This story won during the East African Literature Bureau competition in 1965. It is a captivating narration about a young boy, who happened to be the only child of his parents. His mischief could neither be tamed by his parents nor teachers and as a result, he dropped out of school at a tender age. His criminal behaviour together with bad luck led to the death of eight people. Otieno the son of Odipo was cursed and he suffered throughout his life. At the end, the spirits of these people followed him until he was buried alive.