THE BLIND SINGER
Chapter One — A Shadow Over Joy
The morning sun poured softly through the small window of a quiet home in the village of Edera. Inside lived a young woman named Livia, whose beauty was matched only by the gentleness of her spirit. She and her husband, Ruben, had been married for two years, yet their home still echoed with silence — no child's laughter had blessed their union.
But in their third year, hope finally smiled upon them. Livia became pregnant, and Ruben's joy was beyond measure. Every evening, he would touch her growing belly and whisper, "You are my light, Livia — and soon, our little one will be my second sun."
After nine months, under the sound of soft cries and quiet prayers, a healthy baby girl was born. They named her Ishmael, meaning "God has heard." Their house, once silent, became alive with laughter and warmth. Ruben adored his daughter and came home early every day just to hold her in his arms. Livia often watched him with pride and whispered, "Thank You, Lord, for this gift."
But happiness can be fragile.
When Ishmael turned one, tragedy struck. On a rainy afternoon, Ruben left for work, promising to return before nightfall. Evening came and went — no sign of him. Livia waited anxiously at the window, her heart racing with fear. By morning, she had not slept.
Then came a soft knock on the door.
Standing there was Philip, Ruben's close friend. His face was pale, his eyes swollen from crying.
"Good morning," Livia greeted weakly.
"Morning," Philip replied, his voice heavy with sorrow.
She invited him in, but he refused. "What brings you here?" she asked, her heart trembling.
Philip sighed deeply. "Livia, what I came to say isn't good news."
Her throat tightened. "Please," she whispered, "just tell me."
He looked down. "Ruben… is gone. He had a car accident yesterday. He didn't make it."
The words shattered her world. "No!" she screamed. "You're lying!" She clutched Philip's shirt, begging, "Tell me he's alive! Tell me this is a mistake!"
But Philip's silence was answer enough.
Later that day, he took her to the mortuary. When Livia saw Ruben's still body, she fell to her knees and wept bitterly. "So this is why you didn't come home?" she cried. "You've left me and our baby in this wicked world!"
A week later, Ruben was buried. The ceremony was simple but filled with sorrow. When everyone had left, Livia knelt beside his grave and whispered, "I'll live for her, Ruben — for our daughter."
From that day, she became both mother and father to Ishmael. She washed clothes, sold food, and worked tirelessly to feed her child. Life was hard, but her love was stronger.
In the same compound lived her neighbor Cindy, a woman who, unlike Livia, was impatient and desperate to escape poverty.
One evening, Cindy sighed. "Livia, I'm tired of this poor life. I want money — fast."
"Don't let greed rule you," Livia warned gently. "The love of money can lead to pain."
Cindy laughed. "You and your holy talk! You'll die waiting. Me — I'll find my own way."
Livia only smiled. "God will bless us at the right time."
But Cindy's heart was already set on a darker path.
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Chapter Two — The Curse of Greed
The next morning, Cindy travelled secretly to a remote village to see a native doctor known for granting wealth through dark powers.
"Good day, Baba," she greeted nervously.
"My daughter," the old man replied, "what brings you here?"
"I want to be rich," she said boldly. "I'm tired of suffering."
The native doctor nodded and began to chant. He blew some strange powder into her eyes, then handed her a small calabash filled with ash.
"When you reach home," he said in a deep voice, "put this powder into the eyes of any little baby girl. But listen carefully — that girl must never marry your son in the future, or you will go blind."
Cindy gasped as her eyes began to burn. "My eyes! They're burning!"
"Go!" the man shouted. "Do you still want riches or not?"
"Yes! Yes, I do!" Cindy cried and ran out in fear.
On her way home, she wondered which child she could use. Then she remembered — her neighbor's baby, Ishmael.
When she arrived, she found Livia outside with her daughter.
"Livia!" Cindy called cheerfully. "Bring your baby, make I carry her small."
Livia smiled. "Alright, but if she cries, I'll flog you oh!"
Both women laughed. As Cindy played with the baby, she quickly blew the powder into the child's eyes.
That night, Ishmael began to cry uncontrollably. Livia noticed something was wrong — her baby could no longer see. She rushed to doctors and healers, but none could help. The cause of Ishmael's blindness remained a mystery.
And Cindy, now wealthy beyond measure, said nothing.
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Chapter Three — The Blind Singer
Years passed. Livia raised her blind daughter with love and patience. When Ishmael turned five, her mother gently told her the truth — that she had lost her sight as a baby.
But fate was not done testing her. A year later, Livia fell ill and died, leaving little Ishmael alone in the world.
