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The Apprentice 2
make that hoe more practical, more cheap, more attainable
and more beautiful. For this reason he experimented endlessly. Little by little he approached his goal. But the closer he got
to this goal, the more the hoes he forged differed from those of
his master. He had noticed this and was worried, but he had
hoped that his master would not perceive the difference. But
alas...
'Master', Ogunmola began excusing himself, 'you know I'm
not imitating Omotola. I'm only trying to forge hoes my own
way.'
'You're talking nonsense, my boy. That's an old story.
It's all they say when they are actually turning against
you. But for you to do that! You, whom I love so! You, who
is . . .' The master was overpowered with emotions and could
not continue. In a moment, however, he straightened up and added
in a stern, uncompromising voice: 'Remember, if you choose
to be my enemy, don't forget: an enemy is an enemy.'
Ogunmola was frightened, but he managed to say:
'I'm not your enemy, master.'
He was not believed. Life subsequently became difficult for
him in his master's workshop. He tried to kill his initiative. All
the same anything he forged bore a quality that was not his
master's. Something unmistakably his own. In the eyes of his
master, however, this something showed increasing resemblance to products from Omotola's workshop. His love for his
apprentice changed into dislike, and soon it matured into
enmity. Explanations didn't help. They only made things
worse.
During this trying period Ogunmola sought to survive the
cruel reality of his apprenticeship by escaping into his past. He
recollected the stories of his illustrious family as they were
narrated to him by his mother. It was as if he had witnessed the
events with his own eyes. Every night be dreamt of Oba, his
great grandfather, the wise ruler. He thrilled with joy in his
sleep as he relived the last heroic deed of Oba.
'The plague came suddenly,' his mother had told him. 'Oba
was ruling at the time. There was plenty. People were contented. Life was simple and meaningful. Then suddenly the
plague!
'The effects were swift and disastrous. People died in hundreds. Soon it became evident that the population would be
wiped out. It was then the wise men consulted the oracles.
'The Spirit of the land had been offended. An unusual
atonement demanded. A man must sacrifice himself in expiation. No influence exerted. The choice completely voluntary.
Sole motivation-the individual's love for the people. Otherwise the Spirit would not be appeased.' Thus spoke all the
oracles.
'For a long time nobody volunteered. People began dying in
thousands. It was then, early one morning, that Oba, the wise
ruler, the beloved of his subjects, called his family together. He
hugged everyone with tender emotions and then announced
his intentions.
'Words spread like a wild fire. Dissuasions increased every
second. The population consulted together and sent a delegation. "It is not enough that we should die like chickens? Must
we also be left without a ruler? And a ruler like you? We would
all die rather than lose you." These and many more were the
words spoken. But Oba would not be dissuaded.
'It was a gloomy afternoon. Sorrow was in every heart. Fear
written on every face. Oba, the illustrious, the wise ruler,
walked calmly towards the Hill. Absolute silence reigned in
the crowd of grieving subjects escorting their beloved ruler on
his last journey. The gloomy silence was frequently pierced by
heart-rending wailings that gushed forth from the desolate
houses on the route. The bereaved mourned their dead.
Almost at every step someone from the procession, who only a
moment ago had been most actively alive, would suddenly
stiffen and drop stone dead. Like a rotten dry wood blown
down by the wind. Sorrow in every heart. Fear on every face.
'Oba hastened his steps. Soon he was at the edge of the
precipice. Unspeakable fear gripped everyone as the wise
ruler jumped the Hill. He vanished without a trace into the
bottomless abyss.
'The Spirit of the land was pacified. A new life began. Your
grandfather. assumed the throne. He followed in the footsteps of Oba, his illustrious father, your great grandfather,
the pride of the land. Once again the land knew splendour,
subjects enjoyed plenty and comfort, life was simple and
meaningful ...
To be continued |
