STACH Short Story Contest # 30: A simple Lad

There once lived a boy in the western part of Benin were no one dared to live. Married to a runaway bride once he was 26 and gave birth to men and women feared by many.

Soon he wakes from his dream and realize dazed him a blow he still remembers in his grave.

He is a simple lad, not a hero like I would want you to believe. He is the first amongst seven and would often dance in the quiet of the night when everyone was fast asleep.

One night, as he played and danced, the wind blew softly and cottons gave way as he beheld the most beautiful thing he had ever seen.

A ghost had entreated him to walk. He did walk. And he never looked back again.

Many said he left home because the chores were too much. Some said the gods that took children at will had taken him without consulting his parents.

I do believe he danced beautifully and the gods wanted all that beauty for themselves.

He was 26 and married a runaway bride of a god angered by the steppings of his dance.