A grain of wheat - Ngugi Wa Thiongo

A grain of wheat is a novel which speaks about freedom struggle of Thabai village.

It takes place in Kenya on the day of Uhuru in 1963. Kenya was colonised by British government. Early leader of the struggle Waiyaki fights against them but defeated. But he had seeded spirit of freedom in his community. And so Mau Mau movement begins. Kihika kills one police officer but he arrested and hanged. Fighters raid Mahee police post and British declare state of emergency. People are harassed, women are beaten and lots of young man including Mugo and Gikonyo are arrested and sent to detention camp.

When Gikonyo was arrested his wife Mumbi sleeps with Karanja and gets pregnant. When Gikonyo knows it he leaves her wife and starts to work at Githima, a forest research station started by British.

Mumbi comes to see Mugo and confesses her story. Mugo also confesses his betrayal of Kihika. On the day of Uhuru General R. Gives speech and calls the traitor to step forward. Mugo comes out of the crowd and others decided to give him punishment in secret. In the end Gikonyo accepts Mumbi with her child.

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Ajit Kaliya

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