The PACT and other Stories

About the Book

In a time and culture where women left their wares in the marketplace knowing that those things would be intact when they returned the next day; where bonds of friendship were like blood ties, where when men shake hands over a deal, it was like iron clad agreements, breaking one’s word or promise was odious and people would inconvenience themselves to keep promises made. Socializations in Igbo societies indoctrinate members to subconsciously defer to cultural norms. One of the reasons, I believe, is the action and reward belief systems of traditional and Christian religions. While traditional religion instantly rewards actions, good or bad, Christian religion on the other hand prolongs the rewards to the point that people often disregard their consequences. The cultural beliefs that underpin many of these stories are profound. The dilemma of straddling between traditional and Christian beliefs, can be enervating. This book explores the faithfulness of friendship in The Pact Reloaded, and how fate and people’s destiny were often determined by the gods in The Dilemma of a Firstborn Priest and The Flute. Only the gods can ring a man’s eyes to see what other people can’t see. Oftentimes, peoples’ yesterdays catch up with their today, and the actions of their distant past haunt their present as explored in The Twins.

About the Author

Umelo Ojinmah, an alumnus of St Augustine’s Grammar School, Nkwerre, University of Calabar, and University of Otago, New Zealand, is a Professor of English and Literary Studies. Former Dean, Students Affairs, Federal University of Technology, Owerri and former Dean, Faculty of Arts, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, he is a storyteller, poet, and literary critic. His published works include: Chinua Achebe: New Perspectives, The Writings of Witi Ihimaera, The Witches Brew and Other Stories and Aloneness (poems), which are all available on Amazon. Others are Flower Kissed by the Sun and The Pact, among others. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington State.