Prologue
“In a land not very different from this one exists the land of Nigeria. A land well known as the richest and most powerful country in the continent of Africa. A land that holds the African culture in high esteem and refuses to be tainted by the influences of the western world. This land is also ruled by the three great kingdoms, the great kingdom of the north, the great kingdom of the West and the great…”
“Yes yes, aunty I know, the great kingdom of the east…” the chubby 9-year-old Adaora interrupted. She had been lying down on her bed listening to her aunty Nneka tell her the story she knew too well. The story of her land the place where she had come from. Even though she had already spent 4 years here in London her aunty would always remind her that she was not British, she was Nigerian first before anything else.
Aunty Nneka frowned at the little girl’s interruption. “Adaora How many times have I told you that it is impolite to interrupt your elders?”
Adaora gave her a sheepish grin and pouted her lips. “I’m sorry aunty but I’ve been hearing this story ever since I was a baby…I want to hear a different story.” She said and folded her chubby arms over the heavy covers surrounding her body.
“It is important for you to know this story, where you come from is a great land, one that has been ruled by great kings and queens and one day you will rule it.”
Adaora bit her lips and stared down at the elevated part of her covers were her feet were. She wasn’t sure if her aunty would react well to what she was about to say. She then looked up to meet her auntie’s gaze. Aunty Nneka had been watching her carefully wondering what was going on in the little girl’s head.
“Aunty?” Adaora called.
“Yes, my dear?”
“What if my people won't accept me?” she asked nervously.
Aunty Nneka smiled sadly at her. Of course, she would feel this way. After all, Adaora only had memories of another man’s land.
“
Nne
, your people will be happy to let you lead them. You have been taught their ways, you speak their language and most importantly you understand what it means to be their princess. They will be glad to have you when the time comes.”
“But even though I know about my people and their culture, I’ve been raised around a completely different one. The white man’s culture.” Adaora said sadly.
“Exactly and that’s what makes you special. You can bring the knowledge you’ve gotten from this land to lead your people to greatness. Have you forgotten what your mother likes to call you?”
“Modern princess,” Adaora replied.
“That’s correct, modern princess.” Aunty Nneka smiled fondly at her before getting up to tuck the girl into her bed
“You need to sleep. It’s getting late.”
“Okay…goodnight aunty.” She said.
“Goodnight.” Aunty Nneka said an
d planted a kiss on her forehead
.
