Dead Men's Path

A promotion, a wife, and a new job at a school. How much better could it get for Michael Obi? Not much... so he thought. The"Dead Mens Path" had been there for a long time, and had always been an important memory for the people that lived in that town. This path was a way of transportation for the deceased loved ones, little did Michael know that this path would be an attitude changing experience for him, and his wife.

At the beginning of this short story the wife is still selfish and prideful. When the wife finds out about the promotion she is excited...but for herself. The wife was excited to make a beautiful garden with "yellow, and red roses" and was excited to show it off to all of the other wives at Mr. Obi's new job, to her disappointment though she found out that all of his colleagues were young, and single. Mr. Obi reassures her that it's ok, and that it is a good thing because then the men that are working to build the school, will be able to dedicate their time to the school. It is at this point when the attitudes start to change in the two main character's life. Mrs. Obi is now starting to be more understanding, and is trying to be helpful to Mr. Obi.

It was always obvious that Mr. Obi was very excited, and very dedicated to his job,but he starts to become too overpowering, and to caught up in his school and what he wants, that he forgets about the importance of his community, and the people that are going to actually attending the school. Mr. Obi becomes heartless and egotistical. Mr. Obi kept on thinking about himself, and what he wanted. Mr. Obi didn't want the path there. This again shows how Mr. Obi was not compromising, but was continuing to be self centered. Mr. Obi was being reluctant to even considering a compromise. What's so wrong with just leaving the tradition there?

The school path had always been an important part of this town's life. Many people would wonder, what is so important about a path in the back of a school yard? But the importance of it is that it was a place that was believed to be traveled by the dead ancestors. The people believed that if they got rid of the path, then they would get rid of the relationship with the dead people, and that they would lose "communication".

This again shows how that Michael is continuing to be self centered, because he won't leave the path alone and wants everything to be his way. Mr. Obi definitely learned his lesson not to mess with things of the past, and got all of his gardens and his school yard torn up.This is a great lesson that can be learned for many people; compromise will always make both people happy.