Town Crier

Omitoro was once a thriving kingdom in Yorubaland, renowned for its deep-rooted traditions. Among these customs, one stood above all: whatever the town crier proclaimed had to be obeyed without question. Disobedience invited calamity, so the town crier was always thoroughly briefed before he ever lifted his gong to spread news across the land.

During the reign of one mighty king, Omitoro was blessed with twin princes, Fade and Bade. At that time, the town crier was a modest and responsible man named Awire. His honesty and skill in delivering messages earned him the unwavering trust of both the king and his people. The entire kingdom admired him.

The king’s sons, however, were a different story. Born into wealth and privilege, Fade and Bade grew up believing the world lay beneath their feet. Their arrogance dismayed their good-hearted father, as they treated the common folk with little more than contempt.

Awire, like many others, was not spared their scorn. The princes often mocked him, calling him the village gossip. His son, Irawe, shared his birthdate with the princes, yet the similarity earned him no favor. He, too, was a frequent target of their ridicule, and his resentment toward the royal twins grew deeper with each passing day.

The king, in all his wisdom, could not curb his sons’ behavior. He often wished their mother had lived longer; perhaps her presence might have softened their hearts. Aside from the king, few dared to rebuke the princes openly. Even the chiefs approached them with caution.

Then came a bleak and fateful day. Awire fell gravely ill, and in his absence, the king appointed Awire's son, Irawe, to take up the role of town crier. But scarcely a week later, the king himself was struck by an even more serious illness. The palace healers, at a loss, urged the chiefs to consult the Ifá oracle.

The Ifá priest was summoned, and after deep consultation, the gods spoke. Their message was clear: one of the princes must venture into the forbidden forest to retrieve special herbs for the king’s recovery. The gods instructed that the princes must decide amongst themselves who would go. Whichever prince embarked on the journey would be safe and, in time, become the next king. But if both dared enter the forest together, neither might return. On the chosen day, the people were forbidden from stepping outside their homes.

The chiefs relayed the gods’ decree to the princes. Bade, never one for leadership, quickly yielded the role to his brother, Fade.

With the matter settled, the chiefs sent Irawe to announce the decision across Omitoro. But when Irawe reached the villages, he delivered a different message:

“In three days, both princes will enter the forbidden forest to fetch the herbs for our king’s healing. Whoever returns first will be crowned the next king. The gods have promised their safety, so fear not. But remember, on that day, none must leave their homes — for any who do may never return. Have I spoken well or not?”

“You have spoken well!” the people chorused.

When word of Irawe’s announcement reached the palace, the chiefs were stunned.

“Why have you twisted the words of the gods?” they demanded.

Irawe, unrepentant at first, confessed that he had done it deliberately. After years of enduring the princes’ arrogance and disrespect — toward himself, his father, and the people — he wanted to teach them a hard lesson.

The chiefs were horrified.

“Do you realize the gravity of your actions? If both princes go, both may be lost forever! Why take their lives as payment for pride?”

They reminded him that once the town crier’s words were spoken, they became binding — as though issued by the gods or the king himself. No one, not even the chiefs, could revoke them.

It was then Irawe grasped the weight of his offense. He was thrown into the palace prison, but the damage was already done. The princes were bound to obey the proclamation.

Fear gripped the royal twins as the day drew near. Their arrogance had finally cornered them, and the reality of death sobered their hearts.

Meanwhile, news of Irawe’s actions reached Awire, who lay on his sickbed. The pain of what his son had done was more than his failing body could bear. Irawe had always been a kind-hearted boy, well-loved by the people. Awire understood that his son had acted not out of malice, but out of love and a desire to defend his father’s dignity. Still, it broke him to think of the catastrophe that might befall the royal family.

A day before the appointed time, Awire summoned the last of his strength. He slipped out of his bed, lifted his old gong, and began to make his way through every clan and village.

“Tomorrow, Prince Fade alone will go into the forbidden forest to gather the healing herbs for the king. Only Fade. Let no one step outside their homes.”

At his final stop, a sudden, violent wind swept through. When it passed, Awire began coughing blood. His strength gave way, and he collapsed, drawing his last breath.

Irawe was crushed when he heard of his father’s death. Alone in the world, his grief nearly drove him mad. But the people of Omitoro understood. They had witnessed the princes’ arrogance and knew the heart from which Irawe’s actions had sprung.

As for the princes, the loss of Awire and the narrow brush with death changed them. Guilt consumed them, and they finally learned humility. Irawe was released from prison and allowed to bury his father.

On the chosen day, Fade ventured into the forbidden forest and returned safely with the herbs. The king recovered, though his heart ached upon hearing all that had unfolded during his illness.

Omitoro mourned Awire for days. His sacrifice left an indelible mark on the kingdom. The story of the town crier who laid down his life to save the royal family became a lesson passed down for generations, reminding all who heard it of the price of pride and the weight of words.

Author’s Note

"Town Crier" is a story rooted in one of the old traditions and values of the Yoruba people, where words were more than mere speech — they were law, life, and consequence. I wrote this story to explore how power, pride, and human flaws can shape the fate of an entire community, even when intentions are hidden beneath loyalty and tradition.

Beyond the tale of princes, a kingdom, and a faithful town crier, this story touches on the weight of responsibility and the lasting impact of our actions, both seen and unseen. Whether out of pride, revenge, or duty, every choice made by these characters ripples through the lives around them.