Okonkwo remembered that tragic year with a cold shiver throughout the rest of his life. It always surprised him when he thought of it later that he did not sink under the load of despair. He knew that he was a fierce fighter, but that year had been enough to break the heart of a lion. "Since I survived that year," he always said, "I shall survive anything." Things Fall Apart_Chinua Achebe I heard someone say that when we are long gone, our great grandchildren will say of our time; Their world was suddenly stricken by a strange disease. It had no cure. Many fell under its unrelenting grip. When it had run its course, men clasped their hands, glad that they had survived. From the chocking confines of their homes they emerged, wearied by months of being hemmed in. They looked up and sighed, At least the sun was still there . But then, s ome picked up guns. A great battle broke out. No one could stop the war. Many were killed, much more than they had thought po