The Joys of Motherhood – Simple Summary
“The Joys of Motherhood” tells the heartbreaking story of Nnu Ego, a woman from the Ibo community in Nigeria. In her society, a woman is only respected if she gives birth to children. If a woman is childless, she is seen as a failure.
Nnu Ego faces this cruel mindset. After her newborn baby dies, she feels hopeless and tries to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge.
Nwakusor Saves Nnu Ego
At the same time, a man named Nwakusor, a tired docker returning from Lagos, was riding his bicycle over the Eros Lagos Bridge. The weather was foggy and wet, and the roads were dangerous. He narrowly escaped an accident with a fast-moving bus and decided to walk instead of riding.
While walking, he noticed a crowd gathered around a woman – Nnu Ego – who was about to jump into the Lagoon. Remembering his near-death experience, he rushed forward and grabbed her hand. With the help of others, he pulled her back to safety.
The Truth Behind Her Pain
At first, the crowd scolded Nnu Ego without knowing her story. One woman even slapped her. But when Nnu Ego cried out that her baby had died, and now society would again call her barren, everyone became silent. She shouted:
“I am not a woman anymore! My child is gone. My God has taken her. I want to go to her!”
Hearing this, the crowd realized how deeply hurt she was. People began to comfort her. Some women shared their own painful experiences of losing children, pregnancy struggles, and social rejection.
Important Message of the Story
In the end, Nwakusor gently led Nnu Ego back to her husband Nnaife’s house.
This powerful story shows how society often pressures women to find value only in motherhood. It reminds us that women should be respected as individuals, not just as child-bearers.
Watch and Read the Summary in Nepali: https://youtu.be/dRIUiA8YjmU