( A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY )

 In the year 1834, Mr. Wilfred found himself seeking solace under the shelter of a majestic coconut tree, its branches swaying gently in the ocean breeze. He had come to this spot with the purest of intentions, yearning to free himself from the clutches of grief that had held him captive for far too long. Deep in his heart, he knew it was time to release the burdens of the past and embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery.

"I cannot continue to punish myself," Mr. Wilfred whispered to the whispering wind, his voice barely audible against the crashing waves. "I mustn't bear the weight of regret for not foreseeing, not knowing, not doing enough. It is time to heal, to overcome this overwhelming grief."

As he gazed out at the endless expanse of the ocean, Mr. Wilfred's thoughts wandered back to the life he had lost amidst his relentless pursuit of success. His wife and son, once his greatest treasures, had departed from his side, convinced that he cherished his work more than his own flesh and blood. All he had ever wanted was to provide them with a good life, to offer them comfort and security. But in his relentless pursuit, he had inadvertently let slip the most precious bonds in his existence.

Fate had led him to this moment, where he found himself on the sandy shores, desperately in need of a miracle. Though it had been ages since he last prayed, Mr. Wilfred knelt on the ground, his weathered knees sinking into the damp sand. With a humble heart, he whispered, "Dear God, guide me out of the torment and confusion that have plagued my life. Grant me the strength to find a successor, for I do not wish to depart from this world carrying all this knowledge. Amen."

Days passed, and the heaviness of the rain filled the air. On one such rainy afternoon, a resounding knock reverberated through the wooden door of Mr. Wilfred's humble abode. Knock! Knock! Knock! Startled and cautious, he refrained from answering, fearing the presence of armed robbers or intruders. Yet, the knocking persisted, echoing through the walls. Knock! Knock! Knock!

Curiosity mingled with caution, compelling Mr. Wilfred to inquire, "Who is there?" A gentle voice, carried by the wind, responded, "Sir, I am in need of your assistance." Still hesitant, Mr. Wilfred asked, "What is it that you seek?" The voice replied, "I only seek shelter until the rain subsides."

Relenting to compassion, Mr. Wilfred unlatched the door and welcomed the stranger inside. He offered a dry knitted blanket and a cup of warm tea, hoping to provide some comfort to his unexpected guest. Curiosity got the better of him, and he inquired about the stranger's purpose in this impoverished village.

The stranger revealed himself to be a passionate researcher, engrossed in the pursuit of hidden truths within nature. A spark of hope ignited within Mr. Wilfred's heart. He saw this encounter as a divine response to his heartfelt prayers. An idea took shape in his mind.

"Do you wish to uncover the secrets of the ocean?" Mr. Wilfred asked, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. The stranger nodded, acknowledging his curiosity. Mr. Wilfred smiled knowingly and said, "Have you ever heard of the mermaid?"

Recognition flickered across the stranger's face as he responded, "Yes, the half-human, half-fish creature." Mr. Wilfred's smile widened, and he said, "Ah, but I speak of the true origin of the mermaid." He motioned for the stranger to join him,

settling into a cozy chair. "What I am about to disclose to you is the culmination of years of research and discovery," Mr. Wilfred began, his voice filled with anticipation. "It took me eight long years, six months, and fourteen days to gather enough information about the mermaid. There is so much more to this extraordinary being than meets the eye."

The stranger leaned in, captivated by Mr. Wilfred's words, eager to unravel the mysteries that lay hidden beneath the surface of the ocean. With a sense of wonder, Mr. Wilfred continued his tale.

"Some call them the gods of the sea, others refer to them as sea spirits or Mami Water, a common term used in Nigeria," he explained. "But nowadays, the term 'mermaid' has become widely recognized across the world."

The young man's voice trembled with excitement. "Sir, do you know the true name of this marvelous creature?" he asked eagerly.

Mr. Wilfred's smile deepened. "Ah, my young friend," he said, his voice dripping with intrigue. "I do know the name, but I'm afraid I cannot reveal it just yet. Patience, my dear fellow. All in due time. For now, let us refer to them as mermaids, and I implore you to listen closely."

He paused for a moment, allowing the suspense to linger in the air. The sun's rays danced upon the surface of the ocean, casting a mesmerizing glow, as if nature itself held its breath, waiting for the continuation of this extraordinary tale.

"In the beginning of time," Mr. Wilfred began, his voice taking on a storyteller's cadence, "there existed a wondrous creature whose mere name could command the very essence of beauty. It is said that the concept of beauty itself was born from the existence of this magnificent being."

