The test

Its honesty, carly stressed. No! Gratitude, Emma retorted. This argument went on for period of time.

Children, what is it again? Grandma interrupted. What are you arguing about? Come on, come tell me.

Grandma, carly said honesty is the best attitude one can have and I disagreed with her because I know that gratitude is the best attitude one can have, Emma concluded.

Children, I have heard you but there is a story I want to tell you, and after telling you, you will realize the best attribute one can have, grandma said, convincibly.

Yeeeeeee! The kids, who loved stories, exclaimed.

Long ago, in a very distant community called oteri-iyede, there lived a rich wealthy king, who had three sons; Ome, Evi and Ewoma.

The funniest aspect of these children was that; they were triplets and therefore the custom demands that the king must select one of them he is sure can rule the community after him, as the king.

King Kome was worried; he didn't know what to do. He had sought advice from his kinsmen recently but they barely seem to come up with a better plan.

One day, during sunset, the king laid down on his bed thinking about his unknown successor since he loved all his princes. He then decided to organize a mini election at the village square the next day, then he changed his mind immediately and said to himself; I am the king of oteri-iyede, I will not sit down and allow anyone pronounce my judgment. I will have to select the crown prince myself and in my own way.

King Kome then lied back on his bed and said to himself; but how will I be able to select the right prince that will rule this community successfully? He now decided that he will have to think of something very quick. Then suddenly, Mr. Sleep came and took him to a long journey.

In the morning, king kome woke up worried and a little bit happy, because he had a dream about selecting his future successor. He dreamt that he sent them on an adventure and the winner became the future king who led the people properly. Although, he could not see the winner of the competition's face, in his dream.

The king was a little bit worried because he wondered what kind of test he would set for his princes and who would become the winner, where, When, and how? These were the questions, ringing in the king's mind, before the queen arrived and invited him to dinner.

After dinner, the king finally settled down and got a good plan on how to set his test. It was like; all the questions that were ringing in his mind were finally settled. In fact, it was dream come true for king kome.

Later in the evening, he summoned the elders and told them all about his plans to set a test for his young, handsome princes and they all agreed willingly to king kome's idea.

That same evening, after the elders have gone to their various houses, king kome called his wife and sons to come to his chambers for a brief meeting, which they all did.

When his wife and sons finally arrived, he started his speech;

My loving wife and children, I love all of you equally with all my heart but, my love for you is not enough to put all of you in the same position in life. One must be a little bit higher than the others.

Therefore, he continued. I want to organize a little test, for my princes and anyone who comes out as the winner, will receive an award, which must be kept discrete from the competitors.

My princes, he added, this test is very easy to pass and easy to fail. It's just a matter of maturity and independence. All you have to do, is to collect the sum of one million naira [N1, 000,000] each, after this meeting and then, travel to any community of your choice, and anybody who comes back successful after a while, will be declared; winner.

But my king, why are you setting this test? Queen Rukome asked. I will tell you later my queen, the king responded.

Does anybody have any question to ask? No....they all replied the king.

The meeting came to an end, and the princes went to meet the king and took the money, packed some of their belongings and slept peacefully.

Questions from chapter one

1. What is the name of the community?

2. What are the names of the three princes?

3. What was king kome worried about?

4. What is the name of the queen?

5. Why was the king worried about his dream?

Glossary

1. Arguing: a discussion involving disagreement.

2. Competitor: a person who engages in a competition.

3. Custom: the usual way of behaving or acting.

4. Election: an occasion, when representatives, office holders, e.t.c are chosen by vote.

5. Gratitude: being grateful.

6. Interrupted: to break the flow of speech.

7. Judgment: the ability to make wise decisions.

8. Kinsmen: traditional chiefs.

9. Stressed: pronounced with emphasis.

10. Successor: a person that comes after somebody and takes his or her place.

11. Summoned: to arrange an official meeting.

12. Willingly: doing something out of free will without force.