So, I get the whole 'peace offering' thing, but why me?
When a daughter of Umuofia was slaughtered by one of our own, the idea of war scared my people into submission. Umuofia's warriors are fierce, and the men of Mbaino fear them greatly. So when the threat of war with Umuofia came upon us, a young man and a virgin were given as 'compensation'.
I was the young man who, for reasons I cannot explain, was torn from my mothers arms and handed over to the fearsome Umuofian men. The girl I went with I never knew, later learning that she was given to the man whose wife was murdered.
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| Me and Okonkwo's wife |
All I cared about in those days was when I might go home, and see my family again. "When shall I go home?" I asked, but I got no answer.
The council members of Umuofia would then decide my fate, and after little deliberation, I was handed over to Okonkwo. I was scared at first, having heard rumors about how terrifying he could be, but after a while I came to hold favor in his eyes. Surprisingly, Okonkwo gave me freedoms and responsibilities that I did not expect as a prisoner.
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