This is a story of a broken covenant in which the main character Mukuri uproots a sacred tree contrary to the wishes of old Mutahi The story is set in Nyeri on the fringes of the Aberdare Ranges Mukuri a primary school Headmaster in his stubborn enthusiasm to built new classrooms cuts down the tree This he does in spite of numerous warnings from the locals Soon after completion of the classrooms a mysterious storm destroys it leaving a trail of destruction and death