Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time, there was a family blessed with wealth and abundance. The father was a provider, the mother was a nurturer, and they were blessed with children who were the apple of their eye.

But one faithful night everything changed. The father went to sleep and never woke up. Death has claimed him, leaving his family to grieve and mourn their loss. The extended family, greedy and ruthless, swooped in like vultures, claiming everything that belonged to the deceased. They fought tooth and nail, insisting that their brother’s properties rightfully belongs to them.

The family was left in a state of despair and distress, struggling to fend off the vultures who wanted to take everything away. But the man had been wise, he had put most of his properties in the names of his children, protecting them from the claws of the extended families.

The woman, heartbroken and alone, toiled day and night to provide for her children. She fought for them with every breath in her body, shielding them from harm and providing them with the best education.

Through pain and depravation, she saw them through school, hoping that one day they’ll make her proud. And they did. Her children graduated but their mother didn’t live long enough to see it.

The strain had been too much on her, and she succumbed to the weight of her burden, leaving her children alone and bereft once more.

A tale of Sacrifice - A father who first gave his blood, sweat and life for the ones he loves, his wife and kids, in what could be termed as the ultimate sacrifice. A tale of a wife who had to live the rest of her life alone without the succour of a husband to turn to. And then a tale of children who had to grow up absent of a father, not because he chose not to be but because life didn’t give him any choice.

A Tale of Betrayal – A wife who felt betrayed by a husband leaving her without a word or prior notice. Leaving her alone to deal with the harsh realities of life and more shocking the unbelievable turn of events from those she considered family by marriage. But most importantly, the betrayal of having to raise the children they made together alone. How is she picking out a casket for him to be buried in and choosing what cloth he should wear?

A Tale of Loss – For children who’ll grow up without a father’s covering, guidance and discipline. Children have to look at the pictures hanging on the wall as a remembrance of who their father was. Children who had to grow up really quickly and face life’s challenges because their mother cannot do it all and the pressure, because they cannot afford to fail. A tale of children who will do anything to steal one final glance at their father, and have him hold their hands one more time.

A tale of children who not only have to deal with the loss of their father but also watch their mother grieve until she became a shadow of herself, crying every night to sleep and begging the creator to send back the only man she loved. And while at it, she left them to be with her husband, because obviously, he wasn’t coming back.

And there they were, all by themselves, learning life fast as they journeyed, and becoming adults way too quickly.

A tale of children who will give anything to grow up once again, but this time, in the care of their parents.

It was a heartbreaking tale of loss, betrayal and sacrifice. One that will bring tears to anyone’s eyes.

Written by Ed and Jekey.