His words painted vivid pictures in the young man's mind as Mr. Wilfred elaborated, "There are breathtakingly, exquisitely, stunningly beautiful things in this world, but none can compare to the ethereal beauty possessed by this creature. The splendor of the earth pales in comparison to the radiance emanating from this amazing being."

Eyes filled with curiosity, the young man pleaded, "Please, sir, tell me more."

Mr. Wilfred, reminded of his own son, whose gentle voice resembled that of the stranger, couldn't help but feel a kinship. He continued, "This incredible creature was fashioned by the hands of the Almighty God. When God had created all living things, including Adam, He bestowed upon Adam the responsibility of overseeing every living creature."

The young man interjected, "But who then was tasked with the domain of water?"

With a gentle smile, Mr. Wilfred replied, "It remained within Adam's domain, my young friend. For you see, the Almighty created Adam in such a perfect manner that the word 'perfect' itself cannot aptly describe his nature."

A sense of wonderment washed over the stranger's face as he struggled to comprehend this notion. "How is it possible?" he inquired, his voice filled with genuine curiosity.

"Ah, my lad, the mysteries of creation are far beyond our mortal understanding," Mr. Wilfred mused. "Adam possessed the ability to breathe underwater, bestowed with the capacity to navigate both land and sea with ease. Such was the magnificence of his creation."

Mr. Wilfred took a sip of his tea, relishing the warmth that permeated his soul. He gazed deeply into the young man's eyes, sensing a burning desire for more knowledge. Slowly, he let the words hang in the air, drawing the scene to a close.

He uttered, "That concludes our discussions," and his complexion reddened instantaneously. Mr Wilfred glared at him and barked, "Leave my home now!" Mr Wilfred's voice elevated in anger as he exclaimed, "How can it be over? I was simply jesting with you. I can't believe your lack of patience.

Mr. Wilfred gazed upwards and uttered in a soft voice to himself, "My Lord, you are my sole companion now." With morning's light crept in, he resolved to meander along the coastline. To his surprise, he espied a youth perched nearby. "What keeps you here?" he inquired. The lad begged pardon, "I'm remorseful for my foolishness, sir. May I have another chance?" Mr. Wilfred deliberated and then stated, "Return to your home, son." The boy implored, "I'll do anything to make amends." Deciding to test his sincerity, Mr. Wilfred posed a riddle that the boy must solve within five minutes. The young man implored, "Sir, you haven't even asked my name."

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 Mr. Wilfred responded to him, saying, "One of my principles is to never inquire about a stranger's name unless they desire to disclose it to me." The young lad chuckled and replied, "Alright, you can call me Phillip." Phillip listened attentively as Mr. Wilfred continued. He shared a story about a blind woman who had given birth to two sons - one ugly and the other handsome. Whenever she went out, she would ask anyone she encountered on the road a question: "Which one of my two sons is the most handsome?" Mr. Wilfred looked at Phillip and asked him to answer the question. Mr. Wilfred wore a plastic smile, as he was almost certain that he would never receive the correct answer. However, to his surprise, Phillip confidently replied, "Both of them are handsome." Mr. Wilfred asked why he said that, and Phillip said, "A mother's love is the closest thing to God's love. The mother loves both of her sons equally, which means both of them are handsome." Mr. Wilfred agreed with Phillip's response and invited him inside to continue their conversation. 

Phillip was elated, while Mr. Wilfred quickly pretended as if nothing had happened. They resumed their discussion, and Mr. Wilfred began recounting a story about Adam and the division of land and water during his time. Adam, feeling tired from constantly navigating the land and water, expressed his stress to God. In response, God promised to assign another being to oversee the underwater world, relieving Adam of his burden. One of God's archangels brought water, sand, and the beauty of the earth. God bestowed this magnificent being with one percent of His power and sent two other archangels to bring her down to earth. This stunning creature captivated the attention of the first man on earth and all living things. Amused, Mr. Wilfred shared the comical question Adam asked God, "Is this your wife or daughter?" Both Mr. Wilfred and Phillip burst into laughter at the humor of the question. 

Continuing the narrative, Mr. Wilfred explained that Adam asked this question because he had never seen anything as beautiful as the magnificent being before him. He marveled at her appearance and pondered over the differences between them. Adam then asked God to enlighten him about the dissimilarities. God revealed that He had bestowed unimaginable powers upon the woman but had given Adam unlimited wisdom. Phillip interrupted Mr. Wilfred to ask a question, and Mr. Wilfred patiently allowed him to speak. Phillip asked if Mr. Wilfred had a family. With a hint of sadness in his voice, Mr. Wilfred admitted that he once had a family and a son who was about Phillip's age or slightly older. Phillip inquired about their whereabouts, and Mr. Wilfred responded, "I left them because I believed my research would bring me fame and success, enabling me to provide a comfortable life for them. Although I would like to find a suitable excuse for abandoning them, there is no excuse for failure." Mr. Wilfred's face reflected his brokenness and loneliness. He urged Phillip to focus on their conversation and continued with his story. 

