In a village called Aramuke, Uchenna lived with his wife, Ngozi, and two children, Chinonso and Ebuka. He took care of his family as a hunter and worked hard to provide for them. Four years after the birth of Ebuka, Ngozi took in again. That day, she was so happy and waited for Uche to return from hunting before sharing the good news.

“I’m back,” Uche shouted as he leaned his gun against the wall. As soon as he entered the house, he was welcomed by two little boys. He carried them in his arms, making his muscles flex. The sweet aroma of food Ngozi was preparing filled the air as he set the boys down on their feet. Cleaning her hands on her wrapper, she came out to welcome him.

“My husband, welcome home.” She said smiling.

“Thank you, my dear. I was so tired from hunting, but as I perceived the delicious aroma coming from the kitchen, I instantly regained my strength.” He said this knowing his wife would smile; he could say anything to make her smile, and he never failed.

“Is that so? Go and freshen up before you eat.” Smiling, she went back to the kitchen to serve the food. The Nwafor family sat down on the floor to eat. As delicious as the food was, Uche couldn’t help but notice Ngozi’s restlessness.

“Obi m.” He called her.

“Yes,” she replied.

“Is there something you want to tell me?”

“What makes you think I have something to tell you?”

“I can tell just by looking at you.”

“You know me so well.”                                                                        

“Of course, why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?"

“It is not good to talk while eating; let’s finish eating first.”

“Okay.”

After eating, Ngozi cleared the plates and then sat with her family.

“My husband, I’m pregnant.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, we are expecting another child."

Uche sweeps her into his arms. “That’s good news.”

“Daddy, what does mummy mean?” Ebuka asked.

“She meant that we are going to have a baby brother or sister,” Chinonso replied.

“Really?” The boys jumped for joy.

“Okay, boys, go and take your bath, then go to bed.”

“Okay, mummy.” After she put them to sleep, she came out of their room to see Uche sitting on the couch deep in thought.

“Is anything bothering you?” she asked, taking her seat beside him.

“No dear.”

“Aren’t you happy?”

“Of course I am.”

“So what is the matter?”

“Nothing.” He retorts.

“Fine, but if there’s anything, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“Okay. I need to go to bed. Goodnight, dear.” He kissed her goodnight and went inside.

The king of Aramuke, King Ndubueze, sat on his throne with his wife seated at his right.

“My king.”

“Yes.”

“Do you think it is right to keep what is happening from the people?”

“We must do so to protect them.”

“But…”

The king raised his hand to stop her from talking. “Enough Ezinne.” Several footsteps were heard, making the king and queen stand. The steps made their way into the palace.

“Ejike!” King Ndubueze exclaims

“Igwe.” Ejike breathes hard, trying to catch his breath. The king looks at the other six guards, all on the floor, trying to catch their breath, with two injured.

“Not again," the queen lamented.

“Where are the others?” The king held Ejike as he was about to fall.

“They didn’t make it. That beast is deadly; we barely made it alive.” The king helped him sit on the floor.

“This has to end.”

“How?” The queen asked. “We’ve sent all our guards; only seven are left. Will you be satisfied when they all die?”

“Why are you talking like that? I don’t want that beast to get close to the people; that is why I sent the guards.”

“Igwe, there should be someone or a group of people among the villagers who will be willing to fight against this beast and protect the village.”

“Are you saying I should send the same people I am trying to protect?”

“That is our last solution."

The king crossed his arms. “Fine, send the town crier,” he said, going back to his throne with the queen following behind him.

“Whoever can bring down the beast that is set to terrorize the village will be rewarded handsomely.” The women wailed and cried for themselves and their children upon hearing the message. Some men gathered their hunting guns and cutlasses in preparation to fight the beast but lost momentum when they thought about what would happen to their families if they didn’t return.

“Uchenna, where are you going?” Ngozi asked as he picks up his gun and cutlass.

“You said you were not going hunting today.” She touched her stomach.

He hung the gun on his shoulder and held her hand. “My love, obi m I have to fight the beast to fend for our family.”

“What do you mean?” she laughed lightly “Haven’t you been making sales with the meat you get from hunting?”

“Catching animals hasn’t been easy because of the beast. So I have to do this for our family.”

“What about me and the boys? What if you…” Tears fall from her eyes.

“Nothing will happen to me. I need you to be strong.” She hugged him tight. “While I’m out there, I will keep in mind that you are praying for me.” He pulled away from her. “I must go now.”

“I’ll tell the boys you’re out hunting.” He kissed her forehead and ran to the palace.

"Igwe," he knelt before the king.

“Uchenna, rise up. What is the issue?”

“No issue, my king; I heard what was happening, and I came to fight the beast.”

“Who else is with you?"

“It’s only me.”

“I know you are skilled, but I cannot allow you to fight alone.”

“I can fight Igwe; please allow me.”

“Is this because of the reward? I heard you are expecting a child.”

“You heard well, Igwe.”

“Go back and think about it.”

“Please Igwe.” He knelt down and bowed his head.

The king sighed “Alright, come here.” He gave Uche a whistle. “If you cannot bear it anymore, blow this whistle and run for your life.”

“Okay, Igwe. Thank you.”

As Uche walked around the forest in search of the beast, he heard sounds like growls. “That must be the beast.” He said to himself, he made a right turn and came to a halt where he stood face to face with the beast. The beast growled and charged at him. He dodged and hit it with the back of his gun; it growled again and swung its hand, carrying Uche along.

Landing on the ground, he moaned and held his side, which ached due to the fall. He laid his gun on the ground, picked up a stone, ran towards the beast, and then jumped on top of it. The beast swayed and swayed, trying to get him off, but he held on to its fur and then hit its head with the stone, which made the beast stumble and fall on a tree.

Uche almost hit the tree with it but jumped to the ground, grabbed his gun, and shot the beast several times. When he was sure the beast was dead, he stopped shooting, took a deep breath, and then used his cutlass to cut off the head of the beast.

The king removed his crown and kept it on the throne, waiting for Uche’s return then Ejike ran into the palace.

“Igwe! Igwe! It’s Uchenna.”

“What happened? Is he alive?”

“Yes.” Ejike cries. “He is alive; he won, and he killed the beast.” The king smiled.

Uche entered and laid the head of the beast in front of the king. “Igwe.”

“Get up” The king touched him, and he got up. “You have done it; you have saved us all.” The king said and hugged him. "Ejike, please go and call his wife.”

“I have sent Ugo to call her.”

“Good. What do you want, my son? Would you like to be one of my guards? The chief guard?”

“That is a tempting offer, Igwe, but I cannot accept it.”

“Tell me what you want."

“I want a new house, new hunting tools, and free education for my children until they finish secondary school.”

The king laughed and sat on his throne. “If that is all, consider it done.”

Uche looked at the king and bowed his head. “Thank you, Igwe; may you live long.”

Ngozi ran into the palace, crying, “Uche!"

He turned at the sound of his name. “Ngozi.” She fell into his arms, and they hugged for a long time. The people of Aramuke assembled at the palace, and King Ndubueze told them of Uche’s victory and the rewards he received.