HOPE OF A VILLAGE

When the entire Obogo community decided that Egbu should represent them in the exam, they were sure that he was the one to bring the laurel to the community. Egbu had warned all and sundry that he preferred that he was not addressed by his full name ‘’Egbugharia’’. Egbu’s followership was so towering that his name became the semblance of ‘’new order’’. His appearance was so magical that people swore that he never killed an ant when he walked. Great was his glory and endless was his praises. Ever and ever the keys to the new order he held in his mind.  Faithful and true he entered the hall; alas! Beyond his consternation, the exam was tougher than he had envisaged.

Each of the four questions was compulsory.  The entire community had gathered waiting for the result. The exam was so unique that the examiner announces the result after solution to each of the questions. Four hours was the time earmarked for the exam. He had only answered one and half of the questions and conclusions were drawn.  The trumpeter had announced just the result of the first question. The entire Obogo community appeared to have moved from their usual confidence and expectant mood. The agony of getting what they dreadfully yearned for had engulfed their reasoning.

Egbu’s posture in the hall didn’t help matters. His examiner and his brother who had wanted to represent Obogo must have been responsible for this tough exam. They must have failed to assist him with the necessary materials that would have helped him succeed. One sit to another was his movement in the hall. Hand of clock was ticking. Tick! Tac! was the sound.. Thought of his promises to his people had enveloped his thoughts. The trust of his people, the sacrifice and the euphoria that greeted his appointment was abruptly fizzling out. Oh!, Egbu screamed in the  hall. Should I really have nominated to represent Obogo community?

They believed in me, they gave their all for me to be here. Yes, this is open book exam. Should I use one of my life lines?

Do I call people to send me answers?

What would my people say?

Won’t they think that they shouldn’t have sent me in the first place? No, I will stay in this hall till the end of this exam. Maybe, the answers will develop in my head.

Obogo community had grown impatient. Egbu’s restlessness in the hall meant he had no answers. The entire community had been thrown into mourning. Those that supported his appointment were weeping silently while those that opposed him wailed openly. The result was going to affect both the big and the mighty.

Two and half hours were still a long time to go. Egbu could still make an ‘’A’’ in this exam was the echo of his Obogo supporters. They had argued that if he failed, that he would not be nominated again. His Obogo ‘’Opposers’’ believed they had seen enough. The disgrace out of the impending failure was visible. The rejection Obogo would face among the comity of villages must have been responsible for their impatience. Thehunger the exam was going to bring to the village drove them to despondency. They want Egbugharia to ‘’Gbugharia’’ for better. They want to remain alive to see the results of this exam. They want to be free from their neighbours who would side line them. Their cry was so rambunctious and vociferous that even the great ‘’Zeus’’ himself covered his ear. Come home oh! My son, come home became the anthem of Obogo community.

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