The reward for injustice

Chapter 1 Once upon a time in the kingdom of Aduro, there lived a man called Kaka. He was popularly known as 'Kaka the poor farmer' because he lived in a wooden house and could barely feed himself, his wife and his four children. Most times the only food they could afford was small loaf of bread and small tea which was divided by the six members of fine family. Kaka had a wife and four children. The name of his son was Obinna, the second Uche, while his two daughters were Ada and Amaraechi. Kaka's family continued living in poverty because he had no money nor property to sell. The only thing he had was a piece of land which he inherited from his late father, Nwaeze. Kaka kept praying and having the faith that some day things would change for better. One day, Kaka was in need of money because his daughter Amaraechi was sick and the doctor asked him to make a deposit of ten thousand naira. Since he was a poor farmer, Kaka could not raise the needed money so that the doctor could commence treatment on his daughter immediately. He decided to seek assistance from some of the Chiefs in the village. He reminded Chief Alu and went to him for assistance but instead of helping him, Chief Alu told the only way he could help him was to buy the only plot of land he had, because he wanted to open a super market. " So if you value your daughter's life, sell the land to me and get the money you need so the doctor can start the treatment. " Said Chief Alu. " I cannot sell the land please, it is my only inheritance from my father and my only means of survival. But Chief Alu insisted that Kaka should sell the land to him. Kaka left Chief Alu's house and went to chief Eke, for the same assistance but Chief Eke told him to use his land as collateral but Kaka refused because he was not sure of refunding the money the day Chief Eke wanted it. So he left Chief Eke's house and went to the hospital but before he could get to the hospital, his daughter Amaraechi had given up the ghost. He saw his wife and his other children weeping bitterly over the death of Amaraechi and he also wept. Few hours later, he arranged and carried the corpse of his daughter to his compound and buried her, and all his family member continued to mourn over the death of their beloved daughter and sister. Few days later, an antagonist who happened to be the poor farmer's elder brother went to the King's palace and made this report. " It was my brother's wickedness that led to his daughter's death. He had enough money to pay his daughter's hospital bill but due to his wickedness he refused to pay the hospital bill and because of that it led to his daughter's death. And the law of our land says that ' parents, especially the husbands are under the obligation to protect their children no matter the circumstances, but my younger brother failed to do so. Therefore he has to pay for it. He has to be banished from the village." When the rest of the elders heard about it, they supported the idea because Chief Alu was not happy with Mr Kaka for his refusal to sell the land to him. Three hours later, the king and the Chiefs summoned Mr Kaka and said to him. "For the fact that you had the money and allowed your daughter to die, the king and all the Chiefs have decided to banish you from this kingdom for eight months." Mr Kaka tried all he could do to explain and pleaded with the king and all the Chiefs but they insisted that the decision had already been made and cannot be reversed. For good eight months, Mr Kaka was banished from the kingdom and things became more difficult for him and his household. Chapter 2 Eight months later, Kaka and his household were on their way back to Aduro kingdom having lived as aliens for eight months in the land of Ofor. Then Kaka saw a very good friend of his, Mr Gozie, and they happily embraced each other having missed themselves for a long period of time. Instead of Mr Gozie to embark on his journey, he followed them back to the village to celebrate their arrival and Mr Kaka on his part was happy that he was no longer an alien but has returned to his kingdom. A month later Chief Alu who happened to be the richest man in the kingdom wanted to buy Kaka's farmland, because he decided to open a super market. He examined his lands and concluded that they were not good enough to establish the kind of business he wanted. So he decided that since Kaka refused to sell the land to him, he must build his super market in that land by force. But after thinking on how to go about it, he was unable to come up with a good idea, so he decided to meet his friend whose name was Chief Eke. Having met him, he told him his plans of snatching Mr Kaka's farmland by all possible means. " But how do you want to go about it?" Chief Eke asked. "That's the reason why I have to come to your house this evening. Please tell me how to go about it." Chief Alu pleaded. "Order your guards to go to his farmland and drive him away while he is farming and give him a serious warning never to set his feet into that land anymore. Chief Eke told him "That's exactly what I would do" Chief Alu said. The next day as early as 6:00am, Mr Kaka and his family were already im their farmland, harvesting their cassava and some other cash crops. When Chief Alu's guards came and drove them out of their