The Door of No Return

Long ago, “white shadows” (173) came to the river wanting their gold. The white people stole their gold until the river was empty. The Offin river was cursed, and many people disappeared at night. Still to this day, when the river is hungry at night, one will not be shown mercy. The waves still give off the sound of the lost ones’ screams.

On Papa’s day off, Kofi is allowed to go with him to the market. Kofi, Papa, and Nana Mosi visit the carvers who make tables and other wares. They teach Kofi how to shoot a bow and arrow, but only as self-defense or for hunting, not waging war. They get him a mahogany board to ride in the river. In the river, Kofi can’t get the hang of the wooden board surfing on the rapids.

Kofi feels Papa’s eyes on him swimming, so he isn’t as fast. Papa gives him advice to swim with a better technique, then asks when he’ll race his cousin. Kofi tries to avoid the topic, but he admits it. Papa and Mosi teach him the value of family, saying that even if he wins the race, he will lose.