The retelling story of igodo episode 4

The Retelling Story of
Igodo – Episode 4
“Mama, I have to go. I think this Umu-Igodo
needs my help. I can’t help it mama, you and I
know that this was the reason why I was born”.
Ikemefuna told his mother who was crying. His
father and his three sisters were looking at
Ikemefuna as if he had grown two heads. They
had been discussing about what to do at their
farmland when Ikemefuna brought out the
topic.
“My only son will not go to that cursed village
because Amadioha choose you. Ikemefuna nwa
m I forbid you”. His mother said still crying and
turned to look at their her husband. “Papa
Ikemefuna won’t you say something. Tell him
not to embark on this stupid journey of his.
Please tell him that anyone who step his foot
on Umu-Igodo will be cursed”.
Ikemefuna felt pity at his mother’s words but
he couldn’t go against Amadioha wish.
“Mama, please let me go and I promise you
that I will come to you in one piece. This is
what Amadioha, the one we all in Nwagebe
serve. The one you have dedicated my life too
when I was a baby. Have you forgotten the
promise you had made to Amadioha when you
and papa were looking for a male child. You
had promised Amadioha I will serve him, you
told me this countless of times”. Ikemefuna
told his mother.
“Ehmm Ikemefuna my son, if you are to go
Umu-Igodo’s village like you have said, how will
my compound look like?” His father asked.
“Papa, you and mama are just…..”
Ikemefuna got interrupted by his father.
His father continued. “My compound will look
bare. It will look as if I don’t even have a son.
You are my only son who will take care of us in
our old age”.
“Papa, nothing will happen to me. Amadioha
who had given me to you and mama will not
allow any harm to come to me. Amadioha will
surely see me through”. Ikemefuna said trying
to see if he can persuade his parents”.
“But what mama and papa are saying is true,
what if you don’t make it. You keep telling us
that is what your Agu says. I for once did not
believe what your Agu say”. Nkechi Ikemefuna
eldest sister ch¡p in.
“And did I beg you to”.
“Oooh, it is even his Agu that told him to go to
Umu-igodo, Ikemefuna O bu eziokwu- is this
true?” The mother asked.
“Yes mama, my Agu told me that I am needed
in Umu-Igodo and that the rest are waiting for
me there”. Ikemefuna replied.
His mother shouted. “Nwa m nwoke na-ege nti
n olu nke mmuo karia nne na nna ya. Ndi
Nwagebe a ziri ezi?- my only son is listening to
the voice of the spirit than his own parents. The
people of Nwagebe is this right?”
“Mama, I am not in anyway listening to a spirit,
my Agu is real. If my own family can’t see my
Agu then that does not mean it’s not real”.
Ikemefuna said defending his Agu.
“Papa, allow Ikemefuna to go. I have this
feelings that if you deny him this, Amadioha will
punish this family. Please papa allow
Ikemefuna to go”. The third sister, Nneoma
said pleading on Ikemefuna behalf.
“Well, since Nneoma had said we should allow
Ikemefuna to go to that cursed village, I have
agreed. After all whatever Nneoma say
happens. I don’t want the wrath of Amadioha
upon my entire household”. The father said and
stood up, stretch himself before going in,side
the hut.
Ikemefuna mother did not say anything, she
stood up and went to the back of the hut.
Nkechi and Ugochi (the second daughter)
followed their mother to the kitchen.
“Ikemefuna, it’s okay. Papa have agreed to let
you go. But, you have to made sure that you
come back home safe”. Nnoma said.
“Thank you”.
“Nneoma come and fetch some water. Your
sisters are busy helping me here in the kitchen
and you are gossiping with your brother”. Their
mother voice sounded loud at the back of the
hut.
Nneoma quickly stood up and went to meet
them in the kitchen leaving Ikemefuna to his
thought.
Soon Ikemefuna made his way out of his father
compound and started going towards the
forest. He wants to have a word with his Agu.
*************************************
Uzodinma, Odum and Igodo listened and
watched as the leaves beside Igodo’s house
rattled and the footsteps draw near.
Ikenna and Ikenga emerged from the bush and
saw an old man, so old and fragile together
with a man and a woman. They looked at one
another for a minute or so.
Ikenna was the first to speak. “Please, we are
looking for a man that bears Igodo. Do you in
anyway know where we can find him”.
Igodo smiled and Odum answered for him.
