The Lies of the Ajungo

In the sprawling expanse of the arid desert lies the City of Lies, a place shrouded in mystery and fear. They say there is no water in the City of Lies. They say there are no heroes. They say there are no friends beyond its gates. But what if everything you've been told is a lie?

At the heart of this gripping tale is Tutu, a young boy on the cusp of his thirteenth birthday, burdened with the dread of an impending ritual that will leave him mute. In three days, like every child his age, Tutu is to have his tongue cut out to appease the formidable Ajungo Empire, ensuring the continued supply of the city's most precious resource: water. However, Tutu’s reality is further complicated by his mother’s dire and immediate need for water, pushing him to the ultimate brink of both desperation and courage.

Determined to save his ailing mother, Tutu approaches the city’s oba with a desperate plea. In a moment of sheer resolve, he strikes a perilous bargain: the oba provides water for his mother, and in return, Tutu will venture beyond the city’s walls, into the treacherous desert, to bring back water and hope for the entire city. It is a journey fraught with danger, uncertainty, and perhaps, profound revelations.

The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi intricately crafts a world of stark contrasts and forbidden truths. The harrowing yet empowering journey of Tutu unfolds as he battles the harsh elements of the Forever Desert, discovering untold secrets and uncharted territories both within and beyond himself.

In this powerful opening to what promises to be an epic fable, Utomi’s narrative is as enchanting as it is disquieting. Each word carefully chosen, each emotion vividly portrayed, Utomi invites readers into a realm where the lines between truth and deceit blur. The Lies of the Ajungo not only tells a story of survival and bravery but also explores deeper themes of sacrifice, identity, and the relentless search for truth in a world built on lies.

Step into a world where every drop of water is worth a life and every step taken could lead to salvation or ruin. Discover the magic that Moses Ose Utomi weaves so masterfully, and immerse yourself in the unfolding saga of the Forever Desert.