UNKNOWN LAND - CHAPTER 6: THE ROAD BEYOND THE HILLS

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibpijc5MEk

Chapter 6: The Road Beyond the Hills

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMFEwRgoeq

"The road may not speak, but every step upon it tells a story."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6B905I2LTj

The village of Ajanaku had disappeared behind them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbFme7tyBX

At first, the three friends kept looking back.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYmS68faW3T

Again and again.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZUqBefCRI

As though the sight of their homes might somehow pull them back.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKx23xkz1u

As though the voices of their families might still reach them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlgOq1VjNdT

But with every step, the distance grew.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHOxDdAFy3

The mud houses became tiny dots.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqH0aXbUAc

The ancient iroko tree became a shadow.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhqf0yGd75S

And eventually, the village vanished completely behind the hills.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8pRCLulqkA

For a moment, nobody spoke.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9cBKGxyLP

The reality finally settled upon them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfePi7vF41C

They had left home.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZrEGhGVNs

Truly left.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmoLTDDJF4i

There was no turning back now.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtM9YcMoh38

The morning sun climbed steadily into the sky as they followed the dusty road stretching endlessly ahead.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ28XFoenhEe

Their bags rested heavily on their shoulders.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHDXqW0LEM

Their feet kicked up small clouds of dust.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjKPqpV6Ze

Yet despite the weight they carried, hope continued to push them forward.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKawLp8231y

Musa forced a smile.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ZPzYEUg8h

"So this is it."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3A6j9hRuVE

Tunde laughed softly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3qWtyr9ez6

"This is it."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbApNBy2qxS

Emeka adjusted his bag.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncVzc0cAlb

"The beginning."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkR0YTbkgws

The words sounded simple.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAPHN98fUC9

Yet all three understood their meaning.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrLEFhcdlcV

Their lives had changed forever.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPqNmTV8XN

The road wound through grasslands and scattered farms.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasYEYfaRjK

Occasionally they passed travelers moving in the opposite direction.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu2og41TMK7

Some greeted them warmly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatnMVsGthr

Others barely noticed them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny3nattrKA

A few looked at them with curiosity.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTCIpQ9uXPw

Three young men.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGwjMG6zl7R

Three bags.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRTzLXUxkEd

Three dreams.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw34uTapGDV

Walking toward uncertainty.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKuxOA4EIb

As midday approached, the heat became unbearable.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0pUaPJqTp

Sweat soaked their clothes.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡstCplQfns9

Their feet began to ache.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUof0VZM4CW

The excitement of departure slowly gave way to exhaustion.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4XzNP6v0Y

"How much farther?" Musa groaned.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhETLM9QSCp

Emeka laughed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0zQuIfsHi

"We've only been walking a few hours."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSWJBkVM9A

"It feels like three years."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaSMQ5WgydJ

Even Tunde laughed at that.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4eEKB2Lp9c

But deep down, they all felt the strain.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCE1Neky9e7

The road was already demanding payment.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcp7wbngXBb

A Yoruba proverb says:

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0UcDjS9TU5

"The person who wants honey must be ready to endure the sting of bees."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡktUqbtUZZY

Success was the honey.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQIEFugewu

The journey was the sting.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxqkvf8wb0I

And they were only beginning to understand that.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTmnoZSjxQQ

By afternoon, they reached a small stream.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCDlBLjQGy4

The cool water sparkled beneath the sunlight.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfE4ig5nNZ

Without hesitation, they dropped their bags and rushed toward it.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwH7oR2YOFZ

Musa splashed water onto his face.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCsFZfMJT4

"Best water I've ever tasted."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8wevXCbRt

Tunde sat beneath a nearby tree.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡey5eXbTNIH

"If this is the beginning, what will the rest be like?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz2Bgil7tMf

Nobody answered.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpGYLHmTJC

Because nobody knew.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0evZiECve

That uncertainty followed them like a shadow.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPa9lnZehgQ

Every road ahead held questions.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL6MkeR2KS

Would they find work?

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE8j9Mutx4E

Would they find success?

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡroGn4og6Pk

Would they even survive?

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiJRyEsQA4

Only time knew the answers.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiz4bUPf2T1

As they rested, an elderly traveler approached the stream.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8aChXkTOH

His beard was gray.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFJRJoPz97J

His clothes were worn from years of travel.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIJt7BjD3Fi

And his eyes carried the look of someone who had seen many things.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlumGCoVjK3

The old man greeted them politely.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtDYSHbixv

"Good afternoon."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIittswQyTN

"Good afternoon, sir," they replied.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoruZCG7kmB

He sat nearby and drank from the stream.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmVmXKbuHDh

After a few moments, he looked at their bags.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZnnlCsFDi

"You boys are traveling far."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dGVsSjW1o

It was not a question.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6M52APeKYa

It was an observation.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCTarDv328

Emeka nodded.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbRU9QYLDp

"Yes."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT1Lh1hG7Qg

The old man smiled knowingly.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkdcuplAF0

"Looking for a better life?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddkpa2NlZo

Again they nodded.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFL3wrk9Da2

The stranger chuckled.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1VwxTgOKL

"Every road is filled with people searching for the same thing."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvAXI98NiMe

His words sparked curiosity.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPvEeqXU1l

"Did you find yours?" Musa asked.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ND5m3gm4x

The old man became silent.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tH0UuH0Qn

For a long moment, he stared at the water.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcGOveKYA1l

Finally, he answered.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU82YWIfUNU

"I found something better."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTH3E8mELc

The boys exchanged confused glances.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqBpKByl9h

"What?" Tunde asked.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGZs8b35QYM

