The Eternal River
Many years passed after the death of King Adeyemi and Queen Olufunke.
Ile-Oro became a land of peace and light. The people farmed happily, the rivers stayed full, and no war came to their gates.
The Temple of the River Prince stood tall beside the shining water. Every season, the people gathered there with songs and drums. Children grew up hearing the story of the prince who loved a river spirit and saved the land.
Babatunde’s Devotion
Babatunde, now an old man, cared for the temple. His hair was gray, but his eyes were still strong. Each morning, he poured clean water into a bowl and prayed to the river.
“Prince Adetunji,” he would say, “your people remember you.”
One morning, as he prayed, the river became calm. The surface turned into clear glass, and he saw two shapes in the water — Adetunji and Aramide. They were smiling.
Babatunde bowed his head. “You kept your promise, my prince.”
A gentle voice answered, “And you kept faith, my friend. Your loyalty gave me strength.”
Tears filled Babatunde’s eyes. “I am old now. Soon, I will join you.”
Adetunji’s voice was kind. “When your time comes, the river will open its arms.”
Then the water rippled, and the vision faded.
The Farewell of Babatunde
That night, Babatunde sat by the river, looking at the stars. “You have watched over us well, my prince,” he said softly. “It is time for me to rest.”
He closed his eyes and smiled. When the morning came, the people found him still sitting, peaceful and still. The river around him shone with golden light.
The priests said, “The guardian has taken his friend home.”
From that day, they buried Babatunde beside the temple. The people carved his image next to the prince’s statue, so they would stand together forever.
Adetunji and Aramide’s Eternal Bond
Under the water, Adetunji and Aramide stood hand in hand. Around them, the river glowed softly.
Aramide said, “Your promise is complete. The land is safe.”
Adetunji smiled. “And our love has no end. It flows like this river — forever moving, never dying.”
They walked deeper into the light, where the spirits of the king, the queen, and Babatunde waited. The gods watched and spoke with gentle voices.
“You have done well, child of men,” said the goddess Òsun. “You gave love where others feared. You joined two worlds and brought peace.”
Adetunji bowed. “I only followed my heart.”
Òsun’s Blessing of the River Prince
Òsun smiled. “Then let your love live forever.”
She raised her hand, and the water around them turned to gold. From that day, the river of Ile-Oro never dried, never flooded, and never turned dark. It became known as Odo Ayeraye — The Eternal River.
The people of Ile-Oro still tell the story:
Of Prince Adetunji, the spirit prince who loved beyond fear,
and Aramide, the river maiden who found her heart again.
They say that if you stand by the river at night and listen closely,
you will hear their soft voices together — laughing, singing, and whispering to the waves.
Love, stronger than curse. Life, stronger than death.
(THE END)
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