Beside the Still Waters

A frame story By the Still Waters is ultimately the story of post- colonial Nigeria recapitulated in the struggles of a brave teenage girl not only to salvage her broken dreams from her country's smoldering ruins but also to rebuild the dreams of her country women. Udo the heroine of By the Still Waters means Peace in English language. But far from what her name connotes and contrary to her long held dreams of good life and the aspiration and hopes of her loving parents something apposite and quite sinister stood between her and the attainment of the well-intended plans and expectations. The tyranny of repressive values; fortune's double cast indifferent and wicked relations and the mother of them all the aged village Chief who was forced on her as a suitor made something to snap in her. She simply took to flight. To where? Indeed no contemplation! Being under aged inexperienced and disadvantaged her various adventures and wanderings actually took her through thick and thin and balanced her precariously for some time on the edge of doom! But guided by virtue good family upbringing will to succeed against all odds and to a greater or lesser extent faith in God she not only succeeded in securing the sound education and training she had desired the security of a home she missed and the love of her life she yearned for all the while; but also the happy re-union with her family minus her father. She had swum in massive waves of oppression for some time and emerged a survivor from the raging depths of tumultuous existence. Now Freedom's Voice for women trapped in the hard places of life she continues her walk quietly beside the still waters of life!