A long time ago, in the little town of Aye lived a wealthy farmer known as Aremu, who with his wife Arike was very nice and caring. The couple was always trying to put smiles on the faces of every child that crossed their paths despite not having a child of their own. Their belief was that one day the gods will have mercy on them and bless them with their own child.
One evening, while enjoying the cool breeze in front of his house, Aremu sighted an old man who looked tired and hungry. Although he was a complete stranger, Aremu went to meet the man and helped him to his house. He called Arike who without any complaint fetched water for the old man’s bath before going on to prepare an exquisite meal for the strange visitor.
After his meal, the old man wanted to continue his journey but the couple insisted that he spend the night in their home and continue his journey the following day. The man was touched by their kindness and thought of ways to repay them. The next morning old man asked Areme and his wife to tell him whatever they wanted and the couple without hesitation told him they had always wished to have their own child. The man placed his hands on Arike’s back and said some strange words, adding that that in 9 Months’ time they will become parents. Before they could ask any question or say anything the old man disappeared, leaving the couple bewildered but encouraged. True to the man’s words Arike became pregnant and delivered a very beautiful baby girl whom they named Morenike. All the people of Aye rejoiced with the new parents. On the 7th day, they had a very big party and lots of people came with gifts for both the baby and her parents.
Morenike grew up to become a very beautiful and fair maiden with long hair and nice features. Everyone admired her beauty both men and women but the praises heaped on Morenike got into her head. She became vain, rude and arrogant. She rejected all those who asked for her hand in marriage and would always find faults with them. The last straw that broke the camel’s back was when the prince who just returned from a neighbouring village asked for her hand and she insulted him, insisting that he was not good enough to be her husband. The prince went away dejected.
Morenike continued like this until one day when a stranger came to town. The stranger was as handsome as he was huge and tall. His handsome features soon caught the attention of entire village although he ignored them all. The stranger on getting to the market went straight to Arike’s stall where he met Morenike who attended to him. When she saw him she was awestruck by his handsomeness and couldn’t hide it. He complimented her and she immediately fell in love with him. The stranger told Morenike that his name was Amu and that he was a prince from a village far away. He offered to be her friend and she immediately accepted. Afterwards, he purchased some items and took his leave promising to pay her a visit another day.
Morenike eagerly waited for Amu to visit her and he came the following month, later his visits became frequent and eventually Amu professed his love for Morenike. She accepted his proposal and told her parents about it, they were happy but sceptical because they knew virtually nothing about him except his name. Morenike’s parents asked Amu to bring his kinsmen for proper introduction but each time he dismissed their requests with excuses despite claiming to be a prince of a kingdom far away. When Morenike’s parents threatened to end the couple’s relationship, Amu said his family and people in his father’s kingdom travelled only once in 7 years and therefore, only leave town for extremely important occasions. He promised to bring them if they agree that he and Morenike marry themselves that very day. Aremu and Arike disagreed but Morenike cried and refused to eat her food. To placate her, Aremu and Arike reluctantly changed their mind and agreed to Amu’s strange request.
The following month, Amu came with his family and that very day they did the introduction and marriage. When it was time to go, Amu said there was no need for anyone to follow Morenike as there were lots of servants that will attend to her needs. The new couple refused to spend the night as they insisted that they had to start their journey early. After the goodbyes, Morenike went with Amu and his family accompanied by only the blessings from her home. She was initially scared but Amu and his put laid her fears to rest. On the 7th day of a long and tiring journey, people began to disappear especially when they passed a grave. Morenike was bothered but Amu said they had reached their house and that was why they were disappearing. After a while, only Morenike and Amu were travelling. When she became very weak and tired she asked Amu to carry her, he said he could not as he did not have arms. Right in front of her all his body parts disappeared leaving only his head. Morenike was horrified and screamed but Amu only laughed and told her she was stuck with him. He then revealed that he was not a prince rather he was a spirit, and all those who followed him were ghosts. He said he wanted to teach her a lesson as she felt she was too good for human beings that he felt she should be perfect for a spirit. She pleaded and promised to change but he refused and pushed her deep into the forest and nobody heard of her again.
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