The Apprentice

In this story, "The Apprentice", we are told of a blacksmith apprentice with royal heritage. Ogunmola spends much of his time reflecting on his families past as rulers of a nation. The reader is told of how Oba, Ogunmola's great grandfather, sacrifices himself in an epidemic in an attempt to save his people. Ogunmola's grandfather then takes the thrown but is overthrown thus ending Ogunmola's family rule. As Ogunmola continues on in his apprenticeship he tells of being torn between two master's who are twins; Omataiye and Omotola. These masters criticise Ogunmola's work and force him to decide between them as they are bitter enemies. Ogunmola, however, simply wants to spend his time daydreaming of his families illustrious past. I felt that the hatred between the two masters was a good example of what it may have been like to be a ruler and have to settle differences amongst the common people. Perhaps Ogunmola's refusal to mediate the differences between these blacksmith brothers was a way to show the reader that he would have failed as a leader of his people. Furthermore, I also thought this story illustrated that despite your background, life is unpredictable. As the saying goes you may be a prince one day, and a pauper the next!