Seed of betrayal

In a quaint fishing village, Femi and Thomas, once seafaring fishermen weathered by years at sea, turned to the river for sustenance as age caught up with them. Day after day, they sat by its banks, fishing from dawn till dusk, barely making ends meet by selling their catch each evening. Despite their struggles, their bond deepened through countless sunrises and storms.

As Femi found himself increasingly unable to haul in his catch due to his aging body, Thomas, still strong and skilled, suggested retirement for his friend.

"I can't, Thomas," Femi sighed. "Fishing is all I know. It's what puts food on my table."

One scorching afternoon, when Femi was alone on the riverbank, a majestic bird with silver feathers, Quella the heavenly bird, landed nearby.

"Do you have no one to care for you, grandpa?" Quella inquired.

"No one," Femi replied sadly.

"You shouldn't toil at your age," advised Quella. "Henceforth, I'll bring you a large fish every evening. Sell it, and live comfortably."

True to her word, Quella delivered a hefty fish to Femi's doorstep daily. Soon, Femi became wealthy, buying a seaside cottage with a garden and hiring a cook. Quella became his cherished companion, sharing laughter in the garden.

Their routine changed as Thomas would set out early each morning to fish, while Femi managed repairs and awaited Quella's visits. Despite initial skepticism from villagers about Femi's newfound wealth, their friendship grew stronger.

One day, a royal servant's announcement caught Thomas's attention as the king sought Quella, promising a great reward to anyone aiding in her capture.

"Why does the king want Quella?" Femi asked.

"The king is blind and seeks Quella's blood to restore his sight," explained the servant.

Torn between loyalty to Quella and the allure of reward, Femi wrestled with his decision. Unable to sleep, he resolved to visit the palace the next morning, hoping to dissuade the king. But Thomas, consumed by greed, had already promised to capture Quella.

When they returned to the palace, Thomas convinced the king of Quella's greatness and offered to capture her, dreaming of half the kingdom.

That evening, when Quella arrived with her fish, Femi was absent. Thomas stayed behind, pretending to welcome her with a meal.

"Wait, Quella, I've prepared a feast for you. Please join me," Thomas urged.

Reluctant yet trusting, Quella landed. As she touched the ground, Thomas seized her leg, signaling hidden soldiers to aid him. Despite their efforts, Quella's strength prevailed. She soared into the sky with Thomas clinging desperately.

"I regret this," Thomas cried upon returning, but Quella rebuked him, "You greedy betrayer! You have turned on your friend who aided you in need." With a shake, Quella flung Thomas off her leg, and he plummeted to his end. The heavenly bird vanished forever.

Femi wept bitterly, mourning the loss of his friend and the betrayal that had led to such tragedy. Though he never saw Quella again, he carried the painful lesson of betrayal and loyalty with him for the rest of his days.

Thus, the moral resonates: "It's better to have an enemy who slaps you in the face than a friend who stabs you in the back."