Once upon a time there lived three women who were barren and looking for way to get a child. They were Sarah, Peace and Grace. They were so tired of the shame of not having a child. Their own people were always laughing at and mocking them, that they are the cause of their barrenness. So they decided to pray and fast for three days so that God will answer them.
So one day the three friends were seating outside Peace's house when a man putting on a white cloth visited them.
He first went to meet Peace and said to her "your prayer has been answered", this made Peace quite happy. In her happy state she asked the man,"who are you?". The man replied "I am a prophet sent to you". she was so happy and she danced out of sheer joy.
Then the prophet said to her "you will have your own child on one condition,you will run mad after you give birth to your baby". Peace was speechless and the prophet said that she should think about it that he would come back the next day for her reply and then he turned to Sarah and Grace and delivered the same message he gave to Peace.
They were happy but at the same time sad after they heard the condition attached to their child bearing. The next day, Sarah and Grace went to discuss with Peace about the issue. Peace who was siting outside saw them and she welcomed them. The Grace three the question out "what do you all think about what the prophet said?". Both Sarah and Peace said that it was hard for them to accept knowing fully well that their husbands would not be happy but they also wanted to have kids of their own, they were conflicted. Then Grace said "my husband is not disturbing me about a child, he loves me so much, so I will not accept the prophet's condition. Any child that will make her mad and live her lovely and caring husband is not a good child...she thought to herself.
Peace began to reason the same way as Grace, but Sarah said that she would love to have a child even if that is all she has in this world, she would be happy. She even told her friends that she didn't mind running mad on the street. She told them that she would prepare the house and write a letter for her child to read, so that when she runs mad,ho or she will understand the reason she is not with him or her,
Later in the day, the prophet came as promised to receive their reply. He went to Peace first and she said she can't accept the condition of the prophet that she does not want any child that will make her mad.
Next he turned to Grace and she also said the same thing as Peace. Finally, the prophet turned to Sarah to get her reply. Sarah happily replied that she would accept the child and the condition that came with it. The prophet shook his head and said to her "let it be as you have said it"..... then he left.
After about 3weeks Sarah began to feel sick, vomiting and feeling feverish that her husband was worried, so he took her to the hospital to know what was wrong with her.
When they got to the hospital they ran a test and the test result came out positive for pregnancy. Sarah's husband was so happy that he was going to be a father now after 20 years of marriage. He immediately took her home and told her not to do the house chores again so that she will not stress herself and the baby. Her husband loved her the more and took good care of her till
her time of delivery.
Inside the labour room while waiting for her cervix to dilate fully, she confessed to her husband about the prophet and his prophecy. When she was done narrating, her husband was angry with her but she please with him not to be angry. She explained to him that she agreed out of desperation because she wanted to complete their family. This softened the heart of her husband and he began to weep knowing well that once she gave birth, she would go mad. He prayed silently that his wife will not run mad but she will stay alive and well to raise their child.
Few minutes later, Sarah's labour pains became intense and it was time to push. She gave it her all and at the end, she was delivered of a set of twins, a boy and a girl. She was full of joy as well as her husband but she soon remembered the words of the prophet and she felt sad but she quickly overcame it and smiled heartily.
Soon she was discharged from the hospital, her friends, Grace and Peace came to stay with her. They assisted her in taking care of the house and the baby. They were all aware of what would happen to their friend soon.
One month passed and Sarah was still sane, two months then three months passed and she was still sane. Her friends were confused and so one afternoon, they sat her down to ask her about it.
Sarah told them that she too has been wondering about the matter but she's grateful for more te to spend with her kids. Right there and then the prophet appeared. He congratulated Sarah for her endurance and for passing the test of motherhood. Then Sarah asked him if she's still going to run mad to which the prophet answered in the negative.
The madness I was referring to was not the one in which you will lose your sense of reasoning but the one that comes to all mother's on their motherhood journey. Sarah was very happy, she thanked the prophet and then he left.
Her friends were surprised, nevertheless they were happy for her. This led to more discussions as they began to understand what the prophet meant when he said the madness was that which came to all mothers on their motherhood journey. Peace said I recall what happened to our neighbor how the wife ran outside the house with only a wrapper tied to her chest, when she was shouting for help concerning her son that fell ill.
The journey of motherhood is indeed a tough one. A mother has to learn to become everything for her child. They all agreed with her and began to celebrate. At night when Sarah's husband came back, Sarah told him of all that happened with the prophet's visit and how she won't run mad again but she will be ok for her kids.
Her husband was so happy that he began to dance and jubilate. He hugged his wife and said to her "it is good to be patient and think positive". Now my family is complete. They both laughed and went to bed. That night Sarah slept soundly and peacefully, knowing fully well that nothing will happen to her or her family. Thank goodness!
Thanks for reading til the end.