The traveler smiled.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWCyEBZeyRh

"Myself."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfWHG8Rcaej

The answer puzzled them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAoejdWuqU

The old man laughed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPwzqCNBZH

"I know. It sounds strange."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIoDI9fJrQ

Then he leaned forward.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJphdbYZErA

"Young men often think the journey is about money."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC3XfE738iQ

He pointed toward the road.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8AwSWBAM84

"But the road teaches lessons money cannot buy."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6T4NqKt8Ts

His eyes became serious.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YIvmY2LkY

"The road will reveal who among you is patient."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRRsZbyRki

He pointed at them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrylfcKvZe5

"It will reveal who is selfish."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8twItLv54Y

Another pause.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUbUOvdDb3

"It will reveal who is loyal."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlvsDm3YZLN

The three friends listened carefully.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7yg3tEMRo

The old man stood up.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyOcYYuNEY

Before leaving, he shared a proverb.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0wKJlqbH34

"The river tests every canoe before allowing it to cross."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡboACi28h5e

Then he continued on his journey.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX4ooqLI3np

The boys watched him disappear into the distance.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNUI9pj6NU

His words remained with them long after he was gone.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8OUxi6LMzJ

By evening, dark clouds gathered overhead.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ePMA0tX4b

At first, nobody paid attention.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfuNdkMMJtj

But soon the wind began to howl.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphUkKFK9YH

The trees swayed violently.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgE2jQspscU

The air changed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRABKKuyRXw

Rain was coming.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMoicoXGUn7

And it was coming fast.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡto3Q5sVQ7U

"We need shelter," Tunde said.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAB7tQPXUwb

The first drops began to fall.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEq7Lrl2iWK

Within minutes, the sky opened.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbTZfN57BBJ

Rain crashed down with incredible force.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMclGoH7hs

Thunder shook the earth.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9PmiJKhO3

Lightning flashed across the heavens.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHLs9x0R2e

The three friends ran desperately.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzAdgO8vL9

Searching for somewhere safe.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLdBco8Gah

Anywhere safe.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpmmqI8mpkz

Finally, they spotted an abandoned hut near the roadside.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCZZASK6S8

Without hesitation, they rushed inside.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfLgThOxqzk

The roof leaked in several places.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMWswd6OLIw

The walls were cracked.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFEmE82sI7

But it offered protection from the storm.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBQ3IwEg95

Breathing heavily, they settled inside.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqvUEGVWBdQ

Outside, nature raged.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhL7dlZbOL5

The rain hammered the earth.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdujvE0ijd

The wind screamed through the trees.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpwK6zvGnV9

For a moment, fear filled the hut.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTmJjnVsQv

The storm seemed endless.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWHeBhAzsr

Then Musa laughed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bV0lb7Apw

The others stared at him.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6hmgegYmR

"What is funny?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrytHd3jVOf

He shook his head.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LbOBXCAYp

"Nothing."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYROtMOdNKE

"Then why are you laughing?"

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbc6ldqbgPh

Musa smiled.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG7YVKO0ka

"Because we haven't even reached the Unknown Land yet."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXvyVGvGrHF

Tunde laughed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnpLntuzJr

Emeka laughed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡArTPjFd1zM

Soon all three were laughing.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPTdq4anVz

Not because the situation was pleasant.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjXZaOQ8lw

But because laughter felt stronger than fear.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlb1q39lGl5

The storm eventually passed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH01p2dFVov

Darkness followed.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTFAhNxZom

Night had arrived.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrtAhflcaj

The three friends shared the little food they carried.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i1UFgHT0l

A few pieces of bread.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2GKGN60lx

Some roasted corn.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU5SZfhfMLM

A bottle of water.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspLdvuwZvP

Not much.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyodfxmGcmj

But enough.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡklYxOJxYfV

As they ate, silence settled around them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZMZPoCRru

Each man was lost in thought.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡslJ93pCgcD

Far away, their families were probably wondering about them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMWnpiA46g

Praying for them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP1HSeJo0Z

Missing them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNtEvDnRM5

The thought brought both comfort and sadness.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQidYWjQKb

Before sleeping, Emeka opened his notebook.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMSPP1T7p7S

Inside, he wrote a single sentence:

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ6KGCgdV8D

"Today we crossed the hills and left our old lives behind."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQMIJdWGUQ

Then he closed it.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jKcpWXG3j

Outside, the moon emerged from behind the clouds.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZE5AOy16D

Its pale light illuminated the endless road ahead.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEx0jvbGMz

The Unknown Land still remained far away.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWDRKsXhV19

But the journey had truly begun.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5qqYIYpfT

The road beyond the hills was already teaching them lessons.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDQCoh69kM

Lessons about endurance.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5YC5aTJodi

Lessons about uncertainty.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC24t7QfKvH

Lessons about friendship.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyiQA7OeULe

And though they did not realize it yet, greater challenges were waiting ahead.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OUtckzuMv

Much greater.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdfRU9tqUd

For every road has its own secrets.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8eqz9bdSBg

And every traveler eventually discovers them.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIYAc9KSie

As sleep slowly claimed them, another Yoruba proverb echoed in Emeka's mind:

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xVb660COB

"The road is never too long for those who walk together."

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKzUbDtURo

For now, they still walked together.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsF8eECxCar

For now, their friendship remained strong.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNYvSK8cLs

For now, hope remained alive.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKff4DzjoGi

But the road ahead would soon test all three.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJdKi4bV9Al

In ways they could never imagine.

35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kGBBbAgNL
35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXNcXmEWuy

ns216.73.216.208da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically