Once upon a time in the land of Lorji, lived a polygamous family of a great hunter, whose name is Ojinta, but popularly called Oji the hunter by the entire villagers, His quest for a son had led him to marry more wives than he bargained for, he had eight wives in all, each he married in pursuit of a male child, but the more he tried, the more he failed. Out of annoyance he decided not to marry any other wife against the advice of his kinsmen to marry one more wife.
Determined to get a son, he summoned all his wives one rainy morning and promised to give half of all his wealth to any woman who would give him a male child, already Ojinta had nineteen daughters from his eight wives. The first wife, Nneka had four girls before he married Nkem, the second wife, who gave birth to two female children, then he went to a farther town to marry Uremma, who delivered just a daughter, he didn't give up the search for a male child as he further married Adamma, who delivered twins twice, though they were all female children.
Frustrated Ojinta married four other wives, hoping to get a male child, Ulumma, Ijeoma, Ogechi andChineyenwa, who gave birth to two girls each for the great hunter, Ojinta, who is now used as the daily gist in the village, as many now call him “Ojintaumunwayi”, a name that tags him as one with plenty females.
The wives of Ojinta were all very cooperative, as much as possible, they shared love within themselves, since everyone was praying and hoping for a male child, despite the promise of Ojinta to his wives of giving anyone who delivers a male child, half of his wealth, the women still worked in unity, they love their husband and as much as possible respects each other, until something happened; one of Ojinta’s wives, Chineyenwa, the youngest of all, slept with her formal boyfriend, and gave birth to a son. Unknown to her, Nneka, the first wife knew about that affair, but being the most senior wife, she kept quiet till the night Chineyenwa delivered a bouncing baby boy. Amidst the joy, Nneka asked Chineyenwa to confess her sin of adultery to her husband that night or she will tell him the next morning before he makes a big mistake of giving half of his wealth to another man’s son.
The report received at dawn by Ojinta from Nneka almost killed him, as all his hopes and dreams of a son scattered right before his eyes, he cried bitterly and sent Chineyenwa packing, though he gave her two daughters to Nneka the most senior wife to take care of them like they were hers.
Ojinta….Ojinta….Ojinta was heard far away from the compound of Ojinta, the one who called ran closer as he gives more strength to his voice while calling out for Ojinta. Ojinta ran out from his room and shouted on the young king’s servant, what is chasing you?, why are you shouting my name?, Speak young man before I lose my temper and cut off your tongue. Out of fear, the young man whispered that the king was calling Ojinta, unable to hear him, Ojinta shouted, speak louder boy, did you lose your manhood to the dust, asked Ojinta. The servant finally passed the message to Ojinta, who followed the young servant to the Kings palace.
At the Kings palace, Ojinta met other six warriors of the village and he joined them, wondering why they were summoned to the king’s palace, they whispered to each other, asking if any one of them knew why they were summoned. Amidst the confusion, the King walked in, as the men bowed down to greet the king, Ojinta asked the king why they were summoned in such manner, then the king shared the poignant news, that his only daughter has been kidnapped by some warriors of a distant village, their quest was to carefully go to the village, locate his daughter and rescue her before they kill her and that he will give anything the men asked when they returned his daughter successfully.
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