Agozie and Udoka were now grown to full-fledged men, but hardly co-operated with Emenike. Even after summoning them for father-child discussion, they refused to walk on his instruction. One afternoon, Emenike called his last daughter Adamma. The young girl entered.
“Call Agozie and Udoka, tell them I want to see them,” he said in a soft tone.
The two men came and gave themselves seats after greeting him. No matter how bad one’s son was, he was always happy to see him change.
“My children,” Emenike continued, “a man knows his worth any moment he gets insults from outsiders and he sees his children standing for him.
“I,” he continued, beating his chest and nodding as he spoke, “was a great man of my time. I had my first four children when I was like Udoka. I was a great hunter and wrestler that nobody tried me and went free, but both of you have caused me great tragedy. With the attempt you both are making now; you will one day divide my family and my purpose of bringing your younger ones in the ways of the clan would turn down. For eight seasons and six respectively, I have called to your attention, but you ignored it. I had wanted to initiate you into the ozo society but you refused. Before you people accepted to enter the umunna, it took time and yet no one recognises you. At your age, you both have not been called men. You do not belong to any age grade. You still walk with women naked. I am ashamed of you because you have refused to hold your heads up among the people of Umudi.”
He beat his chest continuously as he spoke to them.
Udoka was a cunning character. He stood watching Emenike as if he was sympathising with him.
“Nna anyi, we are so sorry. We plead you to forgive us and we will make a great change,” he said.
Elders were half gods. His father knew he was laughing at him. He thought he had successfully deceived his father. Emenike stood up and sat down, looking furious. It was the least he expected from them.
“From my young years I know the number of heads I cut and have fought many wars for Umudi,” he boasted. “In the ancient tradition of Umudi, one was great if he fought wars, also included were the number of heads he had cut which assessed a man’s greatness. I am angry. Both of you go outside. I don’t want to set my eyes on any of you again. Go, both of you, to eat your stupidity and laziness.”
He was angry now. His two sons’ minds were puzzled and they left for their huts, dejected. The man sat in silence for a long while afterwards to think and began to gnash his teeth with bitterness.
Emenike bent his head down again, into much thinking. If he were a woman, tears would have run from his eyes. He bemoaned the situation he found himself with the children in and shook his head. It was the least he expected in the manner he found his children when he talked to them and summed up the courage and declared, “Am I not a man? If two of them should turn against me, others are there, but if they should do that when I am dead, I will visit them and break their heads. That would be better for them.”
Agumba was his favourite son. Emenike loved him so much that whatever the young man told him to do for him, he would do without hesitation. He ate his son’s happiness and sadness. And to show that he would be a jolly good fellow, he sat in his father’s obi each time he was free and listened to all his proverbs. One’s chi had a way of making him find some comfort. At least, with Agumba, he would die a happy man. Emenike told him every secret about his propensity in Umudi and was making plans to initiate him into the ozo even when he was not ripe enough for that. At least he could start thinking of responsibility as he grew to appear before the elders. He was like one destined to be the future lion of Umudi clan.
Emenike was deeply disturbed by his children’s action in life. If not for his positive mind, he would have concluded that his enemies colluded to work against him.
How could he not be! The eagle does not beget a weakling. He must be brave. That was not optional.