farmland and warned them never to set their feet into the farmland anymore. "What happened? Why should I not step into my own farmland anymore?" Mr Kaka asked. "The land belongs to Chief Alu, he only allowed you to farm in the land because you are poor and cannot take good care of yourself and your family, but the time has come for Chief Alu to make use of his land." said the guards."How have I offended Chief Alu? Why would he want to possession of my land, the only property I inherited from my father. And my only source of income and means of survival for myself and my family. Is he because he is wealthy?" Kaka cried. "I have to do something about all this, I can't just be here sitting and watch things go wrong." Mr Kaka said to himself. Without knowing what to do he quickly went to only friend Mr Gozie. After narrating what happened at his farmland. Chief Gozie advised him to go to Chief Alu's house to confirm is he was the one that sent those men that mission. Immediately, he went to Chief Alu's house. On getting there, he greeted him "Good morning, Chief Alu." "What is good about the morning? Chief Alu replied. Why are you here because I cannot remember inviting you to my house." Mr kalu said " Anyways, my family and I were at our farmland yesterday, when some of your men came in with their vehicle and drove us out of our farmland with a serious warning, telling us never to set our foot into the land anymore, that the land belongs to you. That's what brought me here incase you have any idea of what I am talking about" "You see, you had good opportunities to make good money from that land, but you misused the opportunity. I have decided to take it because I need it for my super market business and I must have it." Said Chief Alu. "You know this is the only property my family and I have got, and it is our only source of livelihood. So what will happen to us if you take our only means of income and survival?" Mr Kaka said to him But Chief Alu insisted that he had made up his mind and nothing could change it. Mr Kaka went home and invited his only friend Chief Gozie to his house and narrated how his visit to Chief Alu went. Chief Gozie encouraged his friend and his family not to worry because they would not lose the land since the king and almost all the villagers are aware that the land belongs to the Kaka's family. He advised him to take the matter to the king in order to get justice. Chapter 3 It was very early in the morning, Mr Kaka decided to take the matter to the King and the Chieftains to seek justice since they were aware that the land belongs to him. The king was surprised to see him so early in his palace. “Hope all is well, what is the problem? Because this visit is a strange one” the king said “All is not well your highness.” Mr Kaka replied “Two days ago, my family and I were farming on our farmland, the only farmland I inherited from my late father, harvesting the cassava we planted. Some men came and drove us away and told us never to come back to the farm saying that the land belongs to Chief Alu, and I went to Chief Alu’s house to confirm if he sent the men, and he told me since I refused selling the land to him, and he is in dire need of it, so he has to get it by all possible means” “This matter must be attended to quickly”. The king said. That same evening, the king sent his guards to go round the village and inform all the chiefs to come to the palace immediately. An hour later, the chiefs were already seated at the King’s palace. The king welcomed them and told why he called the meeting. He told Mr Kaka to narrate what he had told him earlier in the presence of all the Chief. Mr Kaka did just as the king had said, he told them that Chief Alu said he must take possession of his farmland at all cost. The chiefs were surprised because they were aware that the farmland belong to Mr Kaka the poor farmer. The king asked Chief Alu what he had to say about the matter. “The land belongs to me. Kaka’s generation has always been poor, there has never been any rich man from his lineage, so how could they have acquired this kind of land?” “This land we’re talking about belongs to my great-father who was a philanthropist. He saw the bad condition of Kaka’s great-grand father and felt so much pity for him, so he gave him the land.” Chief Alu said What Chief Alu just said is nothing but the truth because my grand father told me this when I was just a boy” said Chief Eke. “You are nothing but a thief, how could you be so wicked to steal the poor man’s only means of survival” Chief Gozie said to Chief Alu The rest of the chiefs supported Mr Kaka because they were all aware that the land belongs to him. The argument continued between Chief Alu and Mr Kaka which led to their dismissal by the king who adjourned the case until the next seventh market day when he will give his final verdict. The next day, Chief Alu who has made the decision to take Mr Kaka’s land by all means became worried because all most all the chiefs supported the poor farmer and that brought a big threat to him. He pondered over this matter but could not come up with a reasonable solution, so he decided to visit his friend Eke, so he could provide a solution to the problem. Chapter 4 Before the judgement day, Chief Alu went to Chief Eke’s house and expressed his concern about