CHAPTER 01

NOTES

Please note as you read the story.

When a person is referred as a colour they have that colour of hair not skin colour.

Blues are based on Yoruba People.

Reds are based on Igbo People.

Yellows are based on Hausa and Fulani People.

Darks are also based on Yoruba People.

Whites are based on Ogori People.

Thoughts are in brackets ().

ALL NAMES, CHARACTERS AND LOCATIONS ARE PURELY FICTIONAL. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO PEOPLE, DEAD OR ALIVE IS PURELY COINCIDENTAL. THANK YOU.

ACT 01

Old Female Narrator - Once upon a long time ago in Ancient Africa...

In a small Village, lots of Villagers went about their various lives. The people who lived here were very unique. This was a Yellow Village and majority of the people living here had Yellow hair. Of course there were other colours like Red and Blue but they were very few compared to the Yellows in the Village. They were mostly Dark skinned. The Village is called Nikapatu. In a hut near the edge of the Village lives a family of three reds.

Teldda's Mother - Teldda! Come oh!

Teldda - Yes Mama.

Teldda's Mother - Please go to the fish seller I showed you yesterday and buy 2 long fresh Titus fishes. Here is some money.

She collected the money and counted six pieces.

Teldda - OK Mama.

Teldda, a 5 years old girl, picked up a basket by the door, ran outside the hut and was headed towards the market square. There were a lot of people walking up and down. The first thing she noticed was the giant wall that the Villagers had started building.

Teldda - Wow. The wall is very big. See the progress they've made in 2 days. If my former Village had a wall like this, maybe it wouldn't have been destroyed.

She suddenly remembered the fish seller and she started to run towards the market place, when she hit her leg on a rock and tripped. She fell hard and flat on the floor.

She looked up and saw a Red girl offering her a hand. She holds the hand and the other girl pulled her up and helped her pack up the money on the floor.

Red Girl - Sorry. Be more careful. This road has a lot of big stones. My name is Reolita. What is yours?

Teldda - My name is Teldda. Sorry I'm new around here. My family moved into this Village last week.

Reolita was a 5 years old Red girl. She had long crimson red hair, braided into 4 circles, 2 on each sides of her head. She also had dark brown doe like eyes, a cute nose and light brown skin tone. Her pretty smile showed her obvious tooth gap.

Reolita - No wonder I haven't seen you before. OK where are you going?

Teldda - I'm going to the market to buy something for my Mother.

Reolita - Ok. I can escort you there.

Teldda - Thank you.

They started strolling towards the market.

Teldda - How long have you been in this Village?

Reolita - I was born in this Village. I've lived here for as long as I can remember.

Teldda - Wow. You're lucky. My former Village is Uniga Village. It's the Red Village that makes the best palm oil. But It's been destroyed.

Reolita - What happened to it?

Teldda - Don't you know? The Blue Empire Warriors raided my Village and destroyed it. They killed people and destroyed houses. Me and my family were lucky to escape.

Reolita - I'm sorry. But why would they do that?

Teldda - Don't you know? The Reds and Blues have been at war for ages. They are determined to get rid of each other. I'm just happy the Yellow Villages are peaceful. That's why we moved here.

Reolita - Those are the bad people they are trying to keep out of the Village with the walls, right?

Teldda - I hope they are. It was terrible.

She stands still as she remembers the terrible incident. Reolita notices and holds her hand. She is startled.

Reolita - It's alright. It's fine. This Village is very safe. See, we are almost at the market place.

Teldda - Ok.

Soon they got to the fish seller.

Reolita - I have to get going. I hope I see you again.

Teldda - I hope so too. I want us to be friends.

Reolita - For sure. Bye.

ACT 02

Reolita runs all the way to her family hut and enters inside. But she didn't see anyone inside. She ran to the back of the hut. Her Mother was there peeling yam. In front of her were a pot of boiling water and ingredients to cook with.

Reolita - Mama. I'm home.

Mama - Welcome my dear.

Her Mother's name is Alicia.

Alicia - Reolita come and help me with the chores. Where did you go in the morning? I was looking for you.

Reolita - I went to check something.

Alicia - This something doesn't have a name?

Reolita said in a quiet voice.

Reolita - I went to pick cashew from the trees near the edge of the Village.

Alicia gave her daughter a stern look and said in a stern voice.

Alicia - I have warned you never to do that again. This is your last warning. I will beat you if you do it again. You hear me? Stay near the house!

Reolita - Yes Mama. I'm sorry.

Alicia - I forgive you. Now help me sweep the compound while I cook.

Reolita - OK Mama.

She picked up the broom outside and started sweeping the compound. Soon a baby's cry could be heard from inside the hut.

Alicia - Ah. This baby Ehn. He should let me do my cooking.

Reolita went inside and carried her 1 year old baby Brother and brought him to her Mother.

Reolita - Mama, baby Diablo is crying again.

Alicia picked up the baby and backed him with her wrapper. He slept back immediately.

After 20 minutes...

Reolita - I've finished sweeping Mama. I'm hungry.

Alicia - The food is almost ready. Help me set up the plates.

ACT 03

Later that night...

Reolita - Mama, Mama tell me a story.

