The talk of the naming was on the lips of every one in Dawanda village, men are talking about it, women are talking about it on there way to their farms, young men are not left out neither were the children , everyone was talking about the ceremony ….and the name given to the child as well.
Most people couldn't remember the full name but sure has the short version in there memory.
There where mixed feelings everywhere , some are angry at Danddy for making his daughter there equal. While some are happy for the promise that this naming ceremony brought with it, while some are just outright confused about the whole thing.
As people kept talking on and on so does Rufus' anger kept growing. He didn't sleep a wink last night, he kept thinking of a way to undo what Danddy has done, a way to put him to shame and permanently wipe that smile that is always on his face.
He finally has an idea on how to go about the whole thing.
That idea is what brought him to where he is right now, in the presence of the king of Dawanda with his minions .
Greetings my king ….may you live long oh great and mighty king. Rufus greeted the king with his flattery words and was offered a seat by the king to sit on, thank you my king they chorused and sat down .
The king called Rufus by his title ,"chief" considering how they sat he could make out that he is the leader of the group…so he asked;
Chief Rufus what brought you and your friends to my palace? Rufus laughed and said to the king ,must something bring me here my king?
The king laughed with him and said no one comes to visit me without a reason so please tell me the reason of your visit to my palace. The king asked not because he couldn't guess the reason why this despicable man is here but wanted him to say it before giving him an answer.
Rufus laughed again and begin to narrate the reason for his trip to the palace.
My king we have come to report an abuse of our custom and way of life, A man woke up and think he is now you my king, he thinks that his daughter is in the same class with the princess that he will honor her with birth celebration and naming ceremony.
My king am afraid that if such act goes unpunished that others will follow in his footsteps and disrupt the balance of our culture that has been in place for generations, that is why we have come my king.
After listening to Rufus speak, it didn't escape the notice of the king how Rufus tried to incite him into thinking that someone wants to dishonor his daughter the princess by bestowing the same honor of a name that the princess has to their own daughter, the king cleared his throat and said ,
Chief Rufus, you are a titled man right? yes my king Rufus answered.
Alright the king continued, I'm guessing you are here because of the naming ceremony held yesterday right? you are very correct my KING Rufus responded again.
Alright chief Rufus, I want to asked you a question, you said someone wants to disrupt our custom, And this someone is Danddy-man right?
Right again my king, Rufus answered.
Alright as you are a titled chief and an elder as well in this village, I want you to tell me where it has been said or stated or handed down by words or the priest that women are not to be named?
The flattery smile on Rufus' face disappeared and was replaced with a deep frown.
Rufus went through the laws of the land in his mind and found out that such law never existed.
He searched through and through but came up empty, so he chose another route, but my king that is the honor only the princess should have.
The king smiled again ,in his mind he asked? How stupid does this man think I am?
The king then said to Rufus … isn't my daughter a female? She is my king, why should she be treated differently from the rest of the females in this village ?the king asked?
Because she is a princess Rufus responded, even gesturing with his hands to state the obvious.
Who am I Rufus ? the king asked?
You are the king of dawanda ,the custodian of our culture and heritage Rufus answered with confusion written all over his face,
The king now said ,so if am the king of Dawanda does that not make me the father to the females in Dawanda?
Rufus was speechless at this time. Which prompted the king to continue,
So you see Rufus , my daughter is not different from any other girl child in this kingdom and naming is not an honor but the right of every child in Dawanda but the choice of the parent to choose weather to name their child or not. I chose to name my daughter because is her right so does Danddy-man, he didn't commit any crime but chose what he wants , you can't fault him for his choice now can you?
So chief Rufus, I see no crime, neither do I see dishonor here , when I see one , I will hand out punishment according to the crime committed thank you.
Silence reigned over .. perceiving that they have nothing else to say, the King excuse himself and left, only to meet his fuming daughter by the door .