The Secred Mission

. Birds chirped in the distance, their sounds echoing over the rustling leaves of the huge trees that encircled the village. Women started sweeping their premises

or. For decades, the people of Eziama depended on the Iroko to protect them. The elders said that the Iroko contained the spirit of the land, preserving the crops, ensuring

the ghosts in the forest. Adanna was just sixteen years old, yet she exuded calm power. She wasn't the loudest or fastest of her pals to talk, but she was perceptiv

l in the village, assisting her mother with housework, getting water from the creek, and making b

orest was holding its breath. The birds that typically filled the trees with their melodies were quiet. The rustling leaves sounded muff

ar the Iroko. Their looks were tense with fear, and their words were low and rushed. Adanna paused, her curiosity

aveled quickly that the

eemed as if the soul that inhabited the tree had disappeared. Panic spread across the community. Mothers gripped their children clo

er aside. Stay close to me, nw

roko be gone? It has stood for millennia, unaffected by stor

uthoritative. "My people," he started, "we are facing a tremendous challenge today. The Iroko, our holy protect

ds of dread and doubt. Someone said, "What

t be contacted. Only a shaman can cross between our worl

y lady with piercing eyes that seemed to see right into a person's sou

at the audience. She was

t. The elderly lady had summoned her after the meeting at the village square, and her voice left no sp

go said, her voice low and steady. "

uncertainty. "Me? I

hythms of the earth. The Iroko has been watching yo

I know nothing about spirits or magic. I can't

he time comes, we must arise. The Iroko is more than a simple tree; it represents the heart of o

t away. But she knew deep down that Mama Ugo's statements were true. The wei

I can do it," s

n you realize. The forest (Ọhịa Eke) will challenge you w

ittle bag draped over her shoulder. The people had come to watch her leave, their expressions a

aid. "And you're courageous. G

re; instead, the people observed in solemn silence as she prepared to go.

nd her neck, "this is the ọgwụike, a token of protection." Ke

om trembling. She embraced her mother warm

s, its shadows dark and menacing. She took a deep breath and walked

muttered a secret prayer to the spiri

p had s