Previous Next

He had many wonderful ideas and this was an opportunity to put them into practice.

Obi teems with energy and excitement about being in a position to prove himself. He’s convinced that his way of thinking is correct, and he is dismissive of those who are older and who may think they know better. His opportunity to be in charge of the school, to his mind, is tacit acknowledgment that his beliefs are correct, and now all he has to do is show up and he will be vindicated by his inevitable success. It is this arrogance that will lead to Obi’s comeuppance in the face of those whose history and culture he refuses to respect.

Mr. Obi listened with a satisfied smile on his face.

Having built a garden to beautify the school yard, Obi determines to thwart the efforts of the villagers to use the path. He puts up the flowerbeds and erects a fence to reinforce the message that the path is off-limits. When the village priest comes to confront Obi, understandably arguing that the path is culturally and historically important to the village, Obi patronizingly dismisses him. Obi is convinced that his is the correct attitude. His confidence puts him in a position to denigrate the village’s culture, which, understandably, does not go over well. Obi’s stubborn refusal results in the destruction of the school building and yard, as well as, presumably, Obi’s reputation in the eyes of his superiors.

Previous section The Importance of Respecting Tradition Next section Nancy Obi

Take a Study Break