FATE OF UNCERTAINTY

opening sequence

loud screams of a grieving woman pierces the silent night. a man dressed in smock is seen holding a staff and behind him are two strong men who later will be revealed as guards. two other guards pull a woman out to the ground from a hut and another throws a sack and clothes on the ground. a man later revealed as NYANTAKYI goes to help her up. a boy later revealed as KUMI picks the sack up.

okomfo

The wraths of the gods are upon you. You are burnished from the land. Go to the outskirt of the land, it is there you belong.

the guards follow them as the priest sings out ancient songs making signs of cleansing by pointing to the skies and the earth. the woman keeps on wailing.

fade out

fade in

EXT. dawn KYEREKROM

An unusual silent morning with no sign of life. fog covers the face of the village. ZOOM IN to a goat lying dead on the ground, PANS LEFT to reveal a dead fowl, TRACKS to reveal dead domestic animals. ZOOM OUT to reveal to see people coming out of their homes screaming and in a shamble.

EXT. dawn oduro's compound

a young man in his mid 20's comes out from a hut holding a calabash in his hand. he stretches and pours some of the water on the ground. he moves towards a tree to wash his face. he hears distant screaming

oduro

what a day.

(he moves towards his pen to feed his animals and sees them dead. he runs to his room to pick a cutlass and swears to avenge)

EXT. morning kyerekrom palace forecourt

a group of angry villagers holding all manner of weapons stand in front of the palace chanting war songs. a yound man who is the youth leader insights them. the king and elders come out from the palace heavily guarded. they stand before the people looking perturbed. after few seconds, one of the elders step foward to address the people.

bediako

Greetings people of Kyerekrom.

villager 1

What use is a greeting to a dying community?

(the elders look surprised at the response from the villagers)

nana agyemang

Allow them to speak.

VILLAGER 1

We woke up to find our animals dead. Who could have visited us in the night without the whole community knowing?

VILLAGER 2

Every animal in the land is killed and not even the tiniest was spared.

VILLAGER 3

Could we have been so asleep not to hear the footsteps of the perpetrators?

VILLAGER 4

when we have a King and elders who only know how to greet, what do we expect?

(the elders look at the faces of each other shocked of the insolence)

VILLAGER 1

The gods speak to them that listen, don’t we have a listener?

(the women begin murmuring. Nana Agyemang steps forward to talk to the people)

NANA AGYEMANG

agoo!

(the place is still in a shamble)

agya asare

People of Kyerekrom, you have had your say, pray, please let your King speak!

(everybody keeps quiet and looks at the king)

NANA AGYEMANG

People of Kyerekrom, you have a cause to be troubled, for if you sleep with your wife and wake up not to find her by your side, you call the elders, so you have a cause. But you do me great wrong. Has the god of rain been so angry to wipe his tears from an n eye and leave the other? Has the god of the sun blacken his face to me only to scorch on you? No! So you do me great wrong. The animals in place too die my goats, sheep, fowls, dogs and even my cats.

VILLAGERs

sorry your highness...

NANA AGYEMANG

No! keep your sorry. My elders and I will sit to know of what to do.

VILLAGER 1

This could be the doing of the gods, why not sacrifice to the gods?

NANA AGYEMANG

Like I said, my elders and I will sit so go to your homes and clean up; the gods would tell us of what to do.

(the angry mob disperse and desert the palace leaving the king and his elders looking stunned.)

EXT. day riverside

young girls and boys are seen at the riverside. the young women wash their clothes, some fetch water to the village whiles some are seen playing in the river. ZOOM IN to two young girls washing together.

ama

Strangest of all calamities is what has happened today.

afia

You can say that again my sister. I wonder what the oracles are going to read into it?

AMA

If not they want blood, then they want flesh…

(another girl joins them from fetching water from the stream)

yaa

I believe the King and his elders know something about this.

AMA

Eh! Where from this too

(ama picks her pot and goes aside, afia follows ama leaving yaa stunned)

YAA

What did I say wrong?

EXT. DAY river path

ama and afia carry their pots of water on their head and their clothes tied behind them as they lazily walk.

AMA

less I forget, I would not come to the farm today.

AFIA

Why such a decision?

(ama stops to address afia)

AMA

I have to help my mother clean the farm house. The death of the animals is still a shock to her.

AFIA

Poor woman. Couldn’t the gods have spared her of her animals? How could they have killed every animal in the land?

AMA

There is nothing we can do now. Hurry lets go.

(they hurry off. a woman differently dressed comes out of the bush. she looks scared and worried. she runs of teh opposite direction)

EXT. day nyantakyi's compound

a man is lying lazily in a chair chewing stick. PAN RIGHT to see a woman running towards him, he runs to his room to pick a cutlass and starts looking for pursuers. the woman sits on the ground panting heavily.

nyantakyi

what is it? Who is chasing you?

maame akua

I was at the riverside…

NYANTAKYI

I have warned you several times not to go…

MAAME AKUA

Not that. No one saw me.

NYANTAKYI

So what is it then?

MAAME AKUA

I heard some girls saying, the animals in the village are all dead.

NYANTAKYI

What!

MAAME AKUA

Yes! The gods have killed every animal in the land.

NYANTAKYI

The gods have…

(he runs to the back of the house. maame akua follows him to the back of the house, a young boy comes out of the hut confused. they come back from the back crying.)

ext evening bediako's compound

a hand is seen picking beans from a trail. a woman is later revealed happily cooking a supper. she leans forwrd to check the content in a pot on fire. a boy comes from behind the compound and walks towards the woman cooking.

maame abena

what were you doing behind the compound?

opoku

Nothing really, just thinking about the village.

MAAME ABENA

(giggles)

thinking? Since when did you begin thinking the troubles of this land, I presume you are eying your father’s position?

opoku

nothing of the sort. I am only wondering why the King and elders seem not to know what is happening. I am beginning to believe the king and his elders are hiding something from us.

maame abena

Shut up! Don’t let your father ever hear you say such a thing. Would your father not have told us by now?

OPOKU

That is the more reason why I am…

MAAME ABENA

Shut up! Leave to your room now. I said leave, before you find trouble for us.

(Opoku gets heistantly and leaves to the room)

Look at him. Do you think it is easy being a leader? You are in the line, you would get there one day and you would understand.

EXT EVening riverside

oduro is seen at the riverside with his hook and line in hand fishing. he seems cheerful. he feels his hook has caught a fish and begins to pull. the colour of the stream changes from white to red. oduro runs off to the village

ext evening nyantakyi's compound

the evening is relatively quiet. two people are seen in silhouette facing the town. the sound of the waving leaves and trunks of the trees is what they gaze at

NYANTAKYI

My son, you must understand that the back of the tortoise is hard but cant still not be like that of a crocodile. The gods of the land are wise.

kumi

Papa, what I fail to understand is why our animals too died when we are not part of the villagers?

NYANTAKYI

That is for the gods to answer but for now, the clouds are heavy but it is not to rain.

KUMI

how do you mean papa?

NYANTAKYI

The gods are saying something I don’t get. Go to sleep for tomorrow, there is plenty to do

(Kumi looks confused but reluctant to ask further questions. he gets up to to the house. he passes by his mothr standing at the entrance to their hut.)

MAAME AKUA

my lord, please come to bed.

(nyantakyi turns and sees the wife, he smiles and goes to join her)

ext day kyerekrom

the shadow of an animal is seen appearing fromt he bushes. it later appears to be a goat. the silence of the dawn is broken by wailings from one compound then from another and another until there is wailing from aevery compound. people run from their compounds screaming. two yung men carry a dead woman from a room to the compound. another man carries his wife from the room. a woman screams from her hut wailing over the lost of her husband. some people run to the bush to ease themselves, some come out vomitting.the whole village is in a shamble.

ext day front of palace

a group of angry looking villagers are seen singing war songs. some sit on the ground vomitting. a woman who is not mentally sane is seen nursing her dead son. the king and his elders walk out from the palace mournfully.

youth leader

Chooboi!

VILLAGERS

Boi!

YOUTH LEADER

Chooboi!

VILLAGERS

Boi!
(the whole place goes dead silent)

NANA AGYEMANG

My people, you are welcome

VILLAGER 2

You still welcome us, a dying community?

VILLAGER 4

It was our animals and all we received was a welcome. Now our families and you still welcome us.

VILLAGER 3

The eyes of the blind is only there for him to think himself complete, but the truth is he is not.

VILLAGER 1

When men in a land ran from battle field, how can they say to the women, run to the battlefield?

NANA AGYEMANG

My people…
(the villagers are still murmuring)

YOUTH LEADER

Chooboi!

VILLAGERS

Boi!

YOUTH LEADER

Please it is only fair you listen to the King. The deaf and dumb can also speak for themselves.

NANA AGYEMANG

My people, tears that are in my eyes are not stored for you. You speak as though my elders and I have done you so much wrong, but no. we availed ourselves to your service.
(he calls out the guards from behind him)
Bring out my daughter, the Princess.

guard 1

your highness

NANA AGYEMANG

I said bring my daughter!

guard 1 &2

Yes your highness
(they run off)

NANA AGYEMANG

(May it not be that my home is set free from the visit of the calamity…
(the guards bring the princess on a stretch and lay her before the king. she ahd a half rotten face, the villagers look terrifed)
That is the royal Princess, Achia. This is what she has become. So do you think I stored up tears for you?)

VILLAGER 1

Why not sacrifice to the gods?

NANA AGYEMANG

We are meeting the Okomfo in my palace for him to tell us of what to do so go to your homes and wait.

VILLAGER 3

To our homes is death, we rather all wait for the priest here and die than go home to die.

AGYA ASARE

Kyerekrom mba, go to your homes…

VILLAGERS

no!

NANA AGYEMANG

In that case, go to the village square and wait there. I would send for the priest to be there. So go.
(villagers turn to the village square)

maame ataa

(holding her dead son)

how could they have taking you also from me. I will sit here till you come back to me.
(nana agyemang orders his guards to take the princess in and sees maame ataa with her dead son. he sgnals the guards to take the child and go burry him)

ext day kyerekrom

people carry stretches wiht dead bodies on them.they burry the dead and whiles others come from the cemetary.

ext day nyantakyi's compound

kumi is seen weeding the environs of their home. he stands to stretch and the father comes from behind him looking curios.

NYANTAKYI

Kumi, why this wailing from the village?

KUMI

Papa, I don’t know.

NYANTAKYI

And where is your mother?

KUMI

She is in the kitchen preparing meal.

NYANTAKYI

I will be inside, let me know when the meal is done.

ext day village path

opoku and oduro walking by the countryside. other villagers walk pass them hastily to the village square whiles they walk lazilly.

ODURO

Such a calamity has never been heard in our land.

OPOKU

You talk of our land, such has never happened in any land. The gods might be…

ODURO

Better not say it yet. Let the priest speak for himself.
(they walk away hastilly)

ext day ama's compound

Afia stands impatiently before Ama's house. the whole place looks deserted. Afia paces around anxiously waiting for Ama. she hears a voice from behind her

yaa

are you not leaving for the village square?, are you not leaving for the village square?

AFIA

(panicking)
I am waiting for Ama.
(ama comes out and sees afia)

AMA

and what is she doing here?

AFIA

Please it is not time for arguing. Let’s leave.
(they walk off)

ext day village square

the villagers gather at the village square under the big tree. the men are arguing, the women are gossiping. some people sit on the ground in pain.

ext day path to village square

the king is seen in a parlanquin and looking distressed. the elders walk behind the king. tghey walk pass villagers going to burry their dead and some coming from the cemetary.

EXT DAY VILLAGE SQUARE

the villagers are still wailing. the guards put the king down. he looks at the faces of the villagers and then moves to his stool. the okomfo comes from the bush singing in ancient words. he stands before the king in a distance

NANA AGYEMANG

You are welcome Nana Okomfo.

OKOMFO

(chanting in ancient languages)

Nana! My ears can not hear that which is said.

NANA AGYEMANG

what do you mean Okomfo?

OKOMFO

The gods are talking even though their lips are shut.

NANA AGYEMANG

(growing impatient)

What exactly is going on?

OKOMFO

The bird seems flying yet the wings…

NANA AGYEMANG

Enough of the parables. Look at the people, they are dying. Their ears are soar and can’t hear a thing. Tell us exactly what is wrong.

OKOMFO

(looking perturbed)

the land is cursed!

NANA AGYEMANG

What!
(the villagers look stunned)

OKOMFO

Yes! The land is cursed and must be cleansed.

NANA AGYEMANG

Cursed! By who and what?

OKOMFO

That,the gods refuse to say.

NANA AGYEMANG

Why?

OKOMFO

I don’t know. The land must be purified in order to save the living. We are not safe.

NANA AGYEMANG

If it is only a sacrifice, then why wait for people to die?

OKOMFO

Not just a sacrifice. The sword of the oracle must be fetched!
(the villagers all move back)

BEDIAKO

Nana Okomfo, you know no one goes into the sacred forest and comes back alive.

okyere

How can the gods suggest such a mission?

AGYA ASARE

Who is to fetch the sword?

OKOMFO

someone can go fetch it.

NANA AGYEMANG

who?

OKOMFO

The oracle says, a young virgin boy in the land can go. A particular boy ordained to do so.

prempeh

Who, Nana Okomfo?

OKOMFO

Search for him. And remember, we don’t have time.
(he chants and walks away into the bush. the entire villagers look stunned. nana agyemang refuses to sit in his parlanquin and his elders move with him to the palace)

INT. day palace

two strong guards stand in front oe palazf the palace. voices of the elders are heard from inside. the king looks lost in the meeting

BEDIAKO

This is not going to be easy. Where do we go searching from?

OKYERE

Who do we call first?

AGYA ASARE

How do we know who is a virgin and who is not?

PREMPEH

Yes! The people continue dying.

NANA AGYEMANG

Summon all the young virgins to the shrine tomorrow. Let the gods choose themselves, and of ytell them the one chosen would marry my daughter and inherit a portion of my kingdom.
(the elders agree with the king's proposition)

ext evening farm path

the feet of two young ladies is seen. later revealed to be that of Ama and Yaa carrying firewood from the farm.

ama

I must hurry home and help Maame prepare dinner.

