Destined to Rule

Adegbola's Test of Maturity

A long time, there was a man who lived in a town called Dunga near Bunduga. The name of the man was Adegbola. His grandfather was one of the famous kings of that town. The name of this famous king was Kukimo. Everybody loved this king so much because he was full of wisdom, knowledge and humility. Adegbola took after his grandfather because he lived and grew up in his house. He also learnt many things from him. When he was in the king's palace, he stayed near the king and always eager to hear the words of wisdom from him. The mother of Adegbola was Yaoba while his father was Baoba. But the problem was that Adegbola had never seen his father since he was born. He therefore wished to see him.When Adegbola asked his mother about his father's whereabouts, she took him to a quiet part of the forest and narrated to him the story about his father. It Was at this place that she told him the name of his father. She also explained to him that his father was a renowned king in a town called Bunduga near Idonga. When Adegbola heard the news about his father, he felt like hearing the story again. He asked his mother,

"why did my father not live in our town with us?" His mother answered him saying, "When your father grew up, your grandfather gave him some parts of the land to rule over because the land was too vast for him to rule. Your father was wise, knowledgeable and knew how to rule. And because he took proper care of the people in his community, he found it difficult to visit home. He worked so tirelessly that he was becoming spent. My point here is that there was no time for your father to leave his subjects to visit his son. This has not happened and I don't think it can happen". Adegbola asked her again,"Are you sure that Baoba knows that he has a son? If he knows that, there shouldn't be anything that will deprive him of coming to see me". His mother told him "he knew, but he had no time". Adegbola begged his mother and asked her "Is it not better for me to visit him and let him know that I am his son?" His mother answered, "My son, it is good for you to do that but not now. You are still too young. You cannot go on such a long journey. It is better for you to wait till when you are grown up, when your bones are strong and when you will not be afraid on a journey". Adegbola refused and insisted he would go. His mother begged him and persuaded him to wait for some time but he refused. She even used some proverbs to convince him but all her words fell on his deaf ears. He insisted on going, not minding the consequences.

There was a big stone behind the house of Baoba. Under it, he kept a pair of sandals, his Sword and his flute. He had told his wife that whenever his son Adegbola was able to lift the stone and remove the sandals and flute under it, that implies that the boy is mature and ready to be given difficult duties. Yaoba remembered what her husband told her and asked her son to lift the stone. Though, Adegbola knew that he was still a child, but he believed a brave child could still embark on difficult assignments. He said,"My mother, you will see that wherever there is pain, there is gain". He agreed to lift the stone.He did not believe that it could be difficult to lift.Immediately, Adegbola hopped towards the stone to lift it. He tried all his abilities but could not lift it.It looked like a stump. Adegbola tried all he could but his efforts did not yield any result.His mother was looking at him as he tried to lift the stone. When he try one side without succeeding, he would try another side. Adegbola actually wanted to prove to his mother that he could do it, however, he was not just right for the role, he has his head in the clouds. The place where Adegbola was battling with the stone looked like a battle ground between two dogs.When his mother discovered how he struggled to lift the stone fruitlessly, she started laughing at him. But when she saw the sweat on Adegbola'sbody, she felt sorry for him. She called Adegbolaand asked him to go and relax because he had not gotten the ability to lift the stone.

"You will be in my house until you are able to lift the stone."

"It is then, I will allow you to go and look for your father," said his mother.

Adegbola waited for another three years

bearing his father's words in his mind. He did not give up telling his mother that it was time for him to visit his father. Adegbola's quest for searching for his father was like that of a determined soul which is sealed and settled. He expressed confidence and determination that the stone could not prevent him from searching for his father and that his mother was just using that as an excuse to prevent him from going on the journey. He believed the assignment was fashioned out by his mother.

He asked his mother, "Why should I suffer before I can see my father? Is he not my father? I will leave! Whatever may be the result, let it be". His mother told him that it was better for a child to listen to the words of elders so as not to regret at last. Adegbola staved at home for some years afterwards before his mother considered him matured enough for the journey. He had grown to the stage of maturity.He had attained the age of a man,differentiate between his right and his left.

One day, Adegbola mother called him and asked him to go and lift the stone. When he heard this, he was filled with joy. He started smiling. He asked his mother, "Mummy, have you discovered that I am no more a kid"? He also narrated that he saw his father in his dream and that the journey was going to favour him.

He pleaded with his mother to allow him to go.His mother asked him to lift the stone and bring out what his father kept under it. It is when he does that, that she would believe that he could go on the journey alone.

Immediately, Adegbola stood up,approached the stone and shook it. He stooped to lift the stone. As he did this, the roots and stems holding the stone uprooted. He lifted the stone and nodded his head, saying,. "I have accomplished the task. What is left? I am

going". His mother began to laugh but she was not happy within her. She passionately told him to bring the flute and the sandals that he would take them along to visit his father. She told him that nothing stopped him from visiting his father in his kingdom. She explained to him that before his father departed for Bunduga,he told her to take proper care of him until hewas mature to lift the stone which he had just done.