THE DEATH OF AN INNOCENT OLD WOMAN
In a small village called akapkani between NJA and akpuefo community in delta state, there lived an old woman named Helena. Known for her solitary nature and profound knowledge of herbs, Helena had long been the subject of whispered suspicions. As misfortune befell the village—crops failed, illnesses spread—whispers grew into accusations, and accusations turned into conviction: Helena was branded a witch, responsible for their woes
One fateful evening, fueled by fear and superstition, a group of villagers seized Helena. Despite her pleas of innocence, they dragged her to the ancient tree at the village’s edge, where they hung her, declaring it an end to their misfortunes.
However, Helena’s last words were a lament, not a curse: "May truth awaken in your hearts."
The village, rather than finding peace, was enveloped in a palpable silence. On the seventh day after Helena's death, tragedy struck. One by one, those who had laid hands on her death, began to perish under mysterious circumstances, each death as sudden as it was unexplainable.
Panic and remorse gripped the village. The elders convened, seeking to understand the calamities befalling them. It was then that the village healer, who had remained silent out of fear, stepped forward. She revealed that Helena had been preparing medicine to cure the very illnesses that plagued the village, not cause them. The realization dawned on them all: in their ignorance and fear, they had killed an innocent, wise healer, not a witch.
The village mourned Helena, their grief compounded by guilt. They decided to honor her memory in a way that would forever remind them of the grave injustice they had committed. The ancient tree, once a symbol of their shame, became a sacred monument. They hung wind chimes on its branches, each representing a life lost due to misunderstanding and fear, including those of Helena and the villagers who had died after her.
From then on, every time the wind blew and the chimes sang, it was a reminder of the importance of seeking truth, understanding, and compassion over suspicion and fear. Helena’s story became a lesson passed down through generations, a stark reminder of the cost of ignorance and the value of the wisdom and kindness that she had embodied. THE END
One fateful evening, fueled by fear and superstition, a group of villagers seized Helena. Despite her pleas of innocence, they dragged her to the ancient tree at the village’s edge, where they hung her, declaring it an end to their misfortunes.
However, Helena’s last words were a lament, not a curse: "May truth awaken in your hearts."
The village, rather than finding peace, was enveloped in a palpable silence. On the seventh day after Helena's death, tragedy struck. One by one, those who had laid hands on her death, began to perish under mysterious circumstances, each death as sudden as it was unexplainable.
Panic and remorse gripped the village. The elders convened, seeking to understand the calamities befalling them. It was then that the village healer, who had remained silent out of fear, stepped forward. She revealed that Helena had been preparing medicine to cure the very illnesses that plagued the village, not cause them. The realization dawned on them all: in their ignorance and fear, they had killed an innocent, wise healer, not a witch.
The village mourned Helena, their grief compounded by guilt. They decided to honor her memory in a way that would forever remind them of the grave injustice they had committed. The ancient tree, once a symbol of their shame, became a sacred monument. They hung wind chimes on its branches, each representing a life lost due to misunderstanding and fear, including those of Helena and the villagers who had died after her.
From then on, every time the wind blew and the chimes sang, it was a reminder of the importance of seeking truth, understanding, and compassion over suspicion and fear. Helena’s story became a lesson passed down through generations, a stark reminder of the cost of ignorance and the value of the wisdom and kindness that she had embodied. THE END
