Echoes of Thunder

By P. Ezenwa Okafor

Uzu, the only son, is born at a time when his father, Okeagu, has lost the hope of having a male child. The joy and fanfares that greet his birth later give way to sorrow and agony when his life begins to experience hues and cries like Echoes of Thunder.

In seeking explanations to the whys, all accusing fingers point to his father.

Ironically, Okeagu, as a proverb has it, has unknowingly fetched termite-infested firewood and so would unavoidably receive unwanted guests - the lizards.

However, the solution lies in the supreme altar of mercy. But Okeagu must make a confession and be prepared to pay the costly price that is required to salvage the destiny of the innocent son? Unravel the mystery as you journey through the pages of the book.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Mar 13, 2014
• ISBN: 9781491896532

P. Ezenwa Okafor

P. Ezenwa Okafor holds Bachelor of Agriculture in Agricultural Economics, Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance and Banking and Post Graduate Diploma in Education(PGDE) He is a prolific writer and a natural story teller. He has a wide range of working experience as a banker, teacher and business consultant. He is now a Publisher, Author and a Consultant( Educational, Agro-Business and Management ). Presently, he is the Chief Executive Officer of Pekan Publishers Ltd -a Publishing and Business Consultancy outfit . He is the founder of Creative Minds Series. His published creative works include: 1. Ocean in the Desert. 2. Apples of Gold. 3. Beyond my Power. He is married to Nkechi and they are blessed with children

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© 2014 by P. Ezenwa Okafor. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 02/25/2014

ISBN: 978-1-4918-9652-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-9653-2 (e)

This book is a fiction. All the names of people and places herein are the imaginations of the author. Any resemblance to the names of people, dead or alive, or places are coincidental.

The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Glossary

Books In Creative Minds Series

CHAPTER ONE

Uzu was a dream child. His father, Okeagu, suffered terrible ordeals before his birth. Okeagu was never comfortable whenever he found himself in the midst of his people. They often made jest of him for having only female children as though it was his making. They always found the opportunity to provoke him to anger and to make him realize that strangers would inherit his property at his death. His friends, Ngodi, Dibia and few others were genuinely exceptional. They showed him sincere concern and friendship.

His community, Umuetoro was saddled with traditions that conferred the right of inheritance of a man’s asset to only his male children or to close male relations where there was no male child of the man. Unfortunately for Okeagu, his first and second wives gave him only female children. In desperation, he married the third wife, Nnenna, expecting the story to be different. Like the first and the second wives, Nnenna gave birth to six daughters at short interval. In each pregnancy of Nnenna, Okeagu anticipated a male child. When it turned out repeatedly in contrary to his expectation, he lost hope and resorted to alcoholism. Day by day, his anxiety heightened as he kept agonizing.

There isn’t any male child to perpetuate my name. My compound will be over grown by weeds in future. My land and indeed all my property will be inherited by strangers, Okeagu retorted.

These and a lot more were the worries of Okeagu.

A friend in need, they say, is a friend indeed. Okeagu was in a trying situation. While some unfriendly friends paid lip services, others who were truly intimate showed genuine concern. Some sincerely offered unsolicited pieces of advice from the depth of their hearts which, judging from the surface, appeared a good panacea. Dibia advised that he should allow one or two of his grown up daughters to move about freely and raise male children for him. He cited some similar instances to convince Okeagu that his advice was not something strange. Anyim advised that he should go for the fourth wife preferably a young widow or a divorcée with a track record of male issues. Ngodi, on his own told him of one wise one who had solution to every problem. He promised to take Okeagu to him if only he would show interest. The advice of Ngodi sounded a better option to Okeagu. He quickly dismissed the advice of Dibia as he had no face to stand the stigma of his daughters raising children in his house without proper marriage. He however asked Ngodi to allow him time to digest his advice.

Days rolled by but Okeagu was still undecided on any line of action. Day and night, he was bothered by the possible danger of consulting the wise one. The counsel of Dibia kept filtering into his memory. He was not at ease at all with it. He therefore made up his mind to invite Ngodi to his compound for further details about the ‘wise one’.