YAA

That is true, but Ama, who do you think would be chosen by the oracles to go into the sacred forest?

AMA

How am I suppose to know?

YAA

With the offering of the King, if I were a boy, I would have loved to go into the forest.

ama

Look at you. You would die one day.

YAA

Everyone is dying one way or the other

AMA

Let me leave before you carry me t my grave.
(she walks off leaving Yaa gazing at her)

YAA

Don’t be ridiculous. Wait for me
(she follows after her chuckling)

ext evening an open thick

a green leaf is dangling froma a tree and then settles on the forehead of Opuku who has his eyes closed. Afia caresses the face of Opoku. she picks a banana from beside her and peels it. Opoku's hand is buried in the sand. Afia feeds him with the banana. he tickles her and she tickles him back. the wind in the thick is blowing gently and the leaves fall from the tree. they fall on the them whiles Afia pours palmwine for Opoku to drink. the palm wine pours on his chest.

AFIA

Opoku!

OPOKU

odo!

AFIA

What do you think of what the King said?

OPOKU

What are you talking about?

AFIA

Concerning the journey to the sacred forest. You know you are a virgin and a royal, the oracles might pick you.

OPOKU

(getting hysterical)

Do you think I want to die such a death?

AFIA

Then why not break your virginity now. In that case you would not be chosen.

OPOKU

Have you gone mad. Suggest such a thing again, and you would not like me.
(he gets up and the palm wine pours onto the ground from the calabash. Afia gets up and looks at him go)

AFIA

I was suggesting the good for us.

ext day bediako's compound

a sceptre in Bediako's hand appears and then Bediako comes out and thens looks around the compound. he realises his son is still not out.

BEDIAKO

Opoku! Opoku!

OPOKU

yes paapa.

BEDIAKO

(Opoku comes out of the room looking tired)

I am on my way to the palace, hurry and make it to the shrine, the gods might choose you.

opoku

Paapa, I am not interested in the mission.

BEDIAKO

Don’t be stupid. You stand the chance of marrying the Princess and becoming the next King.

OPOKU

Paapa, I don’t want to and die in the evil forest besides I am not a virgin.

BEDIAKO

Bediako:
Foolish son, would you leave now before I lose my temper…
(Maame Abena comes out from her hut looking confused)

MAAME ABENA

what is the shouting all about?

OPOKU

Maame, father is compelling me to go and die in the evil forest.

MAAME ABENA

What!

BEDIAKO

Woman, you better convince your son. He better grab those opportunity or else would seize to be my son.

MAAME ABENA

Where from this? My son would not be sacrificed. He better stay here and die.

BEDIAKO

man, don’t try my temper.

OPOKU

Maame, tell him am not a virgin.

MAAME ABENA

My son is not a virgin.

BEDIAKO

What! Continue the same way with your son and you would throw away all your fortunes one day.
(He walks out angrily whiles Maame Abena turns to the son who is about to enter into the hut)

MAAME ABENA

hey! Come here. Are you a virgin?

OPOKU

Yes Maame, I just don’t want to go to the forest.

MAAME ABENA

You are going nowhere. You want my son to be used as a sacrifice. We would all stay here and die for all to see our corpse than go die in the evil forest.

EXT DAY PATH TO VILLAGE SQUARE

Yaa appears to be lonely.she beats the bushes with a stick in hand. she raises her eyes and then looks stunned. PAN with her eye to see Oduro walking briskly.

yaa

Oduro!
(Oduro turns and sees Yaa. he gets back to her in haste)

ODURO

Oh Yaa, I am so late. I must be at the shrine.
(he walks away leaving Yaa lip dripping)

yaa

Only the gods know what they seek from us
(She gets conused as to whether she should follow Oduro or go back. she eventually settles on going on with her initial walk.)

ext day front of shine

young boys numbering up to 20 are seen in front of the shrine. they all have different feel to the calling. some look anxious and wanting to be on the mission. two boys argue out who would be chosen, Oduro looks at them pathetically. Nana Agyemang and his elders come in to see the virgins and looks saddened at the number of virgins.

NANA AGYEMANG

So these are the only virgins I have in my land. Indeed the land is cursed.
(Bediako looks embarassed becuase his son is not part of the few privileged. the Priest's attendant comes out of the shrine to usher the boys in. they come out one after the other the same way the go in. some look happy whiles others are dissappointed. the Priest comes out from the shrine not too happy)

OKOMFO

none is worthy to embark on the journey.

NANA AGYEMANG

Is it not the same gods that said a virgin in the land?

OKOMFO

Nana, the gods never speak in vacuum. There is a pure virgin boy in the land that is destined to accomplish the journey. Find him now, Nana, now. You have to search beyond your reach.
(the priest enters the shrine and the king and his elders walk out from the shrine)

INT. DAY PALACE

nana agyemang sits tensed on his stool. beside him are two strong guards. behind the King is a tiger symbol. flanking the King is his elders who look distressed.

NANA AGYEMANG

A pure virgin boy beyond my reach, who could it possibly be? who is keeping him? Whose son is he? Find him and bring him to me.

BEDIAKO

Nana, how do we know who it is?
(The elders affirm to Bediako's desposition)

NANA AGYEMANG

There must be a way out.

AGYA ASARE

Nana, to throw pebbles on still water is nothing more of fun.
(the elders seem to not understand him)
Nana, no one has thought of…

NANA AGYEMANG

Thought of whom? Speak up; I beseech you to do so now.

AGYA ASARE

Kumi.

OKYERE prempeh botwe

what! abomination! Musuo!

AGYA ASARE

Nana; If all the virgins were not chosen and there still one beyond your reach, it could be no one than Kumi.

BEDIAKO

He is burnished and unclean

AGYA ASARE

Let the oracle decide

PREMPEH

Such an insult to the oracle…

NANA AGYEMANG

Let the oracles decide. Fetch Kumi!

ext day princess' palace

a clean silent palaca with maidens standing before the palace of the princess. some maidens go in and out of the hut with rags and calabash of water. the queen mother walks in and enters the shrine. her two strong guards stand at the entance facing each other.

princess

(she raises her head up in pain and looks at the mother)

Maame, have they found the virgin boy?

queen

The elders are searching.
(the maidens fan her to drive away the flies. the queen sobs and prays to the gods)

EXT DAY NYANTAKYI'S COMPOUND

agya asare and three strong guards walk into nyantakyi's dead compound. a portion of the building seem to be delapidated. nyantakyi comes out of his hut looking terrified upon seeing the elder and the royal guards, he stands at the entrance to his hut afraid.

AGYA ASARE

We come in peace Nyantakyi so you have nothing to fear. We are sent by the King, Nana Agyemang.

NYANTAKYI

To what do we owe this visit? If we are not to live here, tell us peacefully and we would leave but harm us not for we are feeble.
(Kumi comes out from his hut poised for war)

AGYA ASARE

The king wants Kumi in his palace.

NYANTAKYI

what for?
(Maame Akua comes out from behind her husband furiously)

MAAME AKUA

I knew it, they want to sacrifice my son to the oracles. I knew it…

AGYA ASARE

It is none of such but you must be at the palace.

KUMI

Why am I to go with you, for what offence?
(guard 2 moves towards Kumi who is still furious)

MAAME AKUA

Leave my son alone. He is done nothing wrong…
(guard 3 moves towards her and restrains her, Kumi makes a move to go help her but he is also held by guard 2. nyantakyi calmly moves to his sona dn places his hand on his shoulder)

NYANTAKYI

My son, go with them. The gods would protect you.
(Maame Akua sinks to the ground and begins to lament. the guards escort Kumi calmly to the palaca following Agya Asare. nyantakyi looks into the sky and tears strip down his eyes)

INT. DAY PALACE

BIG CLOSE UP of Kumi's fasce showing unrest, ZOOMS OUT to reveal agya asare and then the elders with the King on his stool. the king is flanked by his two most loyal guards and next to him is the queen.

NANA AGYEMANG

Kumi, there is no grudge caused unless for a reason. We ask of you to go the shrine. Maybe you are the one the oracles have chosen.

KUMI

my family is cursed, I am cursed. I am not to be among the villagers, why must I be the one the gods want?

NANA AGYEMANG

None that we can say but I want you to come see something.
(he points to the entrance to the princess' chamber and ushers Kumi to go with him. kumi scans the faces of the elders and then settles on the queen who looks devastated, he then follows the king into the chamber.)

INT. DAY PRINCESS' BEDCHAMBER

Kumi stands scared as he looks on straight. the voice of the king is what feels the atmosphere. he stares on without blinking an eye.

NANA AGYEMANG

she carries the curse of the land. Until the land is cleansed, she would keep rotten but would not die.
(Kumi goes down to look closely at the princess who is rotten by half of the body and looks wondering)
Her life is in your hands.

KUMI

And how sure are you that the gods want me?

NANA AGYEMANG

Let the gods decide.

ext day stream

from a distance, two people are sitting on the bank of the stream with no one there with them. they face the stream which is flowing calmly.

AFIA

Could the gods be so sarcastic?
(Opoku looks at her amuzingly)
I thought they said Kumi is cursed. Why is he been called into this calamity?

OPOKU

For all you know, he might be used as a sacrifice for the land.

AFIA

That is if the gods choose him.

OPOKU

i mean, why would the gods send a curse person into the evil forest to go fetch the sacred sword, a sword held only by the royals of Kyerekrom, to come and clean the curse from the land.
(they both look lost in thought)

EXT DAY FRONT OF SHINE

villagers gather before the shrine. the dyingin the land has hit them so hard they look emanciated. the priest attendant comes out of his shrine and goes to the King and then moves to the Kumi without saying word, signals for him to enter the shrine. kumi looks around and realises the parents are not there, sighs saddily and then moves into the shrine.

INT. day shrine

the priest sings in ancient language whiles he recites some enchantments. he faces the oracle and feels the presence of some one in the shrine. he turns to see the face of a young boy who is later revealed as Kwesi Nyame. the priest looks dump for a second and then bows to the young boy who later changes to Kumi. the priest ushers Kumi out of the palce before him.

EXT DAY FRONT OF SHINE

priest stands before Kumi and then bows to him, the entire villagers look confused. the King looks at the priest in wanting to say a word but the lips too heavy to open. the priest sings in ancient tongue.

OKOMFO

the gods are right. He is the one!
(the entire villagers look stunned. Kumi looks at the faces of the people and feels the insecurity and threat in their eyes. Opoku looks at Afia and they their hands tight.)

EXT DAY NYANTAKYI'S COMPOUND

nyantakyi holds the wife close to his bossom as the wife sobs. with the stick he holds in hand,, he hits the ground with it several times and then turns to the wife.

NYANTAKYI

the gods of our fathers would not forgive them if they hurt Kumi
(they walk off to the village)

EXT DAY FRONT OF SHINE

okomfo pours libation with a green leaf in his mouth. every one looks one scarefully. agya asare, prempeh and botwe seem supportive with teh exception of Bediako who looks unapproved.

INT. DAY PRINCESS' BEDCHAMBER

the royal maidens fan the princess. the distant sound from the village square reaches to them. she stretches her had to touch her favourite maiden who sits besides her.

PRINCESS

Ansa… fetch me my golden pot.

(ansa picks the pot next to her and places it before the princess)

In it is a band of cowries, go give it to Kumi and tell him it would protect him.

(she takes the band from it, bows to the princess and runs off the village square)

ext. day front of shrine

the okomfo dresses Kumi in a talisman and gives him a sack of bag.kumi catches eye with the family. kumi catches eye with the parent. the king sees the tears in the eyes of maame akua.

nana agyemang

My son, the future of the land is in your hands. The gods chose you over all, they know why…

(Maame akua cries biterly)

I would ensure the safety of your parents. Remember, the Princess’ life depends on you…

(ansa runs through the crowd and makes way to the presence of the king)

what is it?

ansa

(she pants profusely)

Sorry your highness, but the Princess…

NANA AGYEMANG

the Princess what?

QUEEN

What has happened to the Princess?

ansa

(sensing the fear she might have caused speaks boldly)

the Princess sent me to Kumi.

(she walks to Kumi )

she said I should give this to you. Wear it and it would protect you.

(kumi takes the band from ansa cautiously and wears it, he walks to the father and bows before him)

NYANTAKYI

My son, there lies a big river ahead of you. Crossing it is not for you but you would cross it.

(kumi gets up and stands before the mother)

kumi

Maame, your tears are the reason for my going. The gods would protect you and bring me back to you.

(he turns to the priest. the priest takes the lead towards the stream. the king and his elders follow him)

ext day riverbank

ancient word are heard. the priest then is seen pouring libation into the river. the entire villagers stand afar and watch the priest and Kumi by the riverbank.

OKOMFO

the gods of Kyerekrom! Nananom! Nsamafoo! Asaasa Yaa! Ehuntanhunu! Nsuobena! Guard your son; guard your son; see him through this journey. Moatea; lay the path for him…

(kumi steps into the river and starts his journey. he crosses the river and waves the people. he turns to the sacred forest and walks into it.)

ext evening forest

kumi walks though the quiet forest. he looks afraid as he passes by some trees. he picks a jar of water from his bag and begins to drink. he sees before him, three beautiful naked girls playing ampe. he curiously moves towards them but they vanish as he gets close to them. he takes to his heels.

ext. day forest

two strong men with spears in hand pursues Kumi through the forest. he runs as far as his legs can take him but the men catches up with him faster. he trips and falls, the men stand before him with their spears. they move to pierce him with the spears.

ext. day nyantakyi's compound

maame akua wakes up suddenly from a dream in front of her hut. nyantakyi runs from the backyard and squats beside her.

nyantakyi

what is it?

maame akua

Kumi my son; I saw him in my dream, they want to kill him. They have killed my son…

(he places her head on his chest and caresses her face, she continously sobs)

ext. day village square

okomfo's hand writes some ancient words on the ground. the villagers look on not knowing what he writes. it is been three days since Kumi left.

