Meeting Ikemefuna

     Last night before I went to sleep, I heard the town crier running around beating his drum, telling everyone to meet the next morning. I knew this must be very important, because no one is ever out that late unless it's something very urgent that can't wait until morning. The next morning, all the elders of our clan were gathered together, and as I took my place among them, there was a lot of nervous chatter. Finally, it was announced that one of the daughters of Umuofia had been killed, and everyone gasped. I tried to contain my shock, but it was very difficult. It was then decided that I would go alone and unarmed to the neighboring village of Mbaino, the ones accused of the killing. I was to give them the choice of going to war with our feared clan, or handing over a young lad to the village and a virgin for the man whose wife was killed. When I arrived, I spoke with some of the elders and other men who had high titles in their village. The decision was made that we would not go to war. They handed over to me a virgin and a young lad to take back with me. I never saw the girl again. The young lad was named Ikemefuna, and it was decided that he would live with us as part of our family for now.