Beyond the Water's Edge: Shambulu

By Jerome G. Mack Sr.

This is the story of a young African prince who was soon to become king, but not of a world that he knew. His father, King Zambulu, knew all too well the fate of the young prince. Prince Shambulus fate was given to King Zambulu in a dream by the ancient tribal leaders. On that night, the king could rest very little for he knew that the time of his sons fate will soon be at hand. Soon, the young princes journey will begin.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781493120062

Jerome G. Mack Sr.

About The Author Jerome G. Mack Sr. was born and raised in the low country of the Carolinas. He is the youngest son James and Flossie Mack, and the father of two sons and five grand children. After college he has traveled to the Cayman Islands, Canada and numerous places in the United States. He has accomplished many of his goals and always inspires others to strive to reach theirs. Even though this is his first book it is a book that was dream inspired. This shows that dreams do come true but you have to work it baby!

Book preview

BEYOND the

WATER’S EDGE

Shambulu

Jerome G. Mack Sr.

Copyright © 2013 by Jerome G. Mack Sr.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-4931-2005-5

                eBook           978-1-4931-2006-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Rev. date: 12/20/2013

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CONTENTS

Bring Forth My Son

Captured

Communicating

Daybreak: After the Storm

The Turning Point

Off Courage, Off Hope

Wan.ta.beju

The Arrival into Slavery

Land!

Qzabo

Tubby

Isabella

They’re Here, They’re Here!

All Businesses

Destiny

Bring Forth My Son

This is the story of a young African prince who was soon to become king, but not of a world that he knew. His father, King Zambulu, knew all too well the fate of the young prince. Prince Shambulu’s fate was given to King Zambulu in a dream by the ancient tribal leaders. On that night, the king could rest very little for he knew that the time of his son’s fate will soon be at hand. Soon, the young prince’s journey will begin.

It was a time in the motherland when turmoil was great for the people of the Zambulu tribe. Many had been captured and taken away by men of the light skin face in large boats beyond the water’s edge. Many were sold by their captors. What became of them was not known by the people they left behind. But king Zambulu knew for his dreams have never betrayed him. Now, the king knew that he must reveal what lies ahead for Shambulu. The time of Shambulu’s rite of passage was at hand, but not a passage that was traditional.

On the morning after King Zambulu was visited by the ancient leaders in a dream, he summoned the young prince. Bring forth my son, Shambulu, for today he will begin his journey, for today is his rite of passage. The king also knew that after that day, he would never again see the young prince.

What the ancestors showed King Zambulu in the dream of the young prince’s destiny was far greater than anything the king could ever imagine. Today, he must prepare Shambulu for his destiny. Here, he must reveal the dreams of the ancient leaders to his son. Here, he must also say good-bye as Shambulu begin his journey.

Shambulu, my son, today is the day that I have hoped for and prayed for many times since the day that you were born—to one day see you become leader of my kingdom. Many nights, I have dreamed about how well you would lead our people and guide them into the ways of the teaching of the ancient fathers. You as king will become a better, stronger, and wiser king, as your father. These were my hopes for you; but it was only my hopes and dreams. Your destiny is much greater than what I’d hope for you, my son. You, prince Shambulu, will be a great king. You, prince Shambulu, will be a great leader, with wisdom beyond your years and strength within that you never knew of! For you my son, prince among my people, have a destiny that lies beyond the water’s edge.

Even though there was great sorrow within the spirit of King Zambulu for his son, he knew that he must not stand in the way of what was destined for Shambulu.

The young prince stood bravely before his father to hear his destiny, for he was ready and willing to please his father; not knowing what lies ahead. The hearts of many of his tribesmen were heavy from the words that King Zambulu was speaking, for they had grown to love the young prince and wanted him to one day be their king.

Take a knee, my son, for your journey will begin after I have revealed to you what the ancient fathers has shown me of your destiny. This will happen, you will fulfill your destiny, do not stray of the path from which you have been taught. The journey will not be easy for you, but it was prepared just for you and you must be prepared for it. Hear me now, for after today, you and I will no longer speak in this way.

"The ancient fathers have shown me that you, Shambulu, will be captured by the people of the light skin face and taken to their world beyond the water’s edge. It is there that you will face that which is unknown; it is there where you will become leader of the unknown. Many will follow you and seek your wisdom—many not of our tribe. Even those who are our enemies in this land will become your brothers in the land of the light face men beyond the water’s edge.

It is there that your life is destined, it is there where your offsprings will be born. It is there where your destiny will be fulfilled. It is there also my son, where your life will also end. Your offspring will one day return to our land after our generation is no more. Beginning tonight, my son, you must go to prepare yourself for your journey into the unknown. Forget not the wisdom of your teachings and fear not. The Great Spirit will always be where you are. The spirit of our ancient fathers will guide you as you lead with new ways those who await your arrival. The voices of the ancient fathers you will hear in your spirit, their presence you will feel in your dreams, and my love for you my son will always, always be, within your heart. Arise, my son.

As Shambulu stood to his feet with sorrow within his heart and tears in his eyes, King Zambulu embraced him for the last time and instructed him to go to the sacred place of the ancient fathers.

My three guardsmen will take you there and return here. There, the spirit of our ancient fathers will answer all your questions as they prepare your heart and your spirit. When your time there is done, I will wait for your return.

All that King Zambulu spoke was kept in the heart and mind of the young prince for his journey had begun. Prince Shambulu spent forty days and forty nights in the territory beyond his father’s kingdom, in the valley of sacred places where he grew stronger and wiser.

Within him, the voice of the ancient fathers now speaks. Shambulu knew that it was now time; his stay at the valley of sacred places was complete. It was time to leave and return to his father, King Zambulu. But Shambulu never returned. He was captured while on his way back to his father’s kingdom. Even though many searched for him, King Zambulu knew what had happen. The tribal medallion that Shambulu wore was the only thing that was found in the sand along with many footprints near the water’s edge. When King Zambulu was told of the findings, he knew that the words of the ancient leaders had come to pass. The king knew that he would no longer see his son; he knew that Shambulu was gone. Mourning was heavy among the Zambulu tribe. Many hearts were broken, for they loved the young prince. King Zambulu, along with Queen Zesta, called the people of Zambulu together and ordered them to pray daily for their son, Shambulu. The prayer had never ceased—even beyond the death of King Zambulu.

Captured

Chained and