Chapter 23: Humility Returns

There was no alternative left for Elsie; hence, she packed up her few belongings and returned home. The journey was long and difficult, but with nowhere else to go, she had no choice.

As she stepped down from the bus, all the memories of the village came rushing back, the sights and the smells from it. But no warm welcome for her, or admiring glances. The people stared at her with cold judgmental eyes; their whispers scornful.

"Now look at her," a woman muttered. "The great Elsie Cole, brought down to earth."

She kept her eyes down, a heart heavy with shame, for she was no longer the proud-and-elegant woman she had once been. She was broken and humbled, leaving her with only the shadow of the magnificent lady she used to be.

The villagers mocked her

As Elsie passed through the village, whispers became louder. All those who had once envied her were now gloating over her downfall; their words hurt her.

"She and her mother thought they were better than everybody in this village of Ekulu. How are the mighty fallen!" a man sneered. "Look at her now, reduced to nothing. A lizard that ruined her own mother's funeral, let her suffer the consequences of burying her mother alone."

Her children clung on to her, their faces filled with fear and confusion. "Mama, why are they saying those things?" her eldest asked, with a slight tremor in his voice. 

But Elsie shook her head with eyes brimming with tears saying, "Don't listen to them, my son; they don't understand. 

Nevertheless, she knew that she had brought it upon herself. She let greed and ambition get the best of her, and now she was paying the price.

Her father was disappointed

When Elsie returned to her father's house, she met Chief Nwoko waiting for her. His face was angry and his eyes full of disappointment.

"Elsie," he said, heavy with regret, "I warned you about the dangers of greed. I cautioned you against your mother's ill advice, but you didn't listen. And look at what has come to you."

There was a sore pain in Elsie's heart as she listened to her father. She had from early years shown him respect and deference. And now, she had let him down.

"I'm so sorry, Papa," she answered, her voice shaky. "I should have listened to you. I made a terrible mistake. I didn't know what I was thinking, Papa. I have no excuse." 

Chief Nwoko sighed, and his expression softened: "I know, my child. Greed destroys everything it touches. You must learn from this. You must find a way to rebuild your life, not with wealth, but with humility and grace."

Elsie nodded, her heart heavy with regret. Indeed, she had always known her father to be right. She had lost everything, but with her children, she would find a way to begin life afresh.