OF THE GODS

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Somewhere in the heart of eastern Nigeria, lay the small but famous kingdom of Ezeagu. Ezeagu was known for it's rich culture and powerful shrines, The kingdom was ruled by king Obinna-A fearless and wise king whom was loved greatly by the people he ruled.

King obinna was a considerate king who ruled with fairness, He made sure his people never went hungry by investing in the Economy and ensuring food and commodities were at a moderate price. The king only had one son-Izunna and a wife whom he loved dearly. Izunna, Although 16 years of age was a very intelligent and hardworking boy who had compassion like his father. "My dear son, after I'm gone someday, you would sit on this throne and rule as I have ruled and you will lead our great kingdom to greater heights." His father often said to him.

On a bright morning, as fate would have it. King obinna died of a brief illness. For seven days and seven nights the kingdom of Ezeagu mourned the death of their great king. The people of the Kingdom looked up to Izunna who was the rightful heir to the throne to take over and lead them just as his late father did.

Unfortunately not everyone in the kingdom wanted that. In the cabinet of the late king sat chief Chibuzor, a very mean man who just wanted all the power to himself and the riches of the kingdom, He never had the interest of the masses in his mind.

On this particular day chief Chibuzor arranged a meeting with his fellow ambitious cabinet members.

"As we all know, after the demise of our late king we are left with his son as the heir but he's not fit to rule to great kingdom reason being that he's too young." There was a minute silence as chief Chibuzor spoke looking at the faces of his fellow chiefs for a reaction.

One of the chiefs then broke the silence "My honorable chiefs as you all know, He is right about what he said, Izunna is too small to rule this great kingdom, how will a child defend the throne?" The whole cabinet all nodded in agreement.

Upon the cabinet reaching an agreement, A meeting was called the following day. Prince Izunna arrived the meeting completely unaware of the misfortune that awaits him.

Chief Chibuzor cleared his throat before speaking "After the passing of your late father-our king, we have all come to an agreement that you are not fit to rule our great kingdom therefore the kingship will be passed to another family."

" No you can't do that, I am my late father's son and the only heir to this throne. That throne rightfully belongs to me. " Prince Izunna objected.

Another chief in the meeting raised his voice and said "you and your mother must leave this kingdom at once before dawn. We have nothing more to say to you kid." With that, the meeting was dismissed and Izunna went back home with tears in his eyes.

"My son, what happened?" His mother asked worriedly when he got home upon seeing him"

"Mama, we have been instructed by the entire council the leave the kingdom before dawn."

"What did we do!" She exclaimed, frightened by the situation.

"We did nothing mama, Chief Chubuzor just wants all the power for himself under the pretext that I am too young to rule and unfit for the throne. "

"Don't worry my son, be strong. We are going to leave this morning, The gods are wise and have not forgotten us. "

Izunna and his mother left the kingdom that day to a distant community where they settled down. Izunna was a clever and hardworking boy, he helped people clear their lands and he worked on people's farmland just to make a living and with the money he realized from his work, He was able to set up a little business of selling fresh vegetables in the market for his mother.

Chief Chubuzor was declared king of Ezeagu kingdom and as time went by he grew fatter on the people's money. Prices of goods went up and he imposed huge taxes on the people. Chibuzor wasn't interested in the welfare of the people rather he was interested in enriching his own pocket.

Five years later Somewhere in the shrine of Ikuku located in Ezeagu kingdom, the gods of the land became angry because of the evil act of chibuzor and the cabinet members and decided to bring plague upon the entire kingdom. Crops began to dry up, rain ceased to fall and there was famine in the Land. King Chibuzor summoned the chief priest to enquire from the Oracle what the problem is.

3 days later the chief priest emerged from the shrine. "The gods are angry because of the evil act that was committed here 5 years ago. The rightful heir to the throne, Prince Izunna was banished from the kingdom and you, King Chibuzor took the throne for yourself because of your selfish interest." The words of the chief priest sent a shock through the whole kingdom.

"Lies and superstitions! Chibuzor scoffed

Days later a storm came and destroyed some buildings in his palace and the cabinet members all fell sick and some lost their livestock. The king's only son lost his life and he wept bitterly.

King Chibuzor immediately ordered a search for Izunna "I don't want the throne anymore please let's all find Prince Izunna and return his birthright to him. "

Meanwhile Izunna was excelling in the community where he settled, people noticed his hardwork, wisdom and integrity. He was immediately appointed adviser to the king and he now lived as a wealthy young man in the community.

The search party found Izunna in the community addressing a crowd. They immediately fell at his feet looking at him with surprise at how much he had become a man, they begged him to return to them and rule their kingdom. For a moment he wanted to decline as he remembered the harsh treatment melted out to him, But then he remembered his late father's words just then he obliged to follow them.

As they entered the community with prince Izunna, people cheered, beautiful robes were speard across the road for him to walk upon, people chanted his name like a hero. Just then rain began to fall, the sick began to get healed.

Izunna was coronated king of Ezeagu kingdom. He didn't punish Chibuzor and his cabinet members for their evil acts rather he removed them from their positions and appointed new Cabinet members. For decades king Izunna ruled Ezeagu kingdom with fairness and wisdom, just as his late father did and there was peace once more.