Mr. Wilfred narrated how God instructed Adam to teach the magnificent woman various things. Over time, she began to understand what Adam taught her. One day, she decided to enter the water and was amazed by the experience. Adam informed her that the ocean would now be her domain, ruling over the underwater world. The woman questioned how she could be in charge of such a vast, endless sea. Adam encouraged her to look deeper and understand the ocean's true essence. As she did, she saw various water creatures, but she also recognized the cycles of life and death. Intrigued by the concept of death, Adam asked her to explain its meaning. Mr. Wilfred paused momentarily and expressed that he wanted Phillip to grasp the significance of their conversation. Phillip, confused, asked for clarification, and Mr. Wilfred explained that everyone you meet knows something you don't.

 Adam who possessed boundless knowledge. Despite his wisdom, Adam remained humble and sought to expand his understanding of the unknown. As Mr. Wilfred continued his storytelling, Adam inquired about the meaning of death, a concept he had never encountered before. this magnificent woman, who possessed little wisdom herself, explained that Adam's comfort zone prevented him from realizing that everything has a beginning and an end. Intrigued, Adam asked her to delve deeper into the topic of death. The woman explained that every soul would experience the bitterness of death, the ultimate destroyer of all pleasures. She further revealed that death could come peacefully, confusingly, or with great suffering. There were countless ways to die, and she shared numerous examples with Adam. Grateful for the newfound knowledge, Adam thanked the woman and asked if she had a name she preferred to be called. She gently declined, leaving the matter unresolved.

Mr. Wilfred then shifted the narrative to explain how the magnificent woman became a hybrid of human and nature. Living within water, she struggled to gain the obedience of the underworld creatures. Although she possessed the power to harm them, she chose not to inflict pain. In her quest for obedience, she called a meeting with the underworld creatures, who criticized her for not being one of them yet expecting their allegiance. Motivated by Adam's teachings of being a good listener, the woman transformed her body into a reflection of every living being in the underworld. For instance, if a shark were to see her, it would witness half of its own kind in her lower body. This transformation helped her gain their respect and obedience.

As time passed and Adam's descendants populated the earth, they began to take the ocean for granted. They polluted its waters and mistreated its creatures for their own amusement. The magnificent woman reported these atrocities to Adam, who warned his people, but they disregarded his words and continued their abuses. Respecting Adam's wishes, the woman refrained from using her powers to eliminate his people. Instead, she reported everything to the Almighty. In response, the Almighty assured her that He was aware and had taken action. One day, Adam discovered that he could no longer breathe underwater, as the Almighty had revoked this ability for him and his kind indefinitely. The Almighty also warned the woman never to set foot on land.

After a thousand years, the magnificent woman contemplated creating her own kind. She emerged from the water and found the human world to be vastly different from Adam's time. She soon realized that everything came with a price and that hard work was necessary to survive. Although she possessed the ability to take whatever she desired from others, she chose not to harm anyone. Exhausted and hungry, she was rejected by many until she encountered a kind-hearted man named Erish, who offered her fruits. Reflecting on this encounter, Mr. Wilfred remarked that if she had a human heart, she might have sought to dominate the entire earth. However, her lack of that human quality spared her from such desires.

Suddenly, the narrative shifted as Mr. Wilfred began coughing up blood, causing Phillip to rush to his side in panic. Concerned for his health, Phillip implored Mr. Wilfred to seek medical help. With a serene smile, Mr. Wilfred shared a story about his friend Fareed, who had once told him that there would come a time when friends and family would leave, leaving only oneself and God. Now, facing his own mortality, Mr. Wilfred understood the truth of Fareed's words. He explained to Phillip that he would die alone, despite the presence of others. As Phillip attempted to interject, Mr. Wilfred continued his storytelling. After accepting the fruit from Erish, the magnificent woman asked if she could stay at his place and was willing to do anything in return.

