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The Moon Child
An Ancient African Story
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Chapter One – The Strange Birth
In the kingdom of Anwuna, the people worshipped the sun by day and the moon by night. They believed the sun gave strength to their crops, while the moon guided the spirits of the dead across the sky.
One night, when the moon was full and glowing like silver, Queen Ijeoma, wife of King Oranmiyan, gave birth to a strange child. Unlike other babies, his skin shimmered faintly, and his eyes were pale as moonlight.
The midwives gasped. "This is no ordinary child! He carries the mark of the spirits."
The king frowned. "A blessing or a curse?"
The diviner, Old Ezenwa, examined the boy and said:
> "He is a Moon Child. His destiny is tied to the heavens. If he is loved, he will bring peace. If he is feared, he will bring ruin."
The king named him Obafulu, meaning seen by the king, for all eyes were on him from the moment he was born.
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Chapter Two – The Growing Wonder
As Obafulu grew, strange things followed him. When he laughed, fireflies gathered. When he cried, the moon dimmed. On nights of the full moon, his body glowed so brightly that hunters used his light to find their way home.
Some villagers adored him. They called him the Child of Light. Women brought him gifts, and children followed him in play.
But others whispered in fear. "No mortal should shine like that. He is a spirit pretending to be human. One day, he will betray us."
Even in the palace, envy grew. The king's brother, Prince Ubah, watched Obafulu with suspicion. "This boy will take the throne from me. He must be silenced."
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Chapter Three – The Prophecy of the Moon
When Obafulu turned twelve, the diviner spoke again:
"The Moon Child will face a great test. A shadow from the north will rise to swallow the kingdom. Only by embracing who he truly is can he save Anwuna. But if he falters, the land will fall to darkness."
The king worried. He feared that the prophecy would turn his people against his son. Yet Obafulu himself was calm. "Father," he said, "if the moon gave me life, then the moon will guide me."
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Chapter Four – The Dark Raiders
Not long after, raiders from the northern desert attacked Anwuna. Their leader was General Kasim, a man with skin black as midnight and eyes red as coal. He carried a sword said to be forged from the shadow of an eclipse.
The raiders burned farms, stole cattle, and took captives. The warriors of Anwuna fought bravely but were driven back.
In the palace, Prince Ubah seized the moment. "This is because of the cursed boy! His glow has drawn enemies to us. Cast him out, or we all perish!"
The people began to murmur in agreement.
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Chapter Five – The Child in Exile
Fearing rebellion, King Oranmiyan wept as he told his son: "Obafulu, forgive me. The people do not understand. You must leave Anwuna until this storm has passed."
Obafulu bowed without anger. "If exile is my path, then I will follow it. But remember, Father—the moon always returns, even after the darkest night."
He left with only a staff, a goatskin of water, and the silver light of his skin to guide him.
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Chapter Six – The Forest of Spirits
Obafulu wandered into the deep forest, where mortals rarely went. At night, spirits appeared: a glowing owl, a talking river, and a lioness made of starlight.
The lioness spoke: "Moon Child, why do you walk alone?"
"I was cast out," he replied. "My people fear me."
The lioness growled softly. "They fear what they do not understand. But your journey is not punishment—it is preparation. Follow me."
She led him to a hidden lake that reflected not the sky, but the soul. When Obafulu gazed into it, he saw not a boy, but a figure clothed in moonlight, crowned with silver horns.
The spirits whispered:
> "You are more than human. You are the bridge between earth and sky. Accept yourself, and the shadow cannot defeat you."
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Chapter Seven – The Betrayal
Meanwhile, back in Anwuna, Prince Ubah betrayed his people. Out of envy, he made a secret pact with General Kasim.
"Spare my life," he said, "and I will give you the throne of Anwuna. Together we will rule."
Kasim agreed, but laughed in secret. "Foolish prince. Once the boy is gone and the king is dead, this land will belong to me alone."
That night, the raiders broke through the city gates. Fires blazed, and the palace shook.
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Chapter Eight – The Moon Rises
Far away, Obafulu looked up and saw the moon turn blood-red in the sky. His heart trembled. "Anwuna is in danger."
The spirits appeared again. The lioness roared: "It is time. Claim your destiny."
Obafulu struck his staff on the ground, and it transformed into a silver spear glowing with moonlight. His body shone brighter than ever before, and wings of pale light spread from his back.
"Guide me, ancestors," he whispered, and the wind lifted him toward Anwuna.
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Chapter Nine – The Battle of Light and Shadow
When Obafulu arrived, the kingdom was in chaos. Raiders filled the streets, and Prince Ubah stood beside Kasim, both laughing over the burning palace.
The people cried when they saw the glowing child descending like a star. "The Moon Child has returned!"
Kasim sneered. "You cannot defeat me, little ghost. I am born of shadow."
He raised his sword, black as night, and swung. Obafulu met it with his silver spear. Light and darkness clashed, shaking the heavens.
For hours they fought, moonlight against eclipse-shadow. Finally, Obafulu remembered the spirits' words: accept yourself. He closed his eyes and let the full light of the moon within him shine.
His whole body exploded with brilliance, blinding Kasim. The shadow sword shattered, and the raider general dissolved into smoke.
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Chapter Ten – Justice and Renewal
With their leader gone, the raiders fled. The people of Anwuna rushed forward, bowing to Obafulu. "Forgive us, Child of Light. We doubted you."
Obafulu raised his hand. "The moon does not keep anger. It only reflects what is given. If you give fear, you see darkness. If you give love, you see light. From today, choose wisely."
As for Prince Ubah, his betrayal was revealed. The king, heartbroken, ordered him banished beyond the deserts, never to return.
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Chapter Eleven – The Moon's Gift
Peace returned to Anwuna. Crops grew, rivers swelled, and children laughed again. The diviner declared: "The prophecy is fulfilled. The Moon Child has embraced his destiny."
Obafulu, though young, became a guide to his people, not by force, but by wisdom. At night, he stood on the palace roof, glowing softly, a reminder that light can grow even from exile.
And when he grew old, his body faded into silver mist, joining the moon above. From then on, the people said:
> "When the moon shines bright, Obafulu watches us. When it wanes, he rests. But he never leaves."
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Epilogue – The Moral of the Moon Child
The griots of Anwuna end the tale with these words:
> "Fear makes us cast out our blessings. Envy blinds us to truth. But love and acceptance turn even the strangest gift into salvation.
Just as the moon borrows light from the sun, we borrow strength from one another. To reject the light is to choose darkness."
And so, the story of the Moon Child is told by firelight across generations, reminding all that what seems strange may be the very thing that saves us.