LED ON BY MY SHADOW BY OLUWABUSAYO MADARIOLA

GENRE: SHORT STORY TITLE: LED ON BY MY SHADOW WRITER: OLUWABUSAYO MADARIOLA, NIGERIA REVIEWER: JOSEPH ODURO, GHANA
 
On hearing the cock crow, we wake to the musings of the morning with a glimmering hope that the past does not repeat itself. As such we become very sensitive to our environment with keen observation of signs that may erupt and cajole us in our desperate hearts while whispering, “This is the hour, your chance to take.”
 
'Led on by my shadow' talks about a woman who from her youth grew with exuberance and higher hopes of living in ivy towers while she slept on her hay bed each night. Owing to that, she pursued the city in search of greener pastures while suffering from an inferiority complex due to some quirks she had. Her delusions got bigger when the family she worked for upheld and admired her culinary skills as she worked as their maid. She had a new place she could call home. Regardless, she yearned for more; affection, a sense of belonging and attention. Someone to love her despite her flaws, even though they seem very conspicuous. One young man’s interest in her placed her on the road to recognizing her dreams. She remained centred on the glamour which fed her assumptions. On realizing the truths in her delusion, she resorted to going back to her roots on her mother’s advice.
 
The story is quite relatable as the setting and theme suit our time. It’s very relevant because it highlights the dreams of any young lady living in a rural area who is hoping to fulfil her dreams and yearns for acceptance into a classy class in society. The story connotes delusions of grandeur and how our idiosyncrasies can lead us into turmoil. In the end, we learn that we ought to set goals within our means and achieve them. That’s only when we can be fulfilled and happy.