Akello and the River of Courage
In the heart of Kamuli district lay a small village named Lumuli. The village was known for its lush greenery, fertile lands, and a mighty river that flowed through it, known to the villagers as the River of Courage. The river was more than just a source of water; it was a symbol of resilience and strength, revered by all who lived in Lumuli.
Among the villagers was a young woman named Akello. Akello was known for her kindness and a heart as vast as the African plains. She was admired by many, but she had one challenge that few knew about: a deep-seated fear of the river. Despite the river's significance to the village, Akello could never bring herself to go near it. As a child, she had witnessed a tragic incident where her older brother, Otieno, was swept away by the river's powerful currents during a storm. He had been trying to save a neighbour's child who had slipped into the water, but both had perished in the angry waters. Since that day, the river became a place of nightmares for Akello, a place she avoided at all costs.
Akello lived with her grandmother, Nyaboke, a wise elder in the village. Nyaboke had always encouraged Akello to face her fears, but she never pushed too hard. She knew that healing from such a deep wound took time. One evening, as they sat by the fire, Nyaboke spoke gently to her granddaughter.
"Akello, my child, I see the way you look at the river," she said, her voice soft but firm. "You cannot let fear control your life. The river took from you, but it also gives life to this village. Perhaps, it's time you made peace with it."
Akello stared into the fire, the flames dancing in her deep brown eyes. "I don’t know if I can, Grandma. Every time I hear the water, I remember Otieno. It’s like the river is alive, and it’s angry with me."
Nyaboke placed a hand on Akello’s. "The river is not angry, my dear. It is simply a force of nature. It has no malice, no intent to harm. You must find the courage within yourself to see it for what it is. You have a strength that even the river cannot match. You just don’t see it yet."
The words of her grandmother lingered in Akello’s mind for days. She went about her chores, fetched water from the village well, and worked in the fields, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was avoiding something important, something that she needed to confront.
One day, news spread through the village like wildfire—there was to be a wedding. Amani, the son of the village chief, was to marry his beloved, Nyota. The entire village was abuzz with excitement, preparing for the grand celebration. The wedding was to take place by the River of Courage, as was tradition, and Akello knew that she couldn’t avoid the river this time.
The day of the wedding arrived, and Lumuli was a sight to behold. Women adorned in vibrant kitenge and men in their best kanzu gathered by the river. The air was filled with the sound of drums, laughter, and the scent of roasted meat. The river, usually a place of fear for Akello, seemed calm and inviting under the golden rays of the sun.
As the ceremony began, Akello stood at a distance, her heart pounding in her chest. She could see the river from where she stood, its waters glistening and serene. But all she could think of was the day she lost her brother.
"Akello, come closer!" a voice called out, jolting her from her thoughts. It was Amani, the groom. He was a kind man, and like everyone in the village, he knew about Akello’s fear. "We need you to bless the water with us. It would mean so much to Nyota and me."
Akello hesitated, her feet feeling as heavy as stones. The thought of going near the water made her dizzy, but the kind eyes of Amani and the warm smile of Nyota pulled her forward.
Taking a deep breath, Akello moved towards the river, her legs trembling with each step. The villagers, noticing her approach, fell silent, knowing the significance of this moment. Even the children, who usually ran and played without a care, stopped to watch.
When Akello reached the riverbank, she stared down at the water. It was clear and gentle, so different from the monstrous waves she remembered. She could see the pebbles beneath the surface, smooth and colourful, and small fish darting about. But still, the fear clawed at her insides.
"Just touch the water, Akello," Nyota whispered, standing beside her. "The river will not hurt you. It’s part of our life here, and you are part of it too."
Tears welled up in Akello’s eyes. She wanted to believe Nyota, to believe that the river wasn’t her enemy. She wanted to honor the memory of her brother, not by avoiding the river, but by embracing the courage he had shown. Slowly, she knelt by the riverbank, her hand hovering above the water.
"Otieno, give me strength," she whispered, and then, she plunged her hand into the cool water.
A wave of emotions surged through her as the water enveloped her hand. At first, she felt a jolt of fear, but then something changed. The water wasn’t angry or vengeful; it was soothing, almost comforting. The villagers watched in awe as Akello let her hand linger in the water, her fear slowly dissolving with each passing second.
Nyaboke, standing a little distance away, smiled proudly. She knew this moment had been a long time coming, and seeing Akello take this step filled her heart with joy.
After what felt like an eternity, Akello stood up, her hand dripping with the river’s water. She turned to Amani and Nyota, a mixture of relief and happiness on her face.
"Thank you," she said, her voice steady and clear. "Thank you for helping me face this."
The wedding continued, and Akello stayed by the river’s edge, watching the ceremony unfold. The fear that had once gripped her was gone, replaced by a newfound sense of peace. She realized that the river, just like life, had its moments of calm and chaos, but it was not something to be feared. It was something to be respected and embraced.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the village, Akello felt a sense of closure she hadn’t known she needed. The river that had once taken so much from her had now given her something in return—courage.
That evening, as the villagers celebrated the wedding with song and dance, Akello found herself smiling more than she had in years. She danced with the other women, laughed with the children, and even shared stories with the elders. She was no longer the girl who lived in fear of the river; she was Akello, the woman who had faced her fears and emerged stronger.
Later, as the festivities wound down and the village settled into the quiet of the night, Akello and Nyaboke walked home together. The moonlight bathed the path in a soft, silvery light, and the sound of the river flowing in the distance was no longer a source of dread for Akello. It was a reminder of the courage she had found within herself.
"Grandma," Akello said as they neared their home, "I think I finally understand what you meant about the river. It’s not about forgetting the past, but about finding the strength to move forward."
Nyaboke nodded, a gentle smile on her face. "Yes, my child. The river, like life, will always flow, with its calm days and its storms. But you, Akello, have the strength to face whatever comes your way."
As they reached their door, Akello looked up at the stars twinkling in the night sky. She felt a deep sense of gratitude—for her grandmother’s wisdom, for the support of her village, and most importantly, for the courage that had always been within her, waiting to be discovered.
And so, the girl who once feared the river became known as the woman who embraced it, a symbol of resilience and strength in the village of Lumuli. The River of Courage, which had once seemed so daunting, was now a place of peace, a reminder that true strength comes not from avoiding our fears, but from facing them head-on.
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