“The Guardian Prince Adetunji”
Many months passed after Prince Adetunji became the guardian of the river. Ile-Oro grew peaceful again. The people built new farms, sang songs of joy, and praised the gods. They did not know that it was Tunji’s spirit watching over them.
Every morning, the river shone brighter, and the air smelled fresh. The children played by the water and said, “The river loves us.” The elders smiled and replied, “Yes, because a prince guards it now.”
“Adetunji and Aramide’s Spirit Realm”
Down below, in the world of spirits, Adetunji and Aramide lived quietly. Their home was made of light and water. The fish and spirits of the river greeted them as king and queen.
But sometimes, Adetunji felt a soft pull in his heart a voice calling from far above.
It was his mother.
“Queen Olufunke’s Call”
Each night, Queen Olufunke went to the riverbank with a small lamp. She would kneel and whisper, “My son, can you hear me?”
And though she could not see him, the river always answered with a gentle wave.
One night, she spoke again. “The king is old. The people need a leader. If only you could return.”
Under the water, Tunji heard her words clearly. He turned to Aramide. “My mother’s voice grows weaker every day. My father is dying. I must go to them.”
“The Choice of Adetunji and Aramide”
Aramide shook her head softly. “You cannot return to the world of men. You belong to the spirits now.”
“I know,” Tunji said, “but I cannot stay silent. I must see them one last time.”
Aramide looked into his eyes. “If you go, your light may fade. You may never find your way back.”
Tunji smiled sadly. “If that is my fate, I accept it.”
She held his hand tightly. “Then I will go with you.”
Together, they rose toward the surface of the water. As they came closer, the river began to shine brighter than ever before. The people of Ile-Oro woke from their sleep and ran to the riverbank, thinking the moon had fallen into the water.
“Farewell of Prince Adetunji”
Queen Olufunke stood among them, her lamp in her hand. The water rose and formed two shapes — a man and a woman made of light.
The people gasped. “The spirits!”
The queen’s eyes filled with tears. “My son?”
“Mother,” Tunji said softly, his voice like the wind. “Do not be afraid. I came to say goodbye.”
She stepped closer. “You are alive?”
“I live in another world,” he said. “But I will always protect Ile-Oro.”
The queen reached out her hand, but her fingers touched only air. “My son, I love you.”
Tunji smiled. “And I love you, Mother. Tell Father not to fear the end.”
The people bowed as the light began to fade. The river calmed again, and the two figures slowly disappeared beneath the water.
Queen Olufunke fell to her knees. “He has become one with the river,” she said softly.
From that night on, whenever the people fetched water, they whispered a small prayer:
“Spirit Prince of Ile-Oro, keep us safe.”
And the river always answered with a soft, peaceful wave.
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