“A Visit to King Grandfather,” Friend, November 2025, 20–21.
A Visit to King Grandfather
Grandfather told Gift the stories of her ancestors.
A true story from Nigeria.
Gift leaned against the edge of the boat and watched with wonder as the water slapped its sides. She reached down toward the waves, the spray gently tickling her arms. This was her favorite journey. She and her family were on the way to Grandfather’s village, and with each moment, she moved closer to a world more wild and free than the city she was leaving behind.
In the city, Gift blended in. She was one in millions. Sometimes that felt nice—to just be herself, without anyone caring too much about what she chose to wear or do. But in her grandfather’s village, it was different. There, Gift was unique. She was a princess—the granddaughter of a wise king.
After two hours, the boat docked. The longest part of the journey was still ahead: six hours by bus. She knew she would be tired, but soon she would be with her grandfather again. That made it all worth it.
It was a bumpy ride. Gift tried to pass the time by looking at cloud shapes she saw out the window and watching the beautiful land blur past. The sun was beginning to set when the bus pulled to a stop. Finally! Grandfather! Gift leapt from the bus and ran to the village house.
She searched inside for Grandfather. She searched the inner courtyard, where her mother had kept goats as a child. She searched the bedrooms, where at night she’d have to close the windows to keep out the mosquitoes. She searched the yard behind the house, where she’d worn the robes of royalty—bright scarves and a paper crown—to attend the village council.
There, Gift saw Grandfather peacefully sitting on a bench, overlooking the family garden. Gift smiled.
“Grandfather!” she called.
Grandfather stood and opened his arms wide. “My dear girl,” he whispered as he wrapped her in a warm hug. “Sit and rest with me.”
“I’ve missed you,” Gift said.
“I’ve missed you more. I’m glad you are here.” Grandfather paused for a moment and then asked, “Do you know how special this garden is?”
Gift shook her head.
Grandfather pointed to the tree in front of them. “This is the family tree,” he said. Gift noticed that it looked old and strong.
“The tiles on the ground around the tree have the names of our ancestors. We must always remember our family.”
Gift didn’t recognize many of the names on the tiles. How could she remember someone she didn’t know? “Tell me about them, Grandfather,” Gift said.
Grandfather read the names one by one and told Gift the stories of her ancestors. As he spoke, Gift realized that in some ways, these were also stories of her. She had a lot in common with these family members she had never met.
In that moment, Gift understood something important. It wasn’t just the waves and the land that made her feel free here. It was a connection to her family that she felt in this village with Grandfather.
Grandfather told stories until the stars danced in the sky.
Finally, Grandfather sighed. “We’d better go inside.”
“Just one more moment,” Gift said.
Gift walked to the tree and gently touched its bark. Then she looked at the tiles on the ground, remembering the story of each ancestor. One day, she would visit the temple and perform sacred ordinances for them. Because of them, she was here now. She’d do her part to return the gift they’d given her.
Grandfather reached out his hand for hers, and Gift took it. With one final look back at the family tree, Gift headed inside, where more of her family were waiting to greet her.
Illustration by Audrey Day