About this book

The Serpent King of Oba

Long ago, in the ancient kingdom of Oba, there was a mystery that no one could explain. Every year, during the season of the first rains, a giant serpent would appear near the sacred river at the edge of the town. It never harmed anyone, but its golden eyes shone like fire, and its scales glittered like polished bronze. The people called it Eze-Agwo, the Serpent King. The elders believed that Eze-Agwo was not an ordinary creature. According to legend, he was once a wise king who ruled Oba with justice and kindness. During his reign, the farms were fertile, the markets were full, and no child went hungry. One day, a jealous sorcerer from a distant land came to the kingdom. He offered the king great magical powers in exchange for a sacred treasure hidden beneath the royal palace. The king refused, saying that the treasure belonged to the people and must never be used for selfish gain. Enraged, the sorcerer cast a curse upon him. "You shall guard the treasure forever," he declared. "Neither man nor spirit, but a serpent shall you become." At once, the king transformed into a mighty serpent and disappeared into the earth beneath the palace. The sorcerer fled, but the curse remained. Years passed. New rulers came and went, yet the people never forgot their beloved king. It was said that whenever danger threatened Oba, Eze-Agwo emerged from his hidden chamber to protect the land. One season, a terrible drought struck the kingdom. Rivers dried up, crops withered, and hunger spread. The new king ordered sacrifices and prayers, but nothing changed. Then a young girl named Adaeze had a dream. In it, the Serpent King appeared and told her: "The sacred river has been blocked by greed. Those who seek only wealth have polluted its source. Clean the river, and life will return." Adaeze told the elders. Some laughed, but others listened. The people searched upstream and discovered that traders had diverted the water and dumped waste into its source. Together, the villagers cleared the river and restored its flow. That night, thunder rolled across the sky. Rain poured down upon the kingdom, filling the streams and watering the fields. As the people celebrated, many claimed they saw a giant serpent gliding through the river, its scales shining beneath the moonlight. From that day forward, the people of Oba honored the river and the memory of the Serpent King. They taught their children that true leadership means protecting others, not seeking power for oneself. And even today, some say that on quiet nights near the riverbanks, a pair of golden eyes can still be seen watching over Oba—proof that Eze-Agwo, the Serpent King, remains the eternal guardian of the kingdom.