 The young man earnestly expressed his desire for her swift recovery and departure from his path once she regained her energy. After forty-eight hours had passed, curiosity compelled the young man to inquire about her origins. With a serene smile, she replied, "I hail from the very genesis of time." This unexpected response ignited laughter within the young man's heart. Mr. Wilfred chimed in, marveling at her innocence and lack of knowledge regarding lies. Phillip, filled with empathy, affectionately remarked, "What a truly honest and kind soul." Nevertheless, Erish persisted, asking her once more, hoping for a different answer. Yet, the answer remained the same, leaving him to believe that she withheld the truth due to their unfamiliarity. He posed another question, "Where did you reside before?" To which she whimsically replied, "I dwell in a place where humanity shall never uncover me - within the depths of the ocean." The young man, filled with a gentle demeanor, proposed the name "Ninazu" in the ancient Sumerian language, meaning "Lady of the Underworld." This prompted yet another burst of laughter. Unbeknownst to him, his words held an unexpected truth, as she was indeed the Lady of the Underworld. In a jestful manner, he playfully urged her to take a bath, stating, "Ninazu, you reek!" Since that fateful day, he began addressing her as Ninazu, and the name soon spread among their neighbors, colleagues, and friends. As time passed, she grew fond of the name. Three years of their lives intertwined, deepening their connection through heartfelt conversations. Inevitably, she found herself falling deeply in love with him, and he, too, confessed his adoration, proclaiming, "I have never experienced love to such a magnitude as I do for you."

In a quaint setting, Mr. Wilfred posed a question to Phillip, inquiring about his soulmate. Phillip, brimming with happiness, replied affirmatively, mentioning his girlfriend. Mr. Wilfred, wearing a sly expression, clarified that he meant a soulmate, not just a girlfriend, emphasizing the vast difference between the two. Intrigued, Phillip urged Mr. Wilfred to explain further.

Mr. Wilfred, adopting a cooler demeanor, began to unravel the concept. He described a girlfriend as someone one finds attractive or fancies, often resulting in unintended harm. Furthermore, relationships with girlfriends are not everlasting. On the other hand, a soulmate, Mr. Wilfred clarified, is akin to a best friend but with a deeper connection. A soulmate is the only person who truly knows and understands you, making you a better version of yourself through their inspiration. A soulmate is someone one carries with them forever, the person who accepted and believed in you when no one else did. Despite any circumstances, the love for a soulmate remains constant.

Phillip, deeply moved by Mr. Wilfred's wisdom, commended his extensive knowledge. Mr. Wilfred chuckled in response, comparing his knowledge to a bird attempting to carry water from the vast ocean. He believed his knowledge was but a mere drop compared to the vastness of the ocean.

Continuing in the manner of a skilled storyteller, Mr. Wilfred recounted the tale of Erish, Ninazu expecting a child with her husband. However, over time, her husband became self-centered and neglectful, taking her love for granted and treating her poorly and often ignoring her feelings and prioritizing his own desires. Despite knowing about his infidelity, Ninazu silently hoped for change. When change failed to materialize, she made the decision to return to her true home, leaving a stone note expressing her disappointment. She carried her unborn child with her, but her heart had turned cold and ruthless.

Erish, consumed by her own pain and anger, showed no mercy to those who wished to overthrow her or opposed her. She severed all ties to the human world and transformed her unborn child into an egg, which she kept hidden at the ocean's edge for two years. She became a distant and formidable figure, almost forgetting her maternal connection.

One fateful day, a fisherman ventured into the ocean during a storm, driven by the abundance of fish in that particular area. The storm grew stronger, and the fisherman's boat was destroyed, sending him into the water. To his astonishment, a magnificent woman with a fish-like tail appeared and saved him. It turned out to be Erish's neighbor. However, her appearance struck fear in him, with her dazzling scales resembling precious gemstones.

The fisherman returned home and shared his extraordinary encounter with his fellow neighbors, dubbing Erish the "lady of the underworld" or Ninazu. News of her existence spread throughout the human world, yet no one could successfully witness her true form.

Meanwhile, Mr. Wilfred's health began to decline, and Phillip rushed to his side, holding his frail hands. In a moment of forgiveness, Phillip expressed his understanding towards Mr. Wilfred's abandonment of him and his mother. Overwhelmed with happiness, Mr. Wilfred touched Phillip's cheek and expressed gratitude for being able to see his son before his passing. With his final words, Mr. Wilfred imparted a valuable lesson. He said by daring to think independently, you will learn that blindly following others could stifle personal growth. And one day people will realized that following the crowd without questioning the consequences and that could lead to unintended harm. 

Mr. Wilfred passed away; Phillip, overcome with grief, wept uncontrollably. The neighbors came to his aid, joining together to bury Mr. Wilfred. In his quest to find an unworthy father, Phillip discovered something far greater – profound kn

owledge about nature and a purpose that would shape his life forever.

  ( THE END )