The Secret of "Looked In Between Your Legs" in the Nigerian Market part 2

When Chido’s friends burst into his home, they yelled for Oina and Nedi, their words frantic and garbled.

“Something is wrong with Chido! In the market—he—he’s stuck! He can’t move!”

Oina and Nedi’s hearts sank. Without wasting a moment, they followed the boys to the market, tears streaming down Oina’s face as fear gripped her. Along the way, they summoned the Chief Priest, the spiritual leader of the town.

By the time they arrived, a crowd had already gathered around Chido. He remained bent over, frozen in the middle of the market, his body twisted in an unnatural position. His eyes, wide with terror, stared blankly ahead, sweat glistening on his skin. The villagers whispered in hushed tones, horrified by the sight before them.

The Chief Priest approached Chido cautiously, his face grave. He knelt beside the boy, placing a hand on his head and muttering sacred incantations. After a few moments, he stood up and shook his head solemnly.

“He has seen what no mortal should ever see,” the priest declared. “The spirits that wander the market are guardians of our realm. They live between our world and theirs, ensuring balance. But when you see them, they see you. And when they see you, they mark you.”

Oina fell to her knees, clutching Chido’s rigid legs. “What can we do? Please, help my son! He’s all we have!” she cried.

The priest looked at her with sorrowful eyes. “I will try to plead with the spirits, but their will is not easily swayed.”

As the sun set, casting long shadows across the town, Chido remained trapped in the same position. His body trembled from the strain, his breathing shallow. Oina sobbed beside him, while Nedi stood silently, his face pale with despair.

The priest began chanting again, his voice low and melodic, rising into the cool evening air. He offered prayers and sacrifices, begging the spirits to release the boy.

The villagers, though many harbored resentment toward Chido for his rebellious ways, couldn’t help but feel sympathy. Mothers shielded their children’s eyes, and fathers shook their heads, silently praying to the gods.

Hours passed, and the stars blinked into the night sky. The once lively marketplace was now heavy with an oppressive stillness. Just as hope seemed to fade, a sudden calm descended over the area. The air grew lighter, and a strange peace replaced the tension.

Then, Chido’s body began to relax. His legs gave way, and he collapsed onto the ground, unconscious but no longer bound by the spirits.

The crowd gasped, and Oina rushed to his side, cradling him in her arms. Tears streamed down her face as she whispered, “Thank you, gods. Thank you.”

The priest, though visibly relieved, warned the villagers, “Let this be a lesson to us all. The spirits protect us, but they demand respect. Their rules are not to be broken, not even out of curiosity.”

When Chido awoke the next morning, he was weak and shaken. The experience had left him visibly humbled. His once cocky demeanor was gone, replaced by a quiet and contemplative air. He didn’t speak much about what he had seen, but from that day on, he followed the customs and traditions of the town with reverence.

The story of Chido’s encounter with the spirits spread far and wide, serving as a cautionary tale for generations to come. And though life in Umu continued, no one—not even the bravest—dared to bend and look through their legs in the market ever again.

Let’s expand the story by exploring the aftermath of Chido’s experience, delving deeper into the lessons it brought to him, his family, and the town of Umu.

The Aftermath

Chido awoke slowly, his body aching as if he had carried the weight of the world. His parents sat by his side, their eyes red from hours of crying. When Oina noticed his eyelids fluttering open, she gasped, gripping his hand tightly.

“My son, you’re awake!” she cried, her voice breaking with relief.

Chido tried to speak, but his throat was dry, and his voice was barely a whisper. “I… I’m sorry,” he murmured, tears pooling in his eyes.

Nedi, usually a quiet man, knelt by the bedside and placed a firm but gentle hand on Chido’s shoulder. “You’ve been given another chance, my son. Hold onto it wisely.”

The family embraced, their tears a mixture of sorrow, relief, and gratitude.

A Changed Boy

The once defiant and arrogant Chido was no more. His encounter with the spirits had stripped him of his pride and filled him with a newfound respect for the traditions he once mocked.

He began attending the town’s gatherings, sitting quietly at the feet of the elders as they shared their wisdom. He sought forgiveness from those he had wronged, even apologizing to the friends who had accompanied him to the market that fateful evening.

“I led you into danger,” he told them. “If I had listened, none of this would have happened. I’m sorry.”

His friends, though initially wary of the change in him, accepted his apology. Over time, they too began to take the town’s customs more seriously, seeing the consequences of disobedience firsthand.

The Spirits’ Warning

Chido’s story became a powerful lesson in Umu. The elders began retelling the tale during festivals and gatherings, using it to instill a sense of reverence and caution in the younger generation.

The Chief Priest also performed a special ritual in the market to thank the spirits for sparing Chido. As part of the ritual, a sacred shrine was erected in the center of the market—a simple but elegant structure adorned with carvings of the spirits, symbolizing their watchful presence.

A new rule was added to the town’s customs:
Anyone entering the market must bow their head in respect to the spirits before conducting business.

The Mystery of the Spirits

Though Chido rarely spoke about what he had seen, the villagers often whispered about the spirits. Who were they? Why did they guard the market? The elders explained that the market was more than just a place of trade—it was a sacred space where the spiritual and physical realms overlapped.

The spirits were believed to be ancient guardians who protected the balance between the two worlds. They allowed the villagers to use the space for commerce but demanded respect in return.

Those who disobeyed the rules risked crossing into their domain, a place where mortal eyes were never meant to wander.

Chido’s Legacy

Years later, Chido grew into a wise and respected member of the community. He often shared his experience with the younger generation, not to frighten them, but to teach them the value of humility and respect for the unseen.

“Curiosity is natural,” he would say, “but there is wisdom in knowing when to stop, when to respect what we cannot understand.”

The market, once an ordinary place, became a symbol of unity and reverence for the people of Umu. The story of Chido’s encounter with the spirits became a cornerstone of the town’s identity, a reminder of the thin line between the mortal and the divine.

The Unspoken Question

Despite the peace that followed, one question lingered in the minds of the villagers: Why was Chido spared?

Some believed it was his parents’ heartfelt prayers, while others thought the spirits saw potential in him. The elders, however, offered a simpler explanation.

“The spirits are not cruel,” they said. “They demand respect, but they also understand repentance. Chido’s humility saved him.”

And so, the town of Umu continued to thrive, its people living in harmony with the spirits, their lives intertwined with the mysteries of the unseen.