Alicia - OK dear. I'll tell you the story of a pretty sky damsel. She was one of the many daughters of the sky Queen. And they all lived in the sky kingdom. She was tired of the Skies because everywhere was White and boring. She told her Mother that she wanted to see what the earth was like. Her Mother warned her to be careful and to not get attached to anything on the earth. She agreed and climbed down from the skies with a White thread. She was amazed at how beautiful and colourful the earth was. She wondered all over until suddenly an arrow flew past her and she fell. She saw a handsome hunter and he saw her sitting on the floor. He ran over to her and helped her up. They talked and soon fell in love after some days. But there was another girl from the nearby Village who was also in love with the hunter. She saw them together and grew angry and jealous. She plotted and caused a misunderstanding between them. The sky maiden thought the hunter was a cheat and cried for hours until she turned into a flowing river. The hunter starved to death beside the river begging for her to come back to him and he became a very mighty tree. The end.

Reolita sat on her Mother's lap as she listened to the story. She was fascinated by the story.

Reolita - What a sad ending. I bet the girl was very beautiful.

Alicia - Yes she was. It is said that she became the great lake Lugondo. But others say it's the hunter who became the flowing river while the beautiful maiden returned back to her mother in the skies.

Reolita - Was she as beautiful as the goddess?

Alicia - I don't know about that, my dear.

They both look at the giant statue in the middle of the Village. It was made of brass and iron.

Reolita - Is she the statue in the middle of the Village?

Alicia - No dear. That is the goddess Nogarria.

Reolita - You mean the one we pray to.

Alicia - Yes. Her statue is outside in the middle of every Village and kingdom for all to admire and worship. But different kingdoms and Villages see her differently and worship her differently.

Reolita - Is she the one who gave us the power White bracelets?

Alicia - Oh no that's actually from the war. It's actually the reason I don't wear them.

Reolita - Why? But a lot of people wear them. And they are used for good things. They give you powers!

Alicia - That's a story for another day. OK?

Reolita - OK. But if I use a White bracelet will you be angry?

Alicia - That is your personal decision. I will always love you no matter what. But let me know before you do so.

Alicia kissed Reolita on the forehead and Reolita smiled cutely.

Reolita - You told me yesterday that they were building the big walls to keep some bad people away. Who are they?

Alicia - There are a lot of bad people darling. We moved here before you were born because this place has less bad people around. We wanted you to grow in love and peace and hopefully one day the whole world will become a peaceful place.

Reolita - I don't understand.

Alicia - I'll explain more later. Now it's bed time.

Her Mother put the Palm oil lamp on the window and left the room.

Alicia - Good night.

Reolita - Good night Mama.

Reolita looked towards the goddess and began to pray. She quickly went back to her mat and fell asleep.

ACT 04

Alicia went into her room and saw her husband, Ricktin. He was lying on the bed. He was already asleep. She tapped him. He woke up and yawned.

Alicia - Ricktin I'm worried.

Ricktin - What's the matter my love?

Alicia - My dear, a lot of people are coming in from other destroyed Villages. This Village is becoming a refuge for different people from the War. This Village may get attacked next by the blues or reds. I heard some rouge Blue warriors are attacking Yellow Villages too.

Ricktin - Don't worry the Chiefs are building the walls. We will be safe. Don't worry.

Alicia - Then why do I feel restless? Like something bad is going to happen.

Ricktin - Don't worry. Everything will be fine. Let's go to bed. Look Diablo is fast asleep. Let's join him.

Alicia - OK.

ACT 05

The next morning...

After the cock crows...

Reolita woke up. She rolled her mat and put it in the corner of her room and went to the back of the house. She stretched and yawned. She knelt down and greeted her Mother.

Reolita - Good morning Mama.

Her Mother was already outside drying all the clothes she had washed.

Alicia - Good morning my darling daughter.

Reolita - What can I help you with?

Alicia - OK. Let me quickly finish drying these clothes while you sweep the floor then we can go and help your Father in the farm. You don't have to wait for me. Quickly go when you are done.

Reolita - OK.

But she remembered something her Mother didn't answer.

Reolita - Mother you didn't answer my questions last night. Why don't you use White power bracelets?

Alicia - In my family we rely on wits, strength and teamwork to win battles and accomplish things and not on magic and I am proud of that.

Reolita - Oh OK.

Alicia - Now be fast.

Reolita - OK.

Reolita finished sweeping the floor and ran very fast towards her Father's farm land. She greeted some people on the way. Soon she reached her Father's farmland. She knelt down and greeted her Father.

Reolita - Morning Papa. Mama said I should look for you and help you out in the farm.

Ricktin - Don't worry darling I can handle it. Soon you'll be old enough to do farm work. You can go and play with your friends.

Reolita - Thank you Papa.

She ran off happily.

10 minutes later...

Alicia arrived with a basket and cutlass. Diablo was sleeping peacefully on her back.

Alicia - My dear where is Reolita?

Ricktin - I told her she can go and play.

Alicia - Honey, You are spoiling her too much and I don't like it.

Ricktin - Don't worry. Let her enjoy herself. Let's get started. I've already cultivated 4 tubers of yam and planted all the maize...

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Please, I would really appreciate reviews and criticism.