The Chicken Head

In the bustling town of Warri, located in Delta State, Nigeria, lived a couple named Daniel and Vera. They were known in their community for their lively debates and occasional quarrels, but their love for each other always prevailed. However, on this particular day, a seemingly innocent argument over a meal turned into a heated exchange.

As the sun began to set, Daniel returned home from a long day at work, his stomach growling with hunger. He walked into the kitchen to find Vera preparing their evening meal. The aroma of spices filled the air, tantalizing his senses and making his mouth water.

However, as he approached the dining table, he noticed something peculiar in his plate. It was a chicken head, staring back at him with its beady eyes. Shocked and bewildered, Daniel turned to Vera, his voice filled with disbelief.

"How can you put the chicken head in my food with all the money I gave you to prepare the meal?" Daniel exclaimed, his frustration evident in his tone.

Vera, never one to back down from an argument, stood her ground. With a touch of defiance in her voice, she replied, "You know that you are the head of the household, and you know that our customs demand that the head of animals should be given to the husband."

Daniel's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "Did the custom tell you that it's the head of a bird? Why are you being so wicked and selfish?" he questioned, his voice tinged with hurt.

Unfazed by his accusation, Vera retorted, "If it were the head of an antelope, would you not bring up an argument that you must eat it? Now you must also eat the head of the chicken since you are still the head of the house."

The room fell silent as the weight of their words hung in the air. Daniel's frustration turned into anger, his face reddening. He felt like his wife was deliberately trying to provoke him.

"Do you want me or the children to eat it? Are we now the head? You are the head, so eat it!" Vera exclaimed passionately, her eyes flashing with determination.

The sparks of their argument ignited a flame of resentment between them. Both of them felt unheard and misunderstood, their emotions getting the best of them. Their voices grew louder as they argued back and forth, their words becoming sharper with each passing moment.

Neighbors who had heard the commotion gathered outside their door, concerned about the escalating dispute. They whispered among themselves, wondering how such a trivial matter had spiraled into a full-blown conflict.

Inside, Daniel and Vera stood their ground, their voices echoing through the walls. However, as their argument reached its peak, they suddenly caught sight of their two young children peeking through the cracked door, tears streaming down their faces. The couple's hearts sank as they realized the impact their quarrel was having on their innocent souls.

In that moment, a wave of remorse washed over Daniel and Vera. They looked at each other, their anger dissipating as they saw the pain reflected in each other's eyes. They realized that their love for one another and their family was more important than any argument.

Silently, they embraced, tears streaming down their cheeks. They made a promise to each other, a promise to prioritize love, understanding, and communication over petty disagreements. And with that promise, they began to rebuild their relationship, one heartfelt conversation at a time.

From that day forward, Daniel and Vera learned to approach their differences with compassion and empathy. They discovered that true strength lay not in winning arguments but in finding common ground and forging a deeper bond.