NANA AGYEMANG

where is the boy?

OKOMFO

He will bring the sword.

(the villagers look dissatisfied with teh response from the priest but no one dares to say a word)

EXT EVENING FOREST

kumi is sleeping under a tree. he looks tired, a spirit of the forest appears before him ready to devour his flesh. he opens his eyes and panicks, he crawls backwards and then picks a charm from his bag, he shows it to the spirit and it dissappears. he lies face up panting.

ext day forest

kumi stands before a crossroad, he gets confuse as to where to pass. he sees a woman who is half naked coming from one direction. he stares at her pass him by.

kumi

What is there to find? I have walked for more than two weeks and still have found nothing. I don’t even know if I am on the right path and now i see strange things. how sacred is the forest.

(the woman stops and looks at Kumi who looks stunned)

I am heading to the oracle of Kyerekrom to fetch the sacred sword. I have lost my way. Please which way should I go?

(the woman points to the direction she came from and she leaves him)

May the oracles bless you.

(he moves towards the direction he is shown and stops to cogitate)

she came from there. And heading that way. I came from behind. She can’t be from the oracle nor go to the oracle. The path is before me. Thank you Ehuntahunu.

(he moves ahead following his instincts)

EXT. DAY KYEREKROM

some of the villagers go to the cemetary with the dead to burry whiles some come from the cemetary afer burrying their dead. some vomit and some run into the bush to ease themselves.

EXT DAY PRINCESS' PALACE

the queen sits before the princess who is rottening hastely. her lower lips is rotten.

EXT. DAY NYANTAKYI'S COMPOUND

maame akua picks beans before a cooking pot on fire. she sobs as she pick her beans. nyantakyi stands behind her feeling guilty for the son's demise.

ext. day farm

oduro and opoku clears their farm. the seem to have cleared a sizeable portion. opoku stops and looks to be in wonderland. oduro realises it and stops too.

ODURO

what could be eating you up my friend?

OPOKU

I just can’t think of what has happened to Kumi.

ODURO

The most intriguing thing is, he is gone for over two weeks and yet nothing is heard.

OPOKU

I won’t be surprised if he dead and the priest is fearing to say so.

ODURO

How I had wanted to embark on this journey.

OPOKU

You would have been a sacrifice by now.

ODURO

Nananom mpegu!

(thegy continue with their weeding.)

EXT. DAY FOREST

kumi looks tired and devastated. he looks around him and sees no life. he moves on and hears someone crying behind him, he turns and sees the person to be no ne but Yaa.

yaa

Kumi, wait for me.

kumi

who are you?

YAA

it is me Yaa, from Kyerekrom.

KUMI

What are you doing here? No one is to come into the forest?

YAA

Your… you mother is…dead!

KUMI

what!

yaa

The whole village is dead. I ran here to inform you. Let go back for there is nothing to die for here.

(kumi drops the bad given by the priest, Yaa moves towards him and holds him, the band given Kumi by the princess burns yaa and she turns into a monkey and then dissappears. kumi picks his bag up and runs off)

EXT DAY FOREST

kumi runs for dear life and bumps into a tree. he sits on the root, the tree groans and begins to speak to him.

tree

who is that!

kumi

Spirit of the forest, please I mean no harm. I am sent from Kyerekrom to get the sword of the oracle. My village dies so please let me pass.

(the tree goes to sleep again, kumi picks his bag up and tiptoes off. he runs off)

INT. DAY PALACE

a rotten leg is seen with flies hovering around it. the leg is later revealed to be tha of the king's. he sits on his throne with so much pain registered on his face. the elders confer with each other.

BEDIAKO

Nana, this is getting out of hand.

OKYERE

Something must be done fast.

AGYA ASARE

What sort of thing can be done now…

(the priest enters the meeting amidst woes)

NANA AGYEMANG

Nana Okomfo, where is Kumi?

OKOMFO

he is fine.

OKYERE

Has he found the sword?

OKOMFO

He will come with the sword.

(the queen cleans the water from the rotten leg of the king.)

EXT. DAY VILLAGE SQUARE

a group of youth numbering to 20 at the village square chanting war songs. after a while, they move towards the river.

INT. DAY PALACE

a palace attendants rushes into the concil meeting panting. the elders all run behind the king to seek for refuge. the king after composing himself looks at the attendant.

NANA AGYEMANG

Is the land not troubled enough for you to add yours to it?

palace attendant

Sorry your highness, but there is more trouble than this.

BEDIAKO

What trouble?

PALACE ATTENDANT

The young men have gathered at the village square heading for the village square.

(the elders all look terrifed)

They say, they journey to fetch Kumi.

NANA AGYEMANG

stop them now. Stop them

(bediako and agya asare move out to meet the youth.)

EXT. DAY VILLAGE SQUARE

bediako and agya asare race to the village square. the get to the ground and realise that the youth are not there. they her distant voices singing towards the river, they continue racing to the river.

ext. day path to the river

the youth sing vocifously and chanted for their mission. bediako and agya asare run after them in the distance. they hear they calling and they stop for them to meet them. they get to them and begin to pant.

YOUTH LEADER

Chooboi!

YOUTH LEADER

boi!

BEDIAKO

My people, don’t go. You don’t have to go.

YOUTH LEADER

Why stay here. No one know what has happened to Kumi. He could be dead by now.

AGYA ASARE

No! he is not dead. The Princess is still alive. None of you were chosen because you would die if you go.

BEDIAKO

The priest says he is fine and he would come back with the sword soon. Please go back to your homes and pray for the land. The King is not getting better.

(they begin to drop their stones and sticks and walk back to the village dissapointed)

EXT. DAY FARM

kumi appears to be possessed. he sees some dwarfs playing and then he moves to join them to play. after a few running around the tree. they begin to move into the tree.

kumi

Moatia, I am off to fetch the sword of the oracle for the people of Kyerekrom. Without the sword, my people die. I have been here for more than three weeks where do I go?

(they look into each others face and then they all point to the same direction. Kumi gets up)

thank you!

EXT EVENING FOREST

kumi walks tiredly. he holds to trees to gain his balance. he begins to have blurring visions and then he falls to the ground.

ext. evening village square

priest looks into the sky and laughs out loud. the villagers all look into the sky to see if they can see what the priest sees. nana agyemang beckons him to speak to him

OKOMFO

He is there!

(they all cheer and begin thanking the gods)

ext. evening princess' palace

the queen runs into the princess' palace. the maidens all long surprised as they eavedrops on what the queen has to say. the princess strains herself to speak

QUEEN

You will be well soon. Kumi is at the oracle’s shrine

(the maidens thank the gods and gets back to their post as the queen walks out.)

ext. morning forest

kumi in a BIG CLOSE UP sleeps in the forest. ZOOM OUT to reveal him on the ground. he opens his eyes slowly and sees an old lady sitting beside him, he panicks

old lady

Fear not my son. I am not evil, if I were, I would have killed you in your sleep. What are you doing in this part of the forest? Don’t you know it is forbidding for anyone to come here?

kumi

I am sent by the King and people of Kyerekrom. The wrath of the gods is upon the land. The people die like fowls. The whole community is stricken with a curse. The priest said the sword of the oracle must be fetched to slaughter the sacrificial lamb. It is of that reason that I am here.

(the old lady looks at him for a while and then burst inot laughter)

OLD LADY

Kyerekrom is dying. So soon, a century is gone by.

kumi

Why laugh when people die. Where is the sword of the oracle to be fetched?

ODURO

There is no sword in this forest

kumi

What! what do you mean?

OLD LADY

There is no sword in this forest. mm...hmmm... The father has indeed come!

kumi

What are you saying? I have been for three weeks in search of the sword and you say…

OLD LADY

It is a long story. The sword is not in the forest.

KUMI

Then where?

(the old lady looks into the thick forest and begins to cry)

OLD LADY

he was such a kind hearted man. Though a stranger but he did all he could to be accepted in the land. He was more of a unifier…

ext. day former kyerekrom

a noble young man differently dressed from the villagers appear before the king and his elders. he presents a gold chain to the king who places his hand on him to accomodate him in the village. the elders admire his nobility.

ext. day former kyerekrom

kwesi nyame carrying firewood from the farm. he walks pass several young women who publicly admire him.

ext. day under the palm tree

elders of the land sit under the palm tree to drink some palwine. some children are playing around. kwesi nyame passes by them, with his hoe in hand, he bows to them and walks away, tey look at him go and every one admires him.

ext. day front of kwesi nyame's hut

he sits infront o fhis hut to weave a basket. three young women pass by his hut.

akua

Greetings Kwesi Nyame

kwesi nyame

Greetings fair ladies on the land. Akua, how are you?

AKUA

I am fine. We are on our way to the farm

KWESI NYAME

Okay. Enkye ba!

(the young girls go and Kwesi and Akua steals glances at each other.)

ext. day village square

two yong men wrestle. the strongest one defeats the weaker one. the best wrestler throws a challenge out.

chief wrestler

who dares to challenge me. i am the best there is. the gods made me so.

(kwesi nyame steps forward after being beckoned by akua. they begin wrestling and in a few moments kwesi nyame puts the chief wrestler down, everyone comes around and praise him for being the best there is.)

ext. day palace

the king and his elders are drinking palmwine and making merry.

king

There is no one like him. He is got some spirit in him.

elder 1

who

king

Kwesi Nyame. though from a different land, he fits perfectly well into a community.

ELDER 1

He is strange. He does the unexpected.

ELDER 2

All the young girls in the land are interested in.

ELDER 3

Even the married ones!

ELDER 1

Someone must stop him. He makes our young men feel useless. If nothing is done, I fear he might be enstooled as a King.

elders

Musuo!

EXT. EVENING UNDER A TREE

ELDER 1 & 2 stand under a tree in an intimate position. in the dark they whisper to each other

ELDER 1

I hold so much fear in me against Kwesi Nyame.

ELDER 2

He might steal the hearts of the gods and be made a King one day. He beats our finest wrestlers to their game. Something must be done fast.

ELDER 1

I have an idea.

(elder 1 whispers into the ears of elder 2 who looks sarcastic)

ext. day palace

the king looks devastated. he paces up and down the palace. the elders all look scared to speak, the guards have all guarded before the palace.

king

An abomination. Who could have stolen the sacred sword? This has never happened. Such an insolence. Who is responsible for such a taboo?

ELDER 3

If it may please the king, may a search team be made. Every hut and compound be searched and the perpetrators be buried alive.

elders

Yes! If it may please the king;

KINg

so be it!

ext. day kyerekrom

guards come out from one compound and then enters another compound. the villagers follow the guards as they search compound to compound. they stop before Kwesi nyame's hut. the elders step forward.

ELDER 1

May no such ungratefulness be shown Kwesi Nyame can never do that.

ELDER 2

Search not his hut. He can never do that.

KWESI NYAME

Elders, it is just fair my hut is searched. It makes we all even.

(the guards enetr his hut. a few moments later, they come out with the royal sword. the villagers all scream. the guards seize Kwesi by the waist and lead him to the palace. the villagers start beating him up.)

ext. day village square

kwesi nyame's hands are tied behind him. his face is swollen fro the beatings administered to him. the villagers spit and insults him. the guards stand by him with whips in hand. the king comes with the sword in his hand. they tie it to his wrist. they push him into a pit dug for him. they burry him to the neck.

KINg

We took you in as one of us. Is this how best to pay us back; stealing the sacred sword?

ELDER 1

No one born of this land would have ever done this.

ELDER 2

You are cursed.

KWESI NYAME

You kill an innocent soul. You kill an innocent soul, when the father comes be prepared to answer.

(the villagers spit at him, some throw dirt in his face. akua looks on from a distance and runs off.)

EXT. EVENING VILLAGE SQUARE

kwesi nyame is almost dead. no one is around him. he looks inot the bush and sees some one there. he tries to call out but has lost his voice. akua comes out from the bush with a calabash of water.

AKUA

Kwesi Nyame… Kwesi Nyame… I am here. It is me Akua. I have come to give you water.

(he sips some of the water and finds his voice.)

KWESI NYAME

Akua my love, they kill an innocent soul. The father would not forgive them. Leave now…leave…

(akua looks around her and senses the wrath of the gods on the land, she leaves the calabash and runs off tot he forest.)

ext. evening forest

the old lady faces the setting sun whiles kumi sits tensed and terrified. she plucks a leaf from a tree.

OLD LADY

No one believed Kwesi Nyame

KUMI

Such a cruel generation! What happened to them?

OLD LADY

No; what is happening to them?

kumi

oh! So my people…

OLD LADY

The father has come and they are paying. Go back to your people and tell them the truth.

kumi

Without the sword?

OLD LADY

The sword is in the village. Kwesi Nyame was buried with the sword in the village square. Go for the moment has come.

(kumi gets up dissapointedly and sets off, he then turns to the old lady)

come with me. My people would believe you more for, my family and me is cursed.

OLD LADY

I am finished. I was kept alive to tell the story.

KUMI

One last thing; What happened to Akua?

OLD LADY

She was kept alive to tell the story. Now go for that which they denied Kwesi Nyame would be yours.

(kumi turns around and continue his journey. the old lady looks at him go.)

EXT DAY FRONT OF PALACE

the few abled young men in the village gather in fron tof the palace singing war songs. the king's leg is badly rotten. the okomfo recites some encantations.

YOUTH LEADER

Chooboi!

VILLAGERS

Boi!

YOUTH LEADER

Chooboi!

villagers

Boi!

YOUTH LEADER

Nana, Kumi is been gone for over 5 weeks and yet nothing is done. No one knows of what has happened to him. We want to go fetch him so give us your blessings.

OKOMFO

nothing of the sort must be done for we can’t read the walks in the forest.

YOUTH LEADER

How do you read the walks of Kumi?

OKOMFO

He is been chosen by the gods.

NANA AGYEMANG

My people, my health is not getting better. If you go now, our pains would rise. Wait a little more, he might be coming home now.

