Iyatunde is ’s mother and ’s wife. When Moses dies, Iyatunde and Bummi are forced to live with Iyatunde’s parents. When her father intends to marry Bummi off as soon as possible, Iyatunde escapes with Bummi to Lagos. In Lagos, Iyatunde begs for work. A sawmill eventually hires her, but she works long and backbreaking days. When Bummi is 15, Iyatunde is killed in a horrific saw accident, leaving her daughter orphaned. Iyatunde’s story reveals both the cultural and physical sacrifices that parents make for their children.