When the King cries and other stories

Some African writers have made references to the inspirations they got from their grandmothers, through listening to their folktales most especially during moonlight nights. This is an aspect of African traditional society that has been seriously eroded by urbanization. It is, therefore, heartwarming to note that the author of this collection of short stories tries to relive the moments he spent patiently listening to folktales from the grandmother.

The book you are about to read, When the King cries and other stories captures the true essence of life in the Niger Delta communities of Nigeria. Like in some African countries, stories are just not told for the sake of telling stories, most stories are didactic. It is in this light that the stories in the collection are to be read for there are moral lessons one could learn from them.

The poetic verses interjected in the stories make them flow with ease and elicit communal participation. The book retains the jovial and light hearted style of the other works by the same author. Images which abound in the stories are drawn from the author's rural environment, but could be easily comprehended by all. You can never say you are ever bored reading the stories over and over again.

Frank Nicholas Ilogu

Executive Director of News

Voice of Nigeria (VON)

Lagos.

9th March, 2007.

Dettagli