Book Two: Akosua
Our next story takes place in a land of prosperity, one that was not fully appreciated until the emergence of a wise dragon.
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Once there was a village that thrived on the land’s resources. The village chief, Thema, watched over her people with great care. She and her husband, a strong warrior named Kweku-Tsin, provided for the village so that they could live a long and happy life.
Now, Kweku-Tsin used his talents to hunt and gather food for the village while his wife was busy at work. After all, he had been taught that you must take what you can from this life in order to survive. His father Anansi, a man known for tricking people into getting what he wanted, told him that this was the way of the world.
That was what he believed, anyhow, until his father’s words held no more truth. It became difficult for Kweku-Tsin to find game while out hunting, and soon the village was running short on food. Thema watched as her people fed on the few rations they had left, and she was distraught. She pulled her husband aside one night to share her worries. “I can not bear to watch my people go hungry anymore. Surely there must be a better way to provide for the village.”
Her husband agreed. He decided it would be best to look beyond the village in order to find a solution. And with that, Kweku-Tsin ventured further than ever before while Thema looked over the townspeople. He traveled for many days and nights, looking for any sign of sustenance. After a week, Kweku-Tsin had grown tired and stopped to rest. He was so tired that he didn’t notice a large shadow looming over him. Hearing a noise meant to draw his attention, Kweku-Tsin turned around to see the dragon that had crept up behind him.
“You seem tired, human,” she said, staring at him with interest. “It seems that you have been wandering for quite some time. I’m curious, what has brought you here to my domain?” The hunter shared his dilemma with the dragon, who listened to his story patiently. She nodded once he was finished. “I see—come. Let me show you my home.”
The dragon known as Akosua lowered her neck to Kweku-Tsin so that he could climb on. Once the hunter saddled in, the dragon made a running start before taking off to the skies. Kweku-Tsin watched the world in wonder as he soared from above—he was more astonished when he saw a lush rainforest come into view. Once they landed, Akosua guided Kweku-Tsin through the forest, allowing him to appreciate the bountiful scenery.
“It is easy for us to take from the world, young hunter,” she commented. “But it is more rewarding to give back to the earth.” The dragon showed him the various kinds of fauna and flora to be found within the forest. She would gesture to each one. "Take these seeds here and cultivate your land. The animals will return, your people will thrive, and your food will be plenty.”
After Kweku-Tsin gathered enough seeds, he mounted Akosua and set off for his homeland. The village was surprised to see that their hunter had returned with a live dragon and a hefty amount of saplings. Thema was pleasantly surprised by her husband’s discovery and was ready to transform her home into one that could support her people. Within time, the village had become as lush and green as Akosua’s forest, and Kweku-Tsin and his wife watched their village flourish for many years to come.