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Kaleidoscope

II.3.
Short Story

The Green Leaves

Grace Ogot

Intro
Grace Ogot (1930–2015) was a Kenyan author and politician. She was one of the first
African women to publish fiction in English. Her works, including "The Promised Land" and
"The Green Leaves," often explored themes of tradition, modernity, and the challenges facing
post-colonial Africa.

Synopsis
In Grace Ogot's "The Green Leaves," a rural African village is disturbed by the arrival of a
thief. After the villagers kill him, they discover he's not alone. Two more thieves are found,
one dead and the other unconscious. When the villagers leave to fetch the authorities, Nyagar,
driven by greed, returns to loot the bodies. However, the supposedly dead thief is still alive
and kills Nyagar. The story explores themes of greed, communal living, and the
consequences of one's actions in a close-knit community amidst the backdrop of a remote,
natural setting.

Short Answers
1. What happened to the first thief?
In Grace Ogot’s short story, “The Green Leaves,” the first thief was attacked by
villagers while stealing cattle and was left for dead beneath a pile of green leaves. However,
he later regained consciousness, but ultimately, he died when a villager struck him on the
head with a club.
2. How did Omoro get injured?
In “The Green Leaves,” Omoro got injured during the confrontation with the cattle
thieves. He got injured when one of the thieves stabbed him.

3. What was Omoro’s instruction to the clan about the third thief?

Omoro instructed the clan to leave the third thief's body untouched until the
authorities arrived. He asked them not to tamper with the scene to avoid legal repercussions.

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4. What were the mixed emotions of Nyagar regarding the dead body of the thief?
Nyagar felt a mix of fear and curiosity regarding the dead body of the thief. He was
fearful of the supernatural consequences but also curious about the wealth the thief might
have stolen.

5. What was Nyagar’s real intention with the dead body of the thief?
Nyagar's real intention with the dead body of the thief was to steal the thief's money.
He was driven by greed, hoping to find valuable items on the body.

6. How did the crowd respond to the queries of the European police officer?
The crowd responded to the European police officer’s queries with fear and silence,
avoiding direct answers. They were hesitant to speak openly about the incident.

7. How did Nyamundhe react to the police after identifying Nyagar’s body?
After identifying Nyagar’s body, Nyamundhe reacted with shock and grief. He wailed
loudly and collapsed to the ground.

Paragraph Questions
1. What happened to the three thieves?
In Grace Ogot's short story "The Green Leaves," the three thieves faced different
fates. The first thief was initially left for dead by the villagers after a brutal attack. Later, he
regained consciousness but was killed by a villager who struck him on the head. The second
thief managed to escape during the chaos and was not captured. The third thief was killed by
the villagers and his body was left under a tree as a deterrent to other would-be thieves. This
series of events underscores the harsh measures taken by the community to protect their
property. They serve as a stark warning to others.
2. What did Nyagar do with the dead man?
In Grace Ogot's short story "The Green Leaves," Nyagar, motivated by curiosity and
greed, decided to examine the dead thief left under the tree. Despite his fear of supernatural
consequences, he approached the body to see if the thief had any valuable possessions. In the
process of searching the corpse, he was unexpectedly attacked and killed by the supposedly
dead thief, who was still alive. Nyagar’s actions ultimately led to his tragic demise. They
highlight the peril of succumbing to greed and the unexpected dangers lurking in seemingly
safe situations.
3. How did Olielo differentiate between the laws of the clan and the laws of the White
men?
In Grace Ogot's "The Green Leaves," Olielo differentiates between the laws of the
clan and the laws of the White men. He emphasizes the traditional justice system of the clan
versus the formal legal system imposed by colonial authorities. He reflects on how the clan's
laws are based on customs and collective decisions, aiming to protect and preserve the
community's welfare. In contrast, the laws of the White men are seen as foreign, rigid, and

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often unjustly applied. They do not take into account the clan’s values and way of life. This
highlights the tension between indigenous practices and colonial rule.

