Paramodice and Princess Oasi had been enjoying life in the forest.
"This is like the Garden of Eden to me," Paramodice said with a smile.
The princess looked at him curiously. "Why do you say so?"
"Because here we get whatever we need," Paramodice replied. "There is no difficulty here like in your father's palace. I love the wind—it is cool and refreshing, unlike the stifling air I breathed while in prison, away from the loving face of my princess."
Princess Oasi sighed softly. "You are right, my love. If God had not touched my father's heart to release the prisoners to enjoy the fresh wind outside the prison, I would never have seen you again. I would have only seen you as a lover in my dreams, not in the flesh."
Paramodice took her hand and whispered, "Yes, you are right, my princess. But God, in His mercy, made our paths cross on that day of freedom. As the elders say, 'When the drumbeat changes, the dancer must change his steps.' Truly, our steps were guided."
Princess Oasi asked gently, "What was your experience in prison? Did you not miss those who were not there to comfort or fight for you?"
Paramodice's eyes grew distant. "Yes. At first, I thought of my loving parents who were no longer there to fight for me. But then I remembered my father's last words: 'Be strong, my son.' Even though he is gone, his voice still echoes in my heart. He taught me to depend on God, and so I held on, believing that God always has the best way. I see that journey not as my downfall, but as a stepping stone to greatness."
The princess tilted her head. "Do you mean greatness comes only through suffering? Must we all walk such a thorny path before climbing to the top?"
Paramodice smiled. "Sometimes, my princess. As another proverb says, 'The child who is not taught by his mother will be taught by the world.' Hardship trains the soul."
The princess laid her head on his lap. "Tell me about hunting. I know you must have learned something since your father was a hunter."
Paramodice chuckled. "Do you want to hunt? You, who nearly ran away from a snake the other day until I saved you?"
Princess Oasi blushed. "You never forget things. That was then. Do you think if you teach me how to hunt, I cannot learn well?"
"You mean hunt a lion?" Paramodice teased.
The princess laughed. "No, that one is too much for me now. Let me start small. But truly, what I want is to hear about your experience."
"Very well," Paramodice said. "My experience in hunting is a great one. By the age of twelve, I had already acquired much knowledge. Many times, I even asked my father to remain behind while I went hunting alone. As you know, I was born and raised in the forest before I was captured."
The princess widened her eyes. "Do you mean at twelve years?"
"Yes," Paramodice nodded proudly. "Do you not know the saying? 'A lion does not give birth to a goat.' My father was a hunter, so I take after him."
The princess then whispered, "Let us leave hunting aside, my love, and talk of something else. I love this forest, where no one disturbs our love."
"Yes, my love," Paramodice replied. "But we cannot remain here forever. There is a kingdom we are destined to rule."
"Must we rule?" Oasi asked quietly. "Do you not think they will never accept you—or our love? Why not remain here, raise our children, and live in peace?"
Paramodice laughed softly. "Then our children will be called 'children of the forest.'"
The princess giggled. "No, they will be children of you and me. Life here is sweeter than chasing power."
But Paramodice grew solemn. "I understand you, my princess, but destiny cannot be hidden. 'No matter how long a log stays in the river, it can never become a crocodile.' Our destiny is to rule, with God's help."
"I hope so, my love," she murmured.
Paramodice encouraged her with a tender song:
"My beautiful princess,
I will not stop loving you.
From the very first glance, my heart was yours.
I love you, I love you,
I love you, my beautiful princess.
The kingdoms may wait for us,
But like the moon waits for the night,
My heart will always wait for you.
My beautiful princess,
I will not stop loving you.
For as the elders say,
'The river never forgets its source,'
So my love will never forget you.
A calabash may float far upon the water,
Yet it returns to the shore,
And so will my love return to your heart—
Forever."
Before Paramodice could finish his song, the princess had already drifted into sleep. Her face glowed with peace, as though the gentle melody had carried her into the arms of dreams
Meanwhile, far away in Sakoma kingdom, the chiefs were still waiting under the scorching sun while the high priest consulted the gods.
Chief Araba wiped his brow. "We have been in this hot sun for more than four hours, yet no answer! What is really happening, my fellow chiefs?"
The prime minister tried to calm him. "Let us wait one more hour. After that, we shall decide what to do."
After thirty minutes, the high priest finally appeared, his face weary. "Forgive me for keeping you waiting. I have tried all I could to make the gods speak, but they remain silent."
The chiefs gasped. "Do you mean there is no answer?"
"Yes," the priest replied. "But know this—when the gods are silent, it is not without reason. Return on the next market day. By then, perhaps the spirits will speak."
"Then you shouldn't have kept us under this scorching sun," Chief Efe complained.
The High Priest's face darkened with anger as he thundered, "Do you not know that I am the mouthpiece of the gods? Tread carefully, unless I turn you into something else entirely!"
The Prime Minister quickly stepped forward, bowing slightly in respect. "Forgive us, great one," he said. "I apologize for the careless words of one of my chiefs. You know what they say—the tongue has no bone, yet it can break the head."
The chiefs left angrily, murmuring among themselves.