Chapter One: The Unwanted Name
311 Words
Chapter One: The Unwanted Name
In the village of Bigalo, nestled between emerald hills and guarded by winding rivers, magic flowed like the morning mist. Every family held a sacred power—some called the rain, some whispered to trees, others danced with fire or spoke to insects. But the most respected of all were the Watershapers, the family of Obba.
Obba was the last of eight children, born to Nalubaale and Sefu, two of the village’s most gifted water-benders. Her brothers and sisters were named in honor of the days they were born: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, and Sun. Each of them carried the family legacy proudly, bending water with grace and power.
But Obba was different.
Her name was not inspired by tradition, celebration, or joy. It was whispered with discomfort by villagers and even her own family. Obba. The name of a despised insect—slimy, silent, feared. It crept, crawled, and was crushed beneath sandals. No child had ever been named after it. No one, until her.
When she was old enough to understand the snickers and side glances, Obba asked her grandmother, Rose, why she bore such a name.
"Because, little one," Grandma Rose said, her eyes distant, "your parents were tired. Seven children had drained them. They wanted no more. When you came, they thought you were a curse. But maybe… maybe curses are just gifts waiting to be opened."
Obba held onto that last part. It was the only light in a name that weighed her down.
She often found solace in the company of Abasha, her only true friend. Abasha didn’t laugh when others mocked her. He didn’t flinch when she failed to summon even a single drop of water. He simply stood by her, sharing quiet moments beneath mango trees, helping her escape the loud, colorful expectations of her family.
- Writer