Ishmael went to live with her cousin Lizzy, who loved her dearly. Together, they struggled to survive. One day, a man promised Lizzy a job and money to help with Ishmael's eye operation. Overjoyed, Lizzy and Ishmael travelled to the city — only to discover the man had travelled abroad.
With no money to return home, they rented a half-built house and began to beg on the streets.
Meanwhile, Cindy — now rich and respected — had a grown son named Benson, twenty years old, two years older than Ishmael.
One afternoon, as Ishmael sat under a tree singing softly while Lizzy fetched water, two thieves attacked her, snatching their bag. Ishmael cried out for help, but no one came — except one young man who ran toward her.
The thieves escaped before he could reach them. When Lizzy returned and saw Ishmael crying beside the stranger, she panicked. "What did you do to her?" she demanded.
The young man raised his hands. "I didn't hurt her. I tried to help her. Two men stole your bag."
"My name is Benson," he said kindly. "I'm sorry this happened."
Lizzy thanked him, and Benson followed them home. When he saw the poor condition they lived in, his heart broke. While they talked, Ishmael began to sing again — her voice was pure and beautiful, like an angel's. Benson stood speechless.
Later that evening, he returned and said, "You can't stay here anymore. I've rented a one-room apartment for you."
Ishmael burst into tears of gratitude. Over time, she and Benson grew close, and eventually, he confessed his love.
"How can you love a blind girl?" she asked sadly. "There are better women out there."
Benson smiled. "None of them is you. My heart belongs to you."
Slowly, Ishmael's heart opened to him. They fell deeply in love.
When Benson took her home to meet his mother, Cindy froze the moment she heard the girl's name.
"My dear, what's your name again?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"Ishmael," the girl replied.
Cindy swallowed hard. "How did you become blind?"
Ishmael told her everything her late mother had said. Cindy's heart sank — her past had returned to her doorstep. The girl her greed had cursed was now her son's bride-to-be.
She pulled Benson aside. "You cannot marry that girl!"
"Why not, Mother? Is it because she's blind?" he asked, offended.
"You wouldn't understand," Cindy whispered.
"Then make me understand!" he demanded.
But she said nothing more.
Three months later, against his mother's wishes, Benson married Ishmael.
That night, something miraculous happened — Ishmael opened her eyes and saw light for the first time in her life.
And at that very moment, Cindy went blind.
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Chapter Four — The Confession
The next day, Cindy called Ishmael and Benson to her room.
"My daughter," she began softly, "thank you for marrying my son. But before I speak, promise me you'll forgive me."
Ishmael frowned. "What is it, Mum?"
Cindy sighed deeply. "I was the one who made you blind. Years ago, when you were a baby, I went to a native doctor for wealth. He told me to use a baby's eyes — and I used yours. I betrayed your mother, my best friend."
Ishmael's heart pounded. "You?" she whispered, tears falling. "Why, Mama? Why me?"
"I was blinded by greed," Cindy wept. "Please forgive me."
Ishmael knelt beside her and took her hand. "I hold no grudge, Mum. I forgive you."
Cindy cried harder. "Thank you, my daughter. May God bless you."
Benson, hurt but calm, said, "Mum, let's take you to the village — maybe you can regain your sight."
But Cindy refused. "No. This is my punishment. Let me live with it."
"Mum," Ishmael said softly, "God can heal you. Let's go to church."
At first, Cindy resisted, but Ishmael's compassion touched her heart. Finally, she agreed.
That evening, they went to church. The pastor listened to her confession, prayed for her, and said, "By tomorrow morning, your eyes will see again."
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Chapter Five — The Miracle of Forgiveness
The next morning, Cindy woke up and blinked — light flooded her eyes. She could see. She cried out, "Thank You, Lord!" and embraced Benson and Ishmael tightly.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, she held a thanksgiving service. From that day, she became a changed woman — kind, humble, and prayerful. She treated Ishmael as her own daughter, and peace filled their home.
Months later, Ishmael became pregnant. Benson and Cindy rejoiced.
"If it's a girl, we'll name her Wonderful," Ishmael said.
"And if it's a boy, Prosper," Benson added with a grin.
Nine months later, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy — Prosper. Four years later, a baby girl arrived — Wonderful.
Their home overflowed with joy. Cindy often said, "God forgave me through you, Ishmael."
And Ishmael would smile and reply, "God's mercy is greater than our mistakes."
The once-blind singer now saw clearly — not just with her eyes, but with her heart.
Their home became a testimony that forgiveness heals even the deepest wounds.
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THE END