Some people cannot bear news like that. They think they must live forever, and they cry and wail when they realise that their time is coming. I do not feel that, and I did not weep at that news which the doctor gave me. The only thing that makes me sad is that I shall be leaving Africa when I die.
In "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency," the protagonist reflects on the emotional reactions people have to mortality. While many experience despair and fear at the thought of dying, often believing in their endless existence, the narrator does not share that sentiment. Rather than crying over the doctor’s news, the narrator exhibits acceptance of their fate.
What truly saddens them is the thought of leaving behind the beauty of Africa. This reveals a deep connection to the land and a sense of loss not just for life itself, but for the place they have come to love. The contemplation of death becomes less about the fear of the end and more about the nostalgia for the experiences tied to a beloved home.