4. Elucidate the theme of greed in the story.

In "The Green Leaves," Grace Ogot explores the theme of greed through Nyagar and
the villagers' actions. Nyagar's greed leads him to risk his life to steal from a seemingly dead
thief. It leads to his own death when the thief kills him. Similarly, the villagers' collective
greed drives them to loot the thief's body without moral consideration. This unchecked greed
ultimately brings about tragic consequences. It illustrates how the pursuit of material gain can
lead to one's downfall. It also highlights the destructive power of avarice.

5. Comment on the setting of the story.

The setting of Grace Ogot's "The Green Leaves" is a rural African village. It plays a
crucial role in the narrative. This village is surrounded by dense bushland. It is depicted as
both a close-knit community and a place where traditional beliefs and superstitions thrive.
The remote, natural environment underscores the villagers' reliance on each other and their
vulnerability to external threats. The setting enhances the story's tension, as the isolation
heightens the villagers' fear and desperation. Their actions are driven by greed and survival
instincts. This rural backdrop is integral to the story's themes and character motivations.

Essays
1. Comment on the setting of the story. Explain the significance of the title of the story.

Grace Ogot's "The Green Leaves" is set in a rural African village surrounded by dense
bushland. This setting is crucial, reflecting the villagers' isolation and their close-knit
community. The natural environment shapes their daily lives and their responses to threats. It
emphasizes their dependence on each other and their surroundings.
The bushland around the village symbolizes both sustenance and danger. It provides
resources but also harbours threats, such as the thief who disrupts their peace. This duality
underscores the precariousness of their existence. Safety and danger are intertwined,
influencing the villagers' actions and decisions.
The title, "The Green Leaves," holds significant symbolism. Green leaves usually
represent life, growth, and renewal. In the story, however, they also symbolize deception and
false security. Nyagar and the villagers are misled by the appearance of the thief, assuming he
is dead, which ultimately leads to Nyagar's death.
The green leaves also reflect the villagers' connection to nature. They are part of the
bushland that surrounds them. It is symbol of the natural world's omnipresent influence on
their lives. This connection highlights both the protective and perilous aspects of their
environment.
In conclusion, the setting of "The Green Leaves" enhances the story's themes of
vulnerability, communal reliance, and the fine line between safety and peril. The title outlines
these motifs, symbolizing both life and deceptive security. It underscores the villagers'
precarious balance in their isolated environment.

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2. Discuss the structure of family and social life of the clan with reference to the story.

In Grace Ogot's "The Green Leaves," the family and social life of the clan is depicted as
tightly interconnected and communal. The village operates on a collective approach to both
daily life and crisis management, reflecting traditional African communal living.
Family structure is patriarchal, with men like Nyagar taking on roles as providers and
protectors. Nyagar’s authority in his household emphasizes the expectation that men ensure
their families' safety and well-being. The elders, particularly the men, are central in decision-
making processes. It showcases the high regard for age and wisdom in the community.
Social life revolves around cooperation and mutual support. The villagers work
together in agricultural activities. They quickly mobilize as a group when the thief threatens
their peace. This collective action underscores the community's unity and the importance of
working together for common goals and protection.
Women primarily handle domestic tasks. They play a vital role to maintaining social
harmony. They act as caregivers and moral anchors, ensuring the smooth functioning of the
household. They also contribute subtly to communal decision-making. Their role, though less
overt, is crucial for the clan’s stability and cohesion.
The clan’s social and family structure is marked by a balance of roles and
responsibilities. It highlights the importance of tradition, hierarchy, and communal support.
This structure fosters resilience and unity. It enables the villagers to face challenges
collectively, as seen in their unified response to the thief’s intrusion.

Prepared by:
Prof. MURUKAN BABU C.R.
(formerly) Associate Professor of English
Panampilly Memorial Govt. College
Chalakudy

email: mbabucr@gmail.com

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