African Tale of the Girl Who Sees Death in Footprints
African Tale of the Girl Who Sees Death in Footprints
There was tension in the night air, and Ife, a little girl with dark, haunted eyes, clung to Mama Abike’s hands. “Mama Abike,” she said in shaking whispers, “you must not leave this house. Please.”
Mama Abike, a wise old woman, turned with knowing eyes to Ife, a face etched with the lines of age and experience turned softer for the way she gently cupped Ife’s cheeks. “Child, there are things we cannot affect. We cannot live in fear of that which we cannot change.”
Ife’s heart drummed against her chest and she could not see it. She had witnessed it; the imprints of fate, marking the way of what was to come.
“But I can change it!” she screamed. “I’m seeing—I see it goin’ before that happens! Please, stay inside. Just for three days.”
A weary sigh escaped Mama Abike’s lips. After a while of pausing, she kissed Ife’s forehead and said, “Very well, child. For you, I will wait.”
The Girl Who Sees Death in Footprints: The Three Days of Silence
Anticipatory days passed in a manner impossible to bear. The air was stifled in the village as if the very earth held its breath.
Ife was watchful with knots in her stomach. She recognized the signs; those whispers of fate were inscribed in saw lines that only she could see.
Villagers continued to live their lives, oblivious to the gathering storm. But Ife would remain inside with Mama Abike, clocking every torturous second.
And then came the third-night sky split by a violent storm.
Thunder crashed like a mighty drum, and bright lightning lit up the village, making the shadows dance. The villagers stayed inside their homes, holding each other close and softly praying for safety.
Ife watched, waiting for the moment of crisis she had foreseen.
This Is the End Known to All
Morning followed, and the storm that shrouded the village in its dark elfish shadow dissolved, leaving behind a silence too delicate. Ife’s breath was released in relief:
Mama Abike had not left the house, as she bade. Perhaps this time, she had succeeded in changing fate.
But the moment she turned to look at the bed of the old woman, her breath hitched. Mama Abike lay still, her hands folded over her chest, her face peaceful in eternal rest.
She had not left the house, and yet, death had come for her all the same. Ife’s knees buckled beneath the weight of her silent scream.
The crush of her visions fell upon her. What is the point of seeing the future if you can’t change it? I tried; I warned the fate, but the net unfolded.
The Girl Who Sees Death in Footprints: The Village Whispers
Like wildfire, the news of Mama Abike’s death spread. The villagers whispered, talking behind closed doors, glancing cautiously at Ife.
Some called her a seer, a child blessed by the gods. Others whispered darker things, doomed to foresee what was not meant to be known.
‘Tis she knows when death is coming,’ they whispered among themselves in scared tones. ‘We see what is not meant to be seen.’
To begin, only whispers. But then, the distance grew. Friends became shadows, hesitant to meet her gaze. Mothers pulled their children away and whispered warnings.
Moral Lessons from the Girl Who Sees Death in Footprints Story
The Burden of Knowledge and the Limits of Control
Knowledge, it is said, is a great gift, but worse still, can be a heavy burden. Ife bears the weight of being able to see the future, especially the deaths, and it weighs too heavily.
She tries everything to avert destiny: to protect Mama Abike, but the old woman still dies.
This teaches one good lesson: some things in life are beyond human control. No matter how much humans try to change destiny, certain events will happen as they are.
The power of wisdom lies in knowing when to act or when just to let something be. Ultimately, letting go is the only means to peace.
Fear and Isolation Caused by Misunderstanding
People usually fear the things they do not understand. The villagers, in the story, are too afraid to seek understanding of Ife’s gift.
Some deem her that she is truly blessed, while others seem to hold a contrary view and think she is cursed.
By that, they withhold from her and talk behind closed doors, or even tell their children not to play with her.
Another important lesson tells us that, with fear, comes isolation and misuse.
How many times have perfect human beings cast judgment upon someone rejected by society just because that person is different?
A far better thing would be for mankind to confront its fears with kindness and open-mindedness.
True wisdom comes from understanding, and not from shunning she who is unknown.