(the villagers murmur unsatisfied with the king's desposition)

YOUTH LEADER

Nana, for the respect we have for the throne, we will wait. But we wait for only 7 days. Nana 7 days!

NANA AGYEMANG

Thank you my people…

ext. day bediako's compound

maame abena is in pains as she holds her rotten leg. opoku fans the mother's leg. bediako comes out of the hut and sees the wife and son, he chuckles.

OPOKU

Maame, please hold on. Kumi would be back soon.

MAAME ABENA

Shut up! It could have been you fetching the sword. Nothing is happened to his family yet.

bediako

ooh, so you now know he should have been the one fetching the sword. Stay here and rot.

(he walks out on them and leave to the palace)

ext. day nyantakyi's compound

maame akua is sitting on the ground covered in mud wailing. nyantakyi consoles her but she is heartbroken.

MAAME AKUA

they should have told me they were sacrificing Kumi for the village. They should tell me what they have done to my son. I warned you Kumi but you would not listen.

NYANTAKYI

Akua, crying would not help. The gods would protect Kumi.

MAAME AKUA

Protect who, a dead boy?

(nyantakyi stands up and looks into the sky.)

ext. evening forest

kumi wakls tiredly in the forest. the forest sounds disturbed. a few steps and he falls to the ground. the dwarfs come out from the tree and he they pour water on him, he wakes up and looks at them, they point to a path for him to follow home. he gets up and the dwarfs dissappear. he walks on revitalised.

ext. day forest

kumi walks on happily, he sees a man whose back is turned to him searching through the bushes. he calls after the man.

kumi

Man of the land, I greet you.

(the man turned and it was his father)

nyantakyi

Kumi my son, so you are alive; they said you were dead so I came looking for you myself since I did not believe them.

KUMI

I am not dead. I am alive, and where is Maame?

NYANTAKYI

my son, your mother my wife died. She could no longer bear the pain. Come let me take you home.

(kumi burst into tears and moves to the father, when the father opens his arms to hug him, he realises it is not his father)

no you are not my fatter!

NYANTAKYI

What do you mean? I am your father.

kumi

No! it is a lie. You are an evil spirit.

(he opens his bag and before hand, the man dissappears. he thanks the gods and continue his journey boldly.)

INT. DAY PRINCESS' BEDCHAMBER

the princess lies on a mat in severe pains. her stomach is rotten and she is beginning to stink. the maidens fan her with disgusting looks. the queen enters to see her daughter. she cries and walks out.

ext. day front of palace

the youth sing war songs before the palace. the king's leg looks deteriorated. the priest makes a sign to speak but the singing enhances.

bediako

Nana. There is nothing we can do to stop them now.

AGYA ASARE

It is better you bless them to go.

(the other elders nod affirmatively to agya asare's desposition, nana agyemang looks at the priest and beckons him to allow them to go. the priest raises his hand and the singing sublimes)

OKOMFO

you may go. Bring Kumi back.

(maame akua wails bitterly. the youth leader moves to nyantakyi and bows to him. he then leads the youth towards the river.)

ext. day riverbank

the youth sing war songs as they approach the river. they see some one lying at the bank of the river. tyhe youth leader signals them to stop, he moves towards the body catiously and signals them to come. they get closer and it is Kumi. they sing praises and carry him on the shoulder of the strongest youth and they head back ot the village.

EXT. DAY NYANTAKYI'S COMPOUND

nyantakyi holds the maame akua by the waist as they get to their compound. they hear screams behind and turn to see oduro coming after them.

ODURO

Papa Nyantakyi! Papa Nyantakyi…

NYANTAKYI

what is it my son?

ODURO

Kumi… Kumi is back

MAAME AKUA

what did you just say?

ODURO

Kumi is at the palace now.

(they run back to the palace)

ext. day thick

opoku and afia sit under a mango tree enjoying some mango. they hear singing from the village.

OPOKU

What is that?

AFIA

It is from the village

(they get up, clean themselves and head back to the village)

int. day palace

the king and his elders sit mournfully. voices are heard from the forecourt of the palace.

BEDIAKO

What is that?

AGYA ASARE

What is happening?

NANA AGYEMANG

Where from that?

(the elders walk out to see the villagers carrying Kumi. they put him before the King. maame akua runs off to hug her son. nyantakyi stands behind the wife and looks at the king and his elders.)

INT. DAY PRINCESS' BEDCHAMBER

the queen enters the princess'room. the maidens bow to her and she sits besides her daughter

QUEEN

Achia my daughter, Kumi is back. All will be well.

(everyone seems relieved.)

EXT DAY FRONT OF PALACE

nana agyemang limps forward to Kumi. kumi breaks away from the mother and moves towards the King

NANA AGYEMANG

Kumi our son, you are welcome. The journey has been long. You will tell us the whole details later but for now you are welcome.

KUMi

Your highness, thank you. You sent me and I am back. The journey is that for thousand warriors but I am back.

the villagers cheer Kumi.

NANA AGYEMANG

Now my son, give to me the sacred sword of the oracle you fetched from the forest.

Kumi looks at the faces of the villagers and the elders then opens his back, everyone smiles and waits to see the sacred sword. Kumi removes a cowry and places it on the ground.

BEDIAKO

Where is the sword?

OKYERE

Has the gods stricken you dump?

NANA AGYEMANG

Kumi, were is the sacred sword of the oracle?

kumi

Nana, there is… no sword in the forest.

OKOmfo

What!

kumi

All these while, the sword is been in the land. It is here.

NANA AGYEMANG

Where?

kumi

It is a long story. It is buried in the middle of the village. Let go dig the centre of the village and we would find it there.

NANA AGYEMANG

(looking confused)

Guards! To the village square.

ext. day villagesquare

a gurad is digging the village square. the villagers all look at Kumi as he narraters the story to them

kumi

… so it was. Kwesi Nyame was wrongfully killed and buried alive. He pronounced curses upon the land and we are paying for it.

NANA AGYEMANG

Where is the old lady?

kumi

She is gone by now. She was kept alive to tell the story.

the guard digs 6 feets and still finds nothing.

okomfo

there is nothing here. Absolutely no such thing.

the guard gets out out of the pit. his axe falls off and hits something. he picks it up and sees sees a red scarf. he cleans it and the handle of a gold sword appears. he picks it up and there, the sacred sword was tight to the wrist.

okomfo

Sword of the oracle! the sacred sword of the oracle. The curse is broken.

EXT. DAY VILLAGE SQUARE.

The king stands behind the sacrificial lamb with the sacred sword. the villagers carry their dead to the village square. the king holds the neck of the lamb.

nana agyemang

the father had come to question us. We are found guilty. The birds that flew did not sing not because their voices were soar but because there is no one to sing to. A day without distress is a day without life. No day passes without enquiries, enquiries are made for observations and observations do end in understand. I do now understand why the ancestors said that until he rotten tooth is plucked out, the mouth must chew with caution. Caution is for humans and that makes us right and principle entities.
We must learn from the past and know no man is infallible. The disquisement of the truth is what makes people tell lies. Every piece of issue must be naturalized for posterity looks on…

(the king slaughters the lamb and it begins to rain. the whole villagers rejoice. the king checks his leg and sees that he is healed. kumi turns around and sees the princess flanked by her maidens. she glows like the early morning sun. everyon goes dead silent as she walks to her father. the king takes her hand and holds Kumi's hand too.)

you have proven yourself worthy of my daughter’s hand and you deserve her. Cursed or not cursed, I make you whole. You and your family.

(the king beckons Nyantakyi and the wife to join them and they do)

you are a true son of the land and a clean man Nyantakyi. I bless this day. Princess Achia, I give you to Kumi as husband.

the king ties the hands of Kumi and the princess together. the villagers cheer them.

ext. evening path to river

kumi and the princess walk hand in hand by te path to the riverside during sunset. the walk to the river and seem to have found a new fate.

fade out!

FADE IN:

OPENING MONTAGE
Guards ransacked the compound of Nyantakyi and the family. The priest watched on chanting the names of the oracle. The guards threw to the ground Maame Akua and Kumi as Nyantakyi stood watching in pains.

Priest:
The wraths of the gods are upon you. You are burnished from the land. Go to the outskirt of the land, it is there you belong.

(he guards carried their belongings and head to the outskirt of the village whiles Maame Akua and Kumi were pulled along. Nyantakyi followed them calmly. The priest kept chanting as the scene fades.)


Scene 1
Ext/Day
The villagers woke up to find mysteries upon mysteries. Animals and plants had died. The entire village was in a shamble. The whole village ran to the palace to inform the King of what had transpired.


Scene 2
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON ODURO COMING FROM HIS HUT WITH A CALABASH OF WATER IN HAND THEN REVEALS A DESERTED COMPOUND. HE LOOKED TIRED AFTER NOT HAVING ENOUGH SLEEP FROM A TIRED DAY.

Oduro:
(came out from his hut to go feed his animals) what a day! ( he moved to the pen to find his goats dead) what! Who did this to me? My fowls! ( ran to the backyard and came back) who could have done this to me? (he heard wailings from the village and saw people running to the palace and follows them)











Scene 3
Ext/Day
CAMERA SHOT OPENS ON A GROUP OF ANGRY LOOKING VILLAGERS WITH STICKS AND FIGHTING MATERIALS IN HAND THEN PUNS TO REVEAL GUARDS WITH FIERCE LOOKING EYES ON THE VILLAGERSS AS THEY IMPATIENTLY WAITS FOR THE KING AND HIS ELDERS.

Nana Agyemang & Elders:
The King and elders came from the palace to meet the villagers
Bediako:
Greetings people of Kyerekrom.
Villager 1:
What use is a greeting to a dying community?
Elders:
(Shocked)
Nana Agyemang:
Allow them to speak.
Villager 1:
We woke up to find our animals dead. Who could have visited us in the night without the whole community knowing?
Villager 2:
Every animal in the land is killed and not even the tiniest was spared.
Villager 3:
Could we have been so asleep not to hear the footsteps of the perpetrators?

Villager4:
when we have a King and elders who only know how to greet, what do we expect?
Elders:
(Marveled)
Villager 1:
The gods speak to them that listen, don’t we have a listener?
Villagers:
(ask the same question murmuring)
Nana Agyemang:
(moves forward to speak) Agoo!
Villagers:
(still murmuring)
Asare:
People of Kyerekrom, you have had your say, pray, please let your King speak!
Villagers:
(Stopped murmuring)


Nana Agyemang:
People of Kyerekrom, you have a cause to be troubled, for if you sleep with your wife and wake up not to find her by your side, you call the elders, so you have a cause. But you do me great wrong. Has the god of rain been so angry to wipe his tears from an n eye and leave the other? Has the god of the sun blacken his face to me only to scorch on you? No! So you do me great wrong. The animals in place too die my goats, sheep, fowls, dogs and even my cats.
Villagers:
Sorry your highness…
Nana Agyemang:
No! keep your sorry. My elders and I will sit to know of what to do.
Villager 1:
This could be the doing of the gods, why not sacrifice to the gods?

Nana Agyemang:
Like I said, my elders and I will sit so go to your homes and clean up; the gods would tell us of what to do.
(he villagers disperse to their various homes. The King and elders watch them in astonishment over what had transpired earlier on.)


Scene 4
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON GIRLS NUMBERING INTO TWENTY SOMETHING A THE RIVERSIDE WASHING BRISKLY THEN REVEALS AMA, ADWOA AND YAA AS THEY DISCUSS THE CALAMITY WITH INTENSE FEELINGS.

Ama & Adwoa:
(Washing together)
Ama:
Strangest of all calamities is what has happened today.
Adwoa:
You can say that again my sister. I wonder what the oracles are going to read into it?
Ama:
If not they want blood, then they want flesh…
Yaa:
(gets closer to the two girls) I believe the King and his elders know something about this.



Ama:
Eh! Where from this too? (she carried her clothe and moved to another side)
Adwoa:
(carried hers to join Ama)
Yaa:
What did I say wrong? (she looked at the two girls and chuckled)


Scene 5
Ext/day
CAMERA OPENS ON AMA AND ADWOA WALKING LAZILY TO THE VILLAGE FROM THE RIVERSIDE WITH THEIR CLOTHES TIED BEHIND THEM, THEN LATER REVEALS MAAME AKUA BEHIND THE BUSHES EAVEDROPPING THEIR CONVERSATION AS THEY HURRIEDLY LEAVE TO THE VILLAGE LEAVING MAAME AKUA DUMPED STANDING.

Ama & Adwoa:
(they carried their pot with their clothes tied behind them.)
Ama:
Adwoa, less I forget, I would not come to the farm today.
Adwoa:
Why such a decision?
Ama:
I have to help my mother clean the farm house. The death of the animals is still a shock to her.

Adwoa:
Poor woman. Couldn’t the gods have spared her of her animals? How could they have killed every animal in the land?
Ama:
There is nothing we can do now. Hurry lets go.
Maame Akua:
(heard of the situation and ran to inform the husband.)













Scene 6
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON NYANTAKYI IN HIS LAZY CHAIR CHEWING STICK THEN PUNS TO MAAME AKUA RUNNING FROM THE VILLAGE TOWARDS THE HUSBAND. WITH DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING AND INTENSE PANTING SHE INFORMS HIM OF THE CALAMITY IN THE VILLAGE THEN SENDS THE DUO TO THE BACKYARD. KUMI IS LATER SHOT OPEN FROM THE HUT TO MEET THE PARENT BEFORE THE HUT CRYING.

