Storytime: The Tragic Love of Ndemi And Wanjiru

In a village nestled between rolling green hills and a river that shimmered under the sun, lived a warrior named Ndemi and a maiden named Wanjiru. Their love was the kind that made elders smile and young girls sigh, for it was said they were destined for each other from birth.

Ndemi was strong and fearless, known for his victories in battle, while Wanjiru was kind and beautiful, her voice like the song of the river. They would meet by the great fig tree at dusk, where Ndemi promised her a life of happiness and protection.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

A powerful chief from a neighboring village sought Wanjiru’s hand in marriage. He was rich, offering her family cows, goats, and gold. Though Wanjiru begged her father to refuse, he saw only the wealth and security the chief could provide. Against her will, she was taken to the chief’s homestead, her cries lost in the sound of beating drums.

Ndemi was furious. That night, under the cover of darkness, he rode to the chief’s village, determined to steal back his love. He found Wanjiru locked in a hut, her face streaked with tears. Whispering her name, he broke the door’s lock and led her to his waiting horse.

But just as they reached the village edge, the chief’s guards caught up to them. A fierce battle broke out. Though Ndemi fought bravely, he was outnumbered. He fell to the ground, wounded, as Wanjiru screamed his name. The chief, enraged by her betrayal, declared that if she would not belong to him, she would belong to no one.

He ordered his men to throw her into the river. The water swallowed her cries as she was taken by the currents.

When Ndemi awoke, weak and bleeding, he crawled to the riverbank, calling out for Wanjiru. But she was gone. The villagers say that, to this day, on quiet nights, if you listen closely by the river, you can hear Wanjiru’s voice calling for her lost love, and the rustling leaves answer with Ndemi’s sorrowful sighs.

And so, their love, once as strong as the roots of the great fig tree was lost to the depths of the river, a reminder that even the deepest love can be broken by fate.