I had everything planned perfectly. Climbing the village tower was easy. Listening to my parents calling out for me-gut-wrenching. I hardened my heart against their pleas because I knew I had to fulfill my destiny.

I hid beneath the shadowed eaves of the tower and watched as the brides lined up to await their fate. They couldn't help themselves. All the diatribe fed to us from birth made them think they played a special role in village life. They could not see the larger ...