Nyantakyi:
(chewing stick)
Maame Akua:
(ran to the husband calling him out) Nyantakyi! Nyantakyi!...
Nyantakyi:
(panicked) what is it? Who is chasing you?
Maame Akua:
I was at the riverside…
Nyantakyi:
I have warned you several times not to go…
Maame Akua:
Not that. No one saw me.
Nyantakyi:
So what is it then?
Maame Akua:
I heard some girls saying, the animals in the village are all dead.
Nyantakyi:
What!
Maame Akua:
Yes! The gods have killed every animal in the land.
Nyantakyi:
The gods have… (realizing he had not seen his goats) my animals! (ran to the backyard)
Maame Akua:
(followed the husband. They came back crying. Their animals also died)
Kumi:
(came from his hut to find the parent wailing but did not know what had happened)








Scene 7
Ext/Evening
CAMERA SHOT OPENS ON MAAME ABENA EFORE THE KITCHEN WITH A BASKET OF BEANS ON HER PICKING THEN REVEALS OPOKU COMING FROM THE BACKYARD WITH A STICK IN HAND LAZILY BEATING THE GROUND.

Maame Abena:
(picking beans in front of the kitchen)
Opoku:
(came from the backyard)
Maame Abena:
(saw her son) what were you doing behind the compound?
Opoku:
Nothing really, just thinking about the village.
Maame Abena:
(laughed at the son) thinking? Since when did you begin thinking the troubles of this land, I presume you are eying your father’s position?
Opoku:
nothing of the sort. I am only wondering why the King and elders seem not to know what is happening. I am beginning to believe the king and his elders are hiding something from us.
Maame Abena:
Shut up! Don’t let your father ever hear you say such a thing. Would your father not have told us by now?
Opoku:
That is the more reason why I am…
Maame Abena:
Shut up! Leave to your room now. I said leave, before you find trouble for us.
Opoku:
(got up and left to his room)
Maame Abena:
Look at him. Do you think it is easy being a leader? You are in the line, you would get there one day and you would understand.



Scene 8
Ext/Evening
CAMERA OPENS ON ODURO AT THE RIVERSIDE WITH A HOOK AND LINE IN HAND AS HE PREPARES TO FISH. FEAR WRITES ON HIS FACE AS THE CAMERA REVEALS THE WHITISH WATER TURNING REDDISH BLOOD. HE LATER TOOK TO HIS HEELS.



Scene 9
Ext/Evening
CAMERA OPENS ON NYANTAKYI AND KUMI SITTING ON THE GROUND IN FRONT OF THEIR COMPOUND. THEY HAD ON THEIR FACE, WORRIED LOOKS AND FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN. MAAME AKUA LATERS COMES INTO THE SCENE TO LEAD NYANTAKYI TO SLEEP AFTER KUMI HAD LEFT.

Nyantakyi:
My son, you must understand that the back of the tortoise is hard but cant still not be like that of a crocodile. The gods of the land are wise.
Kumi:
Papa, what I fail to understand is why our animals too died when we are not part of the villagers?
Nyantakyi:
That is for the gods to answer but for now, the clouds are heavy but it is not to rain.
Kumi:
How do you mean Paapa?
Nyantakyi:
The gods are saying something I don’t get. Go to sleep for tomorrow, there is plenty to do. (Kumi got up to sleep leaving the father looking into the sky. He passed his mother who looked at the husband)
Maame Akua:
My lord, please come to bed.
Nyantakyi:
(saw the wife and went to join her to sleep)


Scene 10
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON VILLAGE WITH A SHOCKING INCIDENCE.EVERY COMPOUND HAD A DEAD PERSON IN IT. PEOPLE HAD DIED IN THE NIGHT. SOME WERE TERRIBLY SICK. WAILINGS IN THE VILLAGE. THE FEW ABLE ONES RAN TO THE PALACE TO INFORM THE KING OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED.











Scene 11
Ext/Day
CAMERA SHOT OPENS ON A GROUP OF ANGRY LOOKING VILLAGERS, SOME WERE VOMITING, AND SOME WERE SITTING IN PAINS. SOME WERE SINGING DIRGES…WITH STICKS AND FIGHTING MATERIALS IN HAND THEN PUNS TO REVEAL GUARDS WITH FIERCE LOOKING EYES ON THE VILLAGERSS AS THEY IMPATIENTLY WAITS FOR THE KING AND HIS ELDERS. A GURAD INTRODUCES THE ROTTEN PRINCESS IN TO THE SCENE ON A MAT AFTER BEEN ORDERD BY THE KING THEN REVEALS MAAME ATAA WITH A DEAD SON IN HAND SITTING ON THE GROUND AFTER ALL HAD LEFT.
King & elders:
(came from the palace with tears in their eyes)
Youth leader:
(calmed the people down as the singing faded.) Chooboi!
Villagers:
Boi!
Youth leader:
Chooboi!

Villagers:
Boi! (every one kept quiet)
Nana Agyemang:
My people, you are welcome
Villager 2:
You still welcome us, a dying community?
Villager 4:
It was our animals and all we received was a welcome. Now our families and you still welcome us.

Villager 3:
The eyes of the blind is only there for him to think himself complete, but the truth is he is not.
Villager 1:
When men in a land ran from battle field, how can they say to the women, run to the battlefield?
Nana Agyemang:
My people…
Villagers:
(murmuring)
Youth leader:
Chooboi!
Villagers:
Boi!
Youth leader:
Please it is only fair you listen to the King. The deaf and dumb can also speak for themselves.
Nana Agyemang:
My people, tears that are in my eyes are not that stored for you. You speak as though my elders and me have done you so much wrong but no. we availed ourselves to your service. (called out) Guards!
Guard 1& 2:
(ran from behind to bow before the king)
Nana Agyemang:
Bring out my daughter, the Princess.
Guard 1:
(hesitantly speaks) your highness
Nana Agyemang:
I said bring my daughter!
Guards 1 & 2:
Yes your highness. (they ran inside)
Nana Agyemang:
May it not be that my home is set free from the visit of the calamity…


Guard 1 & 2:
(they carried the Princess on a wooden bed and placed her before the king. She was rotten alive)
Villagers:
(looked terrified)
Nana Agyemang:
That is the royal Princess, Achia. This is what she has become. So do you think I stored up tears for you?
Villager 1:
Why not sacrifice to the gods?
Nana Agyemang:
We are meeting the Okomfo in my palace for him to tell us of what to do so go to your homes and wait.
Villager 3:
To our homes is death, we rather all wait for the priest here and die than go home to die.
Villagers:
(all agreed with the suggestion)
Asare:
Kyerekrom mba, go to your homes…
Villagers:
No!
Nana Agyemang:
In that case, go to the village square and wait there. I would send for the priest to be there. So go.
Villagers:
(they move to the village square)

Maame Ataa:
(held her dead child in hand) how could they have taking you also from me. I will sit here till you come back to me.
Nana Agyemang:
(ordered the guards to take the Princess in and saw Maame Ataa and her child) Guard!
Guard 3:
Yes your highness!
Nana Agyemang:
Take the child and burry him. (the Guard took the child from the mother and she followed them singing a dirge)



Scene 12
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON VILLAGERS CARRYING THEIR DEAD TO THE CEMETARY AND SOME COMING FROM THE CEMETARY AFTER BURRYING THEIR DEAD.


Scene 13
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI WEEDING THE SURROUNDING OF THE COMPOUND. HE HAD ON HIS LOOK TIREDNESS. NYANTAKYI COMES INTO THE SCENE FROM THE HUT WITH CURIOSNESS ON HIS FACE.

Kumi:
(weeding the front of the house)
Nyantakyi:
(came from his hut) Kumi, why this wailing from the village?
Kumi:
Papa, I don’t know.
Nyantakyi:
And where is your mother?
Kumi:
She is in the kitchen preparing meal.
Nyantakyi:
I will be inside, let me know when the meal is done.










Scene 14
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON OPOKU AND ODURO WALKING TO THE VILLAGESQUARE. THEY WERE WORRIED IN LOOK AS THE WLAKED ON.

Opoku & Oduro:
(walked hastily)
Oduro:
Such a calamity has never been heard in our land.

Opoku:
You talk of our land, such has never happened in any land. The gods might be…
Oduro:
Better not say it yet. Let the priest speak for himself.
(they walked away)



Scene 15
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON ADWOA BEFORE AMA’S COMPOUND AND REVEALS YAA FROM BEHIND ADWOA AND LATER AMA COMES TO JOIN THEM. TEY ARGUE WHILES THEY LEAVE FOR THE VILLAGE SQUARE.

Adwoa:
(in front of Ama’s hut) Ama, please hurry up.
Yaa:
(ran to Adwoa) Adwoa, are you not leaving for the village square?
Adwoa:
I am waiting for Ama.
Ama:
(came out to find Yaa also waiting) and what is she doing here?
Yaa;
are we all not heading the same direction?
Adwoa:
Please it is not time for arguing. Let’s leave.
(the girls hurriedly left for the village square)


Scene 16
Ext/day
CAMERA OPENS ON VILLAGERS AT THE VILLAGE SQUARE.SOME SAT MISERABLY. ODURO AND OPOKU STOOD BY THE BUSH DISCUSSING THE PAINS OF THE PEOPLE WHILES AMA, ADWOA & YAA GOSSIPED.


Scene 17
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON NANA AGYEMANG WITH SARCASTIC LOOKS THEN REVEALS THE ELDERS AND A SECTION OF THE VILLAGERS GOING AND SOME COMING FROM THE CEMETARY. THE KING LOOKED SO DISTURB.

Nana Agyemang & elders:
(they passed villagers carrying their dead to burry and some who had buried their dead already going back to the village.)
Nana Agyemang:
(stood in tears) what wrong could we have done to deserve this?
Elders:
(shoke their head and followed the king)



Scene 18
Ext/day
CAMERA OPENS ON SECTION OF THE VILLAGERS IN THE VILLAGE AND THEN REVEALS THE KING AND HIS ELDERS. THE VILLAGERS LOOKED DEAD THOUGH ALIVE. NANA SCANNED THEFACES OF THE PEOPLE THEN COMES INTO SCENE THE OKOMFO WHO COMES TO INFORM THEM OF THE CURSE ON THE LAND. THE FACES OF THE PEOPLE LOOKED DREADFUL.

Villagers:
(wailing and groaning. Some lay in pain)
Nana Agyemang:
(Scanned the faces of the people gathered) what sin could we have done to deserve this?
Okomfo:
(came from the bush to meet the people followed by his attendant chanting)
Nana Agyemang:
You are welcome Nana Okomfo.
Okomfo:
(still chanted) Nana! My ears can not hear that which is said.
Nana Agyemang:
(puzzled) what do you mean Okomfo?
Okomfo:
The gods are talking even though their lips are shut.
Nana Agyemang:
What exactly is going on?
Okomfo:
The bird seems flying yet the wings…

Nana Agyemang:
Enough of the parables. Look at the people, they are dying. Their ears are soar and can’t hear a thing. Tell us exactly what is wrong.
Okomfo:
(Shocked) the land is cursed!
Nana Agyemang:
What!
Villagers:
(scared)
Okomfo:
Yes! The land is cursed and must be cleansed.
Nana Agyemang:
Cursed! By who and what?
Okomfo:
That, the gods refuse to say.
Nana Agyemang:
Why?
Okomfo:
I don’t know. The land must be purified in order to save the living. We are not safe.
Elders:
(confused)
Nana Agyemang:
If is only a sacrifice, then why wait for people to die?
Okomfo:
Not just a sacrifice. The sword of the oracle must be fetched!

Villagers:
(screamed)
Nana Agyemang:
What?
Bediako:
Nana Okomfo, you know no one goes into the sacred forest and comes back alive.
Okyere:
How can the gods suggest such a mission?
Asare:
Who is to fetch the sword?
Okomfo:
(chanted) some one can go fetch it.
Nana Agyemang:
Who?
Okomfo:
The oracle says, a young virgin boy in the land can go. A particular boy ordained to do so.
Prempeh:
Who, Nana Okomfo?
Okomfo:
Search for him. And remember, we don’t have time. (left for the shrine)
Oduro &Opoku:
(wondering if it was them)
Nana Agyemang:
(left for the palace followed by his elders)


Scene 19
Int/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS IN THE PALACE WITH LOOKS OF FEAR AND DISTRESS AS THEY PLAN ON HOW TO GET THE VIRGIN FOR THE MISSION.

Bediako:
This is not going to be easy. Where do we go searching from?
Okyere:
Who do we call first?
Asare:
How do we know who is a virgin and who is not?
Prempeh:
Yes! The people continue dying.
Nana Agyemang:
Summon all the young virgins to the shrine tomorrow. Let the gods choose themselves, and tell them the one chosen would marry my daughter and inherit a portion of my kingdom.
Elders:
(cogitate over the proposition of the King and believe it is the best)



Scene 20
Ext/Evening
CAMERA OPENS ON AMA AND YAA FROM THE FARM WITH FIREWOOD ON THEIR HEADS. YAA LOOKED DISERING FOR THE MISSION AS AMA LOOKEED AT HER WITH DISGUST.

Ama:
I must hurry home and help Maame prepare dinner.
Yaa:
That is true, but Ama, who do you think would be chosen by the oracles to go into the sacred forest?
Ama:
How am I suppose to know?
Yaa:
With the offering of the King, if I were a boy, I would have loved to go into the forest.
Ama:
Look at you. You would die one day.
Yaa:
Every one is dying one way or the other
Ama:
Let me leave before you carry me t my grave.
Yaa:
Don’t be ridiculous. Wait for me. (followed Ama who had left her)


Scene 21
Ext/Evening
CAMERA SHOT OPENS ON ADWOA IN BETWEEN THE LEGS OF OPOKU IN THE BUSH AS THEY PLAY WITH THE LEAVES. THEY LOOKED HAPPY TALKING. OPOKU BURST OUT OF ANGER AND LEAVES ADWOA FOLLOWING HIM.
Adwoa:
(laid in between the legs of Opoku in the bush)
Opoku:
(caressing the face of Adwoa)
Adwoa:
Opoku?
Opoku:
Yes?
Adwoa:
What do you think of what the King said?
Opoku:
What are you talking about?
Adwoa:
Concerning the journey to the sacred forest. You know you are a virgin and a royal, the oracles might pick you.
Opoku:
Do you think I want to die such a death.
Adwoa:
Then why not break your virginity now. In that case you would not be chosen.
Opoku:
Have you gone mad. Suggest such a thing again, and you would not like me, (got up and left her behind)
Adwoa:
I was suggesting the good for us,(she followed him)




Scene 22
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON BEDIAKO WITH HIS SCEPTRE IN HAND FROM HIS HUT AS HE CALLS OPOKU OUT OF THE HUT. MAAME ABENA COMES INTO THE SCENE AND ENGAGES IN EXCHANGE OF WORDS WITH THE HUSBAND WHO LEFT THEM ANGRILY TO THE PALACE.

