How we cite our quotes: Citations follow this format: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #10
When her children heard of her sudden death they all, even Oshia, came home. They were all sorry she had died before they were in a position to give their mother a good life. She had the noisiest and most costly second burial Ibuza had ever seen, and a shrine was made in her name, so that her grandchildren could appeal to her should they be barren.
Stories afterwards, however, said that Nnu Ego was a wicked woman even in death because, however many people appealed to her to make women fertile, she never did. Poor Nnu Ego, even in death she had no peace! Still, many agreed that she had given all to her children. The joy of being a mother was the joy of giving all to your children, they said.
And her reward? Did she not have the greatest funeral Ibuza had never seen? It took Oshia three years to pay off the money he had borrowed to show the world what a good son he was. That was why people failed to understand why she did not answer their prayers, for what else could a woman want but to have sons who would give her a decent burial? (18.119-121)
At her death, Nnu Ego finally receives the honor and respect she always expected as a mother during her lifetime. Sadly, it's too late. She is so angry with how she was treated in life that she refuses to answer prayers for children. Apparently, her joy in life wasn't her children, even if the people said it should have been.