Mia: The Heart of Doma

Once upon a time in the charming village of Uro, there lived a woman named Mia, renowned for weaving the most exquisite clothes in the entire village. Mia's creations were loved by all, the colors were as vibrant as rainbows after a storm. But Mia was not just skilled, she was also incredibly kind-hearted always wearing a smile as radiant as the sun in the sky.

Mia cherished her three daughters more than anything in the world, ensuring they wore the most beautiful dresses she crafted. Her generosity was well-known as she often shared her creations with those less fortunate, spreading joy like treasures wherever she went. In Doma, Mia was considered the heart of the village, bringing happiness to everyone who crossed her path.

Her home was always filled with laughter and the rhythmic sound of her loom, a large tool she used to weave cloth, clicking and clacking as she worked. While Mia weaved, her daughters would play around, making their home even more joyful. Visitors from all over the neighborhood were delighted in visiting Mia, bringing her gifts of fruits and flowers to express their appreciation.

Doma was a place where kindness shone brightly, thanks to Mia, the beloved weaver with a heart of gold. But one day, amidst her weaving, Mia felt a sudden pain, alarmed villagers rushed to her aid, swiftly taking her to the wise healer of the village. With gentle hands and a kind voice, the healer delivered unexpected news saying that Mia was going to have another baby.

Filled with joy, Mia couldn't wait to share the news with her husband Ojo and their three beautiful daughters. As months passed, Mia's belly grew, a testament to the new life within her. Yet, when the time for birth arrived, Mia endured three days of labor before welcoming a special baby girl into the world.

This baby was different from any other, her skin as pale as moonlight and her hair shimmering like spun gold. Despite the villager’s superstitions that albinos brought bad luck, Mia named her newborn Tema, seeing her as a precious gift from the gods. But not everyone shared Mia's view. When Ojo, Mia's husband, saw his new daughter, fear overshadowed joy. "This is bad luck," he declared with a frown. "She cannot stay with us."

Mia's heart shattered. How could her tiny, precious Tema be seen as a harbinger of misfortune? Despite Ojo's reservations, Mia pleaded to keep their daughter. Reluctantly, Ojo agreed under the condition that he didn't have to see Tema. This saddened Mia deeply, but she vowed to protect Tema with all her might.

Mia's older daughters didn't know how to respond to their new sister. They had heard the whispers of the villagers and witnessed their father's unease, which kept them at a distance from Tema. Despite the challenges, Mia endeavored to maintain happiness in her family, working tirelessly to weave beautiful clothes and spread kindness, even amidst the heavy burden in her heart.

As time passed, the shadows in Mia's home grew deeper with Tema's presence. Ojo's distance and blame on Tema for their misfortunes drove a wedge between them. Ojo lost friends and customers as villagers avoided her due to fears surrounding Tema’s appearance. Yet, Mia's love for Tema never wavered; she saw her daughter's uniqueness as a source of light rather than bad luck.

In the village where joy once abounded, Mia's efforts to keep everyone happy became increasingly challenging. Despite weaving faster and using vibrant colors to remind the village of their shared happiness, the whispers and fears persisted. Ojo's sadness turned to anger, widening the gap between him and Mia, leaving their home filled with silence broken only by the clicks of Mia's loom and Tema's gentle laughter.

However, within Mia's heart, a resilient light refused to dim. She held onto hope for better days ahead, whispering into the night that they would find their way through the shadows. As the sun rose and set over Doma, Tema grew from a small, misunderstood girl into a beautiful young woman. Though her eyes sparkled like stars and her smile could brighten the darkest room, the villagers' whispers continued unabated.

Tema heard their harsh words but endeavored to maintain her mother's teachings, keeping her smile radiant. Mia watched Tema grow with a mix of pride and sadness, proud of her kindness and intelligence, yet sorrowful for the loneliness Tema endured. While Tema's sisters grew older, they remained influenced by the villagers' fears, keeping their distance from Tema despite Mia's pleas for love and acceptance.

Ojo, burdened by his belief in Tema's ill luck, withdrew further, burying himself in work to avoid the reminders of what he perceived as his misfortune. At night, he would steal glances at Tema, quickly averting his gaze, afraid of confronting his conflicted emotions. Tema tried to make friends, but the other children's fears and their mothers' warnings kept them away, leaving Tema to fetch water alone with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Even at home, Tema felt isolated, her siblings, who should have been her closest companions, shunned her out of fear of being branded unlucky too. Despite the hardships, Mia taught Tema the art of weaving, and soon Tema's skilled hands matched her mother's, creating cloth as beautiful as her own. Mia would praise Tema's talent, but outside their home, the villagers refused to acknowledge Tema's creations beyond her pale skin.

Tema often sat by the window, observing the world outside, wondering why her presence inspired fear and whispers instead of the smiles and warmth she yearned to receive. She had so much love to offer, yet received so little in return, her heart heavy with unshared affection. One day, as Tema wove alongside her mother, she couldn't contain her question any longer. "Mama, why don't they like me?" she asked, her eyes searching Mia's face for answers.