Bediako:
(came from his hut) Opoku! Opoku!
Opoku:
(came out from the backyard) yes Paapa.
Bediako:
I am on my way to the palace, hurry and make it to the shrine, the gods might choose you.
Opoku:
Papa, I am not interested in the mission.
Bediako:
Don’t be stupid. You stand the chance of marrying the Princess and becoming the next King.
Opoku:
Papa, I don’t want to and die in the evil forest besides I am not a virgin.
Bediako:
Foolish son, would you leave now before I loose my temper…
Maame Abena:
(came from the room) what is the shouting all about?
Opoku:
Maame, father is compelling me to go and die in the evil forest.
Maame Abena:
What!
Bediako:
Woman, you better convince your son. He better grab those opportunity or else would seize to be my son.
Maame Abena:
Where from this? My son would not be sacrificed. He better stay here and die.
Bediako:
Woman, don’t try my temper.
Opoku:
Maame, tell him am not a virgin.
Maame Abena:
My son is not a virgin.
Bediako:
What! Continue the same way with your son and you would throw away all your fortunes one day. (left them angrily)
Maame Abena:
(turned to the son) hey! Come here. Are you a virgin?
Opoku:
Yes Maame, I just don’t want to go to the forest.


Maame Abena:
You are going no where. You want my son to be used as a sacrifice. We would all stay here and die for all to see our corpse than go die in the evil forest.


Scene 23
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON YAA WHO LOOKED SHOCKED AND THEN REVEALS ODURO WALKING BRISKLY PASS HER TO THE SHRINE

Oduro:
(happily walked passed Yaa without recognizing her)
Yaa:
Oduro!
Oduro:
(turned to see Yaa) Oh Yaa, I am so late. I must be at the shrine. (left her)
Yaa:
Only the gods know what they seek from us. ( she continued her walk)


Scene 24
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE VIRGINS STANDING IN WAIT AT THE SHRINE.
SOME WERE HAPPY, OTHERS NOT. ODURO LOOKED TOO EXCITED AND WISHING TO BE CHOSEN.


Scene 25
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON NANA AGYEMANG AND HIS ELDERS WALK TO THE SHRINE AND GET SHOCKED AT THE TURN OUT THEN REVEALS BEDIAKO WITH GUILT WRITTEN ALL OVER HIS FACE.

Nana Agyemang & Elders:
(walked to the shrine and got stunned at the turn out.)
Nana Agyemang:
So these are the only virgins I have in my land. Indeed the land is cursed.
Bediako:
(feeling all too guilty)
Priest Attendant:
(came out to usher the virgins into the shrine one after the other)
Inside the shrine:
Okomfo:
Ushered the virgins out the same way they came in.



Outside the shrine:
Virgins:
(they came out in a mix feeling, some were happy, others sad. Oduro felt so disappointed not chosen.)
Okomfo:
(came out to meet the King) none is worthy to embark on the journey.
Nana Agyemang:
Is it not the same gods who said a virgin in the land?
Okomfo:
Nana, the gods never speak in vacuum. There is a pure virgin boy in the land that is destined to accomplish the journey. Find him now, Nana, now. You have to search beyond your reach. (left for the shrine)
Elders:
(wondering who it could be)
Nana Agyemang:
(looked into the sky)


Scene 26
Int/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON AN ANGRY KING WALKING TO AND FRO IN THE PALACE WHILES HIS ELDERS LOOKED DISTURBBED
Nana Agyemang:
A pure virgin boy beyond my reach, who could it possibly be?
(the palace was dead silent) who is keeping him? Whose son is he? Find him and bring him to me.
Bediako:
Nana, how do we know who it is?
Elders:
Yes!
Nana Agyemang:
There must be a way out.
Asare:
Nana, to throw pebbles on still water is nothing more of fun. (all looked confused) Nana, no one has thought of…

Nana Agyemang:
Thought of whom? Speak up; I beseech you to do so now.
Asare:
Kumi
Okyere:
What…
Prempeh:
Abomination…
Botwe:
Musuo!

Asare:
Nana; If all the virgins were not chosen and there still one beyond your reach, it could be no one than Kumi.
Bediako:
He is burnished and unclean
Asare:
Let the oracle decide
Prempeh:
Such an insult to the oracle…
Nana Agyemang:
Let the oracles decide. Fetch Kumi!



Scene 27
CAMERA OPENS ON THE QUEEN ENTERING A HUT AND REVEALS THE PRINCESS ON A MAT ROTTENING ALIVE WITH THE MAIDS FANNING HER WITH FACE OF DISGUST.

Princess:
(laid on the mat dying. She saw the mother and tried to talk in pain) Maame, have they found the virgin boy?
Queen:
The elders are searching.
Maids:
(fanned the princess to sack the flies)
(the Queen looked on in tears feeling the pains of the daughter.)









Scene 28
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON NYANTAKYI FROM HIS HUT WITH FEAR WRITTEN ALL OVER HIS FACE AND THEN REVEALS ASRE AND TWO GUARDS COMING INTO HIS COMPOUND. KUMI AND MAAME AKUA LATER JOINS THE SCENE.

Nyantakyi:
(came from his hut to see the elders and the guards approaching him, fear gripped)
Asare:
We come in peace Nyantakyi so you have nothing to fear. We are sent by the King, Nana Agyemang.
Nyantakyi:
To what do we owe this visit? If we are not live here, tell us peacefully and we would leave but harm us not for we are feeble.
Kumi:
(comes out form his hut to join the scene) what is going on here?
Asare:
The king wants Kumi in his palace.
Nyantakyi:
What for?
Maame Akua:
I knew it, they want to sacrifice my son to the oracles. I knew it…
Asare:
It is none of such but you must be at the palace.
Kumi:
Why I am to go with you, for what offence?
Guard 2:
(moved towards Kumi)
Maame Akua:
Leave my son alone. He is done nothing wrong…
(guard 3 restricted her)
Nyantakyi:
My son, go with them. The gods would protect you.
(Maame Akua sat on the ground wailing as the guards escorted Kumi from the compound.










Scene 29
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI WITH A STRAIGHT LOOK BEFORE THE KING AND HIS ELDERS AS THEY SPEAK HIM INTO GOING TO THE SHRINE TO TEST HIS ELGIBILTY.

Nana Agyemang:
Kumi, there is no grudge caused unless for a reason. We ask of you to go the shrine. Maybe you are the one the oracles have chosen.
Kumi:
(stared at the faces of the elders) my family is cursed, I am cursed. I am not to be among the villagers, why must I be the one the gods want?
Nana Agyemang:
None that we can say but I want you to come see something.
(the King ushered Kumi into his chambers)



Scene 30
Int/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE ROTTEN PRINCESS ON THE MAT AND THEN REVEALS KUMI AND NANA AGYEMANG WITH THE MAIDS LOOKING ON WITH SARACASTIC LOOKS.

Nana Agyemang:
(they stood watching the rotten Princess) she carries the curse of the land. Until the land is cleansed, she would keep rotten but would not die.
Kumi:
(Examined the Princess and wondered if the right thing is what they ask him to do)
Nana Agyemang:
Her life is in your hands.
Kumi:
And how sure are you that the gods want me?
Nana Agyemang:
Let the gods decide.








Scene 31
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON ADWOA AND OPOKU IN THE BUSH SITTING ON THE GROUND DISCUSSING KUMI.

Adwoa:
(sitting beside Opoku)Could the gods be so sarcastic?
Opoku:
(watched her in amazement)
Adwoa:
I thought they said Kumi is cursed. Why is he been called into this calamity?
Opoku:
For all you know, he might be used as a sacrifice for the land.
Adwoa:
That is if the gods choose him.


Scene 32
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI BEFORE THE SHRINE AND THE VILLAGERS BEHIND HIM AS THEY AWAIT THE RESPONDS OF THE GODS. CAMERA THEN REVEALS THE OKOMFO CHANTING THE ORACLES AND THEN WITH SHOCK ANNOUNCES THAT KUMI IS THE ONE AT THE AMAZEMENT OF ALL.

Okomfo:
(the priest chants the names of the oracle in a native language…)
Kumi:
(stood in front of the shrine awaiting to be called inside. He looked so confuse especially not seeing the family around)
Priest attendant:
(ushered Kumi into the shrine)
Kumi:
(he entered the shrine amidst mix feelings…)
Okomfo:
(looked at Kumi with a stern look as he entered the shrine, thunder stroke hard. The priest stood and spoke) the gods are right. He is the one!
Villagers:
(all looked stunned)







Scene 33
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON NYANTAKYI HOLDING THE WIFE UP IN CONSOLEMENT AS HE TAKES HER TO THE VILLAGE

Nyantakyi:
(holding the wife up) the gods of our fathers would begrudge us if they hurt Kumi (they go the village in sorrow)


Scene 34
Ext/Day
CAMERA OEPNS ON THE OKOMFO CHANTING AND PERFORMING SOME RITUALS ON KUMI WHO STOOD MOTIONLESS BEFORE THE OKOMFO AND THE ENTIRE VILLAGERS AT THE VILLAGE SQUARE WHILES NYANTAKYI AND MAAME AKUA STOOD WATCHING THE HAPPY EXPRESSIONS ON THE FACES OF THE ELDERS AND THE KING.

OKOMFO:
(He prepared some native concoctions and bath Kumi with it. He handed him a bag which contained some charms to protect him and a talisman around his waist.)


Scene 35
Int/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE PRINCESS IN HER HUT AND HER MAIDS.

Princess:
(called for her maid) Ansa… fetch me my golden pot.
Ansa:
(went and brought the golden pot)
Princess:
Init is a band of cowries, go give it to Kumi and tell him it would protect him.
Ansa:
(bowed to the Princess) yes my Princess. (she ran off from the room)









Scene 36
Ext/Day
…SHOT RETURNS TO THE VILLAGE SQUARE WHERE THE OKOMFO FINALISES THE PREPARATION AND THEN ANSA COMES INTO THE SCENE WITH THE COWRIES GIVEN TO HER BY THE PRINCESS TO BE GIVEN TO KUMI.

Nana Agyemang:
My son, the future of the land is in your hands. The gods chose you over all, they know why…
Maame Akua:
(she cried bitterly…)
Nana Agyemang:
I would ensure the safety of your parents. Remember, the Princess’ life depends on you…
Ansa:
(ran through the crowd)
Nana Agyemang:
(looked at Ansa) what is it?
Ansa:
Sorry your highness, but the Princess…
Nana Agyemang:
(fear gripped him) the Princess what?
Queen:
What has happened to the Princess?
Ansa:
(confused of the attitudes of the people) the Princess sent me to Kumi. (a sigh of relief for all) she said I should give this to you. Wear it and it would protect you.
Kumi:
(took the band and wore it, moved to the father)
Nyantakyi:
My son, there lies a big river ahead of you. Crossing it is not for you but you would cross it.
Kumi:
(He bowed to the Father and received his blessings. He wiped the tears of the mother…) Maame, your tears are the reason for my going. The gods would protect you and bring me back to you.
(he left to the priest who led him to the river bank…)









Scene 37
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE ENTIRE VILLAGE LEAD BY THE OKOMFO AND ELDERS AS THEY WALK TO THE RIVERSIDE TO BID KUMI FAREWELL
OKOMFO:
(song a native song and spoke in a native tongue) the gods of Kyerekrom! Nananom! Nsamafoo! Asaasa Yaa! Ehuntanhunu! Nsuobena! Guard your son; guard your son; see him through this journey. Moatea; lay the path for him… (sang a native song)
Kumi:
(stared at the faces of the people, moved to the parents for their blessings and left for the river. Crossed and head into the evil forest…


Scene 38
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI IN THE BUSH. HE THIRST FOR WATER AND SO TOOK A SACK BAG FROM THE BAG GIVEN HIM BY THE PRIEST AND DRUNK FROM IT. HE SAW AN OLD MAN SITTING BEFORE HIM. THE MAN HAD EARS OF THAT OF A RAT. KUMI FEARED AS THE MAN APPROACHED HIM. HE PULLED A CHARM FROM HIS BAG AND THE EVIL SPIRIT DISAPPEARED…



Scene 39
Ext/Evening
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI IN THE BUSH. HE SAW FOUR GIRLS PLAYING AMPE. THE GIRLS WERE NAKED. KUMI FANCIED THEM AND MOVED TOWARDS THEM. WHEN HE GOT CLOSE THE GIRLS LAUGHED AT HIM AND DISAPPEARED. KUMI REALIZED THEY WERE EVIL AND RAN OFF…


Scene 40
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI IN THE BUSH BEING CHASED BY SIX STRONG WARRIORS WHO HAD IN HAND SPEARS. KUMI STRIPPED AND FELL. THE WARRIORS STOOD ROUND HIM WITH THEIR SPEARS UP READY TO THRUST HIM… AND THEN REVEALS MAAME AKUA SLEEPING BEFORE HER HUT STRUGGLING FROM A DREAM
Maame Akua:
(lying down in front of her hut starts screaming and woke up from sleep) my son, Kumi…
Nyantakyi:
(ran from the backyard to see the wife) what is it?


