17/09/2025
In the heart of Umuaka village, where red dust roads stretched between mud houses and everyone knew each other by name, there lived a boy called Adisa. From the day he could talk, he had been known for one thing—stubbornness.
His parents often warned him: “Adisa, listen. A child who does not hear advice will one day learn through pain.” But Adisa only laughed. He preferred doing things his own way.
At school, he was quick with answers, but also quick with trouble. Teachers scolded him for refusing to obey instructions.
One afternoon after school, Adisa sat under a mango tree with his classmates. They whispered about an old woman in the village, Mama Ifeoma. Everyone knew her name. She lived in a mud house near the forest edge, with only her goats and chickens for company. Children often crossed the road quickly whenever they passed her compound.
“My mother said Mama Ifeoma is a witch,” one boy muttered, eyes wide. “Nobody dares touch her things. If you do, something terrible will happen.”
Another added, “It is true. Even the hunters greet her with respect. I’ve seen people kneel just to speak with her. They say her animals are not ordinary.”
But Adisa burst out laughing. “All of you are cowards! There is no such thing as witches. Old people like her only act scary so that people will fear them. Don’t you see? It’s just a trick.”
His friends protested. “Adisa, be careful with your mouth. Whenever we walk near her house, our hearts beat fast. Even adults don’t talk about her carelessly.”
But Adisa only folded his arms and smirked. “One day, I will do something to prove to all of you that Mama Ifeoma is just a weak old woman. You will see.”
His friends stared at him in silence. They knew Adisa well—he always kept his word, especially when it came to mischief. And deep inside, they worried that one day his stubbornness would bring disaster not only upon himself, but also upon his family.
That evening, as the sun dropped behind the palm trees, Adisa’s mother called him inside. “Adisa, I have told you many times, stubbornness leads nowhere good. Respect your elders, obey your teachers, and never mock people you don’t understand.”
But Adisa wasn’t listening. His mind was already plotting. “I will do something soon,” he thought. “And when I prove them wrong, everyone will know that I am not afraid.”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KZF51QVKvE0&t=7s
