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“Nnaa”, I didn’t know how hard English language was until it took me several days to realize the title of that my essay on “ofe onugbu” meant different things to different people and ofcourse brought about a little confusion to me as the writer. So it happened that one of those Saturday afternoons, God blessed me with that type of soup that prompts a man to bless his wife and give her a blank cheque to ask for whatever her heart desires. I was in that position. Instead of me taking that honourable part and parting with some blessing, I chose the dishonourable part and came out to the public to talk about the “ofe” (soup). With so much excitement, I came on social media to talk about it, titling my essay “What makes ofe onugbu (bitter leaf soup) thick”. (you can Google it or go to www.peterobidike.com )My intention was to relay to my audience how “ofe onugbu” is so unique in its own right in the committee of nations, given the sumptuous meal I just had.
Initially, the immediate response I got from my immediate handle was encouraging and I realized that food was not just the way to a man’s heart but indeed to everyone’s soul irrespective of gender. However, several responses from my other handle suggested the audience was reading a different meaning from the essay or reading a different essay entirely! A number of responders answered the question I asked since the title of the essay was indeed a question “What makes better leaf soup thick?”. The debate was then between “Ede Uri” (cocoayam), yam and other thickners. By the time I realized what was happening, it was too late, hence my decision to do a rejoinder. Indeed the responders were right. What makes “ofe Onugbu thick” is the “achi” or cocoayam or any other thickner for that matter.
However, this later response was probably from those that did not read the body of the essay to appreciate the importance of it all, and the mistake was also from me. I have now realized how poor I was in English. I understand that I should have put the “thick” in inverted commas like I just did so that my audience would understand that I meant it as in “quote”. Chai! Ihe English na eme mmadu (what English does to a person).
That reminded me of my other essay I wrote about two years ago titled “I am glad she left”(you can Google it or go to www.peterobidike.com). A responder extended sympathy to me since he assumed my wife must have left me,Choi! It took another responder to correct the impression that I was not talking about my “wife oh”. Of course the essay did not name anyone and readers where to deduce the subject of the essay as a way of putting a twist to the play. I did not wade into the drama to clarify to the audience that my wife was home and sound right here on my bed. I chose to enjoy the drama as it unfolded.
These little occurences can show how important essay titles can be. A lot really go into that title. A “catchy” title is required to draw the audience from the sitting room to the “other room”, for those that have the patience to stay with the author. But in that “catchiness”, I have now learnt a lesson.
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In the attempt to lure your audience to come and chop what you have cooked for them, be sure to state clearly whether it is “ofe onugbu” you want them to eat and reverence or the colour of the plate it is served on.
Obidike Peter wrote from www.peterobidike.com and p_obidike@yahoo.com
Friday 25th May 2018
