What Fails A Man

The story “What Fails A Man” unfolds in the village of Umuola, where tradition, familial bonds, and tragedy intertwine. The narrative begins with Nze Nwague, a celebrated bone healer and widower, raising his two children, Nmeri and Okechi, after the loss of their mother. Nmeri, a spirited and strong-willed young woman, grapples with the void left by her mother while silently yearning for acknowledgment in a patriarchal society.A series of events, including Nmeri’s defense against an aggressive suitor and Okechi’s triumph in a wrestling match, highlight their lives and resolve. However, familial tensions surface when Nze Nwague considers remarrying, as societal expectations dictate. His decision to bring Oladinma, a blind but resourceful woman, into their home creates a rift. Nmeri, feeling betrayed, leaves for her maternal village, Umuka, while Okechi struggles with anger and confusion. Overwhelmed by his emotions and a mysterious curse linked to the slaughtering of a goat at night, burns down their home and flees into the forest. His disappearance leaves Nze Nwague devastated, prompting a search that leads to the discovery of a body presumed to be Okechi's.