It's normal to see people blame everything that happens to them on "Destiny". Even when we indulge in an endeavour and take the wrong step, we expect the result to be good, we gamble on Destiny and hope for the best.
My Dad love sharing a story with us anytime we get lazy or blame Destiny for any of our misdeeds. The story goes thus:-
Years back when the method of the ruling was through Kingship and certain families rule from generation to generation. In the southwestern part of Nigeria occupied by the Yorubas was a Large village that has 3 powerful families. The families take turns in ruling. Children born in the first 2 months of the year into any of the 3 families automatically qualifies to be the king someday.
For years Nature has been taking its course, only one child is born in the first 2 months for generations. Even when some families try to manipulate things "Destiny, as they say, has been doing it thing". But something unexpected happened in the late '80s. Two of the Royal families gave birth to a Boy in the first month of the year. What makes it more special was that they were born at the same time, in the same place and were named by the same priest.
One was named "Adeyemi" and the other "Adeola". The two families were happy. But they knew it will lead to disputes in future when it is time to choose the next king. None of the families is willing to let go of the right to be the next king. The elders came together and decided to wade off future disputes by consulting the Oracles now that the children are still toddlers.
It's common practice to check the Horoscope of each child born into any of the families in the village. When Adeyemi and Adeola got to the age of 5, they took them to the Chief Priest to know what the future has in store for them. It was a day both families has been looking forward to and dreading at the same time. If their Son is chosen as the next king, it spells fortune and blessings to them, on the other side if the oracle says the other thing, then it's nothing but disgrace to them. For everyone already look at them and regard them with respect.
The families got to the Shrine where the Oracles will reveal to them what the future holds for the two boys. In order not to waste time or keep everyone in suspense, the priest called them both in at the same time and chanted the required rites to call on the spirits.
It was revealed that Adeola has a bright future. He is destined to be the next king. And his tenure will be filled with joy and gladness for all villagers. He will be known far and wide and will be a blessing to surrounding villages.
Adeyemi on the other hand will be a pauper, someone not to be reckoned with and whosoever associates his/herself with him will be cursed.
There was joy in Adeola's Camp while Adeyemi's parents look on with tears flowing from their eyes. They accepted what "Destiny" has written for them and accepted fate. Little Adeyemi was growing but had no friends. Parents chastise their Children whenever they see them close to him. At the age of 18, his parents narrated what happened on his 5th year birthday to him and told him that is his Destiny. He stood up and headed to the next village since he was a stranger in the village of his birth.
He started as a worker on various farms, from there he was able to gather enough money to buy a piece of land to farm. He started with a plot of land but with hard work, he expanded to hectares of land.
Adeola on the other hand become known all over the village as the "Heir apparent ", a renowned womanizer, gambler and drunkard. He spent every day of his life at the gamblers' table and every passerby is forced to hail and greet him by his notorious friends.
Few years down the lane, a big famine hit the village. There was hunger and every home in the village felt the impact. News of a rich farmer in the next village came to the elders and they constantly send some youths there with money to get foodstuffs.
The King died and it was time to choose another King. Adeola's name was mentioned but everyone was against it. His reputation stood in his way, moreover what they needed at that moment was a King that can provide the solution to their problem, not a king that spend all the days of his life Gambling. Someone brought it to their attention that the Rich farmer in the next Village was a Native of their Land and they all agreed that he is the right person to be the next King.
The Villagers sent representatives to summon the Rich Farmer. They were served a shocker when the farmer appeared to be "Adeyemi the Cursed one". The whole village stood with surprises written all over their faces. Adeyemi was crowned King and the village became happy again.
THE END!
Writer's POV
Hard work will beat talent if talent refuses to work hard. Never conceded defeat or accept negativity as your Destiny. Work hard and change what the world says about you.
Thanks for reading!🤗💚🤗
Nice story. Each one carves his own destiny.