THE STORY OF OLD MAXWELL OF UMUEGWU Written by KEMKA S. IBEJI
Slightly aged, he was so reticent and taciturn. He preferred to live in solitude. Scarcely looked up to see your face and overtly disinterested in what your duties and games were all about. He would seem to be unperturbed and very unconcerned about goings on in the community and his environment. We saw him walk down the seaside always with all solemnity and all reverence of calmness, he rarely looked at any faces. The particular wonder was his especial abandonment of all entreaties, pleasantries and cheers. As if he was already telling you to keep your greetings to yourselves; he never responded to any greetings. No matter how loud you greeted, old Maxwell never responded. Not even in the softest nod or wink. Never! I am very sure that many carefree young people will pass him for a deaf or dumb or both. Yes, and they would have allowed him go without bothering why he never responded to their greetings. Surely, they would have taken him for someone impaired in natural speech or some old...