The main conflict involves Obi's refusal to open the ancestral pathway which connects to the universal conflict between modernity and traditional cultures.

The main conflict surrounds a village footpath that travels through the school compound connecting the villagers' shrine to their burial grounds. Obi, a progressive headmaster, decides to block the path because he doesn't want the villagers wandering on school grounds during an inspection. After he closes the path, the village priest, Ani, visits Obi and informs him that the walking path is an integral part of their life. Ani says that ancestral spirits and future children travel back and forth between the path. Obi, who does not believe in such spirits, does not take the man seriously and refuses to open the path. The next day a woman dies during childbirth, and the villagers seek retribution by tearing down one of the school's buildings. Unfortunately, the inspector writes a scathing review and blames Obi for inciting conflict between the villagers and the school.