Nosa Omorodion’s ‘Ivie’s Secret and Other Stories’ out to thrill youngsters

By Editor

IVIE’S Secret and Other Stories by Nosa Omorodion is a collection of three engaging short stories for upper primary and junior secondary school readers. The collection comprises ‘Ivie’s Secret,’ ‘Ejime the Fisher Boy,’ and ‘The Stolen Yam.’ Omorodion’s book has received a major boost with its approval by Edo State Ministry of Education for use in JSS 3 classes for public and private schools in the state.

Written in simple, clear, and captivating language, the stories are designed to promote reading interest while enriching pupils’ vocabulary and comprehension skills. To support young readers, each story is followed by a glossary explaining unfamiliar words and expressions.

Beyond their entertainment value, the stories promote positive moral values such as love, kindness, generosity, honesty, faithfulness, repentance, forgiveness, hard work, selflessness, perseverance, and respect for wise counsel. They also demonstrate the consequences of greed, infidelity, deceit, envy, and other negative character traits, thereby encouraging character development among young readers.

Shortly after their marriage, Ivie and her husband, Efosa, relocate to a new town to begin a new life together. Before leaving her village, Ivie visits a mysterious duck with magical powers that has long been her closely guarded secret. The duck entrusts her with a special gift that will bring prosperity to the family in their new home. Unknown to Ivie, Efosa secretly follows her and discovers the source of the family’s future fortune.

In their new town, Ivie faithfully follows the duck’s instructions, and the couple soon becomes wealthy. However, prosperity brings temptation. Efosa becomes involved in extramarital relationships and eventually impregnates another woman, Funmi. Although reluctant to marry her, he eventually does so with Ivie’s consent.

Driven by jealousy and greed, Funmi seeks supernatural means to gain greater control over Efosa. Her actions lead to the revelation of Ivie’s closely guarded secret. Hoping to remove Ivie from her path, Funmi attempts to exploit the secret, but her plans end in tragedy.

As a result, Efosa loses his wealth and falls seriously ill. Guided by a dream, Ivie returns to her village in search of the magical duck. Moved by her faithfulness and determination, the duck teaches her how to restore her husband’s health and recover the family’s lost prosperity.

Ivie follows the instructions faithfully. Efosa regains his health, their prosperity is restored, and Ivie becomes the principal source of the family’s renewed fortune. The couple learns valuable lessons about love, trust, faithfulness, humility, and the consequences of disobedience and greed. They go on to live happily with their children, demonstrating that integrity, perseverance, and good character ultimately bring lasting fulfilment.

The other two stories are equally as captivating as ‘Ivie’s Secret’ and teach invaluable lessons that enable people live in harmonious relationships. Ivie’s Secret and Other Stories will thrill children of all ages.

Nosa Omorodion