It had been eighty years since the separation of the two kingdoms, Sakoma and Dakoma. Kings Iyeta and Fetusa were now very old and nearing the end of their lives. Both were powerful rulers; their bravery and strength in countless battles could not be compared to that of other kings. They had conquered many lands and dominated wide territories in order to expand their kingdoms. For this reason, the villagers called them "men of war."
Sakoma and Dakoma had become kingdoms of dread to their neighbors. Time after time, other nations waged war against them, yet they always returned defeated. Still, Sakoma and Dakoma remained bitter enemies. Whenever these two kingdoms clashed, it was as if two lions fought to claim one territory, leaving ordinary villagers to suffer the greatest loss.
Two years later, both kings died and were succeeded by their sons — Iyeta Edo and Fetusa Tido. Many villagers, and even neighboring kingdoms, hoped the two heirs would reconcile and unite the kingdoms at last. But they were mistaken, for the sons inherited not only the thrones but also the pride and stubbornness of their fathers. They too became warriors unwilling to yield.
In Sakoma, there lived an old man named Mr. Nurita, who had witnessed the very beginning of the kingdoms' separation. Knowing his own death was near, he longed for peace. "When will these kingdoms unite again?" he lamented. "When will the cries of our ancestors be heard?" He wept like a child, sobbing until his voice grew hoarse.
One night, as he wept, a figure appeared before him and said:
"Son of man, why do you cry so bitterly? Your tears have reached the ears of Heaven. Your ancestors never sought Me; they bowed only to the gods fashioned by their own hands. How foolish are those who worship wood and stone! They become like the very things they create.
All those so-called gods are nothing but demons in disguise. Their master is Satan, cast down from Heaven with his angels long ago. The Almighty alone created the heavens and the earth, and all living souls belong to Him. Yet mankind has chosen disobedience, following idols with stiff necks and stony hearts.
Still, because of love, the Creator sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to show them the way. Through Him alone, His name is glorified. But people continue in stubbornness, preferring darkness to light. Do they not know that a tree that rejects the rain will surely wither?"
The voice went on, reminding Nurita how servants of God had risen even in King Takere's time, but they were killed for bringing what the people called "a strange religion." Because of this rejection, God allowed them to perish in their own folly. "Until they accept Me as ruler," the voice declared, "their dreams will never come true."
Shaken, Nurita asked, "Who are you?"
The voice thundered: "I am the Beginning and the End, the Creator of everything."
Then the old man awoke. Trembling, he whispered, "This was no ordinary dream." Soon after, he gave his life to Christ, and some months later, he passed away peacefully.
In Sakoma there also lived a poor couple, Mr. Mabu and Mrs. Ngozi. They were the least regarded family in the land, yet their love for one another was stronger than wealth. They had neither riches nor children, but they often said, "A bird does not sing because it has answers, it sings because it has a song." Their song was love, and it sustained them.
Mabu was a hunter, though not a skilled one, and Ngozi was a petty trader who sold firewood sticks. One fateful morning, Mabu went to the forest as usual, but after many hours he caught nothing. Weary and troubled, he muttered: "What will my dear wife cook for meat tonight? No matter what, I must not return empty-handed."
He rested beneath a great tree, when suddenly he saw smoke rising in the distance. Curious, he followed it and found — to his astonishment — a whole elephant, already roasted! He looked around and called out, but no one answered. In great wonder and joy, he dragged the meat home late that night.
Ngozi, waiting outside their hut, wept bitterly, fearing the worst. But when she saw Mabu struggling with the elephant, she ran to embrace him, tears of relief streaming down her face.
After he bathed and ate, Mabu recounted the strange discovery. Ngozi exclaimed, "Let us thank the gods, my husband." But Mabu whispered, "Let us tell no one. If people hear of this, they may accuse us of theft, and we may be flogged or banished."
The next morning, while resting again under the same tree, Mabu was startled by the sudden appearance of an old man. Fear gripped him, but the stranger said, "Do not be afraid, son of man. Yesterday you found an elephant roasted by fire. You thought it belonged to some hunter, but I gave it to you. Not your gods, but I — the Almighty Creator."
Mabu fell to his knees. "Forgive me, sir. I did not know. Who are you?"
The old man replied, "I am the Maker of heaven and earth. Long before your fathers' fathers, I was. Your people bow to idols, but they are blind guides. Do you not know the proverb: 'When the drumbeat changes, the dancer must also change the steps'? Yet your people refuse to change. They continue to provoke Me by worshipping demons."
The figure went on to reveal that years ago, Nurita's cries had moved Heaven, and through Mabu's family, God would fulfill the long-awaited promise.
"Your lineage shall rule if they remain in My ways," the old man said. "Through the child your wife shall bear, unity will return to the separated kingdoms." Then he vanished.
Mabu rushed home and told Ngozi all that had happened. She was struck silent, but later that night she too surrendered her life to Christ. Together, they rejoiced, saying, "The sun does not forget a village just because it is small."
For though they were the least regarded couple in Sakoma, Heaven had chosen them to change the destiny of kingdoms.