THE GLORIOUS SUNSET OF ODUM

By FAUSTINA FT MICHAEL 

King Ampofo was a ruler of a small village Papase which had a lot of people living there. And they are like thousand, two hundred people, which makes their culture and agriculture mature and grow well.

 The king had three wives but had only one son, Ntikuma which will be crown as the next king of that small town. In the small village, everyone loved and respected each other and this made the village developed. The king was humble and always makes sure his people are protected and free from danger, he also settles disputes among them.

 Everyone loved and respected the king because he was not a miser. He always makes sure his people does not face difficulties and also encourages them to be strong and face reality no matter how difficult life is. King Ampofo was a soft spoken person. 

The king was adored and honoured by his people in the village.

In the small tiny village, a lot of food crops were planted. Foods like maize, yam, cassava, millet, oat and so many on which made the villagers never lack anything.

 This made the people encouraged to keep working hard to earn money. In that tiny village, a man named Odum was known as one of the hardworking man who always tries hard to make the town develop. Odum was a married man with two children Ataa and Tawia.

 His children were very respectful and took after their father. Odum was known to be a kind hearted young man. Everyone respected him, even the king noticed his kind hearted and respectful. Odum was really a submissive person. Odum was such an amazing young man everyone in the village loved. He was gentle and highly principled.  He works harder to make sure his family never go hungry even though they could not afford everything. He was a man of his words. 

He always advises his children to be hardworking because good work comes hardworking. Odum always tries to help others who needs help. He also tells his children that respecting the elderly ones brings more blessing upon your lives. This made the children more encouraged to do the right thing.

On the other hand, Ntikuma, the son of king Ampofo who is to be crown as the next king in the village of Papase is actually a pompous young man. 

Ntikuma, an inconsiderate man going about kicking up arrows. He was a self- centered person. This made the old king which will sooner give up his strength to the ancient goddess was really disturbed. Even the elders in the community were very worried about this harmful behaviour of Ntikuma.  This behaviour of his son made him down the dumps. 

Due to the king having only one son, this make him potray himself like that living stream that flows through the forest and a survival solution for the hunters.

All this attitude make his father strength weaker day by day, which makes him to make a very tough decision that destroy the image of his son.

The people feared him and never wanted to go close to such an ill mannered person. Each time he is sat down to be advised by his father, the king, he always says whatever his father would say is a storm in a tea cup. 

This behaviour of Ntikuma was above ones head. This got the king under the weather. The situation of the king became worse and nothing could be done about it, he grew weaker and weaker. The elders were disturbed to see their king go through this situation but can't help. 

The king knew it was time to kick off the bucket so he called his elders for an important meeting. He told his elders he has made decisions on who to be crown as the next king of this village, but before then, he told them to keep it a secret until he gives up the ghost. He therefore said he has decided to crown Odum as the next king of this village because his son Ntikuma was not showing any good morality which when crown the king will only bring misfortune to the village. His lackadaisical behaviour cannot rule his people. The elders agreed and obeyed the decision of their beloved king. 

The next morning, rumours spread out that the king has finally journey beyong imagination This made the people of Papase sad and wept all tears they could. Ntikuma was eager to sit on the throne but doesn't know what awaits him.

On one faithful afternoon,  elders of the village sent the gong- gong beater to spread new to the people of Papase to leave whatever they are doing and meet at the chiefs palace . This made Ntikuma's pride grew more and more eager to sit on the throne. 

But unfortunately for him, the news was spread out that, Odum whom the king himself has chosen is to take over his throne as the next king to rule, and protect the people of Papase. The people became excited to have Odum crown as the king of this small village. Ntikuma was actually in a kettle of fish and did not know what to do. 

Because of Odums kind hearted and the respect he has for everyone,  ended him a good reward, one person said. Odum was crown the king and is to be called king Odum .

That's was how a new sun was set for Odum the barbarian farmer and his family in the kingdom of Papase village.