Ngodi responded to the invitation without delay. The situation of Okeagu was giving him sleepless night too. He presumed that Okeagu must have made up his mind on the issue of the ‘wise one’.

You are welcome my friend, Okeagu saluted.

Thank you, Ngodi responded, smiling. He took Ngodi to his inner room where they had a lengthy discussion in whispers.

You mean the ‘wise one’ can do it? Okeagu asked.

With ease, Ngodi responded, expressing confidence. He assured him that there was nothing to fear. Convinced that Ngodi was leading him aright, they agreed on a date to visit the ‘wise one’. By the time he was leaving Okeagu’s compound, it was already dead night. However, he was happy that his effort had yielded good results.

The following ‘Afor’ market day, Ngodi and Okeagu set out very early in the morning to consult the ‘wise one’. Throughout the night, Okeagu was on alert in the spirit. Immediately he heard the first cockcrow, he took his bath, dressed up, took his walking stick and left for Ngodi’s compound. Ngodi, unlike himself, was already awake and ready at the first cockcrow waiting for Okeagu as agreed.

You’re truly an early riser, Ngodi teased Okeagu.

Okeagu beamed a smile, saying, a cripple doesn’t fall a victim of a pre-arranged battle. Ngodi was not in doubt about the proverb. He understood that all Okeagu was saying, was that he was not taken unawares. They therefore took off.

It was a long distance journey but the cool weather that usually characterized the morning hours of harmattan season made their trekking less stressful. They met a number of women and grown-up children on the way going to and returning from the stream, carrying pots of water on their heads. The harmattan breeze was blowing. People were shivering in cold despite putting on sweaters and the likes. They could hear the hooting of owl in the forest. When they got to the cross roads, they diverted to the right while those going to the stream continued straight on. To their left was the road leading to Amadike village. At that point, Ngodi broke the silence.

Okeagu, pray that we be the first to arrive there, Ngodi said.

I hope so, Okeagu responded.

When Ude and I visited him sometime last year, we took the fourth position, despite getting there very early, Ngodi said.

Let’s hope that we’ll be among the first four to arrive there, Okeagu chipped in.

That’s my prayer, Ngodi replied.

They continued their journey still praying that they would get there on time. Though they were almost there Ngodi only wanted to take Okeagu by surprise. After a little more trekking, Ngodi said, pointing at an Iroko tree ahead, That is the compound.

You mean we’ve reached there? Okeagu asked.

They were the first to arrive at the compound of the ‘wise one’. They met a woman outside sweeping the compound. She greeted and directed them to the waiting room. Before their arrival, the ‘wise one’ had set his altar and waiting room in order in anticipation of the surging crowd that usually trooped in daily to see him. They saluted him, bowing and were given the tally number one. In a swift moment, the waiting room was filled up with a crowd, waiting to take their turn.

The ‘wise one’ sat down facing his oracle, decorated with inexplicable fetish crafts and colorations. He directed his attendant to bring in the first person. Okeagu and Ngodi went in, sitting close to him. After a moment of silence, the wise one beat his metal gong and displayed seven times what looked like cowries. He looked at Okeagu eyeball to eyeball with perfect concentration. He muttered esoteric words to his oracle to confirm what he saw. You’re in dire need of a male child, the wise one said confidently, pointing at Okeagu. Okeagu looked at Ngodi in utter surprise, saying in a low tone, How come?

I told you he has the power to do it, Ngodi whispered to Okeagu

Yes, you’re right, Wise One, Okeagu responded.

Are you ready for it, Wise One asked Okeagu repeatedly

Ready! Yes, at any cost, Okeagu replied. At this point, Okeagu opened up, pleading, Help me, Wise One I’m ready to pay any price to have my dream fulfilled.

Hold it! Okeagu, the oracle has heard you. Wipe your tears, your sorrow is over, Wise One cut in. Convinced that Okeagu meant his word and the oracle too had spoken in his favour, the wise one led him through esoteric incantations. It did not bother Okeagu