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In the Land of Idoma, for many centuries, they worshipped the Idemili, the great dragon as the diety who went with them to many battles against their very hostile neighbours. So it was that they vanquished all their enemies and then succeeded in taking over their many lands and properties. They became very affluent and the envy of all, far and wide.
But the ancient tradition began to wane as civilization took over, less battles were fought because the people had peace roundabout. The shrine of Idemili became desolate and forgotten as the last priest died without an heir or so it was believed. His only son had died in the city where he went to seek for greener pastures, and the newest generation never paid attention as they were never witnesses to the exploits of Idemili.
Then one day, a young man came into the village, claiming to be the unknown grandson of the last priest, he was the son of the one that died in the city and which no one knew about. His claim was tested as he was the only one who could lift the staff of Idemili which was abandoned in the King's palace, because anyone who previously touched it was deeply scarred in their hands. As he lifted it, the mark of the dragon appeared on his chest, his hands were not scarred, thereby legitimizing him as of the bloodline of the dragon lord.
His name was Nsari, he was the owner of the new bookstore in the village.
Nsari felt the weight of his spiritual heritage upon returning to his ancestral home and sought to resuscitate the forgotten tradition of the dragon worship. He went about soliciting for support from the entire villagers and the news was greeted with awe and excitement.
A grand ceremony was planned to unveil the huge monument towering above the village square, which was built to be worshipped by the villagers. Everyone was to bow in homage to the dragon Statue as the new dragon lord, Nsari, blew his trumpet.
Iquo and his two younger brothers refused to bow, being christians, citing their faith in only One True God as their reason. The villagers were very angry and tied them up to be killed at the stakes. They were given the last opportunity to pay homage to the statue or die miserable deaths. The brothers were adamant.
In a strange twist of fate, a ripple of energy coursed through the air and was felt by all and suddenly, the statue behemoth stirred to life. It spoke with the voice of a man but its voice thundered through the kingdom. Everyone fled.
With love and compassion, he reassured them that he meant no harm to any of them, he told them he was the Idemili and declared that he was averse to bloodshed. No blood of the soil or of a peaceful stranger should be shed on account of religion and that everyone was free to worship the diety of their own choosing.
His words washed over the villagers as cold water and there was calmness. Iquo and his brothers were untied and freed.
In the aftermath, peace and harmony reigned in the village, with a mutual understanding and respect bridging the divide between the old and the new beliefs. Though the Statue still stands in the village square till this day, it's regarded more of a tourist attraction than of a religious edifice.
The End.
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I am @edith-4angelseu and thank you for stopping by my neighbourhood.