The Door of No Return

Usually following the wrestling competition, the men roast a pig, and everyone enjoys groundnuts, sugarbread, and more. The Kings and chiefs drink while kids play water games.

This year, there is no celebrating or roasting of a pig. Prince Yaw is dead. This year, the joint Council of Elders and Kings will meet to discuss Kwasi’s punishment.

After accidentally killing Yaw, Kwasi is unable to eat or drink. He sits in a corner and shakes. Kofi asks if he’s okay, but his brother doesn’t answer.

Maame moans and cries while Kofi’s sisters spoon her tea. Papa repeats that it will be okay, that everyone knows it was an accident. Maame is not convinced. She thinks they will put Kwasi to the stockades or take him to Lower as a servant for life. She has guards around their house for fear of retribution.

Drums sound at the end of the day, signaling the council has made their decision. Everyone gathers around the elders’ hut.

According to the peace treaty and their laws, the council finds that Kwasi didn’t mean to kill Yaw. They rule it an accident and not a sign of murder or disrespect to Lower. Kwasi won’t be punished, but Upper will give Lower more gold, two goats, and five sheep as apology.

The crowd shouts about the unfairness of the council’s decision. Many think Kwasi should be punished, and that gold is not the price of Yaw’s life.

Papa insists to the family that the King of Lower is just angry, but the feelings will pass. They will return to peace soon.

Kofi compares the serious King of Lower to when Margaret stabbed Richard in Shakespeare’s Henry VI play. He hopes no one in either tribe is as angry and seeking revenge or chaos as the characters were in the play.

Kofi’s family prepares a feast to celebrate Kwasi being found innocent and winning the wrestling tournament. Kwasi has a stomachache, so Mosi gives him tea and sends him to bed, where he sleeps so long, he misses his party.

After the Kings Festival days, the kids return to school. Mr. Phillip sends a few kids home for doing their own cultural things, such as a girl wearing beads around her ankle. They speak in English and sing not the songs of their culture their mothers taught them, but English songs like “London Bridge is Falling Down” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.”

They learn about the Queen’s coronation in 1838 in a faraway place called Westminster Abbey. Kofi is confused why they aren’t studying their own people’s history.

Mr. Phillip is called outside by an elder, leaving all the students to talk among themselves.

Kofi’s cousin takes the time alone to declare their racing challenge and how he will beat “Little Kofi.” He invites everyone to their race in five days. Ebo defends Kofi against his cousin, sure he will win.

After school, Kofi and Ebo walk behind the girls to the river. Ebo finds more red berries for them to eat, which are said to be magical and make them taller. He assures Kofi that he will win the swim race; he just has to believe in himself.

From a tree above, the boys watch the girls balance their huge water pans atop their heads. He’s entranced by Ama, who swats at something and still doesn’t drop any water. Ama comes over to their tree and tells them they can come down.

Kofi and Ebo are amazed the girls knew they were hiding. Ama says they could tell they were following them from school. She asks why Kofi wants to challenge his cousin in a race. Kofi wants to prove that his mean cousin is not the best at everything. Ama agrees.

She asks about Kwasi, and Kofi shares that his brother isn’t the same. He feels so guilty, he sobs in his sleep, and has a dazed look when awake. Ama prays for him, saying everyone knows it was an accident. Kofi doesn’t think Kwasi will ever forgive himself. Before she leaves, Ama tells Kofi she thinks he will win the swimming competition.

Ebo catches an enormous fish and throws it on the bank. He jokes that it can talk, and that Kofi should swim after it.

Kofi swims after the fish, trying to go his fastest. For hours, he flies through the water. He flows with the river innately.

Kofi holds his breath underwater for a hundred seconds longer than Ebo. For this win, his friend must eat a dung beetle, which they laugh about.

Ebo makes fun of Mr. Phillip by doing his best impression with some English, saying he wants Kofi to speak like a goat. It’s getting dark, almost nightfall. They hear drums, which signal they should run.