Storms within

Al image

It was a cold evening, with a gentle breeze blowing and birds chirping in the trees. The sun was gradually retiring for the day. The environment was peaceful and quiet, but Dina's heart was under pressure.

The young woman in her mid-thirties sat on the ground after fetching water from the stream. She was a mother of two beautiful girls but a wife to an irresponsible man.
Dina was a young, vibrant, and friendly person.

Everyone in the village loved her, including her children. The chaos started when she gave birth to her second child, Anny. Her husband, Jerry, complained about her giving birth to females instead of males, saying that female will not continue his linege and they will later give their father's properties to their husbands.

Therefore, since then Jerry had stopped giving her money and food, saying until she gave him an heir.

Her home, which used to be like heaven, has now turned to chaos. Her man, who seemed like an angel when their love story began, has now turned into the devil's advocate.

He left his wife to struggle, providing for the home, with all bills on her. Debt mounts up daily, and slowly depression began to set into her heart.

One fateful day, a woman who sells raw food came to their hut very early in the morning to ask for the money Dina owes her. She rained insults on her so that neighbours came around to settle the matter. The good people Dina had helped in times past pitied her. They contributed money and gave it to the food seller, then handed the remaining amount to Dina.

Although she was very grateful for their acts of kindness, deep in her heart she was dejected. She cried every night for her pain to end. Her children were the reason she chose to stay in the marriage; she endured the hardships for many years until one day when she went to the stream as usual.

The only place Dina usually goes to get her peace back is the village stream. It's always quiet around that time of the day. In the evening, she thinks about life, her children, her welfare, the future, and her husband.

The village stream is the only place she goes whenever she is troubled to pour out her heart before going back home. She always prays silently that her life becomes lively again and her home homely too. After a long while listening to the gentle flow of the water and watching calmly, she feels peace again.

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As she turned to go back home, she saw an old woman standing and smiling at her. Dina was startled; she did not expect anyone to be at the stream at that moment. It was believed that the stream water was not usually good at night but rather in the early morning. So no one fetched water from it in the evening.

"My daughter, your ancestors have remembered you today," said the old woman. She had white hair on her head and all over her body. She was barefoot, holding a staff, and had tied a shining white wrapper around her chest.

Her eyeballs were blue, and when she spoke, it echoed. The staff in her right hand was taller than she was; the tip was covered with white feathers and was also shining.

"I am an angel of peace!" she announced.

"Good evening, ma. I'm sorry; I don't think I've seen you around, but I know you are not mortal like me. Please help me, I beg of you," Dina sobbed.

I know all your pains and struggles, your troubles as you always come here to talk about them. My name is Peace. I brought peace to you, she said, and handed over a small necklace to Dina, urging her to put it around her neck as a symbol of peace and love.

She further said that anywhere Dina goes for the next three months, as long as she has the peace necklace, she will find peace there; there is no need to come back to the streams every day to cry. You are free from all your troubles, the old woman declared.

Dina thanked the woman profusely and then watched her walk into the middle of the stream and disappear. When she got home, her husband was happy to see her. "Hey sweetie, I've been waiting for you! Where have you been?" Jerry hugged her warmly.

Then be began to apologizes for all his wrongdoings and sentiments. Dina was amazed to see a very drastic chan6in her husband. It works, it really works, xhe whispered.

Their kids were also elated to see their parents in such good moods.

So, Dina always had peace in her mind, in her home, and around her since she had the peace necklace on her.

One day, after three months of using the peace necklace, Dina returned it to the woman with a heart full of gratitude. Now, she continued to live in peace and harmony.