Long, long ago, in the verdant heart of the kingdom of Oomi, nestled amidst rolling hills and winding rivers, lived a revered King and a gracious Queen. Their greatest treasure was their daughter, Oremeyi, a princess whose beauty was legendary. Her skin was like polished ebony, her eyes sparkled like the morning dew, and her smile could outshine the rising sun. Indeed, her loveliness surpassed that of any other maiden in all the lands.
Yet, this unparalleled beauty, coupled with the boundless love and pampering she received from her doting parents, slowly nurtured a seed of pride within Oremeyi’s heart. As she blossomed into womanhood, her arrogance grew, overshadowing her radiant charm. When the time came for her to marry, a procession of noble suitors, drawn by tales of her beauty, journeyed to Oomi. Princes from distant lands, valiant hunters, and renowned warriors, all laden with precious gifts, sought her hand. But Oremeyi, with a disdainful flick of her wrist, dismissed them all. She found fault in every gesture, every offering, every word. Their gifts, no matter how grand, were never enough; their looks, never pleasing enough; their words, never wise enough. She would rudely send them away from her father’s royal court, always finding some trivial imperfection to justify her rejection.
News of the princess’s exquisite beauty and equally renowned haughtiness spread far and wide, drawing even more hopeful young men, yet none succeeded. The King and Queen, their hearts heavy with worry, began to despair. Would their beloved daughter ever find a husband? Would she forever reject and insult every man who dared to approach her?
Then, one fateful day, a stranger of breathtaking handsomeness arrived in Oomi. He was a man of impeccable build, with a noble bearing and eyes that held a captivating depth. No one could find a single flaw in his appearance. He came bearing gifts that shimmered with richness and rarity, offerings fit for a queen, not just a princess. Oremeyi, who had scorned countless worthy men, was instantly captivated. His graceful gait, his confident carriage, his very presence swept her off her feet. She was utterly carried away. Her parents, wise and cautious, voiced their reservations. “We know nothing of this man,” the King cautioned, “his lineage, his home, his people.” But Oremeyi, blinded by infatuation, refused to listen, refusing to heed any advice. She insisted, with an unshakeable will, that she would marry none other than this mysterious stranger.
After much futile persuasion, the King, seeing that his daughter’s mind was irrevocably made up, realized his hands were tied. With a heavy heart, he gave his consent. The marriage ceremony was conducted with all the pomp and splendor befitting a royal wedding in Oomi. True to the King’s generous fashion, there was an abundance of food and drink, and the entire kingdom rejoiced, unaware of the ominous shadows lurking beneath the surface.
With the royal blessings of their parents bestowed upon them, the newly wedded couple prepared to depart for the groom’s home. As was the custom of Oomi land, especially for a princess, a large entourage of maids, servants, and guards accompanied them, bearing countless goods and treasures that Oremeyi was expected to use to establish her new home.
Their journey led them deeper and deeper into the ancient, whispering forests of Iruku. They walked relentlessly, without a single stop for rest. Each time the princess, weary and curious, asked when they would reach his home, her husband would simply promise, “Soon, my love, very soon.” As the days turned into a seemingly endless trek, a strange pattern emerged. One by one, her handsome husband began to dismiss the guards, then the servants, and finally, the maids who had accompanied the princess. Oremeyi was left to bear the heavy loads they had previously carried, or to discard them if they became too cumbersome for her alone. Many of her precious belongings, meant to furnish her new life, suffered this fate, left behind on the forest floor.
The princess found it peculiar, even unsettling, that her husband never once offered to help her carry any of these increasingly heavy burdens. Yet, in her infatuation, she sought excuses for him, convincing herself that perhaps in his village, men did not carry loads. When the very last of her escorts was sent back, Oremeyi voiced her concern once more, her voice tinged with weariness, about the endless journey and the dwindling number of her helpers. But he merely smiled, reassuring her of many more servants awaiting her upon their arrival at his home.
At a particularly desolate point in their journey, the handsome couple reached a rushing stream, known as Okuha. As they crossed its cool, clear waters, a chilling transformation began. Gradually, subtly at first, the groom’s features began to shift. His once kind eyes seemed to draw closer together, narrowing into a mean, predatory gaze. His ears elongated, sprouting coarse, dark hair. His teeth, once perfectly aligned, began to protrude, growing sharper and longer, until they resembled terrifying fangs.
The man who had once been so strikingly handsome was now a hideous, grotesque monster. Oremeyi, witnessing this terrifying metamorphosis, screamed and screamed, her cries echoing through the silent forest, but there was no one to hear her, no one to come to her aid. Her once adored husband was, in truth, a beast. He had lured her deep into the most secluded parts of the forest, to his desolate dwelling. He pointed a clawed finger towards a dark, gaping hole in a hidden cave. “That,” he snarled, his voice now a guttural rumble, “will be your home from this day forward.” He revealed his chilling motive: he had heard tales of her unbearable pride and had assumed a human form solely to teach her a harsh, unforgettable lesson.
At that moment, Oremeyi, the proud princess, finally understood. A cold, crushing realization washed over her. Her fate was sealed. She was doomed to a life as the wife of a monstrous beast, her luxurious palace replaced by a cold, damp cave.
Deep regret, sharp and bitter, pierced her heart. She yearned for a second chance, for the opportunity to undo her past arrogance, to embrace humility. But it was too late. Her unchecked pride had cost her everything – her freedom, her comfort, her luxurious life, and her very destiny.
Written By: Yakubu Binuyaminu Adeiza
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