Ezeudu, Obierika, and Uchendu are respected elders in their villages in the story, Things Fall Apart. Achebe uses old men in his story as a source and guide of wisdom and strength, as well as character development to Okonkwo. It reflects as the story progresses until it affects all of Umufia. Achebe first uses the wisdom of the elder, Ezendu, as he directs Okonkwo not to kill his adopted son, Ikemefuna. "That boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death" (Pg. 57) he said, and it was an ample warning, as that Okonkwo doesn't heed Ezendu's advice and cuts the boy down on the simple fact of his honor and not to be thought weak. This late