No longer at ease, Things fall apart, A man of the People

By Petr Nguli

If a child washed his hands he could eat with kings. But Eneke the bird says that since men have learnt to shoot without missing, he has learnt to fly without perching. Those are the words of Chinua Achebe. The death of Chinua Achebe is a great loss for the African continent. Achebe was famous as much for what he represented as for what he had written – an emblem of a continent finding its voice. Every child in Africa grew up with Achebe.

Its only fair to pay tributes in a novel compilation for Achebe and other great African writers. When you are no longer at ease, things fall apart for a man of the people along the anthills of the savanna.  The leopard got his claws because Chike and the river ran across the bridge in the river between and shouted, 'Weep not child', because you brought betrayal in the city but don't despair because the beautiful ones are not yet born. Chinua Achebe, you shaped my literature and command of the English language. I offer you a grain of wheat.

I remember the proverbs that you taught us because as you said, among the Igbo the art of conversation is regarded very highly, and proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten. I say this because whenever you see a toad jumping in broad daylight, then know that something is after its life. And when a mad man walks naked, it is his kinsmen who feel shame, not himself.

You were brave and it is praiseworthy to be brave and fearless, but sometimes it is better to be a coward. Because we often stand in the compound of a coward to point at the ruins where a brave man used to live. For when a handshake goes below the elbow, then know that it has turned into something else. Those whose palm kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble. You were humble enough professor Achebe. As I stare at your death coffin, the eye is not harmed by sleep. You said that he who has people is richer than he who has money.

So if you want to eat a toad you look for a fat and juicy one. You said that an old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb. So be at ease because you said that if you don't like someone's story, write your own. To me, being an intellectual doesn't mean knowing about intellectual issues; it means taking pleasure in them. For when the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk. There is no story that is not true. Perhaps down in his heart, Okonkwo was not a cruel man. But his whole life was dominated by fear, the fear of failure and of weakness.

Chinua Achebe, you are still alive and I wish you long life. You will never die because we and our future generations will read your works for ever. Do not despair. I know you will not despair. You have a manly and a proud heart. A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride. It is more difficult and more bitter when a man fails alone.

Otherwise, the lizard that jumped from the Eroko tree said it would praise itself if no one else did. When suffering knocks at your door and you say there is no seat left for him, he tells you not to worry because he has brought his own stool. Rest in peace Chinua Achebe.