Maame Akua:
Kumi my son; I saw him in my dream, they want to kill him. They have killed my son…



Scene 41
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE OKOMFO READING SOMETHING ON THE GROUND AND THEN REVEALS KING AND ELDERS WITH THE VILLAGERS WAITING IMPATIENTLY…

Okomfo:
(Performs some enchantments)
Villagers;
(had gathered at the village square wailing)
Nana Agyemang:
Where is the boy?
Nyantakyi:
(held the wife close to him)
Okomfo:
The boy is fine. He is doing well.
Nana Agyemang:
Has he found the sword?
Okomfo:
He will bring the sword.
(all not too satisfied with the responds of the Priest)



Scene 42
Ext/Evening
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI LYING UNDER A TREE AND THEN APPEARS IS AN EVIL SPIRIT. A DEMON READY TO DEVOUR THE FLESH; KUMI WOKE UP TO SEE THE DEMON, HE CRAWLED BACKWARDS. THE DEMON PURSUED HIM, HE PULLED A CHARM FROM THE BAG AND THE DEMON BURNT AWAY. KUMI LIED PROSTRATE.










Scene 43
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI AT CROSSROAD NOT KNOWING WHERE TO PASS AND THEN REVEALS A WOMAN HALF NAKED WITH A POT ON HER HEAD COMING PASS HIM

Kumi:
What is there to find? I have walked for more than two weeks and still have found nothing. I don’t even know if I am on the right path. (he stood a T-junction and saw a woman coming towards him)
Woman:
(carried a pot and passed him)
Kumi:
(called after the woman) woman of\the land, I greet you.
Woman:
(stood and turned to Kumi)
Kumi:
I am heading to the oracle of Kyerekrom to fetch the sacred sword. I have lost my way. Please which way should I go?
Woman:
(point to the direction she came from and left)
Kumi:
May the oracles bless you. (he moved three steps and stopped) no; she came from there. And heading that way. I came from behind. She cant be from the oracle nor go to the oracle. The path is before me. Thank you Ehuntahunu. (turned and moved to the path before him)


Scene 44
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPEND ON THE VILLAGE. SOME SAT DOWN VOMITTING WHILES SOME MOURNED THEIR DEAD IN THE OPEN OF THE VILLAGE


Scene 45
Int/Day
CAMERA OPENED ON THE QUEEN CRYING BEFORE THE ROTTEN PRINCESS. HER LIPS HAD ROTTEN THAT SHE COULD NOT SPEAK AND THE MAIDS FANNED HER IN TEARS.


Scene 46
CAMERA OPENED ON MAAME AKUA PICKING BEANS IN TEARS. SHE BELIEVED KUMI WAS DEAD AND MOURNED HIM THEN REVEALS NYANTAKYI WATCHING THE DEPRESSED WIFE FEELING ALL TOO GUILTY.

Scene 47
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON OPKU AND ODURO WEEDING ON ODURO’S FARM. THE TWO FRIENDS STOP TO WONDER WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO KUMI IN THE FOREST.

Opoku:
I just cant think of what has happened to Kumi.
Oduro;
The most intriguing thing is, he is gone for over two weeks and yet nothing is heard.
Opoku;
I wont be surprised if he dead and the priest is fearing to say so.
Oduro:
How I had wanted to embark on this journey.
Opoku:
You would have been a sacrifice by now.
Oduro:
Nananom mpegu!
(they continued weeding and lamenting.)




Scene 48
Ext/Day
CAMERA SHOT OPENS ON KUMI IN THE FOOREST AND THEN REVEAL YAA COMING TOWARDS HIM. LATER SHE DISAPPEARS AS SHE WAS AN EVIL SPIRIT.

Kumi:
(walked towards the inner of the forest. He heard some one crying behind him. He turned to see a villager from his village)
Yaa:
Kumi, wait for me.
Kumi:
Who are you?
Yaa:
My name is Yaa from Kyerekrom.
Kumi:
What are you doing here? No one is to come into the forest?
Yaa:
Your… you mother is…dead!
Kumi:
What?

Yaa:
The whole village is dead. I ran here to inform you. Let go back for there is nothing to die for here.
Kumi:
(dropped the bag given him by the priest and moved toward Yaa, as he stretched his hand to hold her, the cowries burnt her)
Yaa:
(she screamed and disappeared)
Kumi:
(realizing that was an evil spirit, rushed for the bag and ran off)

Scene 49
Ext/Evening
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI WHO STOOD A ROOT WHICH LATER TRANSFORMED TO BE AN EVIL SPIRIT.

Kumi:
(stood on a giant spirit. Moved way after the earth shoke underneath him)
Giant spirit:
(rose and became big)
Kumi:
Spirit of the forest, please I mean no harm. I am sent from Kyerekrom to get the sword of the oracle. My village dies so please let me pass.
Giant spirit;
(moved back into the earth)
Kumi:
(bowed and left)

Scene 50
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS A ROTTEN LEG AND LATER REVEALS THE LEG TO BE THAT OF THE KING’S SITTING IN THE MIDST OF HIS ELDERS AND THE OKOMFO WITH THE QUEEN CARESSING THE LEG

Bediako:
Nana, this is getting out of hand.
Okyere:
Something must be done fast.
Asare:
What sort of thing can be done now…
(the priest entered the palace speaking in a native tongue)
Nana Agyemang:
Nana Okomfo, where is Kumi?

Okomfo:
He is fine.
Okyere:
Has he found the sword?
Okomfo:
He will come with the sword.
(all looked not too satisfied as the King groaned in pains and is been caressed by the Queen.


Scene 51
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS AT THE VILLAGE SQUARE AND REVEALS THE YOUTH OF THE LANDSINGING WAR SONGS AND BEEN CHARGED TO MOVE INTO THE EVIL FOREST…


Scene 52
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS AGAIN ON THE PALAE AND THEN REVEAL A PALACE ATTENDANT RUNNING INTO THE SITTING, LATER ASARE AND BEDIAKO EXEUNT THE COUNCIL LEAVING EVERY ONE SCARED.

Palace attendant:
(ran into the meeting) your highness;
Nana Agyemang:
Is the land not troubled enough for you to add yours to it?
Palace attendant:
Sorry your highness, but there is more trouble than this.
Bediako:
What trouble?
Palace attendant:
The young men have gathered at the village square heading for the village square.
(all looked terrified)
Palace attendant:
They say they journey to fetch Kumi.
Nana Agyemang:
(motioned Bediako & Asare) stoop them now. Stop them!
(Bediako & Asare left to the scene…)


Scene 53
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON BEDIAKO & ASARE WHO GOT TO THE VILLAGE SQUARE BUT FOUND NO ONE THERE. THEY WONDERED AND HEARD VOICES FROM THE PATH LEADING TO THE RIVER AND FOLLOWED IT.
Scene 54
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON BEDIAKO AND ASARE RUNNING TOWARDS THE RIVER AND THE REVEALS THE YOUTH WITH STICKS AND STONES IN HAND SINGING WAR SONGS TOWARDS THE RIVER.

Bediako & Asare:
(beckoned them to stop)
Villagers:
(continue walking and singing. They saw the elders and stopped but continued singing)
Bediako & Asare:
(stood panting)
Youth leader:
Chooboi!
Villagers:
Boi!
Bediako:
My people, don’t go. You don’t have to go.
Youth leader;
Why stay here. No one know what has happened to Kumi. He could be dead by now.
Asare:
No! he is not dead. The Princess is still alive. None of you were chosen because you would die if you go/
(the villagers looked at each other in fear)
Bediako:
The priest says he is fine and he would come back with the sword soon. Please go back to your homes and pray for the land. The King is not getting better.
(the villagers murmured and gradually turned back in disappointment.)


Scene 55
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI AND THEN REVEALS DWARFS PLAYING. HE JOINES THEM. HE HAD FUN PLAYING WITH THEM AND WHEN TIRED THE DWARFS LOOKED AT HIM.

Kumi:
I am off to fetch the sword of the oracle for the people of Kyerekrom. Without the sword, my people die. I have been here for more than three weeks where do I go?
Dwarfs:
(looked at each others face and then all point the same direction)
Kumi:
(woke up and thanked them and left…)


Scene 56
ext/Evening
SHOT REVEALS KUMI AS TIRED AS HE WAS AND WEAK AS HIS LEGS WERE HE WALKED ON. HE SAW A HUT FAR AHEAD OF HIM AND STRAINED TO GET TO IT. HE FELL IN FRONT OF THE HUT WEAK.


Scene 57
Ext/Evening
CAMERA OPENS ON OKOMFO AND THE VILLAGERS AS HE INFORMS THEM OF KUMI’S PROGRESS

Okomfo:
(chanting in native tongue whiles the people watched. He laughed aloud) Kumi is there. He is there.
(The villagers breathe a sigh of relief.)


Scene 58
Ext/Evening
CAMERA OPENS ON PRINCESS LYING IN PAIN THEN REVEALS QUEEN INTO THE HUT.

Queen:
(entered the room of the Princess) My Princess;
Princess:
Straining to speak but could not do so.
Queen:
You will be well soon. Kumi is at the oracle’s shrine
(The maids thanked the gods)


Scene 59
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON A HAND WITH CALABASH WITH WATER IN IT AND THEN REVEALS KUMI DRINKING WATER FROM THE CALABASH. THE HAND LATER IS REVEALED AS AN OLDLADY IN THE FOREST.

Kumi:
(feebly drinking water from a calabash giving him water. He opened his eyes gradually to see a thin old lady before him. He feared and tried running)

Old lady:
Run not my son. I am not evil, less I had killed you in your sleep. What are you doing in this part of the forest? Don’t you know it is forbidding for any one to come here?

Kumi:
I am sent by the King and people of Kyerekrom. The wrath of the gods is upon the land. The people die like fowls. The whole community is stricken with a curse. The priest said the sword of the oracle must be fetched to slaughter the sacrificial lamb. It is of that reason that I am here.
Old lady:
(burst into laughter) Kyerekrom is dying. S soon, a century is gone by.
Kumi:
Why laugh when people die. Where is the sword of the oracle to be fetched/
Old lady:
There is no sword in this forest
Kumi:
What! (couldn’t believe his ears) what do you mean?
Old lady:
There is no sword in this forest. The father had indeed come.
Kumi:
What are you saying. I have been for three weeks in search of the sword and you say…
Old lady:
It is a long story. The sword is not in the forest
Kumi:
Then where?
Old lady:
(the old lady looked into the thick…) he was such a kind hearted man. Though a stranger but he did all he could to be accepted in the land. He was more of a unifier…


FLASHBACK
Scene 60
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KWESI NYAME HELPING AN WOAMN CARRY HER FIREWOOD AND THEN REVEALS THREE GIRLS ADMIRING HIM ON ANOTHER FARM OPPOSITE.

Kwesi Nyame:
(came from the farm and stopped by an old lady and helped her carry her firewood. Waved two young girls who watched him passed them by.
Villagers:
(admired Kwesi Nyame as he passed them by)



Scene 61
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON TWO ELDERS DRINKING PALM WINE AND THEN REVEALS KWESI NYAME INTO SHOT.

Elder 1 & 2:
(sat under a tree drinking palm wine and discussing communal issues)
Kwesi Nyame:
(came from his farm with his hoe in hand. Bowed to the elders who blessed him and left)
Elder 1 & 2:
(they admired Kwesi Nyame as he left)


Scene 62
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KWESI NYAME SHARPENING HIS CUTLASS AND THEN REVEALS AKUA AND TWO GIRLFRIENDS WHO PASS BY WITH A BASKET IN HAND TO THE FARM

Kwesi Nyame:
(sharpening his cutlass whispering joyfully)
Akua & Friends:
(carried their basket and passed him) Greetings Kwesi Nyame;
Kwesi Nyame:
Greetings fair ladies on the land. Akua, how are you?
Akua:
I am fine. We are on our way to the farm
Kwesi Nyame:
Okay. Enkye ba!
(Akua and her friend left tapping each other)


Scene 63
Ext/Day
SHOT OPENS ON KWESI NYAME WRESTLING THE FINEST WRESTLER IN THE LAND AND THEN REVEALS AKUA STANDING IN A DISTANCE WATCHING KWESI NYAME. KWESI SEES HER AND WAVES HER.



Scene 64
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KING AND HIS ELDERS DISCUSSING ABOUT KWESI NYAME. KING AND SECTIONOF THE ELDERS ADORING HIM WHILES ELDER 1 & 2 DESPISE HIM.

King:
There is no one like him. He is got some spirit in him.
Elder 1:
He is strange. He does the unexpected.
Elder 2:
All the young girls in the land are interested in.

Elder 3:
Even the married ones!
Elder 1:
Some one must stop him. He makes our young men feel useless. If nothing is done, I fear he might be enstooled as a King.
Elder 2 & 3:
Musuo!
King:
(looked all too confused and miserable.)


Scene 65
Ext/Evening
SHOT OPENS ON ELDER 1 & 2 ON AN EMPTY PATH DISCUSSING SOMETHING VERY INTIMATE

Elder 1:
I hold so much fear in me against Kwesi Nyame.
Elder 2;
He might steal the hearts of the gods and be made a King one day. He beats our finest wrestlers to their game. Something must be done fast.
Elder 1;
I have an idea.
(he whispered into the ears of elder 2 a plan)


Scene 66
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON AN ANGRY KING RANTING AND ELDERS LOOKING ANGRY

King:
An abomination. Who could have stolen the sacred sword?

Elders:
(panicked and fear gripped them)
King:
This has never happened. Such an insolence. Who is responsible for such a taboo?
Elder 3:
If it may please the king, may a search team be made. Every hut and compound be searched and the perpetrators be buried alive.
Elder 1 & 2:
Yes! If it may please the king;
King:
(scanned the faces of his elders) so be it!


Scene 67
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON VILLAGERS FOLLOWING GURADS AND ELDERS SEARCH THE HOMES OF THE VILLAGERS AND THEN STOPS AT KWESI NYAME’S HUT.