“Yes”, and pointed at Igodo. “This is the man
you are looking for, this is Igodo”.
The twins both looked at themselves then the
old man before they kneel down and greeted
the old man.
“Arise my sons. We have been waiting for you
and the others. Though I am afraid to say that
the seven children of Amadioha is yet to be
completed”. Igodo said slowly. “Uzodinma,
please show them where they will keep their
load in the hut. I have a feeling there is one
coming, I can feel it”. No sooner had he
finished his words, they all heard the beautiful
tune of Ojadike’s flute.
Ojadike appeared at the same direction where
the twins came out from. He pauses as he
saw them. The five pairs of eyes stare at
Ojadike as he also did to them.
“Well, good day my father and everyone here”,
Ojadike said and pointed at Igodo. With his
tone of speech, you will know he comes from a
wealthy home. “I guess you are the Igodo I was
told to find. And also if I am in the right place”.
“Yes, you are. You just came in time also,
Uzodinma will direct you to where you will keep
your load. I pray to Amadioha to send the
remaining two in time”. Igodo said and
Uzodinma went in as Ikenna, Ikenga and
Ojadike following her. In their hearts they all felt
safe and home.
Ojadike soon came out and sat down beside
Odum on the raffle mat.
“You played brother”. Odum complemented on
Ojadike flute playing.
“Thank you”. Ojadike said smiling brightly.
“Please can you do that again I mean play your
flute?” Odum asked
“Well, I was about to ask him that too”. Igodo
ch¡p in.
“Of course”, Ojadike replied and brought out his
flute and started playing a familiar tune he was
use to.
*************************************
Ikemefuna had made it into the forest, after
walking a little bit in,side the forest, he pauses
and looked around making sure he was alone.
Then he whispered.
“Agu, I am here”. No sooner as he uttered
those words a Lion walked out of its hiding
place. The Lion sat down, facing Ikemefuna.
“Have your parents allowed you to go to Umu-
Igodo?” The Lion surprisingly asked.
Agu was a name given to him by Ikemefuna, he
had met the Lion when he had been lost in this
forest, he was very young then. He had given
up hope of finding his way to his village when
Agu came out from the bush. At first he was
afraid thinking that the Lion was there to eat
him, but was surprised when the Lion talked to
him and asked him to climb his back, that he
will take him back to his village.
When he saw that the Lion was actually
speaking to him, he ran further into the forest,
trying to get away from the animal. He found a
space under a tree to rest and think of his way
out but was surprised when he saw the Lion in
front of him.
How had it come here?
The Lion then told him as if he was reading
Ikemefuna’s mind. “You can’t run away from
your chi. I am your chi. No matter how far you
are, I am with you”.
And from there he became close to the Lion.
The most funniest aspect of it all was that no
one can see the Lion expect him. At times the
Lion do come to his home to talk to him about
things of the world. It was during one of those
talks that the Lion told him of the cursed village
and how he was among the seven children of
Amadioha. Ikemefuna believed the Lion and
had always have the interest of going to Umu-
Igodo to save the land. And now he thinks he’s
ready to go to Umu-Igodo village at least that’s
what his chi had told him to do.
“Yes I have, and they had agreed”.
“Good. You have to start preparing for the
journey ahead. You are leaving this night”.
“I will do as you have said”. Ikemefuna said and
left the Lion who walks for a while before
disappearing into thin air.
******************************
Prince Ebuka of Umu-Igodo had been restless
since the death of his younger brother. He had
heard from his hut when Odum had told his
father he will find a way to stop the curse.
Prince Ebuka had always be greatly disturbed
by the deaths of his people and have prayed to
Amadioha to lift the curse but to no avail.
When he heard what Odum had said to his
father and the elders, he was in his hut still
asking Amadioha to free his people.
Prince Ebuka had a great hearing. He can hear
anything that is being discussed from a
distance. All though he had never told his
mother, who is the first wife of the Igwe and
neither his father.
He wasn’t surprised when Odum told his father
of how he will break the curse.
The curse?
The curse?
Igodo and the curse?
Everything had started with Igodo and he might
know a thing or two about the curse. Igodo
must have an idea on how to break the curse. I
must pay a visit to him.
I will do anything and everything to save the
lives of the innocent people of Umu-Igodo.
****************************
That night in Nwagebe village, Ikemefuna made
his way out of his village. His Agu by his side
as they walked through the paths that leads to
Umu-Igodo village.
To be continue……