his case with Kaka because he had vowed to get the land at all cost, but now things are not working well according to his plans because most of the chiefs were in support of Mr Kaka “Do not be troubled because of this little problem, all you need to do is to visit all the Chiefs in their respective houses and give them an offer they cannot reject and you will see how they will turn against the poor farmer on the judgement day” Chief Eke said “What would I have done without you?” Chief Alu asked. “I really appreciate your suggestions, I will do exactly as you have said, in fact accompany me to the palace and let the mission begin. It was exactly 9.00pm that Chief Alu and Chief Eke got to the king’s palace with a male and a female goat, 20 l****s of palm wine and seven kola nuts. The king was surprised to see them in his palace at that time of the night. “Why are both of you here by this time of the night and why all this.? He said to them “All these and the sum of 250,000 naira, a brand-new car will be yours, only if you make the judgement which will take in the next three days will be in my favour.’’ Chief Alu said After hearing this, the king said “the land is already yours and no one can stop you from having the land that rightfully belongs to you.’’ “Thank you, your highness, we shall be on our way now.’’ Chief Alu said Later on, they went to Chief Nwaeze’s house. He was the second in command in the kingdom of Aduro, he was a well-respected chief in the kingdom Chief Alu and his friend offered him the sum of 150,000 naira as a bribe for him to give his full support. With heart of appreciation, chief Nwaeze accepted the offer and promised to give his full support. Chief Aka and Eke continued with their mission of offering bribes to all the chief in the village and fortunately for them they were able to visit the king and all the chiefs before the judgement day and they all promised to give him their full support. Chief Alu knew it was quite difficult to bribe Chief Gozie because he was a very good friend of Mr Kaka the poor farmer and he hates injustice. So Chief Eke advised to make Chief Gozie’s offer more attractive than that of the king. A day before the judgment day, chief Alu took male and female goats, palm wine, kola nut and a huge sum of money to chief Gozie’s house as a bribe. Chief Gozie called one of his sons to collect the items from chief Alu and keep them in a safe place. Chief Alu went home happily believing that Chief Gozie accepted his bribe. Chapter 5 Early the next day, Chief Gozie was on his way to the King’s palace with his son who accompanied him to the palace with the gifts Chief Alu offered to him as a bribe in order to give him his full support. The king and all the chiefs and Mr Kaka are seated at the palace for the king’s final verdict, the king asked Mr Kaka “do you have any evidence or witness to prove that this land in question truly belongs to you?’’ “Yes, I do, all the chiefs here except chief Eke are my witnesses’’ Mr Kaka said, but to his greatest surprise all the chiefs except chief Gozie said they are not his witness because they have carried out some findings to discover that the land truly belonged to chief Alu. Chief Gozie called his son who was outside the palace to bring all what chief Alu brought to their house. Chief Alu knew very well that the land belongs to Mr Kaka. He wants to cheat on the poor farmer because of his wealth. All the chiefs who have accepted chief Alu’s bribes supported him saying “we have carried out some findings and discovered that the land truly belongs to chief Alu. The king who was about to give the final verdict adjusted himself on his seat and cleared his throat. The palace was silent. The king said “with all the evidences before me, I hereby declare Chief Alu as the rightful owner of the land. Therefore, neither Mr Kaka nor any member of his household should step their feet into the land anymore.’’ Mr Kaka knew that chief Alu had bribed the king and the chiefs, he wept bitterly in their presence and said “what a world of injustice, but I believe that those who engage themselves in the act of injustice will never go unpunished and justice will surely prevail some day.’’ He left the palace bitterly while chief Alu continued his celebration of victory with the king and the chiefs. Kaka got home in the evening and narrated everything that had happened in the king’s palace and how the king’s final verdict went in favour with that of chief Alu. His wife and his children burst into tears. Just after then chief Gozie left the king’s palace with anger because the king had just perverted justice. He went straight to his friend’s house and consoled them because of what has happened to them. “Do not trouble over what has happened, because one day justice will surely prevail.’’ Chief Gozie said Their conditions grew worse, because there was no farmland, and no food all because of injustice. Mr Kaka kept on struggling and hoping for the day justice will prevail. Life became more difficult for them as their only source of income and means of survival had been taken away from them. Mr Kaka could no longer afford to provide for his children, then he decided to send his two sons to the city to learn some business from some masters for five years. Chapter 6 Two days later, Mr Kaka’s sons were already in the city to learn some business. Master was an importer of all kinds of electronics. Was not happy to go into any business, because his dream was to become a university graduate in one of the best universities in Nigeria. But their condition became more critical that he was left with no option other than to go into business. He was a hardworking and obedient boy, who did everything that his matter instructed him to do. He woke up early in the morning to sweep the compound, fetch water and carry out other house chores before going to shop everyday. Maser became so fond of him because of his hard work and his obedience, that he was ready to do anything for him. ,whose dream was to become a university graduate never relented in his efforts. He read his textbooks (which his father has managed to buy for him before things became critical) every night and prayed that God should him achieve his goal. One day his master called him and said to him “you have proved yourself faithful, so feel free to tell me what you would want me to do you and I’ll gladly do that. “I want to enrol in evening tutorial classes since it’s my desire to be a university graduate someday.’’ Said to his master. “It’s a nice idea, so make enquiries about it and let me know so that by tomorrow you will start. ’’his master said Was very excited because he could see his dream coming true. Two years later, he wrote his West African School Certificate Examination. He was very happy that he had a good result. His master was very proud of him and promised to take care of his academic expenses due to his hard work and his obedience. He gained admission to study Accounting in the University of Benin for four years. His brother, was a diligent servant to his master. He loved education too, but the opportunity was not there for him to attend a university even though he would have loved to. He assisted his parents financially to make sure they sent his younger sister to the university with his little savings. Chapter 7 It was exactly 12 noon when a tanker exploded beside popularly known Alu super market which also affected the super market. Goods and properties worth millions were destroyed. Chief Alu did not know what to do, it was if he was going mad, because he had invested all his life savings into the business including the loan he collected from the bank. When Chief Eke saw the condition of the fire outbreak, he called the fire fighters, but it took two hours before the fire fighters came and put an end to the fire explosion. It consumed everything in the super market and nearby houses that no item was recovered. Chief Alu could not bear the loss so he collapsed and was rushed to the hospital. Three days later, he was asked to pay his hospital bill and return to his house, but he was unable to do so, because he had lost everything he had. He sent his wife to the palace to meet the king and all the chiefs he had assisted to come to his aid, but none of them responded. Chief Eke his very close friend heard about what happened to Alu, he ran out of the village. On his way to his destination, he was attacked by kidnappers, they took him to their base and was asking for ransom, since he could not pay the ransom and he couldn’t call anyone for help, the kidnapper leader killed him. All the chiefs in the village that received from Chief Alu started suffering from one ailment or another until their death, while the king before his death confessed to Mr Kaka and begged for forgiveness for being unjust. Few hours later, the king joined his ancestors. Chief Alu died in the hospital, because no one to help him, the king and all the chiefs had died. The doctor had to stopped his treatment which led to Alu’s death. Chapter 8 Five years later, was set free by his master having served for the stipulated time. His shop was as big as that of his master, because his master established him with a huge sum of money. The following year, he graduated from University of Benin, where he acquired Bachelors Degree in Accounting, which made him the most successful young man in Aduro kingdom. He rebuilt his father’s house and bought a brand-new car for him. The king and all the chiefs died except Chief Gozie who refused Chief Alu’s bribe, because he hated injustice. The village was left with chief Gozie and the poor men who had no money to acquire title for themselves. Was settled after five years of service to his master. His master gave him a shop filled with auto parts and the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand naira to support the business. It was exactly two years the king of Aduro kingdom. The throne remained empty throughout all this period while all the villagers were campaigning for a king who will take over from their late king. All the villagers shouted “we want Chief Gozie as our king, because he’s a man who loves justice and hates injustice’’ The next day, Chief Gozie was enthroned as the new king of Aduro kingdom. Chief Gozie who was a good friend to Mr Kaka mad him second in command to the king, that brought dignity, respect and honour to the family of Mr Kaka, and throughout the years Chief Gozie ruled as king in the land of Aduro kingdom, justice, peace and unity continued to reign in that kingdom. All the villagers were happy to have a king who does not p*****t justice.