Elder 1:
May no such ungratefulness be shown Kwesi Nyame can never do that.
Elder 2:
Search not his hut. He can never do that.
Kwesi Nyame:
Elders, it is just fair my hut is searched. It makes we all even.
(the guards entered his hut)
Elder 1:
Sorry for the incovi…
Guards:
(came out with the sacred sword in hand)
(the villagers looked on in amazement, the elders looked terrified…


Scene 68
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON VILLAGERS BEATING KWESI NYAME MERCILESSLY. THEY PULL HIM TO THE VILLAGE SQUARE. ELDER 1 & 2 LED THE MOB.
THE KING AND PRIEST ORDERED THAT HE BE PUT INTO A PIT THAT HAD BEEN DUG FOR HIM AT THE VILLAGE SQUARE. THE YOUNG GIRLS SPAT ON HIM, THE BOYS BEAT SAND ON HIM.
King:
We took you in as one of us. Is this how best to pay us back; stealing the sacred sword?
Elder 1:
No one born of this land would have ever done this.
Elder 2;
You are cursed.
Kwesi Nyame:
You kill an innocent soul. You kill an innocent soul, when the father comes be prepared to answer.
(the guards covered him with sand to the neck and left him there. Every left him there.


Scene 69
Ext/Evening
CAMERA OPENS ON KWESI NYAME BURRIED IN THE GROUND WITH ONLY HIS HEAD OUT AND THEN PUNS TO AKUA FROM THE BUSH WITH A CALABASH OF WATER IN HAND TO GIVE HIM.

Akua:
Kwesi Nyame… Kwesi Nyame… I am here. It is me Akua. I have come to give you water.
(she gave the water to Kwesi Nyame who drank painfully)
Kwesi Nyame:
Akua my love, they kill an innocent soul. The father would not forgive them. Leave now…leave…
Akua:
(she got scared and ran off into the forest)…


Scene 70
Ext/Day
SHOT RETURNS TO THE FOREST WHERE KUMI LOOKED STUNNED AT THE REVELATION TOLD HIM BY THE OLDLADY

Old lady:
No one believed Kwesi Nyame
Kumi:
Such a cruel generation! What happened to them?
Old lady:
No; what is happening to them?
Kumi:
(realizing the land is Kyerekrom) oh! So my people…
Old lady:
The father has come and they are paying. Go back to your people and tell them the truth.
Kumi:
Without the sword?
Old lady:
The sword is in the village. Kwesi Nyame was buried with the sword in the village square. Go for the moment has come.
Kumi:
(got up to go and then turned top the old lady) come with me. My people would believe you more for my family and me is cursed.
Old lady:
I am finished. I was kept alive to tell the story.
Kumi:
One last thing; What happened to Akua?
Old lady:
Se was kept alive to tell the story. Now go for that which they denied Kwesi Nyame would be yours.
(Kumi left the old lady)



Scene 71
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON YOUTH BEFORE THE PALACE WITH STICKS AND STONES URGING TO GO LOOK FOR KUMI THEN SHOWS KING AND ELDERS LOOKING WORRIED.

Youth leader:
Chooboi!
youth:
Boi!
Youth leader:
Chooboi!
Youth:
Boi!
Youth leader:
Nana, Kumi is been gone for over 5 weeks and yet nothing is done. No one knows of what has happened to him. We want to go fetch him so give us your blessings.
Okomfo:
(spoke in a native tongue) nothing of the sort must be done for we cant read the walks in the forest.
Youth leader:
How do you read the walks of Kumi?
Okomfo:
He is chosen by the gods.
Nana Agyemang:
My people, my health is not getting better. If you go now, our pains would rise. Wait a little more, he might be coming home now.
Youth:
(murmuring amongst themselves)


Youth leader:
Nana, for the respect we have for the throne, we will wait. But we wait for only 7 days. Nana 7 days!
Nana Agyemang:
Thank you my people…


Scene 72
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON MAAME ABENA LOOKING DISTRESSED IN PAIN AND THENR EVEALS HER ROTTEN LEG AND THEN OPOKU’S FACE. BEDIAKO COMES INTO THE SCENE FROM THE HUT AND LEAVES TO THE PALACE.

Opoku:
Maame, please hold on. Kumi would be back soon.
Maame Abena:
Shut up! It could have been you fetching the sword. Nothing is happened to his family yet.
Bediako:
(came from his hut) ooh, so you now know he should have been the one fetching the sword. Stay here and rot.
(he left them for the palace)

Scene 73
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON MAAME AKUA SITTING ON THE GROUND WAILING AND THEN NYANTAKYI COMES INTO THE SCENE FROM THE HUT TO CONSOLE HER

Maame Akua:
(she sat on the ground wailing) they should have told me they were sacrificing Kumi for the village. They should tell me what they have done to my son. I warned you Kumi but you would not listen.
Nyantakyi:
(came from his hut) Akua, crying would not help. The gods would protect Kumi.
Maame Abena:
Protect who, a dead boy?
(she wept bitterly. Nyantakyi moved to comfort her)








Scene 74
Ext/Evening
CAMERA OPENS ON DWARFS PLAYING AND THEN PUNS TO KUMI WHO WALKED TIREDLY INTO THE DWARFS.

Kumi;
(walked tiredly and felt before a tree.)
Dwarfs:
(appeared before him)
Kumi:
(he panicked not)
Dwarfs:
(they looked at his face and saw desperation on his face and showed him where to go.)
Kumi:
(thanked them and woke up to go)



Scene 75
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON KUMI AND THEN PUNS TO NYANTAKYI WHO WANTED TO TAKE KUMI HOME BUT LATER REVEALED TO BE AN EVIL SPIRIT.

Kumi:
(walked tiredly and saw a man searching in the forest) Man of the land, I greet you.
Nyantakyi:
(Turned to see Kumi) Kumi my son, so you are alive; they said you were dead so I came looking for you myself since I did not believe them.
Kumi:
I am not dead. I am alive, and where is Maame?

Nyantakyi:
(bowed his head in sorrow) my son, your mother my wife died. She could no longer bear the pain. Come let me take you home.
Kumi:
(moved towards the father and stopped short about to hold his hand) no you are not my fatter.
Nyantakyi:
What do you mean? I am your father.
Kumi:
No! it is a lie. You are an evil spirit. (he opened his bag to pick a charm.
Nyantakyi:
(laughed and disappeared)
Kumi:
(he got scared and ran off)


Scene 76
Int/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE PRINCESS WHOSE CONDITION WORSENED ON HER MAT. HER HEART WAS ALMOST OUT WITH HER LIPS ROTTEN BADLY.

Princess:
(having difficulty breathing. Her heart and lungs were almost out)
Maids:
(fanned her with sarcastic faces)
Queen:
(entered the hut of the daughter crying. She could not look at the Princess and went out crying.


Scene 77
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE YOUTH WHO COULD NO MORE WAIT AND THEN THE KING AND HIS COUNCIL WHO BECKONED THE PRIEST TO ALLOW THEM GO. THE VILLAGERS HAD SUFFERED MORE THAN THEY THOUGHT OF.

Youth:
(singing war songs before the palace. They were poised.)
Nana Agyemang:
(holding his leg in pain)
Bediako:
Nana. There is nothing we can do to stop them now.
Asare:
It is better you bless them to go.
Okyere, Prempeh and Botwe:
That is right!
Nana Agyemang:
(looked at the young ones and whispered into the ears of the priest)
Okomfo:
(spoke in a native tongue, sprinkled water on the ground) you may go. Bring Kumi back.
Maame Akua:
(wailed bitterly)
Youth leader:
(went to Nyantakyi and the wife for their blessings and then led the youth to the forest…

Scene 78
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE YOUTH WITH SHOCK ON THEIR FACES AS THEY LOOKED AT THE RIVER BANK AND THE NREVEALS KUMI LYING DOWN MOTIONLESSLY

Youth;
(they sang on like warriors and moved to the river. They saw Kumi lying at the river bank.
Youth leader:
(moved close to feel Kumi, checked his heart to see him still breathing. He called the youth and they carried Kumi on their shoulder as a victor and headed back to the village.


Scene 79
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON ODURO RUNNING TOWARDS NYANTAKYI’S HUT AND THEN REVEALS NYANTAKYI AND MAAME AKUA WHO LATER FOLLWED ODURO TO THE VILLAGE

Oduro:
(running to the compound to Nyantakyi) Papa Nyantakyi! Papa Nyantakyi…
Nyantakyi:
(came out of his hut) what is it my son?
Oduro:
I greet you. (panting)
Nyantakyi:
What is pursuing you?
Oduro:
Kumi… Kumi is back
Maame Abena:
(came from her hut) what did you just say?
Oduro:
Kumi is at the palace now. (they ran off to the palace)











Scene 80
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON ADWOA AND OPOKU PLAYING ROMANCE AND THEN SUDDENLY AWAKE FROM THE GROUND AFTRE A STAMPEDE HEARD FROM THE VILLAGE SINGING

Opoku:
What was that?
Adwoa:
It is from the village
(they ran off to the village)


Scene 81
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE KING AND HIS ELDERS IN THE PALACE AND THEN NOISE FROM THE VILLAGE AWAKES THEM AND THEN OUTSIDE KUMI ENJOINS THE PARENTS.

Nana Agyemang & elders:
(heard a noise coming towards the palace)
Bediako:
What is that?
Asare:
What is happening?
Nana Agyemang:
Where from that?
(the villagers carried Kumi and brought him to the palace and placed him before the King and his elders. They all looked at Kumi in shock whiles the villagers rejoiced.)
Maame Akua:
(ran ahead of the husband to meet the son) Kumi… Kumi…
Kumi:
(turned and saw the mother) Maame… (ran to he mother and embraced her. Nyantakyi stood behind him. He went and bowed before the father for his blessings…











Scene 82
Int/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE QUEEN HEADING TO THE PRINCESS AND ENTERS THE HUT TO INFORM THE PRINCESS OF THE GOOD NEWS BUT THE PRINCESS WAS INDEFFERENT.

Queen:
(entered the hut)
Maids:
(bowed before the Queen)
Queen:
Achia my daughter, Kumi is back. All will be well.
Princess:
(could still not speak because of the pain)


Scene 83
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON THE VILLAGERS AND THEN REVEALS THE KING AND ELDERS WHO LOOKED AT KUMI IN DISBELIEVE

Nana Agyemang:
(amidst the moment of joy made way to speak) Kumi our son, you are welcome. The journey has been long. You will tell us the whole details later but for now you are welcome.
Kumi:
Your highness, thank you. You sent me and I am back. The journey is that for thousand warriors but I am back.
Youth:
(cheered Kumi)
Nana Agyemang:
Now my son, give to me the sacred sword of the oracle you fetched from the forest.
Kumi:
(looked at the faces of the villagers and the elders then opened his back, all were smiling and waiting to see the sacred sword. Kumi removed a cowry and placed it on the ground)
Bediako:
Where is the sword?
Okyere:
Has the gods stricken you dump?
Nana Agyemang:
Kumi, were is the sacred sword of the oracle?
Kumi:
Nana, there is… no sword in the forest.
Villagers:
(Stunned)
Priest:
What! (read some enchantments)
Kumi:
All these while, the sword is been in the land. It is here.
Nana Agyemang:
Where?
Kumi;
It is a long story. It is buried in the middle of the village.

Villagers:
(confused)
Kumi:
Let go dig the centre of the village and we would find it there.
Nana Agyemang:
Guards! To the village square.
(all moved to the village square to witness the sword)



Scene 84
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON GUARD 1 DIGGING THE VILLAGE SQUARE AND THEN REVEALS KUMI SPEAKING TO THE VILLAGERS WITH EVERYONE LISTERNING KEENLY AND AWAITING TO SEE THE SWORD

Guard 1:
(inside a pit digging)
Kumi:
… so it was. Kwesi Nyame was wrongfully killed and buried alive. He pronounced curses upon the land and we are paying for it.
Nana Agyemang:
Where is the old lady?
Kumi:
She is gone by now. She was kept alive to tell the story.
Guard:
(beyond six feet could still find nothing)
Okomfo:
(looked into the pit and shoke his head) there is nothing here. Absolutely no such thing.
Guard:
(he dropped his shovel which hit something strange in the pit) I hit something. I hit something. (he cleared the ground he stood on and saw a skull of a man. Pulled it out to the amazement of the villagers. He cleared more and saw bone and tat of a wrist with a red strap around it, pulled it out and there it was, the sword of the oracle tied around a wrist.

Villagers:
Sword of the oracle! (all looked stunned)
Okomfo:
(took it and looked closely) the sacred sword of the oracle. The curse is broken.


Scene 85
Ext/Day
CAMERA OPENS ON NANA AGYEMANG WITH THE SACRED SWORD IN HAND AND THE LAMB IN THE OTHER HAND ABOUT TO SACRIFICE IT WITH THE VILLAGERS WATCHING ON IN HIGH ANTICIPATION
The king slaughtered the sacrificial lamb to cleanse the land.
Nana Agyemang:
(held the lamb with the sword) the father had come to question us. We are found guilty. The birds that flew did not sing not because their voices were soar but because there is no one to sing to. A day without distress is a day without life. No day passes without enquiries, enquiries are made for observations and observations do end in understand. I do now understand why the ancestors said that until he rotten tooth is plucked out, the mouth must chew with caution. Caution is for humans and that makes us right and principle entities.
We must learn from the past and know no man is infallible. The disquisement of the truth is what makes people tell lies. Every piece of issue must be naturalized for posterity looks on…

he slaughtered the lamb and all rejoiced. All ailment in the land disappeared. The villagers made merry. The princess was accompanied by the maids to the village square healed. The whole place got dead silent.)
Princess:
(went to the father)
Nana Agyemang:
(examined the daughter)
Opoku & Oduro:
(Envied Kumi)
elders & villagers:
All admired the beauty of the Princess)
Nana Agyemang:
(Held the hand of Kumi and that of the Princess) you have proven yourself worthy of my daughter’s hand and you deserve her. Cursed or not cursed, I make you whole. You and your family; (He called out) Nyantakyi!
Nyantakyi:
(looked at the King holding he wife shed tears of joy)

Nana Agyemang:
Join me. (Nyantakyi and Maame Akua joined the King) you are a true son of the land and a clean man Nyantakyi. I bless this day. Princess Achia, I give you to Kumi as husband. (tied the hands together as the two youngsters locked eyes.)
The whole villagers cheered them.
FADE OUT: