2 10 31 https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/2f2cc7b38abbefc0d2e6f603746ad2eb.pdf 85033e5080df006fc869570739612474 PDF Text Text HOW TO PLAY LOVE '.*:- Miss Helen Nwamma A Wonderful Lady. ��AY 'LOVE STEPHEN'S DRAMA SERIES COMPILED BY FELIX hr. STEPHEN (NOVELIST AND DRAMATIST) Copyright strictly Reserved. 2$ N. O . N j o k u. Send your Orders to:- Njoku cE. Setas B ~ ~ b h o p C/o No. 17 Nnewi Street, ONITSHA - NIGERIA. �%% %%X%X% Printed by Chinjelu Printing Press, No. 1 Iweka Road, Onitrha - Nigeria. % : g % '*c' �PREFACE This is a book which deals mainly on the requirements of love and particularly, the type existing between men and women. It is indeed a very interesting piece of drama, desgnied to suit both the young and the aged. Like my other drama books, I am confident, that readers will be interested, since [he price a t which it is sold, is cheaper. than what the book really contains. The play is entirely imaginary and thus, all the characters are purely fictitious and relate to 03 1 existing persons. FELIX N. STEPHEN. he ~ u t h o r . �HOW TO PLAY LOVE CONTENTS Act Reply from comfort to uba Uba writes to another girl Act one ( Scene 2 ) housand and wife Act ' ' ( Scene 3 ) Abel and his lover ( Enter Onyeuku ) Act one ( Scene 4 ) ( Enter Nneka, Onyeuku's wife Act one ( Scene 5 ) Act two ( Scene One Act two (Scene 2 Act three ' ' ' ' One Act ‘“‘ "'c two ' ' three 'Scene four C ' L S 3 Act four Scene 4 ' 6 6 1 Page. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE UBA J ( 3 ) SEARCH O F L O V E N UBA: I must learn how to chast. I like beautiful ladies. 1 must play love and will, not care what people may say. I saw a beautiful girl yesterday, who is a lady teacher. I must 'not waste time in writing to her, now I "begin" Government School, Jos Nigeria, 4 1 -62. Dear Heavenly Comfort, Indeed it is with deep pleasure that I write you this letter which 1 think will come to you as a surprise. *Butyou must excuse my forwardness. - - Definitely, you d o not know me and I seem to grasp, how you will feel to read a letter of a person whom you have not known before. Infact, "Love" has forced me to give you my warm admiration. 1 am a student a t above address, studying f o r my Cambridge. My name is Uba and I am popularly known as "Social boy" Infact, my position will suit you. i met you yesterday during my school hour. but could not say anything as I was tongue tied, hence this cote. I shall not waste my time to 'request you this. Please will you be my lover? Hence you have known that "Love is a powerful magnet that drows two souls tc?gether2'. N o need of rejecting me. Infact, I would dedicate my whole life to you .should " Yes " be returned and 1 assure you that I shall be yours for ever and ever. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Kisses frow, b b a the social boy. A REPLY FROM COMFORT TO UBA. Comfort Nwaeke, C. M. S. School, Awara Town, 15- 2 - 62. Dear Uba, Infact, your missive surprised me indeed. Please, do not address me again either in public or by any other means. You are mistaken if you consider me t o tolerate such nonsense, I would have handed that letter to my parents but due to what it will bring upcn your career I stopped. But if you address me in any way again, I shall not hesitate to lay the whole matter to my parents. 1 am, C. Nwaeke tough girl. UBA WRITES T O ANOTHER GIRL. Uba the social Boy, Government School, Jos- Nigeria, 26 2 62. - - Dear Pauly, 1 do not know how to begin this letter as I have only met you last night. The thought of f r i e n d s h i p makes me feel quite uneasy, infact, wants to crazy me. �HOW TO .PLAY LOVE Oh! Pauly! iVil1 you drow me nearner and let me touch your smooth body and glance s t your hairy hands? In fact, a lock at your brown eyes and your pointed nose will remove all thc devils of my foolishness and make me to be the happiest man ever lived. Do not allow me to run mad because of you. Pleare, what I want from you is your sincere !ove, kindly love me as I love you. Hence, you have known that "Love is a WARM AFFECTION". Kindly take the enclosed photograph and glance at me and see whether I am not handsome. I am wa,iting to hear "YES" from you, my dear Yours Beloved. Uba the social boy. This time Paulinah did not respond. Uba waited and waited and could not get any reply. Uba: I will tiever write to any girl for friendship again hence, this Paulinah did not reply. It will be better for me to speak to any girl orally o r personally rather than wasting my time in writing. I d o not know what prouds these our modern ladies, is it because they are beautiful or have I a bad luck for getting them. Infact. 1 d o not know what to do just to get a lover. Shall I consult a native dsctor about it? O! No, I shall never d o it, for my mates did not consult a doctor before they got theirs. Yes. I must. speak to this girl coming in front of me now. I have met her some where before. Her name is Helen. I hope to win her lev-., wrely I must. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Excuse me Helen. Helen: Yes my Lord, what can I d o for you ? Aba: Listen to you Helen, I must be sincere. Your beauty is one of the charming that I had tver come across. lt docs not in any way occur to me that I should get alone in life, without looking once or two times at your face, everyday. In age, we seem to be mates and in other spheres, I d o not think myself very much below the average, when speaking particularly, in the terms of achievement in the circle of mates, Love is something which is inevitable. It is indeed like death. Some people take it as a type of game. But I regard.it as someihing very helpful i n the day to day life of minkind. I t solves certain problems which money may not even be able to solve at times. True love will always speak for itself since it has such a very wonderful magnetic influence that can even draw a lion, as ferocious as it is, out of its own den. For me to talk very much a t length just now, might give you wrong opinion of my person from the oneset. Thus, 1 have perfectly determined. to control myself while speaking..In short, 1 would like to have your love. Helen: Can that be the. reason for this long sermon of yours? Uba: y e s my dear, for I quite realise that it takes women some time ro be convinced to agree to a request. It might even be to their own desire. But, they will still dailly-dally over it. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Helen: Yes, it is because, in those days we had not known and so. took men serious in all that they spoke t o us. But now, just as the day breaks and another date comes, we are gradually coming to the realisation of the facts and figures. The days of flattery, seem to be going away. especially in my own case and as far as my affairs with men are concerned. You said that I am'biautiful. Naturally, ahy woman with such makeups as I have now, will surely look attractive. I mbst besincere to you, for I d o not like to say many things and mean only a few of them. It is not an easy thing, to secure my love. There are certain terms that I go by. If you are really serious, then, I can tell them t o you. Well, if after hearing and you wish to get along with me, then you may have to d o so. But where otherwise, J shall be fully prepared to take my own way, without any atom of regret. Uba: I have actuaily heard you say that you are tough and I presume i t is so. In any case, one thing that surprises me the more, is that many tough people d o not easily reveal themselves as such. Whatever be the case, I would not mind informing you tbat 1 am. equallj tough. I have my own principles, set down ones too. From them, I do not hope to go back please say on, for I shall be very much prepared to hear. As strong as the laws of nature are, yet, they are kept. I am sure too, to meet up, with your own requirements. Helen Indeed, you are right. The first is that, you should have. no other friend, male o r female. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Uba: If it is only a question of not getting another female friend, I shall be able to d o so. But, that of dissociating myself from my fellow men, is something that might need a second thought. Helen: I t then, means, that you are not prepared, for the business. Is that correct? Uba: It is not so! I am fully prepared. Helen: Why then not agree to my first proposition? Uba: Male friends are very useful. Something about love-making, cannot be solely relied upon since it is plausible. Well, 1 shall be prepared to d o so since it 1s your wish and 1 have a strocg desire to make love with you. Helen: That is very good of you. 1 d o not like any person making love with me, to have ma!e friends. For, they might deceive him and thus, our love gets shattered. But remember very well, that you are uot the first person to contact me, over this. However, since you have been able to go through the first step there is every likelihood of your succeeding in the affair. It is this. that has knocked out many people who came up to ask for my love. I Uba: If it be thy will that 1 shall succeed, then, ' shall have t o be one of the happiest men. Helen: Thesecond, is that I will not like to have anything from you, in the form of presents either in cast or in kind, Uba: Well done my beautiful lady. This is where you differ very much from other women. �HOW TO LOVE PLAY Helen: N o t only that, I shall be prepared, to defray some part of your expenses. Uba: Thank you very moch. It appears as if God pushed me on, to you. Helen: Just hold on a bit! I shall buy all clothes that you may need Uba: May ,God bless you more and more. I had not even thought that I would in life, meet with such a fortune. That next prevents me from dismissing my male friends and then, havicg you right away? Afterwards they are not doing anything for me. They are only o.ut to exhaust my pocket. Helen: My father left an estate for me, when he died and it is from there, that I will be giving you some money for busicess. At least, fifty pounds per month. Ubs: O! Goodbye to poverty! Welcome to a tremendous fortune I Who else will have to compare himself in wealth, to me? I shall at once purchase a car and both of us will be driving through the streets of this town. Truly, I shall be known as a big man. Infxt, I do not know what ro say that I shall do for you, when that is executed. N o more! No more! Let our love making begin at once. .What next delays us ? Helen: I shall everi surrender my father's upstair building and both of us live there i n full comfort and entirely free o f charge. bba: If all sounds like a dream. Wheo I begin to consider what it will all have to look like. I become very much filled up with joy, May heaven bless you again! Are your parents now old? - - 11 �ROW TO PLAY LOVE Uba: My mother is fourty this year while my father is sixty ,five. Helen: Have you got some brothers and sisters? Uba: Yes my dear. Two sisters and one brother. At any rate. all of them are still schooling. Helen: Well, the third step is this; Uba: Lest I forget. My wife is also with me, but she has not yet given birth to any child. Helen: That is very good. The next and final step, is that since I drink nothing else than blood, you should be going out dally to bring people for me. Your father whom J am to take as a slave, will be busily engaged, cutting off their heads and filling cups with blood, For me to drink. In addition, he will be carrying me on .his back, from the parlout, to the bath room and when to finish taking my bath, he brings me back. Your mother's head will be cut off by your father. Your wife's head will also be treated like that. Both of these, will be kept in the bathroom. While taking my bath I shall stand my right foot on the skull of your mother and the left, on the skull of your wife. I n order to get an efficient service from your father, he will be casterated. You must disown your brother and slsters. Uba.: This is yet one of the most wonderful state of life, 1 have ever come across As a matter of fact, I need a lover and I am desirous of having one earliest. I had fixed it within my mind, that I would have no any other lady but you. All the same, I cannot tell you lies. I love my n1o:her very much. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Blood is very thick. I am sufe ~ h a tif you pinch yourself, you might go to experience the pain and then agree that it would not be all that proper, to pinch another person. For me therefore to kill her and give you her head as a type of stool while taking jour bath, is a thing which I d o not deem very possible. My father is quite precious to me. Helen: Please remember that we shall only be for and nothing like marriage, will love mskir~g have lo come in. Uba: There you are my only beloved lady. It then means that 1 might not have more shares. My profit might only have to be some type of sweat. It is true that there may be children or not, But none of them will have to take me as 3 legitimate father. On the whole, I shall have t o be at a loss. My brother is somebody who is very dear t o me and it is sure that he will have to relieve me when my days or this earth, might have finished. Coming to n y sisters whom you say that I should disown, I wish to let you know that this cannot be all that possible. Truly. money is a very essential thing, but it cannot force me t o do away with what might be against the actual commandments of God. I shall be laughed a t by men. God will not like it. Again, I cannot because of the purposes of making love, go to be a murderer or encourage anything relating directly or indirectly, t o the kill. of people. My approach of you, might have been somehow misdirected. Please. pardon me l own my error. If you might have somehow been used to this type of evil, I positively . �HOW TO PLAY LOVE maintain before you, that I am just a novice. Please. I can now say goodbye to the request that I had earlier made. I shall alwaysicontinue to be liking you. Distance might have to be no barrier to our relationship which is just, but, growing. Other people who are ioterested may g o t o usbject themselves to your conditions, but. 1 shall not. ACT ONE (SENE 2 ) HUSBAND A N D WIFE Agnes: My dear husband, how do you find it useful, to remain without doing anything quite visible, as to make a better living? Abel: You might not consider yourself correct, to ask me this type of question. You may appreciate that since you came to my house, you had never remained hungry. Everyday, I run about to see how I can manage up to get some money for our food. Left with me alone, I could have been eating in the hotel?, even on I credit. I had many customers with whom I had such an arragement as thal, before your arrival to this house, to bs my wife. It is only about two months ago that you came here. I really consider it too early for you to have already begun to find faults with me. Agnes: Yes my dear, I quite realize that it is really too early for me to -have begun to find faults with you. But I am only talking the truth and what I consider, will help both of us. When you came to marry me, you told my parents, that you were a civil servant on leave. Now, I have come to find out that there is no truth in the statement. Consider now, how woefully disappointed, my parents shall be, if they come to find your statement to them otherwise. But what shall we eat today? 14 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Abel: D o not worry. Even though I have not got a penny in my pocket, yet, I shall not be worried 1 know very well, haw the thing usually comes. God in heaven. will bring something for US to eat. Agnes: Never in my life, had 1 heard of, or seen, any person who sat down and kept on looking for food to come down, from the sky. Even if it might have per chance, been the luck of one man perhaps according to the scriptures, yet I do not bdieve that it is what will apply to each hacd every person. Abel: Infact. I cannot easily tell. what might have becn the sole cause of )!our speech this day. T o me, it appears that love does not mind certain things that could be regarded as serious mistakes If I am even a thief you can hide the fxt away from other people, since any type of shame on me, will also reflect on you. Let us keep on loving ourselves more and more. Trouble shouId pive chance to peace and comfort, so that this our lives can easily be turned into a bright outlook of hope. When I was an irresponsible man, I played life verj well and now that I am responsible, I hope to do everything, carefully. Agnes: How do you think that you are now responsible? Abel: You may not like the result, if you venture to insult me. Agnes: It simply makes me laugh indeed. i have never been trained 10 tell lies and I find it late to begin d training of that type, now. Many of those people whom you call your friends have approached me and busily engaged themselves in trying to force me out of your hands. They say that you are of a questionable character. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Some of them maintain that you are an ordinary rambler. Others say that you are an ordinary deceiver. I must be frank to you. One lady came t o me and told me with every sincerity, that I shall not know the day, that you will like to run away from this house and live in another town. Then she continued, that I shall have to been responsible for the payment of the house rental, If such a thing happens, it simply means that since I am a helpless woman, there will every possibility of my going home to my parents to look for some financial aid from them. How can such a lover, with these q ~ a l i ties be relied upon. It is understood that 1 am not the first woman that you had cunningly brought in. I have also heard that you simply want t o spoil me and to leave me entirely useless in life. 0 dear! when love bears another meaning, from what it normally ought to, then, the sole motive for which that sacred thing was made. is defeated. 1 cannot tell you lies, 1 love you, but, I do not love your ways. Ydu are quite handsome and very presentable. But it should be known very well, that when character is lost, everything seems to have lostalmg with it. This is why I will not like to be in alliance, with any person whose character, seems t o be all that strange. 1 had heard right from childhood, that any woman who gets married to a thief, is alsoa thief But you can only know what that idiom, stands for. I may not have to talk very much again. All that 1 want, is not silver or gold but good character from you. Where you fail me in that, you may not have t o blame me when I bid good- bye to our love and farewel! to a heart which 1would then refer to, as once beloved. 16 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Abel: Look care! I am getting fed up with this type of address. I am sure that you will stop to remind me of the past. When first we met, you agreed very strongly to get married to me. Today, I am simply confused over your present thoughts. Since you have already termed me wicked. I might be forced to deal with you in life manner, so as to agree very well with your opinion about me. If you could have been a bit tactful, I could have hidden away some of my wicked acts and then charged to good. But now, I must have to expose myself to you, in the true form You may be disappointed and thus, begin to great, why you ever attempred to love a man of my own type. It will be such a lesson to jou, that throughout your life time, you will continue to remember it. In the first place, you should realist: tbe fact that I did not force you to love me. Your parents were very happy, to consume my money. They did not say that it came from a wicked man. After keeping me poor, > o a ,low come to discredit me. D o not forget lbat your parents demanded and received one hundred and fifty pounds from me as a bride price on you. Look at it a youngman of my own type without parents. From where else, do you .exp. ect the money for feeding to come? G o then. to your parents. get some money from them and I am eomfident, that it will lead us in maintenance, for some time. Hal ha! ha! I will teach you a lesson and tell you in a language which you'can understand, that you have joked with the wrong man. Meanwhile, let me only go out and be back. I will show you how to treat an insultive fellow. �HOW TO ' PLAY LOVE ( H e goes out ) Agnes: 0 Love! A big deceiver of people! Thou hast got me tied up to a man who appears good, but internally rotten. A very wicked fellow! An imp of misfortune and an ungrateful scamp. He is such a type that will like to cail good, bad. Look at him, telling me how .possible it would be, for food to come to a person who does not like to struggle for it. A thing never done in human history. I wonder how some people reason. H e was talking of s3me hi3 sufferings while attempting'to marry me. Is he the first man to marry a lady? O!No wonder he might have no doubt forgotten thrt he who wishes to have a wife, must first of all, be prepared for it Indeed, it is not joke. What wo'rries my mi~:d much; is the insult that this wretch.has given to my parents. He says that he will tesch me a lesson. Ofcourse, that is the normal way of a crook: J wonder what he means by that. It appears that this man does not seem to realize that he.is a fool. I am determined to !eave him. I have actually made a big mistake by coming to him. He is perhaps makmg some p!ans to undo me, but I shall be ready with mhe, Helen: It is for this reason that 1 have actua!ly decided to try men. Now, I can easily find out that you do not appear to'have meantwhat you said. I do not wish to abandon the taking of blood, simply ,because I have come to you. &in, I do not wish any man with whom.1 am t o be frieodly. to have any other man who is his own friend or brother. The sisters are also to go away. When the man is only ready to satisfj, 'his own wish and forget everything 18 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE about my commandments, T shall not be prepared to have him. Goodbye then my youngman. Farewell to our proposed love. ACT ONE ( SCENE 3 ) ABEL AND HIS LOVER Abel: Get out of this house! Margaret:' Was this how we began the love? It might be anyhow. I will only like you Abel: to go away and tbat is all. Please my dear lady, d o not sta) here, until I come back. Margaret: I actbally have determined to be your wife. Truly, I do not wish to abadon you. There will be no harm, if you only go to cool down yourself for a while. Abel: I would only have to go and pray for death. People must actually d~scredited me for quite a long time. This will surely be the end of my sorrows and like my fore-theres who had bravely resisted any attempts to keep them ashmed, I shall march on and afterwards, history, and nothing but history, shall have to speak of me. It is then that people will have to say that I was once a man who would not like to tolerate the fooleries of a woman. There are some men who may like to tolerate such nonsense as this. But for my part, I consider it nothing short of the abuse of destiny. God himself who created me and brought me into this life, will also hear witness of my actions. Yes, I was forced to marry, when 1 found out tbat many of my own mates have Cone so. But instead of enjoying it 1 found it rather boring. He who can get along w ~ t h bags of insults can do so. I shall not. My heart is seriously aching over this; Life could mean anything to others. 19 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE But for me, it has come to show another thing quite contrary to expectation. I am not a rich man. People like Onyeuku are enjoying themselves and perhaps, if death comes, they might bother. But I am not like that. Everyday, I srt down and look at people enjoying. But I d o not take part. (ENTER O N Y E U ~ U ) Margaret: ( Weeping ) Welcome Sir. Onyeuku: Yes my dear. It appears that you have something worrying your mind. Margaret: I t is nothing else tban love. I only misfired. The man I chose a s my' own lover and husband now wants t o abadon me and 1 d o not know what next to do. Onyeuku: Have you apoloeised to him? Margaret: I have actually done that but it appears that he does want to listen. What next to do, is just beyond my own imagination. Onyeuku: Yes, this why 1 always liketo have money. When a poor man makes love, he does not enjoy it. If you were to be in my house, you could not have felt any type of sorrow. ( Enter Uba ) Margaret: I am prepared to gd away, since all attrmpts t o reconcile have failed. You are only shedding crocodile tears Abel : and that, cannot help you. I am indetd, very sorry for you. Uba: Is it all the same story this way too? A lady coming t o tell me that she would like t o use my mother's head as a stool while taking her bath, is just what I cannot understand. Onyeuku: When did it happen ? �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Uba: It is a very recent talk. Abel: Or else? b b a : , Then there will be no love. Abel: I do not quite understand, what is worrying these ladies. Well, I have taken my own decision. ( Enter Agnes ) Uba: Oho! Here we are again. You blood drinker. Abel: She must have been the fellow. no doubt? Uba: Surely, she is. Abel: Today is my final day in everything relating to the insults of women and everything about their love. (Onyeuku goes away) Uba: I shall be very pleased to have it so, too. T a k e it (He Abel: (Locking the door ) shoots the three and himself too). ACT ONE (SCENE 4) Onyeuku: I am a very happy man in life. At the moment, nothing worries me. As for the money, 1 can say with every assurance, that 1 shall he allowed to take my seat amidst the wealthy people. 1eat.anything that I like and my drinks are costly ones. he money is there and so, I will not like to associate with anything that is inferior. (Enter Ikem, a friend) How are you poor man? Ikem: Yes my friend Onyeuku, 1 admit that I am poor. But as long as I eat well in my house and maintain my family, I assure you that I am equally rich. The fact that 1 have not got a car or erected a skyscraper, does not very much matter. 21 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Onyeuku. You ought to buy a car so that i t can easily be confirmed, that you have the mokley. For my part, I put on costly dresses and in that way, draw the attention of the enlire public. No wonder, when 1 go on foot, eipecially. when I feel like takmg breeze in the evenings people state at me, as if they have seen a god, 0 my dear! it is pleasant to be a big man. Nothing worries the person and no person has authority over him. Ikem: That might be correct. I, however feel that everybody. whether rich or poor, exists until death the leveller, comes to give its verdict.. Onyeuku: Death or no death, I am no: in the least, perturbed. It is only a poor man who is afraid of death, because he has no money t o cure himself, when sick. In my own case, my money can take me to even the most costly hosp~tal. I can even engage about two or three medical doctors to take charge of my health. Thus. sickness will run away acd so. death too, will be afraid to come near. Ikem: Infact my friend Onyeuku, I am not a small boy, as you very well know. I had seen some wealthy men let low into the usual six feet of earth, which 1 stronly maintain, can be said to have been the equaliser of all. I hope that you will not dispute this. For, it is an established fact. Really, whenever it is time, there might be no need resisting, since it will be entirely meaningless, so to do. Surely a man of your own experience and age, ought not doubt the truth in what 1 have told you. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE (Enter Nneka, Onyeuku's wife) Onyeuku. My name suits my position very wek O! How I like it! If 1 were called a bigman and in wealth, I had no stand, I could have liked to commit suicide than to remain and be mocked about by each and every fellojr. D o you fail to realize the fact, that a man who has no money is always a friend of everybody, including even a small boy? Ask my wife, I also purchase costly cloths for inorder that my prestige will stand upright. She has more gold than most of her mates and coupled with a superb maintainance, she thus becomes one of the happiest women that ever lived. My dear wife, is it not so? Nneka. You do not seem to be very much mistaken. But, 1 do not quite think, that eatii~g well and dressing very flamboyantly can ktep a person happy all the days of his or her own life. Ikem. My most respected lady, you have actually made a very wise statement. ( Enter Benson, a potter ) Onyeuku. Yes Mr. man, what is your name and how did you maoage to come ht r&? Benson: Master, I have come to you, for some help My wife has just put to bed in maternity and I need money badly. If and only but if, you can manage 10 assit me out of this difficult situation, 1 shall be most grateful. Onyeuku: Ha! Ha! Ha! Perhaps these people think that it was how we got rich. I do not borrow money and will not like to lend :o any person any brass farthing. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE At the moment, I am determined to sue one man who has lived i n one of my plots for six months now, but does not care to pay the rental. Benson: The position might be so sir, Rut, out of human kindness, try, try sir, to help me, Onyeuku: 1 will not help you. The earlier you go away from here, the better. But, how much do you really want from me? Benson: Any amount. not less than two pounds, will be greatly appreciated and I hope to return that, within a fortnight. Onyeuku: Two pounds? Big money indeed! Anyway I[ have not less than ten thousand pounds as fixed deposit in the bank. In my house here there is an amount not below the sum of two hundred pounds in cash. But, sorry! sorry! I will not give out any money to you. Benson: On my knees, I beg sir! ( Shedding tears ) Help me Sir! Onyeuku: I did not weep before 1 became a rich man. Amuse me more and more. Ha! Ha! Ha! Look at his lips and wrinkled face. Money is hard to get. Benson: If you hzlp me, God will reward you sir. Onyeuku: I am not ready ti, help you at all. Benson: Ehl My poor wife and her child. May you not because of them help me a bit? Onyeuku: They may even die and that will be better! Benoon: If that happens, it simply means that more will be added to my sorrows. There might be no money to purchase coffins for them. Onyeuku: Yes, that is exactly what 1 want. You will then be laughed at, much to my own pleasure. Did I prevent you form being rich? 24 �WOW TO PLAY LOVE Infact, where were you, when I gathered my wealth? Alright, let me come down a bit. Dance for me. Benson: ( Dancing ) I hope it will please you Sir and then you may help me, so that I can go back to the maternity and see the woman and her child. For, by now, the woman might have been feeling hungry. Onyeuku: 0 no! There is money right enough as I said before, but I shall not give you. However, let me just see what I can d o now. Benson: Yes Sir! I beg, try Sir. Try and help me. Onyeuku: bring your head. Renson: (Bows ) At your service, my dear Sir. ( Onyeuku cracks him ). Thank you Sir! Onyeuku: Alright! You may now have t o go away. Renson: What about the help, Sir ? Onyeuku: I am sorry my dear youngman. Yon might very well appreciate that I am not a money-lender. Really. I suffered before getting whatever you now see me use. I will alse like everyother person to sweat very well for cash. G o away! Get away at once! Benson: After all these sufferings received, should I still go away without your help? Onyeuku There is no help at all! ~o!co!away I say! Benson: Thank you very much. God is alive and will be the judge. Onyeuku: Come if what may! My money is there! Benson: Let it be ( He leaves ) Onyeuku: Ssrvanr! ( Servant enters ) Give me one bottle brandy. ( The drink is served and he begins ro take. ) 25 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Nneka: You might not have bten quite rig'it . in treating the poor man in that way. Onyeuku: That is not my concern. I must be hard hearted, since 1am not owing any person. - Ikern: I have no other statement to make. But if 1were you, I should not have like that. Onyeuku: I have obeyed my own conscience and that is all about it. (Exeunt) (ACT ONE SCENE 5) Benson: This is yet, one ofthe most inhuman type of treatrnent,erer given to mankind. That I can go to a wealthy man for some aid and after being subj,cted to series of humiliations, would s:ill come home, just as I had left. 0 God! Why keep n e alive it1 the world to be toyed about, by each and every person who might have been fortunate to get some cash? My wife is still waiting for me. Truly, everybody realises what it is, for a moth:r to be with her child in a maternity. O! no food m i no money to buy some! What next, should I do? MY hopes, now seem, to have been entirely foiled and >haltered to pieces! No help from any source no help at all! But, God is there. (He prays) "0 most gracious Father, who always listens to the cry of His children, kindly come near and help me now. I confide in no other person or thing l know and have also heard of;how far you had !;tlped other people o! I let me be favoured 1ikewi.t-. T h ~ s confidently ask, Amen" Any other thing can happen. - �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Onyeuku or no Onyeuku, since1 have prayed to God, I am happy, For, He never fails. (Enter Joseph, a friend) Can this be you Joseph? Joseph: For many months I had been away to the spanish territory. lnfact I made a lot of profit over there. From the ninet) cases tobacco I broght home, I was able to make a gain of one hundred and ten pounds. This amount of course, exculdes the profit made on the brandy. On the whole, it was a very pleasant trip. I had no difficulty with either the police or the customs watereuard officers. Now my friend, where is your wife Erinma ? Benson: She is now in the maternity. What for ? Joseph: She has recently, given birth to a bouncing baby boy. Benson: Congratulations, my friend Benson: O!The wonders of God, are great! If it were someing to be bought with money, you coulf not have been able to compete with these wealthy and greedy men around us. At any rate, since I shall not be privileged to see her today, (dipping hands into his pocket and bringing our some notes) Take this little amount of five pounds and manage up, until I am chanced to to come back to you. Benson: Thank you very much Joseph. Please, do not fail to turn up on Saturday. For, it is on tbat day, tbat I shall invite friends and wellwishers to my house and all of us will have to rejoice together, over the merciful work of cod to me. Joseph: I hope to be in your house, by then. I still have some revolver and pistol guns, to deliver to customers. 27 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE So,good-bye till then and pass my greetings, t o the worthy woman. finson: I have heard you and I am very grateful, indeed. (Joseph leaves. It is indeed very gratifying, that the fervent prayers of a man of my own type, can thus be easily answered. (He sighs) 0 money ! It was because of you, that I went and vaily suffered every amount of disgrace, toda! . O! when w~ll troubles of this life, cease ? At any the rate, 1 must take h e m . Onyeuku, will not lige forever. (Enter Erinma) 0 b dear. Are you back? l was only preparing t o come for you. Erinma: T o my surprise, a Taxi driver came u p and informed me that your friend Joseph, had paid him, to convey me home ro my husband. I had t o respond at once and together with my child, B:ns oncame home. Thanks be to God, that you are back to this house. ( Exeunt ) ACT TWO ( SCENE ONE ) Onyeuku: (sitting in his parlour, smoking a pipe and with a cup of wine in hand ). I wonder when these poor men, will cease from worrying me. Ha! ha! ha! I created one of them, in the most contemptuous manner, last time. He was talking of his wife. Does he not know that I also have a wife ? Nonsense! Enter Ude, Debtor ) Yes, thanks be to whatever demon that might have brought you here today. where is my money? 1 mean the rental, that you owe me? I am Porry Sir. Infact, I d o not have the money here and I beg you io allow me some days, to look for it. 28 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Onyeuku: Shut up your mouth! I actually have the right t o slap you just now and cover up every thing,with my money. D o you agree that you are my slave right now? Ude: Yes, my Lord. Onyeuku: What I what, is my mofiey. Ude: I have not got it sir. Please consider my plea. Onyeuku: 1 don't Lazy man1 I cannot consider you. What I know, is that you must Pay me today and just now. If nor, you will not step out of thisroom. I will not mind, beating you !o death. Ude: 1 beg you Sir. Onyeuku: Perhaps you not understand what I am saying. Where is my money? Ude: It is not here Sir: Onyeuku Did it run away? Ude: N o Sir. The fa'ct is that I cannot produce i t today Sir. Onyeuku: A Lazy fellow. I wonder why there should be very many lazy people, these days. I will teach you a lesson today. I can even kill and skin you. Afterwards' 1 bury your corpse or leave it for the vulture and use your skin in making a drum, which I will use in entertaining myself, when I want t o add more t o my own comfort. Poor fellow, I am indeed sorry for you., Be sure, that your family will no longer enjoy your company He handles a big stick and Ude escapes). I am sorry that thsi idiot of a man, has escaped. However,it is not difficult to get him round. I wish to d o as already planned. meanwhile, let me sit down and think properly over how to catch and kill him. If possib!e, I can even drink his blood. I want to be as hostile as possible, to any poor man, who comes across iny way. (He sits.down puffins his pipe. 29 �HOW TO FLAY LOVE The wine is still on the table, when death d:essed up in a black suit, entered and stood opposite him). Who are you my man? Death: I am death. I: do not joke, as you might have heard. Onyeuku: It a p p e a r s then, that you might have made a mistake to enter my house. 1 do not want you now. But can i help you and is their anything wrong? Death: (Looking very grave) I did not make any mistake: Is vour name not Onyeuku ? Onyeuku: Sure 1 Onyeuku is my name. Death: What else? I have proposely come to take you. Therefore, prepare at onc and follow me. Onyeuku: ( Sweating 2nd throwing away his pipe) Might there be not mercy? (Looking quite subtle). Drath: (appearing more serious with eyes open). If need be. Onyeuku: Please, what should I do, to cease the situation ? Death: (In a deep tone). Time is flying. 1 have been trained, not to joke with my time. Onyeuku: Although no human being trifles with you and you are not prepared to waste any time, yet, it would be something of unparallelled kindness, ifyou can only, out of goodwill, allow me give some directives, to the members of my family. Truly, everybody fears you and I am no exception. lnfact, I respect you. The truth is that, you do not appear as wicked, as people think you are. Death: (Smilling a bit with one of his eyes, slighly open). Infact, if it were not that, I am duty bound, to safeguard my own business, I could have left you, scotch free. 30 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE But. I cannot help it. As a matter of fact, you are among the few wise people, who admit that 1 am in some cases, kind. Onyeuku: (With some smiles). I have found out that1 cannot escape this. But, still, [ plead that you give me scme days, so that I can hold some discussions with the members of my family. Death: But earlier, I underst'ood that you would resist me. For that, 1 came with full force, to meet you face to face, so as to know who is more powerful than the other. Onyeuku: (Smiling.) Even in dreamland, I cannot tell you or any other person, that I am your equal. I am a weak cre.iture. Infact, such that cannot stand you in any angle. Death: Well, I am happy to hear this. Onyeuku: Furthermore, you know that man, has enemirs. One of the people who my downfall, could come t o you and tell you anything that will make you angry over me. I take you as my master and f r i e ~ d . Dra:h: Though I scarcely go back to my decision, yet, in view of your kind work about my person, I have granted you some days t o have a word with your Fanily..Will you appreciate that I' am kind enough? Onyeuku: Drfinitely, youare! I am grateful indeed. Death: (Smiling and nodding). Remember that I must come. Perhaps, your people who might be laughing now, will then be weeping and gnashing their teeth, on thitt terri- �HOW TO PLAY LOVE ble day. Surely, it is by then, that you will have t o remember your past performances. Meanwhile. let me go and take some rest. I have done a lot of work today. Not less than five hundred people are t o obey me tomorrow. Onyeuku: Safe journey Mr Death. Death: ( With a very low tone ). Thank you very much, Mr Onyeuku. (Exit Death) Onyeuku: ( Pondering ). Thus, man shifts fromthe life of splendour, to agony. That man w~ll be interviewed by death, a monster of that nature, face to face, still appers t o me, as one of the mysteries, yet to be solved be experts in anthropology. For, besides them, none other, can. (Foldmg his arms and with his mouph, wide open, face looking pale with fear). But, how will this type of news sound in the ears of the members of my family? How will the entire public, react to it? Members of my family, might take me serious. It is also likely, that they may feel, that l am telling them lies or cracking jokes. For, no living man can one day confirm that he or she, bad never debated with death. How! How will it be? But was it in dreamland? No. my eyes were c!ear. The figure might be back soon. No need wasting time. For I am no longer, a free man. (Exit) ACT TWO (SCENE TWO) Nneka: I wonder why my husband Onyeuku, has not come to the dining room for food. It is now fifteen minutes after two o' clock. Emeka: Dad, rather seems late to luncheon today. Nduhuisi: I am surprised to see that my brother Onyeuku eats more food, these days. In the �HOW TO PLAY LOVE past, he did not attach importnce to afternoon meal. (Enter Onyeuku, looking sad and disgusted) Ada: Papa, I wonder why you chose to punish me today. You very well know, that I cannot eat in your obsence. Onyeuku: I am very sorry for that, my little daughter Ndubuisi: That might not be correct. 1 also thought so at first But later on, I found out that both the sellers and the buyers, were all victims of the gloom. Onyeuku: (Smiling). When a man sees what is by fat' greater than he can bear there will be no alternative, than to yield. Ikem: Yield to what? T o what! I say! No! Not me forever. ( Emptjing a tumbler of bear). Nneka Of course, it depends upon the circumstance. Ikem: (Emptying anolhcr tumhler of bear ). I care less for m y type of circumstance I damn the consequence. Onyeuku: (Standing up). Let us be serious. Infact I have only some day more to live. I am already a dead mnn. Ndubuisi God forbids. Ikem: I wonder why you try to joke over serious matters. How will such a dream as this come truet when you are not sick, even now. that a fun! Never in histcry, had any persol1 known when to die. Ada: O!papa, d o not say so! If you die now, who will help mum to care for us? (Onyeuku shndding tears and looking at his - children. ) Emcka I am indeed s~:rprised.I do not know uhat nex! to do. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Nneka My husband actually means his speech. Ndubuisi Certainly, he is serious. Ikem: Serious over what? T o die how? My bcs3m friend to die. How does know.? Onyeuku It was rewaled to me. ( All of them burst into tears. Exeunt Act 2 ( Scene I ) Entered Death and Four of his Messengers. Death: (Pinting at one old man). Get hold of him be has spent very many years on earth. Old man: Am I the oldest man today? Death: Shut up your mouth and obey me at once. ( The man dies). 1st Msger: T o where again Sir? Death: G o to the market and get up to so people. Second messenger should go to the Ocean and sink the ship, make sure that many people were got. Tbird messenger should be in the air and crash aeroplanes, while the fourth goes to cause motor accident. I shall go personally to Onyeuku and get him to my Kingdom. All: Your orders must be obeyed Sir, They go while Death makes for Onyeuku's residence. (Exeunt) Act 2 (Scene two) Ooyeuku: Neither sorrow, n o r tears, can disuade death from executing his evil intentions. It is now necessary that I must be separated from you. "Death is an inevitable end of man horn af a woman, and must come. when it will. All that I pray is that my memory should remain indelible into your memories for my part, it is now finish with existence. Act 2 (Scene Two) Onyeuku: Oh, but if I were a bachelor, I could have happily gone away; knowing that 1 have �HOW TO PLAY LOVE nothing to think of. Now, the situation is different. There is no iota or doubt, that this tragedy, will be a big blow to my family; friends and relatives. Oh, death! Thou wickcd monster that will always refuse to be bribed. I am now at your mercy! Take me to any place that you might deem fit, for it is 'through you: that I shall get to my fore-fathers. Only some hours more to go. Poor, Onyeuku will no more eat, or drinlc. Ooly some months more to go, the memeries of Oayeuku, will all be forgetten. It is sure that I must be taken by the cold lands, of death. Bravely however, I shall confrmt it all as others had. Perhaps, it is time. Oh! the memory of my children who will be left as orphans pains me greatly. The die is now case: Terrible! Oh! How painful it is to part from loved once! This i s question of must. (Enter Nneka, Ndubuisi, Emeka, Ada) Nithher tears no sorrows can cease the situation. Ndubuisi: This talk again? Onyeuku: You might sesse from bzing a Thomas when everything is pracrically dzrnonwated Well Emka it is up to you to comfront your mother Nneka brust into tears ) Stay well with your sister too. Although you seem too young to manage a family, just now yzt the will of fate and dsting must be obeyed. Ada: Papa when will you return? �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Onyeuku: O! tender child, Quite ingnorant of what is being said! ( Ndubuisi ) folds his arms and looks at his brother in surprise) My only daughter, when is time, you will meet me there. (Enter Ikem) Onyeuku: My house shou!d not be kept in confusion when the tragic period comes, 1 have uever been a confusionist. Ikem: The death will spare wicked men and easily take the quite ones is something that greatly baffles my intelligence. O! Onyeuku, Is this the way in which we are to part? Death! come too! come I say and take me away. What next are you leaving me for. Onyeuku: If were something that can be prevented by force or money, I would have tried my best. But as it is, I stand confused now as to what else to do than to obey the call. Since all of are preseni, and are quite aware of the entire catastrophe, I shall not regard myself as some body who might have dsed intestate., I now declare in the presence of living witness that I bequeath my estate to my son Emeka, there is no atom of doubt that everything is now, settled. Things may be however what they seem. I shall be the last man to be all that worried, since death is the lot of all human beings, ( Exeunt ) Act Three Scene One Benson: Ladies and gentlemen, I have assembled all of you to this place, so ?hat you can come along and share the joy of the day, with me. Each and every one of you can easily tell, what it is, to heve a wile, who might have safely �HOW TO PLA LOVE given birth to a child infact, it is for that purpose, I have determined not to be alone, but to be in merriment, with you. There might be money or not. But, it will be much to my own pleasure to afford the little presents that I have. Life may be hard or soft. But, I am solely determined, to conquer, all the difficulties, in my way t o success. (They cheer him ) As a matter of fact, I could have been very much let down. But as a resuit of true friendship, I had nothing t o lose. Jasper: We have actually heard a great deal cf your sayings. Even though that be the case, I am opined that things should go in the right form. However, 1 d o not blame you at all. At ?he same time. it will be unfair of me, to pounce upon your opponent, merely for the sake of satisfylog your own very desire. At any rate. I am pleased over the way, in which things are going, at the moment. Your entertainments, I shall have to take. Thank you very much. Joseph. It is true, that I tend t o be one of the most significant figures here, when talking in terms of those, who are somehow. related to Benson. It cannot be disputed, that both of us are quite friendly. Truly, about the most intimate of friends, that might have ever existed. Some people are actually well to do. There are others too, who are not all that. Whatever might have been the case, it wi!l not be advisable, for one section. parrlcularly the wealthy side, to despise the poor. For every body is levelled. by six feet of earth, which ought to be for all. - �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Benson: Well, ladies and gentlemen, I am sayinp without any type of prejudice, that some of these people, who think that money can d o everything for them, might be a bit mistaken. I have no doubt, that you might have heard of or even known, one Onyeuku, 1 actully approached him, when 1 was in a type of financial difficulty. Truly, he subjugated me to series o f , tortures and in the end, made a ridicule, of it all. I am not determined to blame him. But then, he ought to have been in sympathy, with my own situation and then, reconsider my stand, in the .whole affair. At any rate, I am not in the least, perturbed. Jasper: Let the ugly past be forgotten. I have no doubt that the Almighty God, will d o his wish. Joseph: That also, is my own plea. All t h a t ~ I ask, is for God's own protection, over this woman ( Exeunt ) and her child forever. ACT THREE ( SCENE TWO ) Death: Mr. Onyeuku, I have now come! ~ n y e u k u : I have actually found out that I cannot resist. Take me therefore, to anywhere, that you will. Nneka: Master! I understand that your name is Death. Will you please not mind pardoning my husband? Death: In Fairness of it my dear lady, business is to business. I am sure, that you will not l ~ k e joke over your business. Thus, tbisis mine infact, I cannot help it a t all. Your husband must be taken away. Hiscut is now full. When it is your own time too, you will undoubtedly have to come along. No amount of plea, will disuade �HOW TO PLAY LOVE me from my own determination. As a matter of fact, 1 helped him very much. In reality, I. d o not inform people when I wish. t o visit them. But Oiyeuku is the man that I like very much and it will be very unfair t o snatch him away from his family, without notice, hence I gave him a hint to prepare. Ndubuisi: Does it then go to mean that you can take any person whenever you choose to d o so ? Death: Well Mr. Man,the whole thing is that I have m y time table with m, whicb acts like a typeof : 'schedule. Every body's name, is therein listed. You might be the next person t o come. But, since I have not come to you, it i s sure that you might only have t o brag. But my arrival is sure. Truly, by letting him know in time. .Actually some. ptople might spoil me, by branding me bad. I am not so. Please hold on, for your own turn. Ikem: That is nonsense ! Death: You may choose it so t o be. But I a m not worried. The whole thing is thatonyeuku must I repeat must, come along with me. Your own time is coming, You may not even have the mouth t o say this when it is time. Onyeuku ! Onyzuku ! Come along !Come along I a t once and let us go: Forge: everythig about your property, wife and children. Emeks: Since it appears that you d o not seem t o have any mercy, I d o not know, what next, to do. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Death: I pity all of you. In fact, I do not come out for bad. Please, bear any type of inconvenience, like that. I must have to vist teach and every person. It anly depends upon the time. 1 wish you good-luck in all your own undertakings. Nneka: I had thought that even that most wicked people, have some considerations at times. Death: Madam, I cannot do otherwise. I am sure that 1 have actually spoken at length. Let it be, that whatever name you may call me right now, I shall be prepared to answer. But, there is one thing. I cannot Iqve Mr. Onyeuku. He is to get along with me. Ikem: It simply appears that you are adamant to all the please of all of us? Death: Positive! I maintain! Take yourself to be i n m y own position surely, you will do likewise. Nneka: Afterwards, the whole thing, has come to an end. Onyeuku is gone, much to the joy of his enemies. Benson: I had thought that big men do not die. The thing is that it will not be advisable, for a big man to despise a poor man and feel that he is the all in all. Fortune meets people mistakenly. Ude: The man who promised to skin me, is now gone. But however, he did me a world of good. For, he pardoned me, my deabt. Ikem, All said and done, the thing has come to an end. At any rate, no person can tell, when it is his or her own turn, to kick the bucket. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE H e who does good, it is for him and he y h o does bad, it is also for him. Ude: Mr. Death, is there no consideration for this man? Death: I am very sorry indeed. I have actually wasted a lot of my own time. If I could have considered him, you might have been late t o meet me. Benson: But remember, that he is a big man, whose death, might n3t be appriciated by many people. D z a ~ h : That is actually what I want it all to be, Ikem: But do you think that you are very powerful? Death, That might be well answered, when I come to you. Ikem: Shut up your mouth! When are you coming. Why not now, idiot? Death: No more time to waste. ( H e strikes Onyeuku dead and disappears at once. ) Onyeuku- ( A m ~ d stears) It now has become quite t apparent, that I must have to abandon all my proposals and family and get along with my sister - death. ( Enter Ude ) Ifact. I am going to a strnage land; I d o not know any person there. It might therefore, be difficult for me to make friends. However. Ude, you have now come here and I am sure, that i t is for the settlement of the debt. Take it. 1 hate now granted you a pardon.Please, pray for my own soul. ( Enter Benson ) 1 also apologise to all those, that I might have wronged, in one way, or the other. Please, pardon me and only look after my family. By the grace of God, we shall meet again. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE ACT THREE ( SCENE 3 ). Death: (Sitting down comfortably and with his legs crossed ) What a very busy day! Infact, I must have to congratulate myself, for all my activities, within the month. ( Enter Onyeuku, conducted by one of death's Officers ) Ha! Ha! Ha! There is no doubt that this is Mr. Onyeuku, the man who knew what is means, to have my orders, disobeyed. Surely, this is my own palace. You might have seen for yourself, a bit of what goes on here. How do you like the place? Onyeuku: .4lthough I am quite a new man to this kingdom, yet, I shall not hesitate to let YOU know, that as far as I am concerned, there 1s nothing very worthy of a major criticism. Men and women are lively and the place looks quite gay and disciplined Death: I am indeed happy, to hear you say so. This is a place, where people are free from worries of all types. There is no question of sweating very much for daily bread and running very fast, in pursuit of money. Here, communism is practised to the very last meaning of the word. This is one of the reasons why I pity men whenever their families cry in sorrow of my having them snatched away. But i t will be interesting to note, that those who come here, scarcely wish to get out. Officer: Pardon please your worship, May I know what type ofjob to which this new member should be assigned? Death: Of course, that is very much in line, with I the system here E! M ( Scratching his head ) H e is to clean my shoes everyday. Hey l Mr. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Onyeuku, do you know how to clean shoes properly? Onyeuku: I shall have to rehearse that once mcre. For while in the world. Ican assure you, that I had servants who did various types of jobs for me including even this that 1 am now to do for somebody else. In reality, it has taken not less then ten years, since I did that last. Death: Ha! Ha! Ha! That is what you people, d o over there. Any of you ones idering himself wealthy, would at once grow lazy. See now, you have come to a place, where there is no form of discrimination. If the smallest person, receives twelve strokes of rhe cane, you wdl likewise be treated. ( Handling a cup of beer, while Onyeuku looks at him eagerly ) When in the other world, you enjay yourself very much. But here, there is no time for that. Perhaps you are interested i n taking a cup of wine as I am now doing. , Is that correct? Onyeuku: Most certainly, it is. Death: But it is a pity. No person who comes to this kingdom dominated by me, ever drinks. He will only look at me, enjoying myself to the full and will not participate. Onyeuku: Kindly allow me even a sip of the cup. Death: I am sorry my man. That, will be a violation of our principles here. However, I am getting ready for a convention and I hope that you wlll very soon adapt yourself, to the environment. We are good. We are kind and we are the real peace loving citizens. At the same time, I must not fail to let you know that, anything wrongly done here, is seriously accounted for, by -the doer. 43 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE I may or may not know. There are sufficient and able lieutenants of mine, who can deal with various issues. So, in your own interest, I reveal this, since I am only in the position to give commands, which must be executed, without acy disobedience. (He leaves for the convention). Officer: Thenext phase of it all, is to appzar before a iurv. 0nyedcu; What for? Officer: Here, it is always the policy of "NO ANSWERS T O QUESTIONS." Take note of this. (Enter the Jury) Prosecutor: Where is Onyeuku? Onyeuku: I am here. your lordship. Prosecutor: You are commaded to stand properly, before his lordship and confess all that you did on earth. Remember that you will be cross examined. Onyeuku: When I was on earth, I did certain things in order that I might become weahby. The first was to sacrifice my mother to the God of wealth. The second, was to cheat and oppress poor men and widows. That was not all. I bought one lorry, that would always convey robbers, from one place to the other for plunder. At the end of operations, I would have to share the booty, with them, But people did not suspect that I was transacting a business of that nature. For so it is, that when people see a man who drives in a car, they feel that he is above dishonesty. �TO HOW PLAY LOVE Cnyeuku: That is all I can remember, your lordship Associate Judge: Why then d o you bring this man here? His record does not seem as blcck as thought. It ought to b s noted , that we a r e to give people fair trial, s o as to be 'released from the pangs of conscience. Prosecutor: May your lordship listen to prosecution witnesses? Associate Judge: Where are thev? Callthem UD at once. There are many people to be tired and if you have not prepared your case will, this man, can be discharged and acquitted a t once, for want of evidence. Prosecutor: Selinah! (Enter Selinah and she goes direct to the witness box ) D o you know this =an who stands here as a n accused? Selinah: Yes, your lordship. Prosecutor: For good o r for bad? Explain to the court. Selinah: The man standing as an accused., is known as Onyeuku. He was my first husband and I was the first woman, that he married. Prosecutor: Why did both of you separate. Selinah: I t was one night, when he conducted his lady friend inlo my room and introduced her to me. But in actual fact, Goth of us were legitimately married in the court and afterwards, went to a priest and received some blessing. I cou!d not therefore, look to another and Ge too, was bound by law, to be in the same s a t e with me. After some hours, the lady left and of course, that wzs not wi:hout hearing a noisy quarrel, going on between my husband and me. I. clearly pointcd it out to Onyeuku, that I would expose. - - - �HOW TO PLAY LOVE the matter and have him disgraced. At once, he got infuriated and with a bicycle chain around my neck, he strangled me to death. He dug a grave that every night and let low my corpse. Chief Judge: Onyeuku, have you any questions t o ask her? Onyeuku: None your lordship Her evidence is quite correct. Chief Judge: 1 am sure, that apart from this, there is no other hidden deed of his ? Prosecutor: Yes, your lordship. Chief Judge One thing that men and women seem t o forget, is that all their deeds arc always recorded by some unseen hands. I suspect that they simply feel that they can do anyth~ngand run away from it, provided they are not seen by people. One of the offences we regard grave here, is tbat of killing somebody. For, by so doing, out kingdom is overpopulated and souls are sent to us, at odd time, Well, without wasting time, the punishnent, should be inflicted. ( An officer administers twelve strokes of the cane on the buttocks of Onyeuku. ) So far, so good for the day. We should close up. Until we are needed again. (Exeunt ) All: As the court pleases. ACT THREE (SCENE 4 ) Clerk: During the last convention, Life was the chairman. This time, in accordance with the stipulated constituion Death is to occupy the chair. ( Death gets up and takes the seat, to the applause of his supporters. ) �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Dcath: Tam pleased to have been appointed, to direct the meeting. I assure all of ycu, that it is my intention, to try my best, in seeing that ever) thlng, is will carried out. There are no new member and so, it is believed that each and e./ery person here, knows exactly when to say something and what t3 say. I t is usual, that an account of stewardship by each and every officer, is the first item on the agenda. Accident: During t5e last convention, I was ordered to bring nine hundred and nighty eight persons, into our kindom. Within the first six months, I was able to get sixty five people, through road accidents, fifty. Two, by air and after sinking a launch which made one hundred and twenty people on board, perish, I had as my to:al ,two hundred and thirty seven soul, For the next six months, the statistics, stood a s follows. lorry crashes -- two hundred people dead. Aeroplane disaster one hundred and fifty people and one train accident in which o r e hundred and seventy four souls, were f o ~di missing. Thus, on the whole, I was able to can;eplete the figureof nine hundred a n j nlnety c @ r - Death: You did a very good work indeed. . Life: May I know the exacr number of people, that we agreed upon, to be taken away from me last year? Clerk: On the whole, it was five thousand. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Life: But my own record shows that five thousand and fifty persons, were taken away. What might have brought about the surplus. Death: I feel that it would be more convenient to go gradually. After !istening to the activities of the officers, then, we can easily know, where we went wrong. War: I was ordered to combine' with Trouble, Hunger and Suicide. to get the balance of four thousand and two people. One inter-tribal war, gave us three thousand people. Hunger then, rushed out and brought more one thousand and upon finding out that two more were needed. Suicide, stepped in and got them. Thus, we completed the number. But 1 still have got a remark to make. Peace. has found much pleasure in challenging me, whenever I am on duty. In some cases, he even overpower me, since he knows our secrets. I am hereby appealing to all officers, for co-operation in the execution of our respective duties. Peace: Look care Mr. Wat! I actually challenged you as you said. I also, shall continue to do so, until you send back or account properly. for the fifty people, taken away from our own kingdom. If you d o not, then you should bear in mind, that I shall always resist your attempts to take away people from me. If possible Mr. War, 1 would not mind having theissue out with you, personally. War: I suspect that you are not in your correct senses. Infact, you are talking arrant nonsense. It is just like a speech. made by a little boy. Who are you? �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Peace: Damned fool of your own type! A person who can only be out for destruction. D o you at times sit down and think a little bit of what people talk about you! Bloody scamp! War: I find it a waste of time, to exchange words with your corward. People on earth, might talk anything about me. Infact, I do not care. That is how, those in my own kingdom are also talking bad of you too. Love: Well Mr. War, please cool down yourself. Mr. Peace, should also d o the same. If tempers begin lo rise like this, the meeting might have to end in a fiasco. ( War and Peace, shut up their mouths ). Birth: There might not be much need for my own speech. As commanded, I transfered five thousand people safely, from Mr. Death's Kingdom, to Mr. Life. Death! From where then, comes the difference ? Did any officer take more than he was ordered? (Silence for a while. ( Every officer, re.cheking his list ) Trouble: I now remember one thing. Life: What can it be ? Trouble: There are some, that keep on knocking at the gate a t odd hours when asked how they were brought, they cannot explain. They have no tickets and so, and keep on roaming from one end to the other. �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Death:I have now come t o know, the cause of that. There are some, who fall c n their fellow people, out of anger and kill them right away. Since it might not have been, the time we expected such a victim, the soul keeps on walking to and for Thus, such will neither be for lrfe, nor for me. Even in my kingdom, not less than forty souls have appeared and given evidence against their murderers. Truly, we d o not encourage murder and my chief judge, is always ready to apply disciplinary measures, whenever such is noticed. In fairness of it all Mr. Life, you will then appreicate, that I have not robbed you. It is only a mistake on the part of tbe people your in own kingdom Right from time, we had worked co operatively and it is my most ardent wish thatsuch parity should always be maintained. Life: Thank you very much Mr Death, for your statement, which has now thrown light, into the whole issue. It can now be seen, that none of us is wrong and so. tempers should no longer rise. Let us forget the past-indeed, the exchange of words, which took place between one of your lieutenants and mine. Really, they are not small boys and they ought not be reminded, to apologise, without hesitatio one t o the other. War. Well Mr. Peace, I am very sorry for what had earlier taken place. Please pardon me, for any bad statement, that I might have made. Peace. Goodbye to skirmish. Let us re dedicate ourselves to our duties. Mr. War, J am sorry for causing you an inconvenience. (Both of them shake hands and smile,) - �HOW TO PLAY LOVE Death: I have very well come to realise that everybody is alive to his job. P'else. let us get along like this and hope to ahieve a great future. Exeunt ACT FOUR ( SCENE 1 ) Ikem: Well, my friend Onjeuku is dead. Nneka: That is, as clear as crystal. I cannot help it. I am only pleased, that you, his personal frlend, were here during the most part of the incident. You now can see, that I have automatic ally become a widow, at this ycung age, sequal ofcourse, to no direct fault of mine. I am just like a sheep, without a shepherd. Infzct, just like a ship without a pilot. Whither I head to, is not easy for me to tell. Emeka, my only son is still young. Indeed, too young, to manage a family. Ndubuisi, my husband's bcother, is very greedy and jealous. Onyeuku's dcath: has come to dislocate the entire frame-work, of the family. The days of Cowfort, seem to have vanished. My former greatness, is now, something to be told as a tale to children, during moonlight. ikem: You may no doubt realise, that I am still a bachelor. Nneka: That, I very well know. But in what way, d o you think that it will help, solve the problem that I now face? Ikem: My l a t ~friend's wife Nntka. Please note, men are one at all times and every-where. What might differ, is the position, as far as fortune is concerned. However, please be satisfied with the fact that no man or woman, was born together with a bag of gold. 51 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE I concede, that the material thing is life. He who has it, will be capable of doing anything of his, own wish, provided there is the chance I am fully confident, that, hope combined with a burning ambition, will offer such challenge t o misfortune, that neither the devil, can stand. What seems'to matter more in life, is peace and not pieces. With this family, I had been infimate. That is entirely, beyond all reasonable doubts. It is as clear as dayliqht. Again, you can easily confirm, that I had not on any occasion, misconducted myself, either to the annoyance of your own self, or my late friend Onyeuku. Thus, with implicit confidence, 1 maintain, that you can be proud of me. By this time ofcourse, you can also tell about my character. It will cause me a lot of tears, to see my friend's wife languish in agony, f because of the inevitable lcss o the pillar of the family. If and only but if. you can agree, as 1 feel that you might like to consider, I would not mind drawing nearer you. it is in this way I presume, what might have been deemed lost, can be regained, Further, Nneka. it would be ungrateful of me, to refuse to let you know, that you were the main cause fo my friendship, with your husband. Earlier, I had been contemplating upon having a secret deal with you, during Onyeuku's life time. But, just as if plans had worked exactly in accordance with my hopes, he �HOW TO PLAY LOVE kicked the bucket, ofcourse, not at all, to my cwn joy. At arly rate, it is indeed, something that we cannot help. Let us therefore, say goodbye to the past and face nothing but the present. Yaur graceful manners, together with your personal charm, often compel me run crazy, anyday, that I kil to catch a glimpse of this face, which is as bright as the morning sun. Your shape alone, is not to be rivalled, by any other. Truly, I feel that it will be very unnecessary of me, to say all that you might have heard me say. For, you are also a living witness to my behaviour towards you. If 1 am talking a lie, please, without any reservalion, prove me! Prove me at once 1 say-much to my own disgrace ! Nneka; You are not wrong in any from. Ikem: Wellthen, what next?Shall we have to wait for Onyeuku to rise form the dead and instruct us so to do, before wc become active? Surely, if the dead see, he will be very grateful for this approach of mine. Nneka: How then will my consent, ring in the ears of people, particularly, those who might have hated my husband, when be was alive? Ikem: Leave that for me. I shall be prepared to face the scandal My long association with Onyeuku, actually tutored me a great deal. Today, 1 can surmount an insurrection, in all its ramifications. The personaiity of Onyeuku, has been gently transfered to me. It is by his own spiritual guidance, that I move In the dream, he tells me many things �HOW TO PLAY LOVE which 1 shall not be prepred to reveal to even my own mother. Now Nneka, let us bes eriaus. I am not acting on my own directives. Only promise me your love and also, have that effected, at once. Agree that I have become your own sincere husband and I shall take you as my own beloved wife. (Looking at her, straight in the eyes, smiling and holding her arm) Nneka: It is not difficult to agree that I am your wile. Infact, If f had not loved you enough, you could have proved that too. But what binders our getting closely tied up together, is just one thing and that is how will my children or the entire family reach to this new atreement? Emeka is there. At the moment, he is regarded as a small boy. But in reality, he is not all that. He can easdy know what is wrong. Again, Ndubuisi is a full ffetched man. I t is possible that he might form an opinion, which can be detrimental to the tranquility of both of us. However, in doing that, he ought to be supported by even, public opinion. When people are hastily after something, they d o not seem to mdke out some chance to think over certain delicate issues, they might be involved. See now, it can safely be said, that in order to achieve our ends, both of us, had to conspire and kill Onyeuku. We cannot escape the allegation. We shall therefore, be subjected to scandal, contempt and ridicule. Witb what face, can I then stand - �HOW TO PLAY LOVE amidst my fellow women and have a say ? there, will be many opponets and of course, the end might have to mean much, if not tragic. In truth, In truth, I do not disagree to your request. For, it is really quitedifficult, for a women to remain for years, without a man. I know for certain, that death is a national catastrophe, from which no person can escape. Tnat is very sure. But at the same time, you ought to realise, what I am particularly afier. Towards this, I would like you, to give the matcer, a second thought. (Enter Ada) Ikem: If men were only listening to what people say, things could have not been executed in the normal form. (Ada running into ikem's laps and crying, Papa! Papa!) There you are.! Everything now seems to have been made qui'te manifest to you. Let them say anything they like. Forget that and let us execute the proposal and thus? prevent further distress. I assure you, that it w~il in any form, strain relations. not Nneka: I need not to say more. (They kiss) Ikem: Am 1 now your husband? Nneka: Yes I am your wife. Ikem: Truely, together, shall we enjoy the beauty, and prestige ofthis house, by the grace and glory of God. Exeunt (ACT FOUR ( SCENE 4) As one of the elders of this town, I have actueIly found it necessary to summon all the citizens together, so that we can decide upon what steps to take, in finding a person, to take the place of Onyeuku. 55 �HOW TO PLAY LOVE All of you, are fully aware of the fact, that Onyeuku, when al~ve,was our chief. Today, things seem to be going very wrong, since there IS no ruler. It should be made clear, that if we continue like this it then simply means, that we are heading towards a di5aster Fellow old men, youths and women, let us all join hands and make our town, respectable and dignifying. However let it be clearly understood, that I am not longing for the post, since it is something that can be done by means birthright. Thank you Sir. On behalf of the youncg men of this town, I stand up here to move that, the question of having a chief, should be by election. Infact, I d o not support dictatorship. Our former chief I am sorry to say, was very much hard-hearted. He had no regard for the poor people. In truth, he felt that any man favoured by fortune should torture the less fortunate. I d o not belleve. that this ought to happen in a free society, where democracy, is daily harped on. For my part, I do not even pray, to have a ruler. At the same time, I will be interested t o know, who is to be tipped for the position. In my own eyes at the moment, no person seems fit. Joseph: 1 may not find it easy, to agree with you. I have not got much to say. Give the right thing, to the r:ght man and that is good. Kingmaker: Even while in the dream, I was instructed to allow Emeka his right. All: Yea! Right choice ! Grown him ! Kingmaker: Now I consider the opposers as very unfortunate indeed Thus, let it be know this day, that Emeka, the son of late chief Onyeuku, has taken over nls fathers stool. Em-kn: lam grat efui. Inspite of my lender age, J promise to do my best,. with your full-coperation, of course. 56 ��How Tshombe and Mubotu regrettG the death -of Lumumba - 14. HOW get a lady irr love. fo .. . Olritrhr - Nigeria. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource How to play love Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Stephen, Felix N. Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : Njoku & Sons Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ca. 1962? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3275 Description An account of the resource This quirky yet refreshing play by Felix Stephen (a.k.a. Nathan Njoku) does not spell out a clear moral or seek to be prescriptive, unlike many of the Onitsha plays. In addition, the misogyny is downplayed. In many ways the play's title is not a clear representation of its message, since death trumps love (and money) here. A somewhat disjointed story, How to Play Love lacks the development of other plays written under the name of Nathan Njoku that appear here in the Onitsha Market Literature Collection. Each act of these four-act plays could stand on its own, and none of the plots or characters have much impact on the other acts.<br /><br />The play begins with the search by Uba (the main character of the first act)for a prospective lover. He tells the audience that he will "play love and will, [sic] not care what people may say," (pg. 5). However, he appears somewhat inept at the game. He approaches the first two candidates through letters because he was too tongue-tied to seek them out in person. He declares that since love is a magnet, there is "no need of rejecting me," (pg. 5). Neither letter nor approach receives a desired response. Uba then decides to try to be more direct.<br /><br />This is how he meets a vampire, Helen Nwamma, who would happily take him as a lover, albeit with a few conditions. Uba finds some of these conditions distasteful. He states "my approach of you, might have been somehow misdirected . . . Please, I can now say goodbye to the request that I had earlier made. I shall always continue to be liking you," (pg. 13-14). Uba discovers that he does care what other people may think, and he realizes that not all beautiful women are good partners.<br /><br />The second half of this act brings in Onyeuka (the rich man), Abel (a friend of Uba's), Agnes (Abel's wife), and Margaret (Abel's lover). Abel and Agnes have recently married and are having difficulties. Abel flees to Margaret, and he discovers that Margaret also wants to get married. Abel tells both women that he is not a man to be trifled with. He runs into Uba, who tells him of his fearful encounter with Helen. All four end up locked in a room with a gun.Uba mistakes Agnes for Helen. Helen, the vampire, serves as a warning against powerful, demanding and beautiful women. This mistake is fateful and reveals some of the underlying misogynistic logic of the play. Agnes, like Helen, is unreasonably demanding and bloodsucking. One can only assume that this mistake costs Uba his life, as Abel ushers them all into the room and murders Uba,Margaret and Agnes before committing suicide.<br /><br />The second act begins with a rich man, Onyeuku, declaring that rich men are immune to death. Thus begins the other main story line--a declaration that the power of money and the privilege of wealth have limits, for Death reigns supreme. This message continues for the remainder of the play, and each of the following acts show how Onyeuku is punished for his rich life. The final insult occurs as his loving wife happily marries his best friend. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/d0bf7ee07d438dc8b7af74b42ac78a94.pdf 7b573c4f7c077c4dc8581d00971726ea PDF Text Text �3 HOW TO STUDY k AND d k & T? % WRITE 3 GOOD LETTES, ) & A PPLIC4TIONS, COMPOSITIONS, & c!! id 3 3 3fI 3 3 )& k TELEGRAMS, AGREEMENTS, BETTER SENTENCES IPORTANT LETTERS, -% y;( SPEAKING IN PUBLIC 3 7 3 G4bQD EJWGLISH 3 % =if 3 7 3 % 9 3 AND TEACH YOURSELF -- -- - $I k k - BY WILFRED ONWUKA -- k k k - & & k k & r 4 PRICE 316 Net 3, 4 kfFfF"ARAARFFFVFFF3 �OBTAINABLE FROM 6 E B 0 BROTHERS S. 4, No. 11 MAIN MARKET, ONITSHA. STUDENTS' OWN BOOKSHO'P No. 17 BRIGHT STREET, ONITSHA. �PREFACE This text book captioned 'New Grammar Book' is indeed very interesting to read. My principal aim in producing the book is to contribute my quota towards the educational building, progress and development of Nigeria and the world in general. There is no doubt that a student will achieve a rapid improvement, if he follows the example laid down in this book. The book is constructed for senior primary and students in the secondary schools. It is also useful to the students in the Teacher's Training Colleges and other general readers. To be candid, it is a book for all ages. WILFRED ONWUKA (Author, Compositor, Poet Novelist and Dramatist) (Master of Pen) �CONTENTS What is a letter How to write ordinary letters Warning and legal notice Business letters Applications Specimen of an application Love letters Composition Kinds of eassays Agreements Telegrams Part I Contents verbs Means of transport Lessons To come, to go, 10walk; to run, to ride, etc. To find, to found To discover, to invent, to explore To learn, to find out, to know To drown, to be drowned, to sink, to float To be born to die, to be dead To say, to tell To hear, to listen to To catch, to take, to obtain, to receive 41 44 46 48 51 52 55 58 60 �what ji a Tettei? 'A 'letter is a written or printed message from one to another. How many kinds of letters have we. There are five main kinds ol' letters. Name them: 1 Ordinary letter 2 Business letters 3 Application letters 4 Love letters 5 Letters of protest. How to write ordinary letters To construct ordinary letter, one must get one's point ready and arrange them paragraph by paragraph. For you to understand what I am saying below is a. typical example. Here is a letter from a person to his sister advising her to be careful about what he described as 'Modern Boys'. When writing an ordinary letter write your address at the risht and at end of the letter, sign or write your name in full. No. 10 Ukpor Street, Fegge.Onitsha. 7th November, 1962. Dear Sister Joan, To be candid, I would have written to you since, but owing to the fact that I have so many commitment, that kept me busy, I was accurately unable to do so. Indeed, what prompt me most to lift upmy pen to write this letter is one dangerous and risky rumour that I have been hearing about you. The rumour which wasconfirmed by many people claimed that you are the comforter of 'Modern Boys'. The rumour further clalmed that .your house over there has been turned into a complete boarder. Joan remember that one does good for himself �,and at-tin:es, . d~ei'for.ihe.:mn . sneself.-4s from ysur -childhoodi!J have. been i.giving'iyou' this: parti;cula&advice; :but,you do.: not .seem t o . understand me.' You are fair in so many thing+but you like 'The Game of Love' most in your life. That is one thing which is wrong with you. Do not forget 'that it was the reason whyyou did not marry immediately you' left the elementary school. You could remember that a wealthy and well educated )oung man who came t o narry vou heard of it and :ran. away viithout turning back, yet you do not care to repent. After those events. I spent a lot to see thatyou are employed as a school teacher,. so ' t h a t x p u could earn money. and stop all those ugly things, now the .fair situation 'is just like a battle tield of armed. forces. Please, my sis:er if you know that y w will marry at all in your life, stop 'all those illegal love deal, hence it ha brought your name to the ,public ridicule. odium and contempt, 'Beware of modern Boys'. They have: dangerous plans that .'is always 'capable of bringinz dangerous results. Ttiose type o f crooks wouldrnot mind: toy spend heavily in order, to get somejne. .The,headmaster. of your school also wrote me sayingthe.sahe.thing which others said and that made me to believe. I ' ' At pesent time I do not intcnd to inform our father ,about this serious matter, until 1 see that.there is no change in your character. Try to change because everything has its own specific times and you will be tired whea time for that comes. I should also like to know about your savings. How much is your money in the bank? I put this question, to you because 1 learnt that you have so many / uniforms, golden earrings and costly footwears. Therafore, I am suspecting that you have no rea- �sonable and fabulous accounts i n the hank. If you have, pardon me because of my wrong assumption but, in case you have none, try to have. Next year, yoo will he going to training, so as to qualify as a higher elementary teacher, then money will be needed for that period. Though I am to contribute a lot, yet, that is no licence for you to suffer from squandermenia. Frankly speaking, the day I will see a change in your character I will be a red letter day in the history of my life. Watch me, whenever you see me mishehavinp, criticised and correct me as I have just done. Thanks in advance. Yours dearest brother, Rufus Odogho. Miss Mabel Obi, Box 18, Nnewi. After completing A letter, put it in an envelope and post it at the Post Office. Do not forget to affix a 3d stamp and in case of a registered letter which will be claimed within Nigeria. But if on the other hand, it happened to be an overseas letters claimable outside Nigeria, the stamp of one shilling will be used if such letter is going by sea mail. Subsequently, any overseas registered must bear a stamp of one shilling and nine pence. �Remember to draw,,two ,opposi&...pqjnllel ::lints ., . 'both a t t b e back and the face of the e n d o p r , con. jtaining the'letter. The two lines will form :our angiis, and each edge will be 900. After registering a icttcr be sure that you are given a receipt by the post Office clerk. Do not miss the receipt hence t h ~ \onsequence is obvious. .Below is an example of registered letter from a trader to his overseas customer warning him to ship his goods to him, immediately. Messrs AS. E. Onwuka & Sons, No. 90 Moore Street, Onitsha/Nigeria. .2nd November, 1964. Mcssrs Hebu Trading Corporation, P. 0. Box 4486, Kober Japan. Dear Sirs, R~gistered Our Order of Toy Pistol No. 24 We are deeply concerned over the. extremely long delay in the ,shipment our of order of toy pistol No. 24 of 1964. Asa matter of fact. we see no reason why you should be delaying theshipment of our order. You have shipped. those ordered by our competitors to them, while' you know properly that we booked our own order before.them, you deliberately refused to ship our goods to us. When we were booking the order, we wrote and informed you' that it is a seasonal goods and that after the Christmas period. none o f ' it could be .sold. Following that,. you acknowledged the receipt'of the letter and assured us tbat the article should be shipped t o . us to the middle of November, so that we could be, selling it . before' the Christmas ' day. None of . these 8 �promises has been fufilled. rhey are rather fake and base ess. After a long delay i n the shipment of the ordera we wrote many reminded letters to you asking you to ship the order to us, but you did not even care to reply those letters. At present time, others are selling their articles but ours is no wtere to be found. You want to push us into a beavy loss. WARNING & LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given to you that if you fail to ship our goods on or before 14th November 1964, a well democratic and instituted legal court action will br instituted against you. We have handed over all necessary documents to our solicitor' for close study. You are playing with our business including yours because, if you had shipped the order early, we would have opened another L/C in your favour. Take notr that we will be claiming the actual cost price of the goods including the selling profit from you. We wait to see. Yours faithfully, A. E. Onwuka. for - -.............".......... ............. ............,.. .... ...... Manager. - s. 9d. Messrs Hebu 'Trading Co., P. 0.Box 4486, Kober Japan. Diagram showing the specimen of an envelope of a registered letter. This is an oversea letter and it bears 1/9d stamp. The letter is to go by air mail. �REPLY. Messrs Hebe Trading Corporation, P. 0. Box 4486, Kober Japan. Messrs A. E. Owuka & Sons, No. 1 Moore Street, OnitshaINigeria. Dear Sirs, REGISTERED With reference to your registered letter to us dated 2nd January 1964, we hereby assure you that yoor articles and goods have been shipped to you and they are likely to land at the Port Harcourt Harbour at about 14th November 1964. The failure of our machine during the working period made it impossible for us to comply with the promise given to you, but now, all is alright. We do not intend to enter into legal hdttle with you, hence we know that we are wrong. Please suspend all about cmrt action because at the circumstances surrounding the event can be described as an "Act of God" and nobody is to be blamed. To assure you that we are frank and candid we enclose here with all necessary documents that would enable you to clear the goods with most easiness. Yours faithfully, For, Hebu Trading Corporation ..................................... .... ...."..Mr. Okey Acha, Director of Business ? . - Here' again is an example of an ordinary letter. It is from a girl to her brother requesting him to send her school fees. ' �CInitshrGirls' 3choo1, P. 0. Box 7, Onitshs. I st Decen~ber1964, My dear brother, I am writing this 'letter with heavy tears in my eyes and a great sorrow in my lieart. This is. because I am driven out of our school by our headma;ter owing to the fact that I have not pqid the school fees. The amount of scnool fees is (£2) two pounds, per quarter. He, the headmaster warned me to Fay my school fces before December 7, 1964 less my position will be given to another fellow. Please, my brother kindly send me the school fees before this given time so tbat I will be re-admitted in the class. Our final examination is now approaching and all classes are now making an intensive revisions, over their previous lessons. If I miss this revision, it all means I hat I will fai! the examination and repeat Standard Eve next ytar which is uot a good economic dceisisn. How about Hope, Ngozi, Chida and Mabel. I am with all aod every hope that they are well just as I am over here. Hoping to hear from you in few days, I wish the Yours Sisterly, Joy Obi. Mr. Emeka Obi, Box 646, Onitsha. �FAVOURABLE REPLY Box 646, Onitsha. 5th December 1964 Dear Sister, I enclose here with ( t 2 : 10s) two pounds ten shillings Postal Order No .... .. payable to you. Draw it out and pay the school fees with (£2) two pounds, use the remaining (IOs) ten shillings as your pocket money. Ctudy very hard so that you will catch up. At any rate, I know that you are very intellipent and that you must surely succeed. We are all well. Yours brotherly, Emeka Obi. Miss Joy Obi. 0. G. S., Onitsha. Never you leave any stone untouched when ' writing any ordinary letter explain yourself properly and simply, so that the reader will immediately understand you. Avoid the use of bombastic words, because by doing so you make yourself a fool. BUSINESS LETTERS Business is one's profession. In doing business one normally write some letters and those documents are known as business letters. As we all know, there are different types or kinds of business. When drafting business letters, one says simply and in the most obvious understandable form. Here is an example o f a business letter. Mesm Rufus Odogbo Trading Co., P. 0. Box 646, Onitsha-Nigeria, 6th March, 1964. 12 �Mrssrs Willg d Co. Trading Corporation, No, 2, Journey Street, England. Dear Sirs, DIAMOND TOURCH LIGHT We thank you for your letter dated 22nd February 1964. Weregret to say that the price of 519d which you quoted as the most competentive price of diamond tourch light is too dear comparing with the present market price over here. So consider and ship tbe goods to us at net price of 2s 9d a dozen. DIAMOND TOURCH BATTERY :- Subsquently please give us your samples and most competentive price of Diamond Tourch Batteries. So that we will consider and book orders from you. Frankly speaking we are very anxious to establish goods and reasonable business relationship with you provided tbat you would welcome us. As of us. We are not sample mongers, but true importers and exporters of general merchandise. HAND BRAND LAMP: We have today agreed to your quoted price of £5 10s. (five pounds ten shim llings.) Again, we have deposited the sum of 565 (sixty five pounds) with the Bank of West Africa in your favour, being the amount of PIC. SHIPPING: Please ship the goods to arrive at the Port Harcourt wharf between the months of September and October 1964. PACKING: Park three doxen into one carton, and four cartons in a wooden case. �MARKINGS: A t each of the four corners of any of the case, mark t e word "Lamp & Glass Handle With Care." We demand this so as to avoid careless handling at the wharf. We also demand that each .tamp should be wrapped with c tton wool to avoid any damage to the lamp globe. The initials of our name "R. 0 T. C." should be marked at the case. NECESSARY DOCUMENTS: Dispatch all necessary the documents cdn'lrected u i ~ h goods to us immtdia. tely. The documents will he1p.u~ to clear the goods with easiness cn arrival. Your immediate attendan e to our orders will be highly appreciated. We are anxiously waiting lo hear from you soonest possible. Thanks in advance. Yours faithfully, For, Rufus Odogbo Tgadinp Crmpany Ltd. REPLY Messrs Willv Trading Co. :Yo. 2 Jocrney Street, London. 11th March 1964. Messrs Rufus Odogbo, Trading Company Ltd., P. 0. Box 646, Onitsha-Nigeria. Dear Sirs, We are in receipt of your letter dated 4th March 1964. And submit that the prices of 2/9d which you offered to pay in respect of dianond torch lights is considerably ton low, comparing with our cost of production. We will be unable to ship the goods to you at that low rate. �However, in view of future-business relationship and transation, we have oonsidered to raduce the amount to 3s per dozen instead of 5s 9s. Our motto you to scli it is "LIVE AND LET LIVE' so we w s ~ t with prcfit and that is why ' we have made tais fantasti- reduction. HAND BRAND L M : A PWe have s h ip p e d your order on this item. Secondly, we have complied with your advice and instructions coocerning shipping, packing of the goods and marks on the case. NECESSARY DOCUMENT:We enclose herewith important and relevant documents t h a t could help you to clear the goods e a d y . We ere therefore waiting to obtain your favourable reply. Yours faithfully S~gned ...... ........ ...... blaoager. for Willy & Co. Trading Co. A company or a firm is not bound to accept he price quoted by his custo Tiers. TIk company has all and every right to offer the price which she has to pay. When writing business letters try to difinite the item you wish to order properly so that your customers will understand you. If you make a mistake, when quoting article or invoice number, it could lead to a serious mistake and such mistakes are capable of bringing fantastic loss of money, "Beware of overseas crooks" When doing business, always examine all invoize or letter sent to you by thcm. Some crookish film would not mind to qllote an aricle to a customer and finally ship another thmg to him. If this is don? by your customers, write :nd register a letter of protest to tbe cosmercial jepartmeot of oJr government. informin!: them of the incident and at the same time, requesting her to help you state your case before the Government of thq firm concerned. Try to surrey such goods with a licenced surveyor 7. �APPLICATIONS An application is a closed though or attention. On the other hand it can be described as a request letter. We have employment applicaticns and so many other types. Specimen of an application Umu-Ana-Edo Electrical Establishment 30A, Iweka Road, Onitsha--Nigeria. 131h February, 1964. Rufos Odogbo, Trading Company, Box 646, Onitsha. Dear Sirs, 1 have the honour to apply to the post of a sales clerk at the office of your company near in the Enugu, having. seen t'l : 4 1I S :n 1 Daily Times Issue of 12th February, 1964. Aged 10 years. I am a holder of R. S. A. Certificate in more than 10 subjects. I have served for years under tbe U. A. C. of Nigeria but owing to the fact that my salary was not so sufficient, 1 have no alternative than to resign. I Schooled at the Prince Commercial Onitsha. I attended a special cause on importing, exporting business, management, commerce, economics, Arithmetic, Book-keeping and Accountancy. If my apphcation is considered and approved I assure you that I would be a valuable and good asset in your office. Also I promise to be loyal and obedient towards my senior officers. Subsequently I will be careful, pain staking and energetic during the performances of all the duties assigned to me. 16 �With all and every hope, that you:. will fayour-. able give m y applicatinn - a-dui- coiiiiirwafion. The Manager, R. 0 T. C . . 4 Oeuta Road, Onitsha. I remain, Yours obediently, Peter Obi Oowuka. FAYOURABLE REPLY Rufus Odogbo Trading Company. Box 646, Onitsha 14th February 1964 Pe:er Onwuha, Um71.Ana. Edo Electrical Establishment 30A Iweka Road, Onitsha. Dear Sir, Your application dated 13th February was received considered and finally approved. We need your service as contained in your application provided that you will always adhere t o our rules, regulations and ordinances. Therefore, you are invited to an interview a t the Manager's office, No. 4 Oguta Road, Onitsha by 10 a. m. Your are also requested to produce all materials for writing. including ink and pen when coming. Take note that if you happen to succeed in the test to be given to you, salary of (£18: 10s) eighteen pouods ten shillings is to be paying to you monthly, but if you damage any of the Company's 17 �propertv you have to bear such r i s k Thanks in advance. Yours fa~thful, Signed: M. P. Okenwa. Manager. for 'Rufus Odogbo Trading Company OF-' asset, Here again is snother application from some m e requesting to be admitted a s 2 member of the Dynamic Party of Nigeria. No. 2 Ehi Road, Aba, 20th Avril 1964. Tile Secre a r y Gereral, Dyarnic P ~ r t y Nigeria, of dox 388, Onitsha. Dear sir, A application to be admitted as a member of the n Dynamic Party of Nigeria. I, Raphael Onwuka, whose name and signature appears below desire to be admitted as a member of the Dynamic Party of Nigeria Formerly I was a member of Nigeria Peoples, Party but owing to the f a t that, that Party is foundalistic and squandamenic, I resigned from it. If my application is approved and I happen to be a member, I swear to abide w ~ t hthe rules. regulations and ordinances governing the Party. 1 will also contribute my quota towards the Liberation of Africa and her Unity. �1 enclose here with the sum .oi 11. for, the purchase of membersh~pcard and . + n o t h e ~ y u mof (C2) , tb.'hejp to , $ i t pounds hiins 'v6iu"ta'ry..:'.do;i<ti'dh. increas'e the fund of the' party. Long live the party. Long live the fatherland. Yours in comradeship, Mr. Raphel Onwuka. FAVCURABLE REPLY The Secretarv General. Dynamic paicy .of. ~ i g e r i a Box 388. 'Onitsha. 23rd April, 1961 Raphel Qnwuka, 2 Ehi Road, . Aba. Dear Sir. ' . . , .. With reference to .your 'appli&ion . dated 20th April 1963, I h a v e to inform you that you are now edmitted as a member of theDynamic Party. Subject to the following conditions: 1 That you should .abide with the rule, regulations and ordinances of Dynamic 'Party. 2 That you should always abide with the decision of the.elected central executive committee of the Party - 3 That you should always .respect the. leader of the Party aud assist him in 'waging relentles..* war against bribery, nepotism and sq:~andermenia other of . . Nigeria -Political Parties. 4 That y o u will bz ready to serve' Africa bdth during the time of peace and, war, and. secondly help 'the. sanie :Africa" to gain her economic freedom. ' ' �If you know that you will fulfil these conditions, proceed on 28th April, 1964 to fill your membership card. I remain, Yours faithfully, S. E. Okeke. Signed for, Secretary General of Dynamic Party of Nigeria. Long live the party!! Long live the fatherland!!! When writing an application, try to explain your qualication very clearly and at the same time express what you could be able to .do if your application is considered and approved. This if done, .will help the person or firm to whom the application is being sent to understand the contents and, thereby know where to start and what to reply you. Important: LOVE UTTERS The word ''Love" means fondness, Pre-eminent kindness benevolence, leverential regard or the object of affection. Then love letter means a messive letter or document showing o r containing the above mentioned words, or phrases. When playing the game of love, the people in the field d o write letters, and such letters are known as ''Love Letter". Below is an example o r specimen of a love letter. The letter is from Esther Onye appealing to Gabriel Chukus to fall in love with her. �Holy Rosary. School -0-nitslia, 17th' February,' 1962: Dear swcet honey, Application to be in love with you I, Esther Onye, whose signature and n a ~ appear e below desire to be your lover. Born in the year 1944;I am a student of Holy Rosary School; Onitsha. At present time. I am in class four.. Yellow in comp'exion, I am bold, beautiful, attractive and posses pood and reasonable chap. In 1960, I . won th:: contest of Miss Africa beauty competition. Thus I won Miss Africa in 1660. . If you agree to be in love with me, I assure you that I must be comforting you always. Subsequently, I must try to satisfy your requirements and keep you absolutely happy.. Take note that as a good lover, I would not like you to give me any. thing or spend on my behalf.rather.1 will be spending on your behalf. I am anxiogsly ,waiting to hear from you soonest possible. Your dearest love. Esther Onye. Mr. G. E. Chuks, Box 6. REPLY P. .O. Box 6. Onitsha 20th 'January, 1962. Dear Esther, Your lovely letter dated 17th January 1962 was received with great thanks. It was when I received your letter that I knew that you have interest in me. �As of lover a Modern Girl, I bave accepted your love applicatior~. Even, 1 am ready to spend on you and if time permits, you will be the mother of my future children. Therefore, 1 invite you to come on Monday by 3 o'clock p. m. in my house for the game of lote to touch all parts nf the body but not to interco~rse with n y lovrr hence such practice usually result pregnancy. Waiting t o see you on the specified date. I remain Yours affectionately, Gabriel Chukus. Miss Esther Onye. H . R. S. Onitsha. Another love letter is from Paolina Eze, asking her lover to send her what she described as Christmas Presents. No. 24 St Jobn's Street Enugu. 2nd July, 1960. Dear Rufus, It seems to me that you have forgotten all about our love, but devil forbid. I have written at least four complete letters to you but you did not care to reply any of them. Have you lost interest in me. If so, inform me to that effect, so that I will switch to modern boys who are eager to intercourse with me. Please if you really know that o w love is still shining, send me Christmas presents as the celebration only remains two weeks. I need carring cloth and foot wearings. Also, I have no spectacle �s6-hp&h,i,$.;,w&fiTvtllrenF our pci?Cf?%.iind &n&' &- ;-41!r'\:chb$s 'f$;v$Y&s .: 1bi ..pr& defe&lih3'itbee. re~aj,Gi.ik&i . , . I.8m .eipkt.$tp:~i . :hear. frcim,&+efcsr.; days; . w yd,,? .you i i f epaiilin& .. . ,Mr. Rufus Obi. ' , . .. W ~ P A BRE~L-V.. ~E P 0 BOX 32, ; Port' Fiarccurt, 10th .July,,,1960. Dear, Paidilia; .. I have seen that what you want is.. to liquidate me. and see;that m y . pocket is empty ,and. nothing more..YLiu ,ark not, a;';true li)ver7';'otherwise, ,there is ncr'ieasdn wRjl..yod sha~ild 'be'.'demanding f r ~ m me always like that. . : T Ikfrfrahk a d c a t i d i d , I have.gothing' to .give '"& you as Christmas preielice. .If .you d a n t to switch to modxn boys .,because I did not give you,,money and Christmas presence, 'do t:iat without delay. Recgltly, my motheraied, but: you did not care e you are t o sM me message'6'f 'condole~~ck,;,iris'tedd ask.ing'for Ckristm i s :prese~$e. 'Thi$ shows ,'the: type of;i?;irl. you"are.. 'It $ubsequentIy proves': t6 me':what wb'itld have'4fappend ' tiad 1 ' agreed to have ybu as my: wife: as.:jrsu.jjrevi.ously wggtsted. . ; ~ . ~ bwtite~me :;gain. I 'donot usually,:tiefrieud ," i gijls of. your type. Yours ,faithfully; Rufus Obi. I @ ~ R T A N T : - When.. coqstructing. iove. ..letter .try.. to say,,,: scy~thing;that ig.to,.-,attract , your :..lover. and, ,., perhaps remind him/her of the past events. In case 23 �his relative dies, d o not fail to send him "message @fcondolence", because this will make him t o understand that you are a true lover. T o demand always from a lover is bad. Love is equal. Any lover could spend on behalf of the other whether male or female. COMPOSITION Composition is a way or channel of expressing ones idea on a particular topic clearly, and properly. In other to score a good mark in a composition, one must start very well and at the same time, end very well. The compositor must arrange his points paragraph by paragraph so as to present a reasonable outlook and at the same time convince the reader or the examiner, so that he/she will become an expert in essay writing. If this important objective is not achieved, the essay may not be interesting which will result t o a loss of make. Below is an example of a good composition. The topic is "Benin Village of Tomorrow" BENIN VILLAGE OF TOMORROW There are many in our country who idealise the Village of Benin City. Kwaki was one of these, Philip also had a yearning for the quiet countryside where one could regetate and reminate to one's hearts content, and yet perhaps a few of us today would like t o be permanent dwellers in a village. As a member of Benin community, I would like to be swept forward in the current of modern life even at the cost of being somewhat dizzy with the motion. We d o not want t o be left in the backwater of a n antiquated age which constitute life in a village. No one will for a moment, under-value the quietness, the sweatnesr, and even the poetry tbat the greent fields, the blue �skies, the colourful scenery -of a - v i l l a g e.hold up before.aor eyes; But- mddera. lif&--is.fwttj&-activity. There -is much to do an round, so much to change and to build anew. In the past, man was the slaves of an unkno*n destiny, !tie victim 01 change e\:ents. Today, :IS the poet sings 'man is she master of all things,' and therefore man has to nork inorder to build up a 'Brave new world' which he feels is for him to make or to unmake. The City and not the village, is the place bvhere most. of this work can be done. Villages, of course, cannot and must not be abolished as long as the ear111 has to be cultivated to give us our daily breLd, we will have villages, s"al1 semi-self contained se~tlements where the tillers of the soil live in close touch with the earth, and in intimate and fruitfulco-opemtion with their fellowmen, wha bring them help in many ways. But, the village tomorrow will not be at all like the village cf the past or exen of today. She will have to b e unbanished. She will have to be something between a viilage and s town -- a toHn in the midst of orchard and gardem, and surrounded by greet] corn field. The first step towards this urbanisation is to bring electricity to ekery cottage. Electricity will remove the depressing darkness of rural evenings. An illuminated night time will mean an extension of the day, and therefore, an addition to the span of human life. Not only will our homes look brighter, we will have clubs and hbraries aud even contiuuation Schools, for our workers, Try to imagine an electrified villsge booming with activities of all kinds, p h y s i c a I and intellectual and the differences with �the .village.~ ftodap.wil~.::bc. . at ,.once apparent. Fortuo; telyiour hy n~:leqlrm multi-purpose scheme Damode, Bhakra, Hirakud, fangabhadra. etc, will soon carry electric p0wc.r to distant villages, und thus transform thcm. Rural economy rest on small cottage, icdustries. The importance of artisan and the craftman, who bring to bear upon his art a ~ craft the personal d touch the hereditary skill that makes for beauty will always, remain. But electritication will also lead to the setting up of small mqqhines which will save labour and increase productio'n accorfing to the law of economics. Dr. Chike Obi's ambitious project of developing cottage Industries on the Russian model, may change the outlook in Benin villages The cottage will have their small machines to mdnufacture parts that will go into a common pool to a th: miking of bigger mao~inery. T : wat:h iqdustary in China is organised on this plain. 4 modern village will have scope for many new industries, like canning fruits pasturising milk, producing butter, and so on. Necessarily these will mean increased wealth for the village. They will also meau more vital existence. They lazy indifference of the village of today will be-substituted by a wide awake, many sided outlook. The Benin villagers of my dream will have all the amenities of the city ~ i t h o u tthe dearincss that goes with it. It will fell the stir of life without it's fretful fever. It will nor allow nerves to become frayed not the mind to become weary- It will cherish betuty and peace as things to be valued, but not at the expense of the Dynamic Urge which sweeps us through the years change to change unceassily. We are looking forward to the time when the completion of our river valley project will help us to transform our village into garden town. 26 �Remember that we have there kinds of Eassy:. I Descriptive Easjy 2 Argumentative Eassy & 3 harrative Eassy. Whenever you wish to write a composition. 1 Try to think about what you actually want to write 2 Hold some neccessary and also interesting important phrases. 3 D o not forget that your duty in writing .cornpositian is to sdy all you know about the :opic and not to change it. 4 Know the use of some parls of speech, such as: Noun, Pronoun, Verb, Adverb, Adjective. Preposition, Conjunction and Interjection. 5 Let your composition have a good beginning and ending. 6 Check your your tenser whether present or past tense stick to one tense. 7 Try to make your oucline or headline to enable you to write briefly. 8 Avoid the use of big words for small w o r h because by so doing, you are trying to make youself a fool. 9 Do nct feil tbat when )ou use big or colloqual words your are well educated. 10 Give a good pilragraph to enable people to understand you. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 These are the example of "headlines" 10 use, if you were asked to write a composition on the "Stenographer" Who is a Stenographer? A Historical Note Importance in modern Office Qualification Technical Professional Some general reflection Conclusion 27 �7. (a) (b) (c) I 1. When constructing an essay on ' Farming 4 s a Career" use the following outlines:Farming generally applied to the cultivation of the soil for raising food crops. Gradually it came to mean organised production of all food material 'ncluding milk, poultry h0n.y etc. It's immense scope i n a large Agricultural country like Niper,a. It offers scope for variety s s well as large scale production, The worid shortage of food also is an incentive, The educational side of farming is gaining . importance. Modern farmiop is based on scientific vrincivles Hence the necd for Agricul~ure ~ o l l e ~ eand s research Industries These could be attached to big farm s o r located in ao area of large scale farming operative The organisatiooal side is all-important Kinds of Organisation Large scale farming to operative farming Collective farming--these are different type ~f organisation favoured in America, Indin and China respectively. . The India way sezk a synthesis of the Amercan and communist way The basis of all is the supersession of manual me~hodby mechanical appliances. The use of tractors for cultivating the soil, of incubators for hdtching egss etc. Different Departments of farming: Agriculture poultry, dairy, bean farming. Each has it's specialised training. And includes not. only scientific product~onbut of presertion as wellHence the scope for opening useful occupations is very great. What should be done so that farmiog would develope more, in general. Conclusion. 28 �If you want to write an easay oo "A College Debate" use the following outlines:1, 2. 3. 4. 5. Important of debate in modern times. A debate described. The subject matter. The speakers The chairman and other judges. 6 Voting 7. Remarks by the chairman. Judgement not on moral reflection or meaning but on points raised by the speakers. "00 point" raised by the speakers. 8. The result. 9. Impressions. Let me write a composition with these headlines so that you will follow me quite well. "A COLLEGE DEBATE" We are living in an aee of parliamentary democracy, We have to train ourselves to bc effective speakm and ready debater$. A good debater must be ahle to speak extempore, to aoswer the point raised by the previous speaker, to state clearly with reacons his own points of view, and to be able to combine arguments that convince with appeals that move the motions. FIe must not onlv speak fluently, logically, and with eloquence, but he must excel in the cut and thrust of debate in smart repartee and good humoured rebuff. T o acquire masmy over these, a good deal of training and practice is neccessary. Hence in these days, debates often comdl~cted on parliamentry line have become a feature OF college and eveD of school life. 29 �principles, ani dangerous in practice, and should be forthwith abondoned. As the resolution mooted a subje.:t on which feeling was running high, and was couched i n rather provocaWe language, the interest was great indeed and, u e back-benchers gathered together in laree numbers i3 expectation of a highly exciting debate. On ihe due date, classes were suspended for some time before the debate was takiog place and the students filled into the college hall aod took their seats, it wss apparent that a great deal of lobbying nad already taken place, for the promergers and the anti-mergers occupied opposite secrors of th- hall, grouped i n compact bodies. The neutrals not that there were many of them took there seats as they were attracted by conveniecce o r fiendship. The mover of the motion was allowed fifrecn minutes i n which he spoke in support of his resolu!ion. He had come, prepared and he spoke concisely, and pointedly. H: s:t f x t h th: genesis of the proposal, adduced arguments in support and explained the powerful reasons against it. His was a balaced speech. But not so speech of :the ssconder. It was a fiery oration, full of personal attacks, scathing criticism and withering scorn. And with that, the atm0sphe.e suddenly became electric words, were bandiee about noisy interruption proved strong counter attacks, crles of '~ithdraw' 'withdraw were met with louder cries: of 'shame,' 'sbame.' Some oi the spee~bes showed high oratorical gifts, some excdled inectite, orthers in argument, some spoke with deliberation others with anergy. The chairman, I must say, d'd his job admirably. �3 e pulled up speakers who were too personal or too irrelevant; he cooled down rising temperature with untimely jest, in relaxing the prescribed tirnelimit for speakers, he wisely took the sense of the house. After a full two hours debate, the mover was called upon to reply to the criticisms made. From the manner in which he disposed arguments that had been raised against him, it was clear that he -Mas a trained speaker. He made votes by promptly accepting a verbal alteration suggested by one member in an amendmeot which substituted the word 'Antinational' and 'angrous' by the less provocative word 'wrong' and likely to be dangerous. I believed that the acceptance of these sight changes was responsible for the overwhelming majority by which tbe resolution declared carried. So, overwhelming indeed was the vetd~t that a counting was not considered neccessar y. I am not a good or even tolerabie speaker myself. Perhaps that explains the admiration I felt for the various qualities exhibited by many of my friends. But my honest opinion is that many of the speakers sbowed excellent promises, and if given the opportunity at last, some of them will impress large audiences in the years to come. AGREEMENTS Agreement is a concord comformity, bargain o r contract between a person, company or group of individuzls and the other starting clearly what and how the person or persons agreed upon the matter. An agreement must be duly signcd by the people concernd, and their respective witnesses. Stamp should also be affixed acc. rding to the nature of agreement. The value of the stamp on an agreement depends upon the type of ageeement. �There are two kinds of Agreements, One is a "Written" agreement and the otber is a "Verbal agreement: AGREEMENT: Verbal Agreemenst is the one which is not written, but simply agreed upon i n the presence of witness invied. At the moment, we are not concerned with verbal agreement, but only a written one. VERBAL " DANGER" Of Verbal 4greement: Verbal agreem e x is not good and advisable in this age of modern civ lisation and parliamentry democracy. People could easily denv rhe other hence the agreement was not jotted down. If such issue 1s taken to the lnw court, the court is to fild it difficult to discover the truth, hence nothing was written In the olden days when people were God fearing and trustwor!hy, verbal agreement was good and useful. During these days, people were not educated and even there were no no schools at all. And in fact, they h ~ d alternative crder than verbal agreement. But now, let us forget all about \ertal agreement, and rdhere to the written one. Below is an example of a written agreement. "The agreement is made between Mr. Ikeotuonye Akpugbo and Albert Ibe" negotiating for the sale of a motor car. "Agreement b e t ~ e e nMr. Ikeotuonye Akpugbo and Albert Ibe. T o day being 29th Februarv, 1964, we Mr. Ikeotuoove Akpougbo and Albert Ibe both of Nnewi agreed as follows:-1, That a motor car, "E. 0. 7721" which fcrmerIv beloneed ro Mr. Albert Ibe has been sold to ~ r lke%uonye;Akpugbo at tbe cost of (£200) two . hundred pounds 2. Thsb hence the car has been sold to Mr Ike. otuonye, Mr Albert has no legal claim over it again. �That Mr. Ikeotuonye is the only person who has a legal claim over the said car. 4. That all the documents relating to the said car has been transfered to Mr. Ikeotuonye who is the legal onner of the car. 5. That after Mr. Ikeotuonye, his family members are to be the legal owner of the car. 6. That all the car documents bearing the same of Albert remains valid, though Mr. Ikeotuonye is the legal owner of the car. 7. Th3t if any one violated abuses or break this agreement, he will be liable to a court action and he is to pay a total cost of (£250) two hundred and fifty pounds to the other excluding the awardb of the court. SIGNED: M . Ikeotuonye His signature. r Mr. Albert Ibe His signature. In the presence of the following people as witnesses:1. Chukwuemeka Onwuka His signature I$ ,* 2. Wilberforc,: Onwuka Tnis agreement is signed before me on this 29th day' of February 1964. SIGNED WILFRED I. ONWUKA 3 Typist and witness to the whole signature Five shillings stamp affixed to make this agreement absolutely valid. Before you sign an agreement between you and any person or company 1 Try to read it over and over for several times 2 Be sure that it was what you actually agreed upon that was written 3 Study the whole phrases and clauses in that agreement properly as they may carry a differem meaning 4 Try to sigo it in the prestnce of the whole party concerned. �5. Be sure that it was not drafted by yourself alone. And also be sur; that others signrd the agreement. 6. Be sure that it is read and interpreted in any understandable local language. If possible, an agreement is supposed to be signed berore a lawyer or a legrl expcrt. Be io case a vendor or purch-ser is an illiterate or not properly educated, let him or 18er p r o d ~ c z his or her closed educated relative to read and interpret the words of the agreement fix him. This is to ascertain that the whole people concerned knew the actual contents of the agreement befor sloging it or affixing their thumb print. TELEGRAMS A telegram is written urgent message frorne one person to another, in the most shortest and precisent form. The amount of money lo be pald to the post and telegrm dcpertmeni depends largely upon the number of the words in the telegram. How to draft a telegram: If one wishes to draft a telegram, one must try to draft in the most shortest form inorder to avoid paying heavy amount of money. T o show you what a telegram is, let me send a telegram to Margret lkemefuna who is now for holidays at Sokoto and it bappens that ,on school will suddenly reopen on 29th Jaouary, 1964. But, she did not know before. The telegram will reads as follows:- Margret I kemefuna , Box 2 Sokoto Proceed school summoned 19th January Tbis telegram contains, only 10 words, and the person who is sending the telegram will have to pay about 216 to the post and telegram department. �HOW TO SPMK .lW PUBLIC 1 How to use your voice. It is very important to know how to use y5mr voice properly when speaking in public. 2 A few simple exercise can be recommended for a person. 3 As a matter of fact everybodyuses the riddle po:tion of the voice for ordinray conversation 4 You must also remember that the mouth should be well opened and the teeth apart otherwise your voice well. 5 In the first place there is the position of the speaker to ,be considered 6 If the occasion happens to be a wedding, break- fast, a dinner party, there wo4d be no plantform from which to speak. 7 A simple start in this way would be imposible for a local parliament which must have a fzir : number of me.nbers if it is to b a success. 8 This wonderful power of linking together words or facts uhich appear to have no relationship 9 Tkere are many other examples in our language of fine differences between words one of the most abused examples being the popular confusion between want and need. 10 This last point is indeed the essenst matter a couple of friend. of the �CONTENT VERBS To beat, To Hit, To Strike, To Kick, To Pucnh be a t bear beaten. hit hit hit strike struck struck kick kicked kicked punch punched punched . *.- Look at the following sentences: 1 John beats his donkey, (with his hand) 2 His father beat him. (with a strap (or) piece of leather) But. 1. Tom hit Henry (with his hand) 2. Tom struck Henry (on the face, with his hand 3. Albert kicked Joe (on the leg, with his foot 4. Henry punched Sam with his fist, as i3 boxing or 1. Tom hit the ball at tennis 2. Sam kicked the ball at football Also Sam beat Joe at tennis, at boxing; ie :. Sam won and Joe lost. . DRILLS A. Ask and answser the following questions:Example: Q. Did Tom hit Jim on the nose? A. Yes, he did. 1. Did Joe beat Henry at tennis? 2. How did Charles hurt John's foot? 3. What does your father do to you when you behave badly. �4 How is the man cruel t~ his '~ousz? 5 What are you doirg with the football? b Does Albert hit tbe ball hard at tennis? 7 Where did Herbert strike his nei,:hboor? 8 What is the servant doing to the carpet? 9 What did you do to make your brother? 10 How did you hurt your eves? B But in the missing word and then reDear the sentence as a w h o k - George. the ball into the goal , the other boy on the nose Sam Henry..........the dog with the whip Oscar............his school mate in the face with his open hand. Richard .........-.a nail in the wall We.......... the visiting school at football f You should never -...... anyone smaller than yoursel You can, ......a golf ball more than three hundred yards My carpet needs ........... 10 He .-.... me with his book GAMES SPORTS GYMNASTICS NOTE: 1 To play games, I play football, or To go in for games or I go In for football 2 To go in for spots. I 40 in for boxing (shooting, riding, etc.) or 1 box, (I shoot, I ride, etc. �3 To do gymnastics; or. tn go.in-.fclrgymntistiW GAMES footblll tenis tabletennis basket-ball cricket to play c.r hockey to go in for squash golf polo chess cards backgammon SPORTS box ., . ivrestle. swim run jump to ride shoot in fcr hunt walk fish skate ski .$aki'$g. .+resrfia$ .syirnmi@ rur~ning jumping to go ridink shooting hunting walking fis;:ing skatinp sking DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions: - EXAMPLES:- Q. What does George do? A. He plays tennis, or he goes in for tennis Q. What does Thomas do? A. He boxes, or he goes in fbr boxing. 1 What does Tom do? 2 What does Joscph do? 3 What does Henry do? 4 What does George do? 5 What does Albert do? 38 ( tennis ) ( table tennis) ( swimming ) ( cricket ) ( boxing ) �6 What does Herbert do? (walking) (basket-ball) (chess) (skating! 7 8 9 10 What What What &hat B. Ask and answer the following questions:Example:- Q. Ans. does Mary do? does Robin d o ? does Richard do? do you d o ? ( 7) Does Sam ride? Yes, he rides, or Yes, he does. No, he stGims, or No, he doesn't ride, he swims. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Does Alfred s ~ i m ? Does your brother go in for boxing? Does Arthur skate? ( N ........................tennis) Does George play back gammon? No .,. . chess Dots your friend play cricket?, No ............ ..swimming 'Does your father shoot? No .............................. working Does Charles play basket-ball? No ..................skating Does Henry fish? No ...................... hunting Does James go in for hunting? 10 Do you go in for golf? MEANS OF TRAVEL T o go by Train, Bus, Boat, etc. Look at the following sentence?:- 1 The best way to get to the cinema from here is to go by bus. 2 He went there on a dookey. �NOTES:We,.g~.._by, vehicle, by train,_:& bus. by car, by bicy.cJei.:,by aeroplane, b y . train,, ets. But we go on foot, on horse-back, on a donkey, on a camel. A. Ask and answer the following questions:- Q. Is i t quicker to go on foot or by car? Ans. It is quicker to go by car. 1 1s it cheaper to go by car or on foot? 2 Is it more comfortable to go on a horse or by train s 3 T it quicker to go by plane or by boat? 4 Is it more comforti ble to go by bicycle or by car? 5 Is it cheaper to go on a donkey or by car? 6 Js it cheaper to go by planc or by car? 7 Is it quicker to go by carrlage or on foot? 8 Is it pleasant to go by bus or by train? 9 Is it noiser to go by train or on a horse? 10 Is it dirtier to go by train or by plane? b. Ask and answer the following questions: Q. D o rich people usually go by car or on a donkey? Ans. They go by car. 40 �Q. To get to the other end of the street, Would yau go by train or on foot. Ans. I should go on foot. To get to England from America, would you go by boat or on a horse? Do people in the very North of Europe go on camels or on foot? Do more people travel by train or by plane? To get to n Londbn house from the office would you go by bus or on a camel? To get to South Africa from Egypt, would you go by plane or by train? To get from New York to tbe pacific coast of America, would you go by bicycle or by train? Do people in Denmark go short distances go by bicycle or by aeroplane? Do you come to school on foot or by car (If neither, how) To get to the next town, would you go on foot or by boat (If neither, how) Do every poor people go by car or on foot.? Do you prefer to travel by boat or by plane. To get to the top of a mountain, would you go on foot or on a horse. To cross a lake, would you go by bus or by bicycle. (If neithx, how) To have a healthy holiday in the country, would you go by plane or on foot. Do villagers in the Near Easter travel on donkeys or by car. �Tocome, To go, T o walk. To run. To ritlc etc. (It is adviseable tnat this,Section be done in conjuction with the previous one si Ice the two are very closely connected. ... 1 :. I came here by car.. 2 1 went there by car. 3 I walked there. as it was nof far. 4' t ran' there, as there wa.s fi'ftle time. .5. 1 ; rode there,-as my friend was nb!e to take me in his car.. XOTE- "The 'most 'common verbs of mot~on or movement are to come and to go. We can use them '('with or without. the helpof adverb phrases)to express,.any k i n d of motion -(see 'Means of Travel' p, 94.) Thus you can sav. "I came (or went) by car (or bybus, by train, by boat, on foot, etc.) Never say, 'I rode here in a car.', Say either necessary to mention what kind of vehicle it was, simply" .'I rode here.' "I walked here" and 'I came here on foot" mean very nearly the same thing. I came here on foot, ,may also mean I ran here. Do not mlx their two expressions up. Above all, never use the verb *to run for anything except fast motion on foot. ( T o run can be used in other way, but it is safer to keep t o its chief meaning.) Other verbs of motion that you may sometimes -peed a r q l . t o sail, to drive, to swim, to row, to . 'march' to fly. Do.,,not use any adverb phrases to make the meaning clear. The complete meaning is ':already iWfhe verbs. , �Ask and ioswer the following questions:- Examples: .Q. How would you go if you h a . d no money? A. If I had, no money I should walk, or I should go 00 foot. Q. How would jcu gel across a lirte boat \kith oars? A. 2 lake if you had I should row across it How would you get across a river if there were no. bridge and )ou had no boat? , 2. How would yo.1 g,) from India to England if you were in a hurry and had plenty of moncy? 3. How would you reach the polic station in the next strect if somebody had juht been . murdered? 4 Hou would you get to your work. if it ,were : too fdr to walk?5. How would a co n p n j of 'soldiers get to the next town if they were alt on foot? 6. How would you go from Europe to the far East if you waated a pleasant journey of about five weeks? . 7. How would you go donn rbe river Nile if there were n6 steamer or motor boat. 8. How shodd you go across France if you were by yourself and had a car? 9. - How would you go from Paris to Rome if you want ihe quickest way? 10. How would go if you waated to spend an afternoon in the park? 1. �11 12 13 14 15 How would go up a .river if you had a small sailing boa ? How woald you get to rhe fire station if a fire broke out io o u r house and there were neither telephones nor L , chides of nny Kind. How would you go about if you were in the country and had a house? 8 o w would you go i t the place you wanted to reach is only a a d z awav and had a bicycle. How would you get if )ou w & @ d to to get to one end cf L o c d o ~ , frc m the other the quiekest way TO FIND, TO FOUND fiad found found found founded founded Look at the following Sentences:- 1 I found a shilling in the street 2 1 cannot find my hat 3 The letter was founded amoung the rubish. 4 Mr. Smith's fathe'r founded thz business 5 The business was founded by Mr. Smith's hther. NOTE T o find has the sense of to discover, to come upon. The past tense is found and the passive . infinitive is to be found. T o found has the sense of to start. We use it especially of such thing, as building (schools hospitals) aud business. The past tense is founded and the passive infinitive is to he founded. �Never mixt the two r*ord~ up. to find is a wry common word and to found no1 a very common word. DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions:- Example: Q. Wculd you find o r found a pocket-book? A. You would find it. , Would you find or found a long lost friend? l 2 Would you your food? 3 Would you own. 4 Would you 5 W o d d you 6 Would you ,ticket? 7 Would you 8 Would you 9 Would you 10 Would you find or found a bite of dirt in find or found a big shop of your find or found a letter on the table? find or fouod a home for old people? find or fouod an unused ra~lway find or found new museum? find or found the way home? find or found a dog in your garden? find o r found an old shoe? 8. Complete each of the folbwiog sentences putting i n the correct form of, to find or to found. Repeat each of the sentences as a whole. �Example: I have.......................a fly in my glass. A I have found a fly in my glass. Q 1 If I had enough money, 1 should ............a house for the poor children. 2 He............ the key he thoupht he had lost in his trouser pocket. 3 I cannot any rest here. 4 Haven't you ................ your pen yet? 5 Lord stop shire the club fifty years ago 6 I cannot ................ the answer to the question 7 Whsre wai the baby .............................? 8 Charles Dickens ...................... that newspapers. 9 He.................. gold watch in the Gar a 10 Tne society was.... by the president. 11 Can't you ..---..". any thing to d o ? 13 Hasn't he............ anything to do? 13 If you turn left you will ..........thz buildin: opp6site you. 14 Your hopes are on sand 15 Diamonds are ,................in South Africa. To Discover, To Invent, discover discovered discovered To Explore invent invented invented explore explored explored Look at the following senteoces A I Cbristopher Columbus discovered America. 2 The driving power of s!eam was discovered by Hero of Alexandra. B I Trevethick invented the Railway eogioe. 2 The aeroplane was invented by the Wright Brothers C I Mungo Park explored the river Niger after discovering it. �2 After discovericg the new land, the men explored it and so learned many interesting things about it. NOTE: T b -disk&er ineans%oEnd or' t o - find a thing or a place :for ~ht&sr t h e .. . ~o'jnvent: means to think out something:newl T o cxplere:- .fleans to travel through a. strange place and learn something about it. DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions:Example: Q Who discovered Hawaii A Captain C o ~ k discovered Hawaii Cook did or Captain 1 Who discovered disease germs? (Pdsteur) 2 Who discovered the River Niger'! (Mungo Park) 3 Who discovered Tutankhomen's tomb? (soward Carter) 4 Wllo discovered the malaria-carrying mosquito? Ross 5 Who discovered the sea route to I n d ~ a ? (Vasco Da Gama) 6 Who discovered a cure for smallpox? (Jenner) 7 Who discovered the Victoria Falls? (Livingstone) 8 Who discove~ed the heavenly body Uranus? (Herschel) 9 Who discovered r.rdium as a cure for certain disease ? (Curie) 10 Who discovered the reason why bodies fall to earth? (Nowton) 47 �B. Ask and answar the following questions:- 1 Who ivented a printing press in Europe (Gutenberg) 2 Who iovented a way of makinn steel? (Bassemer) 3 Who invented the first practical steam engine? (Savery) 4 Who invented the cotton gin? (Eli Whitoey) 5 Who inlented the sewing machiw? (Howe) 6 Who invented the telegraph'! (Morrison) 7 Who invented long distance wireless telegraphy? (Marconi) 8 Who invented the telephone? (Graham Bell) 9 Who invented electric lightine? (Edison) 10 Who inveoted the safety lamp for miners? (Davy) C. Ask and answer the following questions: I Who explored some of the coldest parts of the world? Shackleton 2 Who explored parts of "vlexico? Cortes 3 Did Columbus explore America after discovering it? (No) 4 Have you ever explored any of the ancient Egyptain temples? 5 Have you ever explored your village? 6 Have you ever explored-the capital of your coun~ry? 7 Have you ever explored the desert? 8 Has the whole world been explored yet? 9 Have you ever explored any old buildings? 10 Wbich part of the world would you like to exploref �TO LeARPJ, TO FIND OUT, TO KNOW You learn a subject Thus, I am learning French You fin3 out information Thus, I found out his name (You can often use to learn instead of to find out 'Thus, "I learned his name.") You know something you have already learned or foun dout. Thus, 1 knowmy own language (Because I learned it as a child.) DRILLS Put the correct forms of to learn, t o find . out, or t o know in each of the following sentence and then repeat each sentence as a whole:Example: Babies must ....... .how to walk Babies must learn how t o walk I am ~ o i - g o the station to.................. nt when the train .starts I am goiog to the station to find out when the train starts. Fish ......- how t o swim Fish know how t o swim. �A' ' g o d teacher ......how to keep hi*'pupi.ls:.in 2 We are now ......... English 1 order 3 Have you ever - .. ..Russian? 4 Do you ........... Russian? 5 Can you ...........if he is coming 6 Birds............ how to fly 7 Yesterday I ............ a pzom by he@ .* . 8 I it so well now that I cao say it backwards 9 A successful business man .......... how to make 'money 10 You must ............... her address tomorrow I I Please.......... whether he still has my watch 12 They................. that I do not believe them 13 I have ........how to do it now how to do it now? 14 Do you ............ 15 You me very well 16 He was drowoed because he did not ..... how to swim 17 He was drowned because he had not .....how to swim 18 Most people......how to ride a bicycle very quickly 19 I want to......where ought to go ........... 20 I have forgotten where it is, but once 1 what has happened to him 21 Nobody 22 It is the business of the police to.......... who committed the crime. my friend, don't you? 23 You 24 Have you ...... the lesson? 25 There isnot enough time to ............the trick 26 D o you ...... where I can get one? 27 I came to see you but..- that you had gone out how to do it 28 It took us a long time to 29 All English children in secondary schools .....French 50 �30 W e you - sta+.qhool you---how hn to speak 31. He' hasn't'been able t........:....what they are doing 6: 32 You are wrong: I...... -..-it docs not cost as much as that. 33 Would you mind ............, if the cat is still in the house. 34 I don't.,. ,... how to tell you. 35 You will have to.. , - to be more polite. TO Drown, TO be Drowned, To Sink, To F l a t . sink drown drowned sank drowaed sunk float floated floated Look at the following sentences:. 1 Many men were drowned when the boat sank 2 The man sank and rose again to the surface of the water. 3 The ship was sunk by the guns of the enemy. 4 Iron sinks: wood floats. 5 The man drowned his cat. 5 The man drowned himself Note To To To To drowned to cause death by water. be drowned: to die by water. sink: to disappear below the surface of water. float: to remain on the surface of the water 51 �Ask and answer the following questions - I How many men *ere drowned when the boat sank-? 2 How ixany won en drowned nhtn.the beat sank? 3 How many childrendrowned uhen the boat sank? 4 Wer, many of the crew drowned when the boat sank? 5 Did the ship sink in deep water? 6 Wtere did the ship sink? 7 Why did the ship sink? 8 By whom was the battle zhip sink? 9 W h ~ did the crew do when the ship began to sink? t 10 Why did ihe man drown the rat>? 11 Why did the man drown himself? 12 Will you be dromned if you cannot swim? 13 Where was he drowned? 14 Were many people drowned in the flood? 15 Would yo11 help a man who was drcwnin,? 16 Does a paper sink or floot? 17 Does gold sink or floot? 18 Do heavy metals sink or floot? 19 Does cork sink or floot? 10 Does rubber sink or floot? ,To be Born, To Die, To be Dead. die died die �Look at the fdtewing sentencee: 1 2 3 4 5 - My brother was born before I was. William Shakespeare uas born in 1564 and died died in 1616. Napoleon died in 1821. He is wearing black clothes because his father has just died. H i s father is not alive; he is dead. DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions:- Example Q. When were yog born. Ans. I was born in 1921 or I was born-years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ago. When was Napoleon born? (1759) When was Harounal Rashid born? (1786) When was Louis Pasteur born? (1812) When was Peter the Great born? (1672) When was Ahmed Shawki, the famous Egyptian poet born? (1853) When was Mar:oni born? (1874) When was Galizo born (1564) When was Sir Issac Newton born? (1642) When was Thomas Edison born? (1864) When was Tennyson, the Fmglish poet born (1852 �A. Ask and answer the following questions:- Q. Where were you born? Ans. I was born in Egvpt. 1 Where was your king born? 2 Where was Shakespeare born? (England) 3 Where was Victor Hugo born? (Fmnce) 4 Where was Nelson horn? (England) 5 Where were your brothers horn? (England) 6 Where were your parents born? 7 Where were your uncle born? 8 Where was Alexander the great born? (Maccdon) 9 Where was Plato born? (Greece) 10 Where was Voltarie born? (France) b. Ask and answer the following questions. Example:- Q. When did Swift, the English writer, die? Ans. Swift died in 1745. I When did Queen Victoria of England die? (1901) 2 When did Alfred the Great die? (1626( 3 When did Francis Bacon die? (1901) 4 When did Lord Beaconsfied die? (1881) 5 When did Marco Polo die? (1323) 6 When did Duke of Marlborough die? (1722) 7 When did Marie Antoitte die? (1793) 8 When did Philip V of Spain die. (1746) 9 When .did Rousseau die (1778) 10, When did James Watt die (1819) �Q. Is he dead? Ans. Yes, he is died Q. Hai he dead Aos. Yes, he has died. or Yes, he is. No he is not dead or No he is not (isn't) or Yes, he has. No he has not died or No he has not (hasn't) Is Is 3 Is 4 Is I 2 Julius Caesar dead Christopher Co!umbus dead Cleopatra dead. Hitler dead? Has Hitler died? I. We only use this form of people who have been living recently. 5 Is your father dead? 6 Is Marco polo dead ? 7 is Aristotle dead? 8 Is Shakespeare dead? Has your father died? TO SAY, TO TELL. Look at these sentences: A. I said to him, "I shall return soon." (Direct speech) I told him that 1 shall return soon. NOTE:- (Indirect speech) 1. Change sly to (said to) into tell (told) when changin direct into indirect speech �2. When you use tell (told) in Indirect"kpeech, it must be followed by the name of person by a personal pronoun. Now look at these sentences:- B. He said, "I am angry" (Direct speech) He said that he was angry (Indirect speech) When turning D~rectinto Indirect speech do not change say (said) unless it is followed by the name of a Person or a ~ersoni1"pronon. NOTE:- DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions:- Example:- Ans. I Q. What did he say when you shouted? He said that he was not deaf. What did he say when you came late? : What d ~ d say when vou gave him the book? he 3 4 5 6 7 What did they say when they heard the news? Who said that there would be a holidays soon? Who said that there would beno lessons tomorrow Who said that the war would end soon? Did you say that you were sad. 8 Did you sav that you were happy 9 When did he say he would return 10 Why did you say that' you would not come. B. Ask answer,the following questions:- 1. What did he tell you when you said that you had failed. 2. When did you tell his father that he was in need of money? �3 When did he tell you itre gaod newsZs 4 When did he tell his father that he was i~ need money? 5 Who told you that there would be holidays soon? 6 Who told him to work hard? 7 Why 'did you tell him t o go away? 8 Why did you not tell him what had happened? g Did he tell you that he was ill? 10 Did he tell you that he was going to England soon. MOTE:- 2 3 4 5 The verb 'te tell' is also used as follows:- T o tell a story. T o tell the truth. To tell a lie. T o tell the time. T o tell one thing from another. DRILLS A. Ask and answer the following questions:1 Who told you that story? 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 When did he tell you that story? Did he tell you an interesting story? Why did you tell lie. Was he punished for telling a lie? Will you be believed if you always tell the truth. Do newspapers always tell the truth. Can you tell the time of his arrival. Who told you the time of his arr~val. Can you know a good book from a bad one. Can you know a horse from a cow. �12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Can you tell the difference from a pen and pencil. Do you tell lies? Do you always tell the truth? Can you tell me an amusing story. Can you tell the difference between a boot and a shoe. Can you tell me the time of his departure. What happens to people whp tell ties. Are people who tell the truth honesty. Does your teacher tell you stories. . TO HEAR, TO LISTEN. Look at the following Examples:- 1 I heard him speaking but was too tired to listen to him. 2 Listen to what I say. 3 You should always listen carefully to what your teacher is saying. 4 I listened to his speech but did not hear any thing I have oot heard before. 5 I have just heard the sound of a gun. When you listen to a person talking, you will not only hear him but you also pay attention to what he is saying. You can hear a person talking without paying attention to what he is saying. NOTE:- �Drills (a) . A k and answer the following questions : s - 1. Can .you hear the rain beating zgainst the windows. 2. Cim you hear what I am saying? 3. Did you hear the noise of the children phyirig? 4. Can deaf people' hear? 5. Would you sit near a speaker 0:: far away from him if you wish to hear him? 6. Can you hear the noise outside? 7. Can you h+ir the wind blowing? 8. Have you ever heard a .great mao's speech? 9. Can you always hear well when someone is 10. Have you ever heard birds singing? (b) . Ask and answer the following pestions : I. Did you listen to what he was saying? 2. D o you always listen to what ycur teacher is saying. 3. D o you always listen to t!le acvice your father gives you? 4. D o you listen to his speeches? 5. What will happen.if you do not listen to a person when he is spe3king to you? 6. Did you listen to the music which was played last night7 7. Did you listen to him when he was telling you a story? 8. Will you remember what your teacher says if you do not listen to him? 9. Can you hear a person without I'steoing to speaking to you over the telephone? him ? 10. D o you like listening to a good speaker? 59 �TO catch, to take, to obtain, to re;eived receive obtain received obtained obtained received Look at the following sentences : (A) I. I caught tbc which he threw to me. 2. I stayed in bed all lasbweek because I tad caught cold. 3. The policeman ran after the thief but could not catch him. catch caught caught take took taken I. Take this and don't ask for more. 2. I gladly took the money which he gave me. 3. 1 have forgotten to take my books with me when 1 went our. ( c ) 1. I obtained high marks in my last examination. 2. You can obtain all kinds of food at grocer's 3. He obtained d l the money he needed from ' his father. (B) When did you receive that letter? 2. Did you receive the book I sent you yesterday. 3. As soon as he he received my money, he sent me a receipt. (D) I . Drills (a ) . Ask and anlwer the following questions : EXAMPLES : . ( q ) Did you catch the apple as it fell from the tree? ( a ) Yes, I caught apple as it fel! from the tree, or yes, I did. ' No, I did not catch the apple asi'it fell from the tree, or no, I did not/l didn't. �Order Your NIGERIAN NOVELS r . m n 17 Bright Street. o n i t s h i Friendship between boys & girlsand how to make it *s 9d The important book for Nigerian Bachelorp . ., 3s How t o write: good Letters. dad Applicati~ns 3s Forget m t not Is How to mske mertings 3s Husband and Wife 3s Awolowo and Akintola in Political Dattle 3s 6d 3s :6d How to study Hausa, Ibo. English' Languages . . .. 3s 6d How t o Write Love Letters 3s f d How LO make friends with girls Yever trust all that love you 2s 6d A guide t o Marriage 3 s bd '3 Why boys of nowadays d o not marry in' time No Condition is Permanent 3s The Way t o Succeed in Life 2s 6d About boys and gir!s 3s How t o make Love 2s- . Beware- of Women . . -3s. 6d How to get a Lady in Love 2s 6d How to write business Letters and Correct letters 2s 6d How Lumumba suffered ln lire and died in Kataoga 3s 6d Money Hard 2s 6d ,2s.6d Wonders shall never end Love shall never. End 2s 6d The Game of Love 2s 6d 3s Boy's life of Zik the man of Reason 4s' The last journey of President Keonndy Mouey hard t o get because the World is hard 3s '. First Step to study Engl~sh,.Ibo, Hausa .Yoruba 3~6d and Efik Languages Learn -to s ~ e a kEnrlish.- lbo. Hausa Bnd Yoruba Languages 3s 6d .3s 6d. How t o study and write English etc. Love at First and Hate a t Last 3s 6d: Life turns man up and down 3s 6d Man has no Rest in his Life 3s 6d Modern Hand Book 3s 6d How t o Start Life and end it well '3s 66 3s Cd English t t e language of the Modern World . . Order your copies today and become of one of onr &ntomers Immediate attention to every Order made. Order.' and have your own copy immediately. Orders should be msde with .*postal Order or Stamps. Always order your Nigerian Novqls horn: - GEBO BROTHERS SIUOWS' OWN BOOKSBOP, I7 BR16HT SIRtET, ONITSHA. P~infedby -- ALL STAR PRINTERS. 19 EMODl ST.. ONITSHA. 1 �, , , . . , .... . . ' 8 . 1 4 . ' $.-.L>' , - . HOW TO STUDY ~ . nWiTm n ions, Compositions, AGREEMENTS, BETTER SENTENSES, lMfT'JRT,dt,NT LETTERS SPEAKING PUBLIC AND TEACH IN YOUR SELFESGLIS . H � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource How to study and write good letters, applications, compositions, telegrams, agreements, better sentences, important letters, speaking in public and teach yourself good English Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Onwuka, Wilfred Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : Gebo Brothers [and] Students' Own Bookshop Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1964? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Business communication Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3292 Description An account of the resource This pamphlet is another how-to guide described as a "New Grammar Book" in the preface. The author, Wilfred Onwuka, is also listed as a "compositor, poet,novelist and dramatist." He is referred to as "Master of Pen." Written mainly for "senior primary and students in the secondary schools," Onwuka notes that his aim of the pamphlet is to contribute "<em>my quota towards the educational building, progress and development of Nigeria and the world in general,</em>" (pg. 3).<br /><br />This pamphlet has morals and political statements within sample letters. Onwuka's creations include disappointment with a sister's behavior, the business dealings of an offshore company, and a request to join a different political party because the Nigeria People's Party is "foundalistic and squandamenic," (pg. 18)<br /><br />Onwuka's section on love letters offers advice about writing letters "when playing the game of love" (pg. 20). One sample written by a woman named Esther professes her own beauty and willingness to spend [i.e. make purchases] on behalf of her lover, (pg. 20). The response, from Gabriel, suggests an expectation of sexual relations "for the game of love", but not intercourse, since the practice often leads to pregnancy. This is an example of safe sex with "a Modern Girl" in Nigeria, c. 1962. <br /><br />In another sample exchange between greedy Paulina and a mournful Rufus, the author demonstrates that heavy demands placed on a lover can cause dire results, when Rufus rejects Paulina's demands for Christmas presents that will "liquidate" him, (pg. 22-23). "Love is equal", argues Onwuka, and Paulina's failure to offer condolences to Rufus after the death of his mother is cited as an egregious oversight, (pg. 24).<br /><br /> Other sections of this pamphlet explain how to write composition, agreements and telegrams. The last section of the pamphlet contains drills and exercises to improve readers' grammar and vocabulary. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/0579658cf2479f4e995642e88099f1e4.pdf 6dff9c20c3ee547c6fdef6a8ecbbffec PDF Text Text HOW TO WRITE ANL) REPLY LETTERS FOR MARRIAGE, VIUL YOU MARRY ME? MARIA replied ''yes". ��HOW TO WRITE AN1) REPLY LETTERS FOR MARRIAGE, ENGAGEMENT LETTERS, L O V E LETTERS AND H 9 W TO KNOW A GIRL TO MARRY THE PUBLISHER �CONTENTS How to write good letters about marriage Important questions for men. H0.w to know a girl to marry. Questions for girls. No. 1. letter comes from Christopher lke to Maria Ngozi asking to marry her. No. 2. Maria replies. No. 3. Second letter from Christopher to Maria Ngozi about marriage. No, 4. Maria replies the second letter. No. 5. A letter from Edward Mark to Paulina Ifeorna. No. 6. Paulina replies Edward Mark. Table o Contents f CHAPTER 2 An impressive love letter written by John Ukete to Edina. CHAPTER 3 An immediate reply to Johnny's letter cmPTeR 4 My love letter to you Ifeyi. CHAPTER 5 Ifeyi replies Dandy's letter. CHAPTER 6 Paddy writes to Sabina. CHAPTER 7 Sabina replies Paddy's emotional letter. CHAPTER 8 Charlie writes a love letter to Lucy. �CONTENTS CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER 9 10 11 12 CHAPTER 13 14 CHAPTER 15 CHAPTER 16 17 18 19 20 21 CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTEU CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Lucy's comprehensive reply. My heart yearns for your love Felly. Felly replies critically, "Ike has my love letter" says Monica The letter. Ike replies heartly. A letter of engagement written by Nwokeoma to Patricia. Patricia heartly replies. Nwokeoma replies favourably. A promising letter for a visit. Patricia heartly replies. Ifeyinwa writes a 1ttl:er of engagement. A reply to Ifeyinwzis letter. P. P. 9tuchisirikwu writes an engagement letter to Miss Rose. Miss Rose replies. Otobo writes engagement letter to Anti. She replies the engagement letter. Nware writes a letter of engagement to Ben Ben's reply The charming love letter. The happy reply. The reply. Helen's engagement letter to Rich. Rich replies. Felly replies. �INTRODUCTION Ladies and gentlemen, for many years, 1 have been receiving uncounted letters from many people both men and women, together with boys and girls asking me to teach them how to write and reply letters for marriage, Engagement letters, Love letters and how to know a girl to marry. You will learn the styles and ways to write them when you read this handbook of knowledge. Read and answer questions for men and questions for girls. You cannot become a good letter writer if you don't study how to write letters. The letters are very interesting and reasonable, and the English very educative. Read and recomend to your friends one by one and they must never forget you. By J. ABIAKAM The Author �HOW TO WRITE .COOD...LCTTEHS.:ABOUT MARRIAGE They are:- (2) (I) Letters for marriage. i 3 ) Love letters. Engagement letters Let me start first with letters for marriage (a) A man can be disappointed by educated girls if he does not know how to write good letters for marriage From your letter s n int:'lligent girl will be able to tell the type of man you are and whcther to say yesor no. Brfortl you write such letter to a girl, she must be in somebody yo11 know c?r hive met so~nelime a train, on the way, in the market, in ths school, in the taxi etc. And she must know you as well. You cannot write to unknown girl asking for marriage. Many young men have been disappointed by some educated girls bxause they do not know how to write correct letters. When writing to a girl you want to. marry, do not tell her that you are very rich and that you have this and that. it is the work of' the girl' . i n question to find out your background before she can say yes o r no. ' Do not go to a girl whom you know that i s bein : married by another person and ask her to marry you because you are rich. You must look for another girl. If you have the money, there are many beautiful girls to marry. Ma~!y a!one cannot mtke you happy in you family love, children and long life is very important. �QUESTIONS FOR M I N Are you ready to marry? If not when will you d o so? What type of eirl will you marry, illitrate, passing six, cambridge holder, nurse o r teacher? Will you marry black o r yellow girl, tall o r short girl, beautiful o r ugly girl, fashionable o r timid girl? Do you get money to maintain a girl and live with her? Can you stand the sweet and bitterness of rr-arriage? From what t o w n will you chose a wife? Have you seen the girl you want to marry or are you on the journey to it. HOW T' KMQW A GIRL MARRY Refore you tell a girl that you want to marry her, you must make all reasonahle and necessary investigations about the girl and her family. If the investigations goes in her favour, then tell her openly that you want to marry her. In case she refuses, you can make more attempts by presenting to her your desire to be a good husband to her. If she still refuses, you can go with your best friend o r her relative to speak more. If all your attempts fail, leave her and find another girl. Do not beg a girl or force her to marry you because forced mhrriage can never last long. �QUESTIONS FOR GIRLS Are you married or are you not? Did any man promise to marry you, if so when? Wov are you sure that the man uill marry you and not to disappoint you? Do y ~ u think that the man has money to marry and carry the responsibilities of a husband? Do the mart love you as you love him? Do you know his work and his home town? Is he the type of man whom you can be proud of being your husband? Read the whole questions and know the answers by yourszlf. Thank you. 9 n e book says "Do not claim that you have good luck until you marry." You can begin your letter for marriage like this:My dear Paulina Honest Mary Humble Agnes Sociable Comfort Gentle Agnes or......................................................... or...................................................... or or ....................................................... or........................................................ No I letter comes from Christopher lke to Maria Ngozi asking to marry her. It reads: Christopher Ike, No. 1, Government Rd., Lagos-Nigeria. 6/6/65. �My dear Maria, I know this letter niay surprise you but I trust you will consider my request and do me a favour. Ever since we me in the train two weeks ago, 1 have never stopped to think of you. I have seen hundreds of girls in the town but you are the very one 1 love and want to marry too. Therefore do not disappoint me or refuse a true voice calling you - . for marriage; MY love for you is ireat and if we become husband and whe we shail make a happy hdme. 1 have mapy things to tell you durmg my next writing. I am putting my pen to rest for the night is coming. Never forget I love you and I want to marry you. Reply my letter and tell me' your opinion. Yours. Chr:stopher Ike. No. 2 Maria replies. Maria received the letter and after she has read it, she said to herself I d o not know whether Christoper means it, some men are very crazy when they sec beautiful girls. Anyway 1 shall reply this letter but I must never be very plain to him until he writes me the second time. Her 1e1:er reads Maria Ngozi, No. 244 Zik'g Avenue, Enugu-Nigeria. 12/6/65. Dear Christopher, Your letter dated 6/6/65 was received and I understood the contents very well. Such request is something I must make time and give due consideration belore giving you the answer. �I herefoffi:;I cannaL.say..Yes.or.,.No .now. since. it was not in agenda of thought. I shall likely give you my full answer some time not . . yet known. I am. Maria Ngozi. No. 3 second letter from Christopher to Maria Ngozi Christopher received the lettsr and read it. Let me hope she will agree, Christopher said,to himself. 1 know she must pretend because beautiful girls like to pretend when men go to marry them. I will write her very soon to know the answer. She is beautiful, 1 am handsome and I have money. Now reads his second letter to Maria which reads as follot*s Christopher Iki, No. 1. Government Rd., Lagos-Nigeria. 18/6/65. Gentle Maria, 1 am in receipt of your letter dated 12th June 1965. I vent through the letter but an not sure of the answer. I mean to marry you and must never disappoint you. If we become married, I will do everything to 'you as a good husband would do to his wife. Do not l-c confused by young men who may promise to marry you and never to those your girl friends who may advise you to disappomt the man. My love for you is great and my request comes from the kot om of my heart. My hope is on you. Come to me, stay with me and never forget me in your dreams of marriage. I beleive after reading this letter your answer will be on my favour. I beg to put down my pen and go to rest for the day. Yours Christopher. No. 4 Maria replies the second letter After few days this letter reached ~ a r i a . ' S h eread it and began to think of it. Seven days has passed and Maria was in deep thought. At last she concluded and agreed to marry 'Christopher. 9 �Maria Ngozi, No. 244. Zik's Avenue. My Dear Christopher, Your second letter came to my notice two days ago' For many days I have been in deep consideration ahour your request. Many are coming to marry me and some have even told my parents thinking they should get me through them. But for your sake I have disappointed them. From this day know me as your wife and you are my husband. Write me immediately ,and tell me when you will come to settle my parents. Yours,. Marla Ngozi. No. 5 A letter from Edward hark This is another letter from Edward Mark, a kigh Elementary Teacher in Government School, Lagos to Paulina Ifeoma who teaches in a Secondary School. The letter reads: Edward Mark, St. John's School, P. 9. Box 9. Lagos. 7/7/65. Honest Paulina. We have known ourselves for a long time and I believe you cannot disappoint me. Now 1 am writing to ask your hand in marriage. So far men and women are created to make choice and marry the one they like. 1 wish to marry you. �After reading this letter, .do, not neilect .me and never turn down my request. My qualification in education is certainly known to you the type of person 1 am 1s something you can tell better. If we get married, we will build a strong and happy home. I put down my pen to wait for your reply. I am, yours, Eduard Mark. NF. 6 Paulina replies Edward Mark The letter reached Paulina in three days time. After reading it, she refused to marry him. Read her reply: Paulina Ifeoma, Secondary School, Box 44, Ibadan, 14 -7-65. Dear Edward, Your letter was received and I am sorry to disappoint you in this question of marriage. I have for many years decided that I will not marry a teacher in Elementary School. To say this does not meau hatred on you, but my reasons are best known to me. You have known my educational qualification and 'at least you can know the type of man a lady with Inter B.A. Degree will marry. It is always good for a man to be more educated than his wife and never the wife to rule her husband. �Firstly I have to thank you very mucb for your noble idea and I am wishing you good luck to marry a good vife. I am, Pauliua. Chapter 2 An impressive love letter written by John Ukete to Edina. St. Agnes Girl's Secondary Modern Sch., Abor Ukwu, Zonal Enu. 4th Sept. 1964. Dear Edina, I am very happy to write you this letter. It is a pity we have not been able to see just as we had arranged previously. This must have been due to any reason best known to you. It appears you have forgotten your lover who loves you beyond the realm of human understanding. Why have you shown me this cold hand? Wave from me that I am for you and you are for me. I will measure your love for me by the way you remember in the form of paying me visits. I have not much more to add than to ask you to make a day to visit me so that we may have sit down discussions. I am, yours faithfully. Johnny. Chapter 3 The immediate repy to Johnny's letter. Akakata P. A.. Via Udeocha, Asha, 4th October 1964. Dear Johnny, I am evidently in receipt of your impressive letter. After persuing it thoroughly well, I came to know that you really love me. I have now decided to show equal love to you so that io reality, things might work out harmoniously. �Generally I judge you as a boy who is as true as his profile and )our reactions have proved you so. Thank you for your second invitation and 1 heartily promise that come what may 1 must endeavour to come just as I have promised previously, the formidable force of circumstances which made it very impossible for ire to honour my promise must not crop up again. Ohviously you are mine and I am y o m and it will be wrong for you to credit me as ii person showing cold hand to you. My love for you is wident and there is nothing to becloud the reality of it. So do not judge me wrongly next timc. Hoping to see you. I wish you to remember me to your circle of friends. I am, y o w lover, Eddy. Chapter 4 My love letter to you lfeyi Assumpta Grammar Sch. Ifor Ala, Kenuru, Kuru, 4th September 1964. Dear Ifeyi, Just as the morning dew feeds flowers s o does your presence feed my conscience. You are a mmning glory t o me and 1very much cherish this fact. You will never cease to be the food that feeds my amorous stomach. I know you have the same feeling for me. How d o you d o ? The day has comewhen you are to picture my heart and know what it has for you. You are not an infant and Tam prompted to say that you have reached the age of reasoning ''Amor Omnia Vinct" so the Romans say and Englishmen translate it thus "Love overcomes everything" 13 �He that is not very appreciative of this fact is doing himself more harm thats good for lift: would seen a perpetual toll if there were no love. For the mean time, I want you to note that I am your lover. Reply urgently. ' Your lover, Dandy. Chapter 5 lfey replies Dandy's letter. St. Michael's School, Alaocha, Ifedi P. A. Via Uke. Alu. 9th Sept. 1965. Dear Dandy, Thank you for your constructive letter and the thoughtful facts embeded in it. You may appreciate the fact that my love for you is shown through actions. Actims speak louder than words, so they say and I feel it is really the best way of showing love. Things are not really what they seem and I have it in mind's core that love, when excessively express verbally, will obviously lose its valour. Don't mind my actions sometimes because I often seem to b t indefferent to emotional love. Please you may continue to flood my eyes with love letters, mind with ioformation about the place where you live, and facts symbolising your true love for me. I seize this opportunity to congratulate you on your tremendous success in G. C . E. Examination though you never made any attempt to let me know of it. �Thanks, yours lovely, Ifehy. Chaprer 6 Paddy writes to Sabina. Our High School, Ife-Landah, Yaru Kura. Lagoon. 6th June 1963. My dear Sabby, This letter is a just expression of 'my sincere love in you. I have really looked around and you are the only girl who has captivated my interest and enthusiasm. I know you will equally be interested in me just as I am to you. You must have k n o w my person that very bright and sunny day we met at the Rex Cinema. I did a bold act by introducing myself to you and you so heartily appreciated it that you attractiveiy introduced yourself to me. Now it is opportune that 1 should wrlte you a letter to let you know that your name and bloomlng looks still linger in my humble heart. I must let you know too, that your possitive effort to reply me this letter will be immensely valued cherished. So, do anrl send me your pictures as tokens of your love. It is your dearest i n heart. Paddy. Chapter 7 Sabby replies Paddy's emotional letter. Aloyh School of Commerce, I Looky ' a b a ~ , Kafanshan, Kubu, 9th August 1963. Dear Paddy. I am duly in receipt your letter aod I very much thank you for your regard and remembrance. I had actually f o r g o t t e n your p e r s o n 15 �but the very mention of Rex Cinen~~.has.called stature the of the person writing.in.to me. Yeu see, I have been receiving series of letters about love making but I naturally hate any news about a boy and a girl being in love. I want to preserve my virginity and I think it an unpardonable disgrace to my parents rf if I should at any time tamper with it It does not nece.ssarily mean that I am going to be a Nun but the fact I want you to swallow properly is that I am not ready to soil my virginity unt I I am legitimately married. Really your letter, like any other one has touch the core of my heart but it isjust a ma1t:r of I can't help. I don't want to be a friend of any boy or man before engagement because men and boys always try to see that a girl satisfies their sexual urge betore they will agree to marriage but infact, I am not ready for that for it would be downgrading of the prestige of my family. If you had formed the wroug idea that I would yield to any of this immorality, you know that you have reasoned it a wrong d'rection. I beg to stop so far. Thanks yours faithfuly, Sabby. 16 �Chapter 8 Charlie writes a love letter to Lucy St. Ignatius Secondary Modern Sch., Abaka-Uku, Via Ala P. 0 , Kufu. My dearly beloved Lucy, It impresses me a lot to write 'you this letter. The motwe behind the brtting of this letter is to let you know that I have much interest in you and have a decided inclination to ask you to be my lover. You may say that my attitude to you the other time did not seem or become a person who would one day ask you to become his close bosom friend. Yes. this is true if you have formed that idea. Now I would let you know that naturally I do not like to be' friend grrls solely on accocn: of their beauty, for blanty is only but a skin deep. I am befriending you just because I have not s.en you parading our town with your boy friends. Sincerely speaking, I must not at any time inake any immoral attempt to destory your virginity. To be candid, I only intend to come into closer contact with you so that I may decide on marriage. You will do me a lot of good by replying promptly. Yours well wisher, Charlie De Bright. Lucy's comprehensive reply. Umekanachi Clan School, Uke, Via A kwa P. A. Olugbo. 4-9-64. �My dear Charlie, You are really a h naturally as good as your looks. Your love letter has just come under grip. I have read it comprebensively. You see. I would suggest that your letter should be called genuine letter of engagement instead of the anaymous love letter. I really know that you are not like other boys who only go about their dirty job of demoralising on demoralisable girls. Thank your star for I have readily consented to your request and there is the solid hope that God vill mecifully bless our marriage. Thanks. Yours Lucy. Chuprer 10 My heart yearns for your love Felly. St. Ive's Secondary Grammar School Yabuka P. A., Via Alaku, Oshy. Dear Felly, Your ever sighting eyes have so much occupied my heart that I am really in dire need of your presence. When I say that I have every intention to see you, I do mean that it will not pay me to be writing letters and iadulging in day dreaming. Really you may not know that degree of my love for you but I feel that it is qu4e useless for me to contiuue to express it. So you do and come so that possibly, we may sit down comfnrtably ad discuss the matter you brought forward in your previous letter. Hearty thanks. Yours lovelessing. �Chapter I I Fdly replies .critically Ife Grammar School, Akwagu P. A., Ife Alor, 6-- 10-64. Dear lovelessy, Yes, I got your letter yesterday. I am very thankful for it. Now I would remind you that you have erred by claiming to [ w e . me beyond the bosom of this world. Is it true that a boy should love a girl in such a way?. Frankly speaking, you only want me to give myself freely to you as if you were to be my husband. 1 emphatically say no and from this moment, I am not going to reply any letter which is not genuinely written. I thank you very much. I am, your lover to be Felly. Chopter 12 9 k e has my love letter" says Monica. The letter. St. Ives Grammar School, Ikauku Venula House, Ika. Dear Ike, It is greetings from the one you very much love but could not express it verbally. I now make it evidently open to you that whatever happens, I am ready to be your lover and if possible to marry you. �Declare your own intenkon as soon as you gel this letter. I want to let you know beforehand that our love should not be virginally soiled. Thanks. It is, Monica. Chapter 13 Ike replies heartily Ubulu-lke School of Commence, Box 503, Abor. Dear Monica. I heartily rcceived your meaningful and indeed candid lettter. I intended writing you the same letter not knowing that the same genuine sense of love making is in your mind. I know really that you are welLbrought up and so our love should not be like that of some moral-never-do wells in our society. I thank you for taking the first plung, :I am, your heartiest lover, Ikey. �HOW TO WRITE BEST ENGAGEMENT LETTERS Question. What is ap engagement? An engagement in this respect is a strong promise made by a man and a woman who agree to become husband and wife some time to come. Answer: Question: When writing an engagement letters or agreement what rules must people observe? Answer: It is always good and advisable to state condition when writing For Example, if you slgn an agreement with a wise and intellgent girl o r lady and by mistake she became pregnated by another person and because of the inc~dent you refuse to marry her, the girl can sus yoe to court of law to claim her right because you did uot state cond~tions the engagement agreein ment which you signed. She can even say that you are responsible for her pregnancy and you cannot deny it. In the other hand man can also sue his girl to court if she happens to dis appoint him in such a way that is not permissible the teams of their engagement agreement. Girls do not be deceived by men who cannot fufil their promise. AND Men do not be disappointed by girls who cannot keep to their letter, Examples of how to write engagement letters No. I Letter comes from Edwin Mark, a finalist io Kings College, Onitsha to Esther Johnson, a class three student i n Queen's College Port Hsrcourt. �Edwin.Mark, Kings College, P.O. Box 24, Onitsha. 1--8-65. Gentle Esther, I have the pleasure to write you, how are you. As I am a finalist this year and you are a class three student, I want to engage you. So that we shall become hcsband and wife immediately you finish up. The general manager,of works is my uncle and he has already got a plece whers I will start work next year. D o not disappoint me since I determined to marry you. I pray for your success, study hard while I do my best. I beg to close hoping to get a favourable reply from you. I am, yours, Edwin Mark. Chapter 15 A lteter of engagement written by Nwokesma to Patricia St. AYO School, Markurudi, Balaka. 4-4-63. Dear Patty, It is just a considerable time now since we met list. I had waited for your reply to my letter of last week but to my surprise, you have kept cold silence. 'Why? Is it because I did not make 'the whole matter quite open to you or have you decided otherwise? I must not hide the fact now because Iho people have an adage which states that ''If you remove a bug from the partbody of a dog and do not show it to the dog, the dog would wrongly think that you removed its hair". �3a.4want ta.bting.itaticdy '.hsune-to.qou.t@atI have 'a decided:.inclinationi~~marry .Tell ?me.tlie-star. you. you have chosen..The Northern star is a symbol of consent but the Southern is a symbol of refusal. I urgently want this but it does not follow that I a m now sufficientlyready to pay the money dowry. I just want to make the intention oven to YOU. Greet your circle of trustworthy friends. Thanks. Your husband to be, Nwokeoma. Chapter 16 Patricia heartily replies Nwokeoma's letter of engagement . ~ ~~~~ All Boys Primary School, Ajitu P. A.. Via Akaka, Oshaka. Dear darling, Your purposeful letter has just come to .my grip and owing to thc seriousness of its contents, I have resalved to accord it crgent attention and cordial treatment. You have done nobly well by making your intention to have me as your dear wife lovely open to me. Before I say anything, I must shower my sincere thanks to you for your honesty of purpose which has enable you to conceive th.s genuine idea. Really, I must say that I have legitimate interest in you and your engagement letter is readily accepted, of course, you are going to be true to your salt. I know you are not playing me a gambling promise? Now that I have given consent to your courtship and subsequent request that I should be your wife, I want. you to double the assurance that you really mean it by your consenting that we should write an agreement to this effect. Normally you kuow that we will have to exchange rings as emblems of our wholehearted consent. 23 �,Y~:syr..Northern.star .bar.bq~. accept~d q&I.wmtyou to:.cherish,.my 'own humble suggestion by acceptance. I beg to remain, Your ever darling. Patty Uke. Cliupter 17 Nwokeoma replies favourably to Patricia's request St. Ayo School. Makurudi, Blaka 6--5-S3. Dear Patty, You are really as true as your profile. Your appearance always portrays you as a reasonable girl and you have shown this fact beyond any shadow of doubt. I had not the slightest doubt about your love for me and I must not fail to thank you heartily for your proving yourself to be a properly domesticad animal of your family. Yes here is a ring which I solemnly give to you as an indication that I wish to marry you three years hence. Your own is very much desirable and where you still insist on our writing of agreement, I may suggest that we should come together and put our heads together so that oneness of feelings may be fostered. Generally I judge you as a girl who could be trusted with her promise. Congrats to you. I am, your husband to-be, Nwokeoma. Chapter 18. Patricia replies with a promise to visit Nwokema for personal interview. 24 �All Boys Primary SchooE, Ajitu P. A. Oshaka. 19-5-63. Dear husband to be, Thank you for your prompt reply of my letter. You have actually done nobly excellent job by trying to find a ring and then sending it to me, really. Infact I credit you for this and must remark that you have proved your verocity beyond any shadow of doubt. Now, in the presence and the name of God our Lord, who is everywhere and sees all things, I offer you this ring and humbly bid you to keep your promise. I have given my whole self to you and you have got to do the same for love guiding principle is give and take. This is a double and genuine assurance that the love of women is all. Remember me to your brothers who will, other things being equal, call me their wife according to the fashion of our town. I now make a promise to visit you in this mid4e of next month. Chapter 19 lfeyinwa writes. a letter of engagement to her boy friend master Erric. St. Augustinas School, Irereuku, Western Nigiria. 4-9-63. Dear Erric, Why is it that i have not heard from you since a month or so? I know you will try to escape my blame by claiming that your long silence is due to thc pressure of time. Really your work is not a small one and ycu are always tired whenever you come back from school but this is not reason why you should keep in suspence of illformation about life in Onitsha which I know is always cadden with terrifying news. 25 �Well. Erric, you know fully well that it bas taken a long time since we began or fr~endship After taken this fact into a constructive consideration, I found that we must either be one now. by being married or separate. I am putting this to you having much consideration on my age which is n:arins 21. This is a marriageable girl and it is sheer folly for r e to continue to deceive myself by indulging in friendship without being truly engaged. Choose now or never for I am serious about it. Till yos reply,, greetings to all I am, Your lovely, Ife. Chapter 20 A reply to lfeyinwa's engagement letter. All Gills Baby Shop, Iyalu Kadinah, Panispi, Kon-Ala. 11-10-65. Dear Ifey, Having read with keenest understanding and avid interest your meaningfully worded letter. I now think it opportune and indeed mannerly to reply it. Frankly spsaking, I never knew that you had the same feeling I have for you. for me. Thank you very much for this for I must have to cherish your oneness of mine soon. I will not not hesitate to you know that I have really . compromised to engage you for the same genuine thought made been lingering in my mind but I was fearing that you would not accept it at present. I will be yours t ~ l the last great day when it may please our Creator to l call any of us to the realm of the past men, who of course may have enjoyed his kingdom according to their individual stewardship on earth. 26 �Normally. we will have to exchange rings a s a way of indicating our real and legitimate promise. Chapter 21 P. P. Otuchkirikwu writes an engagement letter to Miss Rose. 224 Ogidi Road, Onitsha, 33b Afubera Street, Onitsha. D~arestRose, I believe you might have been expecting to get a letter of this nature from me. As true as it is. I ~ o u l d have written it before this time but 1 delayed in order to iavestigate the situation of things because all that glitters is not gold. Marriage is something done once in life therefore it must never need hesitation of any kind. Now I haw: vetrtureif to beg for your hand. Before you reply I should like you to think over it for two weeks so that whatever you give me as your answer will be irrevocable. May God grant my request. Yours preciously, P. P. Otuchisirikwu. Chapfer 12 Rose N. Chukwuemeka replies P.P. Otuchisirikwu's letter. 33b Afubera Street, Onitsha. 224 Ogidi Road, Onitsha. Sir, I can but inadequately express my gratitude in getting your dated about engagement. �I will not hesibte in giving you affirmative reply for I decided even. in anticipation. ,The magnitude of your love in me is equally resprocated therefore nothing will prevent your proposal (except death) from materiallsing. The earlier you approach my parentsfor it the happier I become. I ha. e re-erved niyself spiritually and kcd~ly for you. May God give urgent approval to o w proposal. 1 am, Sir, Your honest intended wife, Rose N. Chukwuemeka. Chapter 23 No. 5 Ikoba Road, Benin City. No. G ~ i h l t oRoad, Benin City. Dear Anti, 1 can no longer cndure to tell you the opinion I have of you. I since decided toengage you but I found it difficult to contact you directly. 1 idomatically ment~oned of it to you during our last social gathermg but I found out that yo9 did not understand me. Therefore I put it in writing and hope to get your rep!y as early as' possible You know very well how girls chase me yet I decided. to adhere to you. Wishing you God's blessing. Yonrs truly, J. P. O~obo. Chapter 24. Anti repties J. P. Otobo's Letter 28 �No. 5 Ikoba Road, Benin city. No. 6 Riluko Road. Benin city. Sir, Your letter ocengagernent reached me recently. I thank you very much. Indeed I have adequate love in you and I wish to grant your request but I entertain fear for one reason. Many boys have made it their occupation to disappoint girls. I have a friend named veronica. She was engaged to a young man who used her as an instrummt of his happiness w t eventually he disappointed her Many grls have been put in a family wav in pretence of marriage which did never materialise. Therefore my consent is subject to your honesty. I am. yours honest intended. A. U. Odiboli. Chapter 25 Iyienu Hospital: Via Onitsha. 3a Sokoto Road, Umuchu Okabia, Orlu. Dearest in heart, Our first meeting was held in the year 1960 but my love of you glitters still. I know very well that you love me too but my position seizes your tongue. Therefore let me tell you what you should first say instead. I will be very happy if you take me to the altar. I know you like to marry me but you think a common man cannot marry a nurse of my rank. �please d o not mind your financial madness for I am ready to submit my purse to your control. Many lawyers arid doctors have asked my hand but I definitely refused. I want to live with a man from financially depressed family so that I will struggle and contribute my own quota.in the building of the family. Any family that is built by the combined efforts of husband and wife, is usually more durable and happier than that built or constructed alone by a man. I promise to be o r remain a faithful wife to yor: till I have t h e bosom of this world, Meet me at your convenient time so that I will tell you how and when you will approach my parents. I enclose here with £50 (fifty pounds) in checque for your maintainance and a copy of my most recent photograph. Wishing you God's blessiogs. Yours faithfully, Nware B. Onyechinyelu. Chapter 26 Ben's reply. 3a Sokoto Road, .Umuchu Okabia, Orlu P. 0. Iyienu Hospital, Via Onitsha, E. Nigeria. My dear Nware, Your unexpected letter is a sea breeze to my heart. Happiness has swallowed.my heart and enervated my body that I cannot adequately write. I will come to you next Saturday as you requested. Please I feel more than I can write; till we meet face to face. Yours sincerely, Ben Onyeodanyere. �C. C. Nwakrihe writes engaeement letter to Eliza. No. SOc St. John's Street, Onitsha. No. 2 Enugu Road, Onitsha. Dear Eliza, Itlo not think of marriage in five years time but the ardent love 1 have on you is pow forcing me to marry prematurely Tell me plainly v*hetheryou are equally interested in me so that we shall immediately take conjugal step. I am convinced that you will be a good house wife. Yours sincerely, C. C. Nwakaihe. Chapter 28 The reply. No. 2 Enugu Road, Onitsha. No. 50c St. John's Street. Onitsha. Sir, I thank you very much for your recent letter to me. I allowed my parents to read the letter and comment on the contents. Their discussion is quite contrary to my expectation. Indeed the members of my famiiy strongly opposed my marriage with you. But one thing you must know is that we must marry each other irrespective of parental opposition. It is my right to marry any man I love and it is not the right of the parents to marry for me a man of their own interest. Those whn marry under parental influence usually make wrong choice; but when a girl marries the man she chooses by herself marriage is enjoyed. - 31 �Therefore I must marry you whether you are poor or rich. I advise you to approach for formal~tysake; they refuse if then I follov you and we can in the Government channel if not under church formality. May God bind us to one family. Yours lovely, Eliza E. Chikwe. Chapter 29. A charming love letter by James Ude. No. 8 Oguta Road, Onitsha. Dear lovely Joe, I have not heard from you since quite a long time now. How do you do? Hoping nothing has gone amiss? Yes it is Jammy and I know you will not but be interested to get this. I now decide to write you. I am holidaying at home so that you can make time to come and see me. Hoping to see you while wishing you the best of the seasons. Yours I~veiy, Jammy. The happy reply. No. 18 U~nuahiaRoad, Alanimili Ugwu, Umuahia. Dear Jammy, Thank you for your remembrance and sincere devotion to me. I obviously know that you dearly love me and wish me to be your own for ever. This means that we shall soon marry? If you disagree to this suggestion �yau b cott every love for me for I . am not...ready t~..~Faal mysel any longer, .. Yours faithfully, Joe. Chapter 3 1. Helen writes a letter of engagement to Richard Akagbe Grammar School, Ikey Village P. A., Abala. Deat Rich, How do you d o ? Yes I feel it is incumbent on me to %rite you this letter just to bring my intention about our love home to you. Firstly, I wnuld like you to know that we have fooled ourselves quite enough and it will reach the top of our bent if we continue to wallow in unnecessary love affairs. Secondly I want you to send me a ring which will show me that you really mean to marry me in the near future. 1 am up to a marriageable age and must marry now or never. Thanks, Yours in heart. Helen. Chapter 32 8 Reply to Helen's letter 64 Pound Road, Aba E. Nigeria. " Dear Helen, Your well worded letter of engagement has reached me. Thank you for not being morally too low just as some other girls who wocld rather choose to die in the sea of love making than marry. your offer I will not hesitate to accept the ring next week. and 1 will send you Besides, we shall marry on the Altar in December �this;.year..:P.Fay fewently. for ihis. Greetings, Your best luck, Rich. Chapter 33 Polly writes an impressive letter of engagement. All Saints Grammar School, Abab, Yabu. Dear Fellyd. I have just received your letter and I very much cherish the ideas in the letter. Thank you very much. Well, I would like you to tell me how best to meet your parents on the event of my engaging you I need this very urgently, of course on condition that you accept me as your husband. ~ Extend my sincere regards to y o parents. Your darling, Polly. Chapter 34 Reply Dear Polly, Congrats. You have said what I have been expecting to hear from you. Really you have done a lot to elevate our moral standard because by being married we shall become good citizens. For your directory, you have got to approach my mum and show her this my letter which will assure her that I have accepted to be your �wife. This is the end because my mum -does not refuse what I have accepted. Greetings from me while I still say bravo for your houourable more. I am, your wife to be, Feliyd. THE RICH MAN'S DAUGHTER A PLAY BY 'RAJA RAPHAEL (drtihor, Journalisr, Dramatist di Novelist) CHARACTFRS John Bull - a rich, man Elizabrth - his uife their d a u g ~ t e r Magi Joseph the father of Keni the mother Mary their son whom Magi the daughter of John Keni Bull the rich man \rant to marry. CHIEF BEN - The man whom Magi refused to marry his son Bonny. KATTY Maei's girl friend Keni's boy friend FELl IKEM ' Servant to John Bull. (the story.and the character's of the play are imaginary and therefore should not be associated with any person or place) - - PREFACE This story intends to show the big gap between the rich and the poor, and the extent this could go to hamper the social relations of both classes, over in case of love. �John Bull was a rich man and wanted his daughter MAGI to have a rich man's son as her husband. But Magi was determined to marry the man she love so much, not rnindi~igthe state of poverfy o r his family. Keni was the man kkigi loved with her whole heart. And Bonny was the son of Chief Ben whom her father wanted to marry Magi, but she couldn't give in. Her father threatened, bur she did not bother. And at last she won This is a story you will never forget. Raja Rapheal. SCEEE ONE John Bull comes out from his private room and asks IKEM about the wltereabout of MAGl.her daughter. John Bull: Where is Magi? I K E M I no see her. She no dey in, Sir. John Bull. Where's she been? Ikem: I no knob,' Sir. John Bull: But she went out to some place -I think? Ikem: Ycs Sir. john Bull: Has it been long she went out? Ikem: Yes Sir, ius' abouttwo hours now, Sir. John Bull: Did shk tell you where is going? Ikem: No. She 110 dey talk to me since two week now, Sir. Every time I pass where she standin she begin look me bad eye. I nu know why. I no k ~ o w whether na because I say last time say me follow one man wey de come here before. John Rull: That's-Keni ynu 'mean? Ikem: ' Yes Sir. Since I tell you say she rle follow him, and you askam, she no de gtee me talk to her again. John Bull: I see, she said she is love with him. Ah wonder, Sir! She wan leave that rich man Ikem: son to love another person wey no go fit make good husband to her. John Bull: Don't mind her, she dosen't like good things. She wants to suffer and I'm going to teach her a lesson. May be she.has gone out to see him. 36 �T no J e see him since-ah mean Keni. The man she say be her lover, Sir. John Bull: I have warned him never to come here anv more. Ikem: No wonder! 1 see. Na that de make him no come as he de do before! John Bull: Yes. Ikem, go and buy me one bottle of stilut beer. Cool one, you hear? (He ~ i v e s him money for the beer and Ikem turns to go out) G o quick, quick! Before three minutes I have seen you! Yes, Sir! Jkem: Ikem: - (Exit Ikem Alone) ~ohn Bull: I don't know what is wrong with this girl. I don't know why Magican't hear me and obey me. lifter all I'm doing so for her happiness. But she says that she wants' to suffer in life. No! I won't let her suffer the bitterness of poverty. I'm rich and my daughter should marry and live in a rich family as well. Oh this-! (ENTER M A G I ) John Bull: Where have you been Magi? Magi: No where, Papa. John Bull: You're a liar! Tell me where you have been since a long time now. I have not been out so long, Papa. Magi: John Bcll: Tell me the truth now or I'll handle you badly now. Will you? Magi: I have not been far, Papa. John Bull: Where were you then? D o you want t o tell me that you have not been out to Reni's? Speak out! Can you deny it? I have not been to his, Papa. Magi: John Bull: Shut uu! Don't anger me the more. Pitv yourself; Magi have-a pity on yourself. * Magi, Why this, Papa? John Bull, You don't know? You can't deceive me. I know what's right for you, but you won't listen to me. You want t o d o yorlr will, and you are going t o suffer for it. �But I have not been to that place, Papa. Who Magi: told you that I'went to him? John Bull: ;Did you go there? Magi: No, Papa. John Bull. Sbut up! Don't provoke mv anger with your lies! Oh, where's Ikem -where's him 7 Magi, I'm not telling you lie, Papa. John Bull, Stop! and get out from here, quick! You want to become useless. Don't tell me anything again. 'Magi, Oh, PapaJohn Bull. I say get out! You liar! You think' that you're cheating me. (EXIT MAGI) You don't wnnt t o 'hear your father's words! You want to d o your will. We shall see who rules here. (scratching his beard uneasily) Oh, Ikem won't come back with the wine in time This girl this foolish girl makes me grow annoyed. ' CURTAIN FALLS. SCENE TWO. Ma,i, alone s6bbing. Enter Ikem and asks why. Wentin de d o you, mag^? ( N o reply) Oh, you Ikem, n o hear wentin I d e talk? Please forgive me, I no know say we no de talk t o each other. (and he tries to walk -out) Magi. Wait. Ikem. (She dries the tears with handker". chief) I say come here, Ikem. (Walks back reb~ctantly) Yts, wetin you de call Ikem, me? Don't hurry, wait for a moment. I want t o ask Magi, you something. You don forget say me and you no de talk t o Ikem, each other since? 1 beg, leave me I de go d o one important thing. Is that thing more important than .what I want Magi, - t o ask you? I no know wetin you de talk, please leave me. Iker\l, �Magi: +.. I. don3 hsld you,: .you:.ka~~. what\.J.;wagt. :Ba to know from you. now is the persqn who .told...Papa that I went to Keni's house.. Please I don't know weting you.-de talk, miss. Ikem: You wan start- the Keni's talk again? Magi: Yes, weren't you the one who started it? How I starting it? You don begin again, Magi. Ikem: 1 no wan trouble now. Please make you go an' find another person, no be me. I oo de--o! Please, Ikem, I warn you now. As from today, Magi: stop flying into my private affairs. I no know wetin you de talk sef. Na English Ikem: vou cle talk to me?. You know say I no de hear English. Mind only yourown business in this house, ~ k e m Ma&: You're a servant here and have no right to interfere into the affairs of the family. I have suffered so many inconvinences because of you. Ah, you wan tell me say your father get money? Ikem: No be' only him be de rich man aey dey for this world. And will you leave this place m d go to that Magi: another place? I no go go! I no go leave here. No be you Ikem: take me for work here. 0 K; we shall see what is going to happen. . Magi: You no go fit do anything. lkem: (ENTER MANA) Elizebeth: What's raging on here again? Oh you won't give a 'little rest in this house. Ask him-ask that idiot. A liar! He's an eaveMagi: sdropper of the worst type, Mama. Ikem: Look! madam, she don start to curse me now. Please no curse me again, Magi. I no de hear wettin you de talk. I no de hear English, please. Don't you know where English is being learnt? Magi: I no know, ,please. Ikem: Why? you must know. . . Magi: �Elizebetb Please stop it sa far, 1 don't want. ta heac.a~y one of you again. But you must tell him to keep off my domestic Magi: affairs, Mama. Elizebeth: What is it again? Magi. He told Papa that I went out t o Kenl's, but I didn't go there. Elizebeth: To Keni's house? Ikem: I no tell master anything madam. Magi: But Papa asked me about it when I returned. Ikem: You know where you go no be me. Magi: What! repeat that again and 1'11 show you what . I can do. Jkem: Impossible! You no go fit do me anything. , Magi: You'll see now, (she moves towards him with fury) Today will be the end of everything. Elizebeth, (Holding her back) Don't d o that, Magi. You go to the kitchen, Ikem. Ikem: Make you leave her, make she come fight me. N o hold her back. Magi: (Struggling to free herself from the grips of her mother) Please leave me, Mama, I want to see the end to the whole insults Ikem has been pouring on me since he came to this house. Elizebeth: Don't be silly, Magi. (turning to Ikem) Please get out from here I say! Ikem. Can't you understand when somebody is serious and determined about something? J wonder! Ikem: Na because of you I de g o out now, madam. (Exif Ikem) Why did you let him go? You know I wanted Magi: to tear him into pieces. He has done me a lot of damage. Elizebeth: Cool your temper, Magi. One thing I want t o tell you now is that you must beware of Ikem. Your father is with him, that's why he doesn't respect anybody in this house than him. Magi: Why? Why should Papa trust Ikem like that? Is he not an ordinary servant in this house. Elizebeth: Yes, but he's more than a servant in this �house now. You must know that your father has advisechim to keep an eye on your movements these days. Why? Well, that's' a small 'case: ~ ehim d o anyt Magi: thing he likes, 1 will never marry Bonny in my life. I'll only marry the one I love that's Keni. Elizabeth: So you have not changed your mind. Magi? You'll consider whar your father told you. I have heard everything. If I marry Keni, he Magi: would not help me in any way, wasn't it what he said? Elizabeth: It was so. Magi: Well, all this bscausz Keni is not from a rich family? Elizabeth: Yes. Magi: Well, 1 can tell yoc again that I'm going to be his wife, whether rich or poor. Elizabeth: Why? Won't you listen to your father? Can't you respect hini? Magi: It is because E love .Keni. Mama. t!lizabeth: Please come back to your senses, Magi. Don't d o a thing you'll afterwards regret about it. Magi, Oh! don't make me weak, Mama. I have not expected to hear these words from you. Please look . at the matter from my point of view. I love Keni and he loves me as well. We're going to be happy conple whether poor o r rich. And talking about being rich, how many times have you told me that my father wasn't a rich man before he married you? Will you deny now of having talked so'! Elizabeth: No. You're right, Magi. Magi: And why do you support in this wicked discrimination against love? Elizabeth: I'm not against your choice, Magi. But it' you are in my position, you can see wbat I mean. It's true that I'm your mother, but your father has every right t o make any change about the sort of man you sould marry. �E'a;giee with.yair;-but .in this'case, hi's iusisimcy that I shouU not marry Keni because he's not from a rich fam~lyis wrong. His characters and general behaviour can't be questioned in any way, therefore I see no reason in rejecting him because he's not from a rich family. Elizab-th: Well, but -Wait Mama, let me finish fir-t. Yes, I know that Magi: he's not from a rich family, but 1'11 be happy to work struggle together with such a husband in love for ovr existellce than to be ill at ease in a readymade fortune. Elizabeth: Oh! it's enough, Magi. You have already turned a philosopher with a short period of your new acquircd knowledge of life. Yes, love derives its strength from the suppreMagi: ssion of its true meaning and the oppression of its will and desire. Elizabeth: Oh! still the philosopher? Stop so far, my daughter. I don't want to be associated with the name as an oppressor'and suppresspr of love; how much more to that .of my daughter. What I'll tell you now is to mind how you talk about him whenever ikem is around. But you must keep patieoce, t h i n p will sort out themselves. 0.K; but whatever may happen, I must marry Magi: Keni. He's the only one I love. Elizabeth: Oh! still talking about him? It's 0.k; my daughter. CURTAIN FALLS. Magi: SCENE THREE. The scene shifis. I n the hcuse o Joseph. f ENTER Joseph: Mary his wife end Keni their son. All of them are in a mood of long and heated argument Keni: I don't take all the things you're talking as any thing. Keep away from me and my sorrows. �Joseph: Ah! ah, look your son, woman. I'no know whether someth~rlg'do ctnter his head. Mary: Is he not your son again? Joseph: I mean na we two get him. I know say you no go be annoy again. Make you talk to him. Uary: Well, Keni-Keni, my son, .no be you I de call answer me! Joseph: He no bz your son alone. Na we two get him. Mary: Make you do disturb me! Alanwe. Make you answer me, Keni-no be you I de call? Keni: What's it? Mary: Why you de grow annoy with me? Name make your father no be r c h man? Joseph: Ah! ah, make you no tell him like that. You know say na you .be his mother, and me be his father. We two be his parent and we two be poor. no be only me. What are you talking so, Papa?.Can't you talk Keni: sensibly as a man? Joseph: Look-o! he wan eat me because I talk de thing wey come to my head. Make you no mind him, Keni. He no de know Mary: wetin he de talkin whe he don drink plenty wine. Keni: Oh! I see. Joseph: Make you no mind her my son, I no drink any wine. O2ly ah no know wetin de push my head like say I drinkin wine. Listen to me Keni. Why you say you go marry Mary: her7 ----. Because I love her and want to have her as my Keni: wife. I need her company so much. Magi can make a good wife. She doesn't do like the daughtei of a rich man. Mary: Wetin you tell me last time say her father tell you? Keni: Don't mind about that, what I know is that Magi is ready to marry me a t any time from now. But one blessing. thing remains now-I w a n t your Mary: Please my so, make you no bring trouble to to we here because of this girl. Me and your father �hear no go fit face Ozuru, de father of Magi. As he no gree say yoii go mariy his daughter, make you come out from it. Many many girls dey for town. Make you find anot!~er onc from dem. We no be rich people. V e no wan elter for rich nian talk. C That's not uhat I want to hear from ycu. It Keni: is nor the question of being rich, but the question of love and marriage. Two of L S love each other and we have dccided to get married. That's all. (EXIT K E W ) Mary: Keni! Keni! come back. Joseph: I tell you say the boy wan do his mind. He no go gree anything you tell him now. Mary: You wan make we leave him alone? Joseph: Yes, na that kind thing he waxt. He no de listen to anybody. We be fool for him face. He no go fall where somebody go carry him back. He wan marry the daughter of a rich man. f-le no go marry mother pirl? Xe wan big big thing. But he know say he no rich that big-thing. I drink any wine-o! Make you no talk say I drinkin wine. Only something de push me for head like wine-o! (And he falls back from the chair he's sitting on) CURTAIN FALLS SCENE F U R Kerii And Feli. This is a world where money and material posseFeli: ssions governs. Yes, you're right. But in this case, it's not true Keni: She's with me head-over heels! But the only snag about it is her father. Feli: That's why I say that money and material possession count s o much in every affair in this modern times. But this is not to discourage you, you see. Infact, I share the same thing with you in this matter. However, d o you think that he'll let her daughter so loosely as that t o marry the son of a poor family? You know these rich men look down on the unfortunate ones as urorthless people. 44 �Keni: You're thinkillg very childshly. Feli. Though, I understand whit you mean, but in the face of love everybody is the same. There is inferiority in love. Feli: You may be right, bct ................. Keni: I te11'~outhat Magi is not like that. She doesn't ' do like the daughter of a rich man as some use to do. She's very humble, and a very nice $1 too. It is only her father that tries to instil such htgh feelings into her mind in order to reject and forget all about me, but she could not give in. With the help of thc AImighty we shall overcome the obstacle that her father presented on our road of love. As for her mother, she presents no great difficulty. When we have succeeded in convincing the father, every other things will be easy. Feli: You Ozuru is a very rich and proud somebody But, however, I wish you every saccess. Keni: That's what 1 want to hear from you. This my first battle in liie for happiness and I'll never live to lose it. Wait somebody is coming here. (ENTER KATTY) Oh! she looks very beautifulFeli: Keni: Keep silent, don't disgrace yourself now. (Looking around) If I'm not mktaken, this is Ketty: Joseph's house, gentlemen? You're right, fair lady, this is Joseph's house. Feli: And yog're his son, I think? Whose name is Katty: Keni, I hope? Yes, his n a m you msntioned, but I'm n o t he. Feli: Look him (and he points at Keni) Friend she wants to see you; why are you so cold? keni: Don't worry please. Oh! Why? Have I done an) wrong against you Feli: by saying that this gentle lady wants to talk to you? Keni: Please, J say don't you worry me, Feli, you hear? Leave me alone to myself. �Katty: . .(Smili.ng,. 'Sorry; % h e ~ ~ o m c o nlep7vse is being oppressed he finds no other comfort than in complete solitude where he could visualies the mental picture of the object of his love, (Moving towards her with a little smile on his Keni: ,lips) Young chap, who taught you how to read what is a man's beart'! Katty: Don't be suprised for I'm a vessenger of peace between you and another person altogether. I have a message of love from your lover. A message of love for me from my lover? Keni: Katty: Yes. Let's go aside and I'll tell you the whole thing. Keni: Is it so private? Katty, Private and confidential! Keni: 0.K: wait. (turning to Feli) Friend, please give us some minutes, You're at liberty to kiss her feet! Feli: (EXIT FELI) (laughing lowly) He's a funny somebody. Is he Katty: your friend ? Keni: Yes, His name is Feli. Katty: Thank you. Well, can you recognise me now? Keni: Not quite well for that matter. What's i t ? But have you seen me with somebody before? Katty: Just a girl for that matter. Oh! yes I can remember now. I have seen you Keni: once with Magi during a social dance at a certain place, only could not remember when. But I did take a close look of your person. Katty: Well, don't worry yourself. Magi and I are just good friends to each other: We hide nothing from one another. Is that so? Keni: Katty: Yes. She sent me to come and call yuu. She's in my house just now. So don't waste time. Keni: Why? Katty: She says she has one urgent message for you, but she could not come to your house straight. ' �You can go now, I'm coming behind you. Please, don't waste much time. She's in a hurry know. 0 K: tell her I'm coming behind. You have known the p m e ? Yes, ~ t ' snot conlusing aly-way. 0.K; you may call :i your friend. (ENTER FELI) Feli: Oh! I'm very sorry! (trying to go out) I hope I have not disturhed you? Katty: Come back Feli, you have not (looking at Keni) He's quite a very funny creature, don't you think? Keni, More especially when he sees a beautiful girl like you. Katty: Ah! two of you are the same. Thank you very much. Come quick, she's waiting you. (turning t o Feli) We hope to meet another time, OK. replied Feli. (EXIT KATTY) Feli: Oho-o-o! you hare told her whom I am already, No wonder why she know my name. Please Keni tell me her name, or won't you? Keni: Why? her name is Kathy! And she's after you to the last. Feli: You mean it? Keni: The whole thing depends upon yon! Cast your net and you're going to make a big and nice catch. Feli: Well, that apart, what's the purpose of peeping in at this hour. For a messwe "private and confidential"! That's Keni. how she called 3. she was sent by my sweet Magi to come and look for me. Man, I told you something is going to happen! She can't pass a day without ,om me. seeing or hearing fFeli, What makes her sweet? She tastes like sugar or salt? Keni, This is not the time for jokes. ~ 6 your better e another day. Feli, O.K. Until that day, so that I can get a packet of sugar for niy own use. Keni: Katty: you Keni: Katty: Keni. Katty: �And give anofher packet of sugar to her-so that Keni: two of you can taste sweet to each' other. You're right, but this is not the time'for jokes. Feli: Hurry home to her and 1 1 'hurry back to get 1 ' ready for the catch! Keni: Still the joker? CURTAIN FALLS SCENE FIVE In Karl-v's Room Katty And Magi. Are you sure he said that he would come? Magi: F e said so and I'm sure of that. Katty: But why hans't he come by now? A short time Magi: now and it will get dark. Katty: If my cars did not fail me, he said that he would be coming behfnd. He may be coming now. mag^: Are you sure he can locate ihe sight of this house? He said he knows it quite well and should not Katty: miss the way. ~ a g i : Well. 1'11 wait for sorre more minutes and if he fails to tuin up, I go back. The only thing I know that will delay him a Katty: little is that young man I said that was with him. Feli, you called his name? Magi. Katty: Yes, he's quite a funny gnd charming young man! Magi. Yes, he's. That's how it use to be at the first -. sight. Katty: Not so with this one, Magi. Since we have come to intimatz 'each dtber with our private matters have you heard me praise . any young man in this manner other than this Feli? No.. you're right. Then I can say you have some Magi: special liking for him? Oh! I don't know how I can describe my feelings Katty: now about him. You must try to, Kathy, that's bow it starts. Magi, - - �Katty:. ;What's *&at, :.;Mag?? Magi: Well, I hope you're no longer. a chjld?. ... Katty: I'm not. And I hope you, don't thmk that I'm still a child? Magi: I haven't such an idea in mind, that's why I put that question to you. Katty: Yes, 1 understand you, but d o you kzow what will be his opinion about me? Some young men may appear very charming outside, but inside their heart, they are as black as coal about love. Magi: Oh! deai Katty. I'm sorry that I'm unable to give you a better advice about that now, but however things may turn good in future. Katty: Yes, l understand you quite well. But why has he not come by now? He assured me his being here after some minutes I have been back. Magi: That's one thing wrong with men. When you are after them, they will start to dodge you., I tell men know how to keep women in great expectations when in love--"..--(ENTER KENZ) Oh dear me! have you been eavesdropping on us, Keni? (perspiring) Not, no: I, my dear Magi, I'm just Keni: coming here now. You know you sent a message t o me, but by then I was with a friend Katty saw him I think. Katty: Yes, Feli, not so? Keni: He is. So before I could finish with him and get the chance t o come here, it took quite a long time. I hope I have not delayed you so much, my Magie. . any news? Mogi: Your bright presence have dried away, the dews your delay dropped into my heart. Oh! my Magi, cheer up! The slave of your heart Keni: is here now to look after you. Magi: Oh, enough of that, my love-control your heart! We have but a short time here. This is why I have sent for you. (She gives him a small sized purse) Keep that with you, and don't let it get out of your hold. �What'.$ is it my lov&$:-E$.4t made of-m&to kuow?of it$ .contents? Magi: .Yes, you're privileged to do so. However, its' contents is nothing but money. It is hundred pocnds on the whole. Don't let any other person into this secret. It is only three of us here who share ' this knowledge. Keni: Why this surprise change in your manner, Magi? You know I didn't ask vou about monev. What I want is your love and cohpany, nothmg again outside it. Magi: You're right my love. But I have not changed my manners-don't say so. Keep that money with you until1 the time I shall come to demand it back from you. That's the whole purpose of my sending for you now. You can g- now, don't waste any time, my dear. Keni : Dear, won't you..-.....--.... M a ~ i : No time for that now. until we see again. Keni: 0.K: until then. (he walks to the door and turns back) Oh! lest I forget, Katty, Feli sent his sincere greetings to you through me. Katty: Thank you so m x h , send him mine as well! 0 K; goodbye! Keni: (EXIT KENI) Katty: Oh, men are woaderfrll! Magi: Yes, especially in love. CURTAIN FALLS. Ken/: SCENE SIX. In John Bull's House. John Bull: We shall know who is the ruler of this compound, I wish Chief Ben and his son are.around now. However, they may be on their way coming I: think. (ENTER IKEM) D o you see her? asked John Bull Ikem: I no see her, Sir, I no fit tell how she J e go now. �John Bull: Don't mind her, ,I'll get her round very soon. Chief Ben and his son will be here in a very short time. She no de stay in the house in de evening. Small Ikem: time she go come in, small time she go go out again. Sometime she go hold somethings for hand, sometime she no holding anything. John Bull: O.K! thank you very much. Keep eye on her and her mother, you hear? Ikem: Yes. Sir Masa. John Bull: You can go out now. Ikem: Thank Sir. (ENTER ELIZABETH) Elizabeth: Stop and stand where you're, Ikem! I'm only very sorry for you, John Bull. It is not good of you to spy on your daughter and wife. John Bull: Don't disturb me now! G o out from here! and tell her to get prepared for Chief Ben and his . . son's coming. Elizabeth: I'm not going to tell her! Do whatever you like with her. she's vour daughter! Is it because she n ~ refuses to marry ~ o n that Gade you to keep a spy on me and her? Threatening her like that wor't bring any good result, you know. if she says that she won't marry Bonny, you better leave her alone. You have done your duty as a father, nobody is going to blame you for it. If she wants to suffer as she has chosen, instead of living on the fortune of a rich famiy, let her alone. Johh Rull: That can never be done in this house! She must do my wish or face trouble. Elizabeth: Kill her then if you wish! John Bull: So you're supporting her in her decision? Elizabeth: I support none of you. (ENTER MAGI) Johc Bull: Where have you been, Magi? Magi: Perhaps, your son Ikem have told you that I . . went out? Elizabeth: Yes, Ikem is no longer a servant in this house, but as his son! �John Bull: .Just tell me where you. .have been! Magi. : I have been no where dther than this house! Please, make nobody call my name now Ikem: Your name must be mentioned, Ikem! A liar, Magi: an eavesdropper! You're no longer a servant in this house, but as a son, according to the wish of your master, because I did not agree to marry the son of a rich man and a chief for that matter. John Rull, Stop that. Magi! Will you get prepared for the coming of Chief Ben and his son? Papa, if it's still your wish to hear me address 'Magi: ' you so. To be sincere, Im ready now to die, instead of marrying this son of a rich man! John Bull: Shut up! Do you want to marry the son of a . poor man? ' I m married to him already, if you don't know! ' Magi: Elizabeth: What are you talking, Magi? Do you know that you're addressing your Papa? John Bull: Leave her, she'sjnst cracking a big joke. Magi: Yes, may be a big joke to you now. And likewise, it's going to be a big surprised to see the first fruit of my marriage in a near future. Yes, I m determined to ' marry a poor man. And it makes no difference. Poor people are human beings as well as the rich people. Even the poor knows more about love than the rich. And what more 11 It is love that I want and I have found it. You can reject me and deny me as not being your daughter now, I'm satisfied! (EXIT M4GZ CRYING) John Bull: What's all this about? Is she mnning crazy? Elizabeth: I don't know. I have told yod often and agaJohnin to leave her alone, but you won't listen to me. Eliza Bull: That's a minor thing. She must marry Bonny. beth: I'm not holding you back from doing what is your will about her. �(8XlT MAMA) John Bull: Keep on watching their movements, Ikem. They want to deceive me wiih tricks. T h ~ is a plan s they have made in order to' prevent Magi's marriage with Bonny. Keepeyc on them, you hear? Ikem: Yes, Sir. John Bull: Don't mind whatever they may talk about you, or any name they may calf you.Ikem: Yes, Sir. I no de mind. the things they telling me, I no heardem. I no de hear big big grammatika. Ozuru; You're a funny somebody, Ikem. CURTAIN FALLS. SCENE SEVEN Ikem welcomes Chief Ben and his son, Bonny. Welcome, sir. Make una sit down for chairs. Ikem: My master de come. Chief Ben: Thank you. This boy be good boy, my son (azd he sit on a chair) Yes, he is a very clever and intelligent boy. Bonny: Chief Ben: Yes, na this kind boy I de like. Oh, why my son, plenty chair, plenty things dey here where you go fit sit down. Thank you, Papa (and he sits on a chair.) Bonny: Chief Ben: Ah! my big friend don come! (ENTER JOHN BULL) John Bull: Welcome. Chief Ben and son. How dovou do Bonny? Bonny: Goodevening, Sir. John Bull: Thank you so much my son. Has it been long you come? Chief Ben: Not so-o long! Your boy say make we sit down you de come. Ozuru: Yes, I instructed him to do so. I went to a nearby neighbour over there to take something. Chief- Ben: Oho-n-o! 1 think say you no remembers say we coming today. 1 remembered it quite well. Ikem go and call Ozuru: -, madam, big madam I mean.. Ikem: Yes, Sir. - ' �(EXIT .I .K E M ) . . . Chief Ben: T h i s your boy be cikver boy., John Bull: Yes, he ,doesn't delay in anything. Bonny: Very nice of him! Chizf Ben: Where the girl we come see? Or she no dey in now? Make she come see my son! John Bull: You're right Ben! She will be here within some minutes. ( E N T E R ELIZABETH) Elizabeth: Welcome, Chief Ben! You come to our house today, oh! with your son as well? Chief Ben: Yes, visisi. We come to see our wife. She stay for house? Elizabeth: Well, I don't think she's in now. John Bull: What? Where's she? Elizabeth: I don't know. Chief Ben: Ah! be she de fear my son? John Bull: No, not necessarily that. Chief Ben: Oh! I for say make she no fear, my son no be bad person. John Hull: No, not in that way. Elizabeth: Welcome, Bonny. Bonny: Goodevening, madam. Elizabeth: Thank you so much. (ENTER I K E M ) John Bull: Do you see her? Ikem: No. I no see her. John Bull: Where has she gone? I told her that Chief Ben and Bonny would be coming today. Where's she been, for goodness sake? Chief Ben: Make ino be say she no wan marry my son? John Bull: No, she's going to marry Bonny! Elizabeth: Do you say no, John? Chief Ben and Bonny, it is not good keeping you in suspense. Magi did not agree that she will marry you, Bonny! That's all, but I'm sorry. This is her wish and we have tried every method to see that she reasoned with us, but all were in vain. �John Uull So you know about her wher~about? Elmheth. I do not know, it is in the same camp . you are that I am. Chief Ben: Well, good make you no come here make argument. I wan go now with my son, but you go tell us the time we go come again, John. You know we be good friend long time now, no go grow annoy with you now. But that day wey you go tell we we come now, if we come that day and n ) meet her, I go be angry with you. John Rull: O,K! you will have to come back in two week's time, Chief Ben. Please don't grow annoyed with me yet, Bonny. Bonny: No, don't worry so much. Nothing is amiss yet, added John Bull. Chiet Ben. We de go-o! We go see that day-o! Bonny: Goodbye to you, slr and madam. John Bull: Thank you so much Bonny! Elizabeth: Go-dbye. Bonny! (EXIT CHIEF BEN AND BONNY, HIS SON) John Bull: What's wrong with Magi? Elizabe:h: I don's know. Vlagi knows herself and what she's doing. Give us chance first. Ikem. Ikem: Yes madam. John Bull: What's it, Ehza? Speak it out. Why do you look so gloomy throughout their stay here? Is any. thing wrong? ~lizabeth: Do you know that Magi is expecting a baby now? John Bull: What? oh! this girl doen't want to be good She has spoilt herself. Elizabeth: Yes, but you helped her in it. John Bull: By how? What are talking? Elizabeth: Without your threats, she would not have done so. She's not sorry for it. It seems she purposely did it in order to know what you'll do. John B 1 Well, well, where is her? or isn't she ir. now? 1: Elizabeth: Do you think I was telling lies when I said that I have not seen her since noon? �John Bull: What? Yes,after revealing-this4 0 . meb she went. out Eliza: unoticed. What's going to be done now? Don't you think John: we should go and give complain in the police station? Elizabeth No, not yet. It's seven now, before nine o'clock and if she didn't come back from wherever she may be, we can then go and complain t o the police. John Bull: What? Wait till nine o'clock in the night? If it happens that she is finding where she'll hang herself by now, don't you think that she can be detected out by the police at once than to wait till nine o'clock when she might succeeded in killing herself. Or don't you have in mind that she may commit abortion? Please let's do something about it now! ' Elizabeth: Im sorry I can be of no help to you now. This is your own doing and you must solve it alone. Perhaps this is the tlme you'll consider my worth in this ' house, but I m not going to gwe a helping hand. John Bull: You know all about her plans? El~zabeth: She'll be my witness if she can be seen al~ve. John Rull: Stop that. you fool! Stop kilhng my heart with those frightening words! I!lizabeth Yes. I may be fool now, hut you're ,more than me in the past. John Bull: It's useless exchanging words with you here. (EXIT JOHN BULL) Elizabeth: You have not seen anything yet. This is the beginning! CURTAIN FALLS. SCENE EIGHT In Karlv's Room MAGI AND KATTY. �has Katty;;. ,_kjg~lr,-mother announced the news to your -. .. father. . . .. Magi:' True 1 Yes.. And I learnt' that he's G r r i i d aljout it. Kattv: ~a$: Well, I bother less about his knowing of it. I must go back this night. I i is Keni who is delaying my going. Afterall, I have been out from home since afternoon. None of them knew my whereabout. even my mother. Katty, Why? you have a big heart, I tell you! Well, forget all about it now. Did you see him Magi, at home? Katty, Yes, He'll be here in a few minutes time, ( E N T E R RENI) Oh! look, he's just come in time! What's is it again, Magi? Why? anything wrong? Keni, Have I worried you so much, my Keni ? Magi, No, not at all. my love! Your worry, if it can Keni, be called worry in the real seme of it, to me js just the greatest moment of joy t o me, my love. Oh! if we go on like this, things will he very Magi: good for us. And if you can keep on understanding my feelings as you do at present, our life as husband and wife will be very interesting and joyful. Hope that I'm with you at any moment, darling Keni: and you'll not be disappornted! (addressing Katty) Please, Katty you can give Magi: us chance now for eome minutes. You're free to go on as long as you wish *it[]Katty: out being interrupted. (EXIT RATTY) Now, Keni, my love listen to me clearly. I don't Magi: want you to break down here. Whatever you may hear now, bear it as a man in your neart. Don't be afraid of anything and I don't want you to. If you like you take it, but if you don't, you may go and leave me to my fate, but never you forget that you once had a girl who loved you so much and died for your love. ~ ~ 57 �Why all' fhis;'" Magi?-: You have.pot been speak. Keni:. ing as' you're doing now. IS a bad thing going to happen, my dear? If so and it will affect your precious life, be assured that I'm going down in the grave with you,-if theri's no way to present such a thing. Oh! l'm back to myself again! I'm once more, Magi ' alife. If not for you. I would have gone back to the irlvislble world of spirits. But you're still at my side and fans the air of life intc, my heart. Keni: Re assured, my love and my live, Magi, that I'm with you and and will continue to d o so as long as there's life. Magi: I m happy now, my love The whole truth is ' that I'm expecting a baby for you. It is the first fruit of our love. That's why I have sent for you. Keni: What! So soon? Yes, isn't it sood so? Magi: 1 won't desert you, my dear. Keni: Thank you so much, that's all I want to hear Magi: from you. But what I want to let you know again is-erKeni: how can I explain it well to you? You mean about the bride price? Magi: Keni: Yes, actually! Well, don't worry s o much about it. I hope you Magi: keep that money I gave .you last time in a safe place? Yes, nothing has happened to it. Keni: Magi: Well. I want you to come withit lo our house about twoweek's time. You'll use it to pay my bride price to my faiher, if a t all he'll demand any. But be ready, you're 'going to meet something that day. Keni: Don't worry about anything. I shall come in time t o defend you from any attack, darling. Magi: Thank you very much, my love-that's all I want to tell you now. You ca? go now. ' 58 �6.K; take heart my love. Ken? Don't worry any more. You have satisfied my Magi: curiosity. Yes, bat don't you let anybody into the secret of that money, even to your parents. Keni: I'll never betray you, my love. Goodbye! Magi: O.K! My love. (EXIT KENI) Oh! he's quite a man to have as a husband! I have not made any mistaken in my choice! CURTAIN FALLS. SCENE NINE In Ozuru: John BUN'S House (he calls) Ikem! Ikem! where are you, Ikem? (ENTER IKEM) (sweating) You call me sir? I don come. Ikem: John Bull Yes, where have you been all the while I have been calling you? Ikem: Na from kitchen I de come now, sir. Madam tell me say you de calling me, make I come now sir. John Bull: Yes, I called you, has she returned? I rnear? Magi! Ikem: Ah! I no seeing her since she now returned yet, sir. John Bull: Nobody has seen her. But you have no idea of where she has gone? Ah! no fit make out, sir. She get trick plenty. Ikem: John Bull: When you go back to the kitchen, tell madam that I want to see her now. Ikem: Yes, sir. (EXIT IKEM) John Ball: What kind of temptation is this? What can I call it? Where has she gone? What's wrong with Magi? What's worrying her? I have money and can buy her anything she likes. Why do she preferred to �marry a poor fellow instead of the son af a rich man? I wonder what she's up to. And it seems to me that her mother knows all about her secrets, but she won't tell me where her daughter has been since. Yes, she's supposed to know he steps than I do, but she pretends to know not. I'm tired of all these things! But if she commits suicide now, uho will be blamed for it? Sometimes she may drop a suicide note and say that I'm the cause of her death. That I d~dil'tallow her to marry the man of her choice-her love -she may term it. And people will blame me so much for it! Oh! how can 1 face the blam: of people? And it may be published in the newspapers with bold letters! How where are you Magi! can I withstand such a s~ght-oh! Come back to your Papa! (ENTER ELIZABETH) Elizabeth What is it my dear? You sent for me, not so? Ozuru Yes, come in, I sent for you. Have you seen Magi? Elizabeth: No, I have not. John Bull: True? Elizabeth: Yes. John Bull: You see I can't sleep soundly this night without seeing Magi come back this night. Now is eight o'clock and shc's no where to be found. We must go at once to police station and give complain. This I S above me. You see I'm begmning to get worried ' over the whole affalr. Elizabeth: This is a situtation in which I found myself with no idea whatsoever for its solution. Infact, I have already started to entertain some fear about the whole thing. John Bull: The only idea I have now about it is to go to the police station and give report or notice, whith you may choose tocall it. I'm gettingtired about it all! Elizabeth: I think we better wait for some more minutes before that, to avoid giving false information to the police. You know they're going to publish it in the newspapers the moment it reaches them. 4nd if after �, . . . ~ , that she cdmes back without being found by the pelice or by any other person, for that matter, you know it's going to be a scandal in town. John Bull. Bu: 1 can't control myself any longer! This is paining me so much, but you don't know. (ENTER M A G I ) Oh! what an I seeing? Come back to me, my daughter Magi. Magi: Yes, it has not starred to pain you any way. You're just shedding crocodile tears! Elizabeth: Dont' you see now, if we had informed the police about it, what would have been our position now? John Bull: Come back to me, Magi-come back to your senses. It's not good talking like that. Magi, Well, I'm with my senses, and I know what I'm doing. You thought that I had gone out io covmit . suicide because I'm expecting a baby for my dear love-no! I will never do so, for my love is with me at any moment. Elizabeth: What's the cause of all this! Magi? Why? are you running mad? Magi: I'm not, but those who think 1 am, will first find themselves going naked in public, hut, 1'11 remain as you see me now, pitying them, if at all they will deserve my pity. John Bull: I hope you're not cursing me. Magi? Elizabeth: Please, go into my room, Magi. You're so tired to stand here and exchange words with your father. Magi: I'm not going to rest now. By the way, what kind of father is he? A father who don't want happiness for his daughter? A father who is threatening t o disown his daughter if she happens t o marry the man she loves? With nojust reason other than that he's from a poor family. Now I have come back to this house only t o give you the chance to do whatever you like now with me. Hut I'm happy that my love is with me. I'm expecting a baby for him. If you kill me now, you know that you have commited double murder! �Elizabeth; Stop so far, Magi! Will you get out and go to my room! This is not how to do it! (and she directs Magi out of the room) she needs rest now, you see? John Bull: Yes, actually. Something is worrying her now. CURTAIN FALLS. SCENE TEN In Keni's Room KEN1 AND FELI Feli: Hello! friend, cheer up. I have a good news from the dream world of lovers! Welcome, Feli, how do you do? keni: Feli: N o trouble at present. Nothing to think about, you see? Oh! my goodness! but you're looking so gloomy, Keni. Why? Nothing-I mean nothing, you see. Keni: Well, if you're hiding anything from me now, I won't do l~kew~se you. 1 can tell you that Im just to ' from Katty now. She's quite a nice girl. Keni. Is that so? Feli: Yes, I have started to [drink the wine of love. Keni: Yotlr own experience may be d.fferent from mine, you understand ? Feli: Yes, I do. She's quite a nice girl. I can tell you! Keni: Yes, Please did she tell you anything about Magi? Feli: Nothing, what's it. Keni: N o news about her? Feli: Nothing. Is she missing? Keni: No. It nothing of that sort. Feli: Ah! many things do happen nowadays-don't blame me for having asked as you did-after all so many things actually do happen these days. The whole truth about my question is that I want to know whetner you have heard about it-you know Magi is expecting a baby for me! Feli 62 �Feli: Is that so, do you mean if? Keni: I'm telling you the truth. nothing but the truth. I mean it to the last words of it. Feli: Well, if it's why you were looking so gloomy the time I came in, I can advise you to cheer up! it's no evil. Keni:b I'm not thinking about anything of that kind. I must welcome my first child with joy and happiness. After all, we shall get married before its arrival. Magi: I have not come to see who will marry me. I should welcome them, but I am sorry I won't give him my hand in marriage for I have already g o t married to my love who is with me at any moment Johnbull: Shut up, what are you talking? Magi. Yes, you won't understand because I refused to marry Bonny who is the son of a rich man and chief. I'm sorry to say that I don't love yotl Bonny and therefore, should never accept to be your wife under any circumstance and pressure. Chief Ben: What are we waiting again? Bonny, let's go, we have failed. Needless wasting t ~ m e This is a matter where love reigns supreme. Bonny: Well, I have no objection to your wish, Magi. If you love another person then I, I'll never be an int~uder, if afterwards you reconsider to come to but me I shall bc very glad to receive you. Chief Ben: That's it, my son. Magi; Well thank you very much, Bonny and C h i e f lgboanu. This is because you understand the language of love. Rut, the fact, and the only fact of the whole affair is that I have already decided to marry the only man I love. Johnbull; Who is this man that you love? What's his name? I want to know. Magi; Well, he's no other person than Keni, the son of Joseph, and if you to see him now, he'll be around. 63 �(EN.!.:!+ K.ELNO. Chief Ben: O h , . he's the son of my good 'friend, Joseph. Welcome, my boy. He's a good match to her. This is my son, Bonny. Keni: Oh, thank you very much, Bonny. How do you do:, Bonny: Nothiilg is wrong-that you so much. Magi: See where you're now! ,what objection ha;e you about it. Papa? Chief Ben: He can't obiect it, Magi. Your choice is a very good one. L&S go my son, Bonny. (Exit chirf Ben and Bonny) Johnbull: This is wonderful indeed. Keni; Now I have come to pay the bride price, and after that I wish you to bless our marriage. Johnbull: You're not going to pay the bride price, my son I want you to live in peace with my daughter. Your marriage have already been l~lessedby the Almighty God. Magi, you and your lo+e have won! Magi: Im very happy now that you have come to realise ' the true worth of love! CURTAIN FALLS "1 c Oh, have you made arrangement with her? Keni It's her will to become my wife. Feli: Oh, things will be alright then. Keni: Yes, but what remains now is my parents-I have not informed them about it. And i don't k n o w how far they are going to receive it with happy heart. Feli: That's a simple thing to do. If you're determined with your choice and decision, they won't present a difficult case in the least. G o ahead with your plan, boy. I wish you goodluck! Keni: Thank you very much for that. We shall see again But mind how you drink the wine of your lover! Feli: 0 K., goodbye, Keni: See you again. Exit Feli (alone) �Keni: So this is how it starts? This life is full of steps and stages! Soon. I should be called the father of a child! And from there I should begin to raise a family of my own. (ENTER JOSEPH) Joseph: Look, what are you thinking about, Keni? Do you know the time I came in? Keni: Oh, Papa! Infact, I don't know that it's you. I thought that it was another person. Oh, I have a very serious and important matter that occupied my whole <thoug!?t. Joseph: What's it, my son? You're thinking about the ' love of Magi the rich man's daughter, I hope? You're going to drap dead one day because, of her. Keni: Yes, I'm thinking a b o u t her now, but I'm not going to regret it. Things are beginning to shape themselves to our favour. Joseph: You know I have no money to pay for her bride price. Rich pesple marry rich men's daughters. It's only the son of a rich man who can marry Mzgi. You don't know her father, Johnbull. He's a very rich man and very very proud of himself. How do you think that he'll allow you to marry h e r daughter? Please, I don't want trouble here-I'm not rich, and therefore, don't want to compete with rich people. Keni: Don't fear about the money for' the bride price, things; will be alright. We have agreed to marry ourselves. Joseph: What? do you want to tell me that you have the money for the bride price now? Keni: Don't worry about that, only promise me t h a t you'll receive her as my wife when she comes. Joseph: Did you steal the money or what? Keni: Oh, for goodness' sake! don't talk what w i 11 stop anncy me now, Papa. Please, I'm not a thief, Papa suggesting that I might have stolen the money. 65 �Joseph: What do you want me t c d o then? I won't 'say that again.Keni: Thank you very much. Magi doesn't d o what some daughters of rich men do. She's auite a nice woman. shewrespects people and is will~ng learn from anyto body, whether rich or poor. Joseph: Until I see her manners, then 1'11 know what to do. Keni: Well, I want to tell you now that she's expecting a baby for me, Papa. Joseph: What!-what do you say? Who will give you the money for the bride price? You don't fall where .you can be seen. Keni: Well, don't worry about that. Just keep calm and you will see what is-going to happen. Joseph: 1 have nothing :o say again - y o u know how you are going all about it. - (EVTER M A R Y ) Oh, come and hear what's is going on, Onyema. Your son is not very hear here as you see him so. 'Mary: What is it, any trouble? Joseph: Ask him to tell you. I donot know how toexplain it to you. Mary: Well, what is it, my son. Keni? Please tell me, . anything wrong? Keni: No, Mama...-it's no bad news. Mary: What's. it then? Keni: I shall be getting married very soon. Marv: Get married? ~ e n f : Yes. Mama. Mary: ~ i i h whom? Keni: With Magi. Keni: The daughter of Johnbull. Mary: Are you still after her? Are you still made for -her lovd? Keni: I can tell you that she is expecting a:baby for me now. Mary: What! A baby, you say? �Keni: Yes. Mary: Well, I won't blame you so much, but where can you get the money for the bride price? Johnhull: Can you claim any amount f r o m hundred pounds upward. Joseph: That was what I have been asking him since. Keni: You'll not have to bother about the bride price. Just promise me that you're going to receive her well a ~ d treat her as the wite of your son. Mary: What? Keni: Yes. Mary Well, you can be assured of my earnest co-operation as yo11 have asked of me. Keni: Thank you very much for th~s, Mama. Joseph: But I wonder! Mary: Stop wondering any longer. After all it is not a bad thing. Keni: Oh, thank you very much Mama! Your words of encouragement to me can't be forgotten. Joseph: Yes. i know that you'll praise her so much, because she supports you now. Mary: And why shouldn't we support him'! At least, he needs our moral support in this matter, as we're unable to give him financial support. Keni: Oh, thank you once more for that, Mama! Mary: Yes, be assured of our moral support to you in this your venture. Joseph: We wish you every luck in this your business of life! Keni: Thank you so much Papa. CURTAIN FALLS SCENE ELEVEN (Johnbull and his wife Elizaberh) John: What is she doing now? I hope she's making some progress? Elizabeth: What I know is that she's not sick and she has not complained to me about any. �Johnbull: . Have you any idea about what w ~ u l d beher ...... beh.ayiour,,when. Ch&f Ben comes,+qday with'his::S&i, , . . _., g ld &me. Bonny?'. Y + - know it- ii't,day th's t h i. ' s h ~ __.__ . Elizabeth: Oh, 'is' it '-tod!&? Johnbull: Yrs, what do you think s,&' w.dl. d o ? i'ii&e she's not going to disappoint us again? Be alrtght. We have agreed to marry ourselves. Joseph: What'! Do you want to tell me that you hai'e the money for the bride price now? Keni: Don't worry about that, only promise me that you'll receive her we:l as my wife when she comes. Joseph: Did you steal the money or what'! Keni Oh, for goodnkss' sake! Don't talk what w i l l ancoy me now, Papa. Please, I'm not a thief, Papa stop suggesting that I might have stolen the money. Joseph: What do you want me to do t h e n ? I won't say that again. Keni: Thank you very much. Magi doesn't do what some daughters of rich m a do. She's quite a n i c e woman. She respects pzople and is w~llingto learn from anytody wthether rich or poor. Joseph: Until I see her manners, then I will know what t o do. Keni: Well, I want t o tell you now that she's expecting a baby for me, Papa. Joseph: What! Whit do you say? Who w~llgive y o u the money for the bride mice? You don't fall where you can be seen. Keni: Well, don't worry about that. Just keep calm and you'll see what is going to happen. Joseph: I have no:h;ng to say again you know how you're going all about it. (EVTER MARY) Oh, come and hear what is going on, Onyema. Your son is not very near here as you him so. Mary: What is it, any trouble? Jozeph: Ask him to tell you. I don't know how to explain it to you. Mary, Well, what's it, my son, Keni? Please tell me, anything wrong? C _ _ _ , ,,_:..i �Keni: No, Mama -it's no bad news. Mary: What's it then? Keni: I shall be getting married very soon. Mary: Get married? Keni: Yes, Mama. Mary: With whom? Keni: With Magi? Mary: Which Magi? Keni: The daughter of Johnbull. Mary: Are you still after her? Are you still mad for her love? Keni: I can tell you that she's expecting a baby for me now. Mary: What! A baby, you say? Keni: Yes., Mary: Well, I won't blame you so much, but where can you get the money for the bride price? Johnbull: Can claim any amount from hundred pounds upward. Joseph: That was what I have been asking him since. Keni: You'll not have to bother about the bride price. Just promise me that you're going to receive her well and treat her as the wife of your son Mary: What? Keni: Yes. Mary: Well, you can be assured of my earnest co-operation as you have asked of me. Keni: Thank you very much for this, Mama. Joseph: But I wonder! Mary: Stop wondering any longer. After all it is not a bad thing. Keni: Oh, thank you very much Mama! Your words of encouragement to me can't be forgotten. Joseph: Yes, I know that you'll praise her so much, because she supports you now. 69 �Mary: And why shouldn't we support him? At least, he needs our moral support in this matter, as we're unable to give h ~ m financial support. Keni: Oh, thank you once more for that, Mama! Mary: Yes, be assured of our moral support to you in this your venture. Joseph: We wish you every luck in this your busmess of life! Keni: Thank you so much, Papa. CURTAIN FALLS SCENE ELEVEN (Johnbull and his wife Elizabeth) Johnbull: What is she doing now, I hope she's making some progress? Elizabeth: What I know is that she's not sick and she has not complained to me about any. Johnbull: Have you any idea about what would be her behaviour when Chief Ben comes today with his son, Bonny7 You know it is today that they should come. Elizabeth: Oh, is it today? Johnbull: Yes, what do you think she will do? I hope she's not going to disappoint us again? Elizabeth: Well, I don't know what will be her next line of action. Her general behaviour cannot be predicted. Infact, 1 can tell you now that I don't know what she's going to do ln the next hour. But if may suggest, it is better to allow her to marry the man of her choice this time that she's expecting a b a b y. There'll be no gain in forcing her to marry against her will. Johnbull: Are you sure she's expecting a baby? Elizabeth: Yes, she said so and I believe her. Johnbull: That's quite a lie! I don't believe it. I know her trick. Where's she by thc way? Elizabeth: She's in the kitchen. Do you want her now? Johnbull: Yes, call her. Wait, where's Ikem? send him to go and call her. (ENTER MAGI) - �Elizabeth: Oh look, she's just come without being calledI wonder! Magi: What's it, Mama? Elizabeth: Nothing- I say noth~ng. Johnbull: I hope you remember that Chief Hen and his son Bonny are to coming this hcuse today? Magi: As your quests I hope? Johnbull: Why-and -/ours as well! Magi. Well, count me out. Johnbull: Why mag^? Why are you so obstinate? Can't you reason well? Magi: I don't want to exhaust myself before the real combat. (Exit Magi with anger) Elizabeth: You have seen what 1 was telling you before - . she came. Johnbull: Well. that's no vroblem now. lonlv w i s h . they have arrived now.Elizabeth: Oh, look they havejust arrived! (Enter Chief Ben and his son B m n y ) Johnbull: Oh, you're just welcome in my house. How do you do Chief Ben? Chief Ben: I no do any de. Johnbull: You're wonderful, well things will be alright today. Chief Ben: We no wan delay like last time. We go go another place after this. Make you go call her now. No be so my son? Bonny: You're alright, Papa. (Re-enter M a g i ) Johnbull: Oh, she's here already! Welcome them, Magi you're so beautiful nowadays! Welcome Chief Ben and his son, Bonny, who is going to marry you. Magi: I have not come to see who will marry me. I should welcome them, but I am sorry I won't give him my hand in marriage for I have : i h a d y got married to my love who is with me at any moment. Johnbull: Shut up! What are talking? Magi: Yes, you won't understand because I refused to marry Bonny who is the son of a rich man and chief. 71 �I m sorry tosay that. I don't love you ,Bonny. .and ' therefore, should never accept to Se your. wife under any circumstanc: and pressure! Chief Ben: What are we waiting again, Bonny? Let's go, we have failed. Needless wasting time. This is a matter where love reigns supreme. Bonny: Well, I have no o'jection to your wish, Magi. If you love another persm than I. I'll never be an intruder, but if afterwards you reconsider to come to me I shall be very glad to receive you. Chief Ben: That's it, my son! Magi: We, thank you very much, Bonny and Chief Igboanu. This is because you understand the language of love. But, t'-e fact, and the only fact o f the whole affair is that I have already deided to marry the only man I love. Johnbull: Who is this man that you love? What's his name? I want to know. Magi: Well, he's no other person than Keni, the son of Joseph! And if you want to see him now he'll be around (ENTER KENI) Chief Ben: Oh, he's the son of my good friend, Joseph. Welcome, my boy. He's a good match to her! This is my son Ronny! Keni: Oh. thank you very much, Bonny How do you do? -is Bonny: ~ o t h i n g wrong-thank you so mvch: Magi: See where you're now! What objection have you about it, papa? Chief Ben: He can't object it, Magi. Your choice is a very good one. Letk go my son, Bonny. (Exit Chref Ben and Bonny) Johnbull: This is wonderful indeed! Keni: Now I have come to DAY the bride - iee.. and after that I wish D you to bless our marrhb. Johnbull: You're not going to pay the bride price, my son. I want my you to live in peace w ~ t h daughter. Your marriage have already been blessed by the Alm~ghtGod. Magi, you and your love have won! Magi: -7% very happy now that you have come to realise the true worth of love! CURTAIN FALLS THE END. �; , * . .... *., .... ... . -. . .:.. Ordqv your ~ s ~ i c a rnovels from a . - J. I_ . , ...... a-_____ z 'L . . I L . . I- C ORDTUERS OOOXSWOC, . No. 30 Okwuenu Street, Fegge-3nitsh-a. Nigeria. -. ... .... .. ? i 1 Never tiust all that lore you 2s‘d 2 The way to avoid poverty 2s 6d 3 How t : ~know pr.werhs and many things 3s 6d 4 Man uorks hard for m o ~ ~ e y 2s 6d 5 The game of love .. 2s 6d 6 T h i n s worth knowing in-questions and answers 2s 6d 7 How to study English, Ibo, Hausa, 2: 6d and Ycruba 8 Our modern love leters 2s 6d 9 Why boys never trust money-monger- $;Is 2s 6d 10 What women are thinking about men 2s 6d 11 Ibo made easy in English lavguage 2s 6d 12 How to write important letters, applications and asreements . .. 3.6d 13 How to study good Englisti,~Notice'letters,. Better se~tencesand Compsitibn .. .'{: . . 2 6d s 14 Hausa to .speak to girls an& w$~.their:~lqvc2s6d 15 The trial and judgement cif-ChteF A w ~ w o . 2 $ . 6d 16 .The life st@y and death k & KenF&. $# 61 17 How to write Applicjtions, . Q .. fctier3'::% Agreements T6legrams; Bussinesn . elce&.3r Compositions Love*letters and Toast. .". -.;i,i,...: ..,-- --. x , Read j C. B a d t s for the,,follewiYIg .reasons'?$ ; ~. ,. . , % : , ;.B;q6d * . + %. - ~. 1 T h y will lgach 'kou maBy tbingsZwh;chj&?do . . . $:-.:... .* . . .. * :-. I...c+. ... $biz-know. T: 2 Cohstaot:rea?Thg w i .~ ~ a ~ s o v : . . ...... education. 3 Ir$er~st.ing aoyels 6iil ilispire .-. . . - .< v 19 Emodi Street, onitsha. �H O W TO WRITE AND REPLY LETTERS FOR MARRIAGE, ENGAGEMENT LETTERS, LOVE LETTERS ASD HOW TO KNOW A GIRL TO MARRY I f you know bow to writr intereking love letters, you must marry a beautiful girl of your wish. ' � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource Full text of the pamphlet Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource How to write and reply letters for marriage, engagement letters, love letters, and how to know a girl to marry Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Abiakam, J. Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : J.C. Brothers Bookshop Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ca. 1963? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3280 Description An account of the resource This is a how-to pamphlet where "you will learn the styles and ways to write "letters that are "very interesting and reasonable, and the English very educative," (pg.4). Abiakam advises his readers to "Read and recommend to your friends one by one and they must never forget you," (pg.4). The author cautions his male readers by telling them that "money alone cannot make you happy," for "children and long life is very important," (pg.5). He includes a brief section on "How to know a girl to marry," however the bulk of the pamphlet's advice consists of sample letters that appear on pages 7-35. The author claims to have three important types of letters to teach: 1) letters for marriage; 2) engagement letters; and 3) love letters, (pg.5). Both the front and back cover have interesting illustrations about writing letters and knowing a girl to marry.<br /><br />The remainder of the pamphlet is a play, "Rich Man's Daughter," by Raja Raphael, (pg.35-72). This play's inclusion with these letters seems obvious because the play deals with the power of romantic love over arranged marriages and the power of love to surmount differences in class and wealth. This is a common theme in the letters as well.<br /><br />The opening scene sets up a confrontation between John Bull and his daughter Magi that serves as the play's source of conflict and action. However, this first scene also begins to establish class confrontations through initial characterizations. Language serves as a means to develop the differences between the classes and the sides of the confrontation. John Bull and his daughter Magi speak in nearly standardized English compared to their servant Ikem's pidgin. Keni, Magi's lover, and his friend Feli also speak a standardized English. However, Keni's parents, Mary and Joseph, speak something closer to pidgin initially. Additionally, the names identify the more elite and westernized characters: John Bull and Magi Bull rather than a Nigerian name such as Ikem.<br /><br />Magi and her father argue over which man she will marry. John Bull has chosen Bonny, a chief's son, as the future husband, and he has initiated the negotiations to seal the deal. Magi, however, has selected another man that she loves. Both have strong plans and know that they will win and make the other see reason. John Bull has his servant, Ikem, spy on Magi and follow her around. In the end, it is Magi's machinations that win over her father. She Reveals that she is pregnant to her mother, who then warns John Bull to accept his daughter's wishes. Fearing that she will commit suicide or have an abortion, he agrees that she should marry the man of her choice. Both Bonnie and his father, the Chief, are also quite enamored with Keni, her chosen partner.<br /><br />Keni and his family are characterized as good people. Keni is identified as a proper husband and partner for Magi, who in turn will make a good wife, for she does not "do like the daughter of a rich man," (pg.43). Magi will make a good obedient wife. Other gendered characterizations are also of interest. For Example, men in this play expect women to be soft and sweet. Women are literally like sugar. Feli: <em>What makes her sweet? She tastes like sugar or salt? ...O.k. Until that day, so that I can get a packet of sugar for my own use. Keni: And give another packet of sugar to her so that two of you can taste sweet to each other,</em> (pg.47-48).<br /><br />Women, on the other hand, perceive men to be deceptive and manipulative.However, they still find themselves interested in the game of love. Katty: <em>Some young men may appear very charming outside, but inside their heart, they are as black as coal about love. ... Magi: That's one thing wrong with men. When you are after them, they will start to dodge you. I tell men know how to keep women in great expectations when in love,</em>&nbsp;(pg.49).<br /><br />This play uses intrigue to prove the importance of romantic love. Yet it still emphasizes the cultural values embedded within Igbo society. In the end, Keniis a good match for Magi because of his character and his family's character rather than his wealth.<br /><br />* Note that this play has some scenes printed out of sequence and several repeated scenes. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/30cc4304c093c0f91e2f91c3b9a74be9.pdf ea627112d6166c77e63c361e3e2120f4 PDF Text Text ������������������������������������������������ Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource In our time Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Eneanya, Nonye Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : University Publishing Co. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 197-? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.b10475 Description An account of the resource This play is unique in the Onitsha collection for several important reasons.It was written just after the Biafran War, described by the playwright as "the shooting war," (pg.2). Additionally, it has a definite production history. It was performed for two short runs in Onitsha and Enugu where Nonye Eneanya and Mrs. Ngozi Egwuatu are identified as the producers. It was presumably performed for and/or by Onitsha's Anglican Girls' Grammar School that was destroyed in the war. There is also clear indication as to how the set at one of the performances appeared, for as the introduction notes "the classroom scene where some of the pupils sit on cement blocks and use their knees for a desk recreates a clear picture of the plight of pupils in damaged educational institutions," (pg.2).<br /><br />Nonye Eneanya, a member of the teaching staff at the Anglican Girls' Grammar School, uses the conventions of realism to attempt to document the war and its aftermath on the area. The play's language is a mixture of English and Igbo,and many high quality woodcuts and illustrations enhance the story. However,the play does have significant problems, possibly because it was written "on the spur of the moment" by Eneanya, (pg.1). Time and a sense of causation are underdeveloped at times. Yet <em>In Our Time</em> relates a strong message about the effects of the war when stage directions and set descriptions create a sense of place and time.<br /><br />The prologue provides much of the context of the Biafran war and its aftermath. The narrator creates an atmosphere of hopelessness and optimism:&nbsp;<em>Brother had plucked yet another brother in the course of a fratricidal conflict that had been raging for nearly three years,&nbsp;</em>(pg.5).<em> For an observer of the Nigerian civil war the picture was still real as at January 1, 1970. He therefore believed that the Nigerian conflict would never end...But it did end, miraculously too . . . the soldiers threw away their guns to rush into their opponents [sic] arms in warm embrace,&nbsp;</em>(pg.6-7).<br /><br />This play appears to be very much influenced by these bipolar impulses. The Dimgba family has suffered greatly from the war. They were a well-to-do family that lost their livelihoods during the war and moved away from Lagos. Their children are unable to attend school throughout the war and the schools in the area are destroyed.<br /><br />The play opens with the announcement that the schools are reopening and no fees will be charged. However, this is a promise that cannot be kept and the children are eventually kicked out of their classes because they cannot pay the school fees. The husband, unable to cope with the shame and his inability to provide for his children, reacts violently. The wife provides solutions and demands respect for her daughters and herself. She will not let her husband marry them off and get drunk from the money received from their future husbands' families. In its use of realistic conventions, this play calls for respect for women and their contributions to the family. For example, Mrs.Dimgba confronts Mr. Dimgba and retorts: "You scold and howl at me like an outcast. Why should you shout on me? I'm neither your housemaid nor you slave, mark you," (pg.16).<br /><br />However, the two scenes that are the most realistic do very little to actually move the story forward. In the first, Mrs. Dimgba visits money lenders to secure school fees. Two of the lenders are hostile towards her, presumably because of their positions during the war. A relief organization is mentioned as well as an amnesty act. However the scene does not develop this conflict or make it an important part of creating a sense of reconciliation between the two sides.<br /><br />The scene in the classroom emphasizes the devastation to the schools and the poverty of the students and teachers. One of the science teachers has a blackboard image of a chemistry experiment that she is teaching the class. It is apparent that she does not have any of the equipment for the students to actually do the experiment, and consequently the students are unable to learn the concepts of this experiment. This scene does not have any of the Dimgba children in class. So there is no sense of consequence, causation or development that could lead to the play's overly hopefully ending. The play ends on an impossibly optimistic note as all of the children excel in school and receive scholarships while Mr. Dimgba gets his job back. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/a6eb1222cd735b0cb19ffeb1d7743f39.pdf 2dc4c14a01841a20263cc9b194d56daa PDF Text Text LEARN TO SPEAK 360 INTERESTING PROVERBS AND I ��360 I N T R E S T I M G PILtOVERBS AND Know Your 'I'rue Brother 'BY C. N. EZE Price 3s 6d net (All Rtgh!s Reserved) ��CONTENTS Forward Page 2 How a brother planned to kill his brother 3 and plunge him into financial distress How a family was ruined by the bad 5 attitude of one of two brothers How a brother ruined the career of his brother 8 , 1I When do we know our real brother? Explanation of the Parable , 13 Present Day Tendency , 13 , Decision of the Villagers , IS , How educationally, did they cater for the unfortunate poor boy? r) 17 The unique decision of the villagers , 18 , ,, 19 What happened to the boy? The boy's university education 93 20 Let. us ase t t ~ zinfluence of the tide 9, 23 of time Why you should hate enviousness 26 Primary Education of the two children . ,, 27 The squabble between James and John , 28 , The result of the Poison , 30 , Love of Brotherhood $9 30 An advice to Richmsn , 32 , General Instruction ,, 34 Prrverbs ,, 35 ,$ $ , 1 , ,$ �FOREWORD I n this edition of the maiden appearance of this.book, I.have tried to write exhaustively, giving instances. where the "hono'urable name of "~rotberhood" has been :devilishly left to'lag in the sea of purblind ignorance, and, where it has ,be& really made manifest in'the visible world. It therefore my honest coviction that my ardent readers.will find a profound interest in this book;. Not only wili the realistic experiences which i t embodies. be invaluable but also, its. brotherly inspiration.mill :be immense. I am ready to welcome . the criticisms of' the reading ~ublic.providqd their points are constructive so .that. :modificatiens may be made in the. second edition. . C N. EZE . �CHAPTER ONE How a brother planned to kill his brother and plunge him into financial distress. Appearances are often deceptive is a proverb of first class reality. The story goes that a man had two sons-, James and John. James was the elder. The man had no money but due to his influence he was able t o borrow money with which he mauaged to train James, the elder in Ukaf training College. When James come out from the training, he w s employed as a teacher under St Meket Primary a School. John was then a t the age of ten and it was then that their Father thought it riped to send him, John, to School. He (their Father,) first asked James t o give consent. J a m e s bluntly refused saying that John did not help in his training. Their Father was confused in mind and being out of his usual high spirits, he fainted and died instantly. James, seeing that the whole of their Father's compound would become his if he made John useless, took immediate steps to plan ways of ruining John's life and career. But John, with his naturally strong spirit, tried t o bear his brother's folly with lovely looks, while James was going here and thcre searchin for means of killing John, he, James, tried to tel John that he loved him very much. He showed John a portion of his Father's most firtilo land. He bought many good things for John all of 7 3 �which were in pretence that he loved J u h while his n ~ i t ~ d engrossed in a wicked pool of blood. was One day, alter he hnd linished cvcry arraagement to get John out of their F a t h e r's Compound, he asked John t o follow him to his (James) Farm at thc backyard of the teacher's premises. John had, by then, been able to know that his brother, James, was showing him the black-side of love and, that James did not love him as he (James) pretended or professed. But being a dependent boy, he followed James to the farm at the backyard. In the farm, John saw too firecely, angrily looking men. Insttcntly, James made the evil sign to these men. As John's conscience made him to understand the situation, he said in no time "Sios, I have the pleasure to be sold to you this day by my honourable brother. My brother has been the root cause of my Father's premature worldly departure. He has been trained by my Father but owing t o his educational prissism, he resented my Father's refind wish to train me and my Father, being plunged into low spirits by my honourable brother's inhumanity to me gave up the ghost (i.e he died). Since Father's death, he has shown me signs of having love in me but, I, with my psychological mind, have know all the signs to be unbrotherly; to be feigned ones". As John finished his sorrowful speech to these men, James was struck dumb about what to say because he did not know that John would be bold �enough to wash his diriy linen in the public. After a daep silence which ensued, J m e s said, "Yes, 1 have heard what charges my brother. John, has been able to present before you. I ~csllybrought him to you, Cientlemen, t o see that you make him financially low, because of my ignorance. .Having seen my bad plans to ruin my brother, financially, brought to light to you, Geullemen, I apologise, from the bottom of my heart, for my foolishly fatal plans and, I firmly promise that 1 will not stand adversely to his way of economic and social progress. I regret lr~ynonsensical attirude but I will soon make good rile wrong." Thcse men were thrown into a boiling a n p r brclu~e they had planed to kill the boy and the plan was made with the boy's brether who bad just promised to redress the wronghe had done to his brother, John. Then being moved by the sorrowful speech made by John, they gave James a stern order that if be failed to. redress the wrong' just a s he had promised, they would kill him, (James). Here they all ‘departed with pleasant laughs in cheir cheeks. Infact, all that glitters is' not Gold! we have seen what a brother was able t o do to h i s brother's life and career. I t shows no true brother. ' CHAPTER TWO How a Jamily was ruined by .the bad attitude bj une o j two brothers. I n January 1956, two brotbers started irading business with the almighty sum of £6,000 5 �( i thounsmd pounds). Tney made an arrangesx ment that non of them would marry/buy anything c o s t i n g more than - El00 (one hundred pounds) until the money was swelled to £10,000 (ten thounsand pounds). An arrangeme:lt was made by them to see that whatever one wished . to buy, the other must be aware of it. As the business progressed, one, called Onycmacnwu said to the other also c d e d Obiechefule asked him, "why?". Onyemaonwu replied that many weil-to-do business men had started to do so. Obiechefule asked Onyemaonwu to recall their solid arrangement conce.niog the running o f t h e business. Onyemaonwu said that since every law embodied in their business terms, was made by them, it could be easily altered when necessary. A t this point, Onyemaonwu asked his brother Obiechefule whether he knew the meaning of his name "Onyemaonwu". Obiechefule said that Onyemaonwu could mean "who knows death", "or, can it mean more than this;" he asked indignantly. ?'he ensuing day, Onyemaonwu went to h g o s to claim t.heir goods. When he got Lagos, he planned the way of embezzle some of the money. He found that he could invest the money in the Bank and tell Obiechefule that it was stolen. This he did. On the day he was to return, Obiechefule went to unload the supposed goods to be brouhgt by Onyemaonwu. To his utter surprise he f o u ~ d that his brother returned without the goods. 6 �''What?"" I'On~cmaonwu, did our gocds not return' according to our invoice?" "Or---?" "Are you waiting for me?" Onyemaonwu asked furiously. "Yes," answered Obiechefule-with his usual brot.herly sn>iles beaming in his cfeeks. Onyemaonwu showed soma. signs o f one who had done something wrong. His'eyes and .face s became pale and , h ~ 'heart, engroesed in his ivicked .mind, was beaiiug fast. There was a painful s~lence. Obiechehle seeing that his brother's coadition was beeomiug grave6 worse, made evey possible effort to take his unfaithful brother home. When thdy returned to their yard, his brother, Onyemaonwu became mad. Remorse ef consicence made him mad. The whole people in the yard became fused with, fears. Obiechefule had to relate ..the.' story of the sorrowful situation to the people. in the'. yard. The peoplejn the .yard said. thatthey would have told Obicchefele that Onyemaonwu was not a good,' reliable brother;, "We have been watching biS movgneats. i17e have fouad him to be bad .brother but we feard:to acquaint you with the 'fact". They said. "If he has been. a good brother, - s he business-:terms should have. beene'left as they stood"; They deolared:. Before these men could' 'finish with their speeches, Onyemaonwu showed the bank cheque given to him at Lagos and instantly departed form this visible world. Obiechefule was mad with fury .and having lest all hopes of success, he qnoringly went ta the other world. ' �Ladies and Gentlemen we can easily picturc the mind of our brother through his actions and the way he talks, laughs and responds to situations. Please try to know when your brotber laughs from his re&l mind and heart. 'l'hough if you are not psychological you cannot know wicked laughter. Your brother may hide his vic~ous looks and present loving ones and he may ruin your life and cripple your career after he shall have mastered y6ur honest wags. lnfact, things are not really what they seem. CHAPTER THREE How a Brethsr ruined the Carear o his f Brother. It was in wakkiland of fools that a rich man promised to help h ~ s Brother and Godson who was e student at Laffe Iostitute of tecbnology. The boy had not any other person who would help him to further his education. As the boy had spent the whole money he bad, he went to his brother and Godfather to fulfil his promise to help him (boy) financially. When the boy asked thia honourable gentleman to help him just as he promised thia man who was living in foolish richness shamelessly refused to lend hand as he formerly promised. This was the most stinging lamentable disappointment ever. The boy thrown i n b a bystercal out-burst of fury and seeing no alternative, he decided to pursue agriculture. �There was a station of the boy, and this man the relation was living at NyawundK The boy went to this his relation who is also related t o his other brother who had disappointed him. When this relation saw the boy, he was moved by sympathy and he instantly lsked "Has our brother done 'one of 'his wicked deeds to' you?" The boy had not even told him the story of 'their rich' foolish brother when he reckoned through the boy's pale face that something wrong must have occured to 'the boy. ' This boy, being fussed with boiling teats because of the money he had spent a t the Institute of technology, sorrowfully narrated the agnosing incident to his man who was full of good knowledge of the queer things that happen quite often. After he had finished telling the painful story, the relation said. " ~ ~ r i c u l t d ~pursuit is good but sinae yo:u ;ll have entered a college, I must try my very ,hist t o see that'you fioish up." You can picture the boy's reaction, to this firm promise. The boy's school fees was instantly given to him by this relation. When the boy happily went back to his college, he sent a letter of congratulations to hi8 new benefactor, the relation. ' Ater a couple o f weeks, 'the wicked Brother of the bop heard that a relation of theirs had �started helping the boy financially. He became very angry. He was confused about the step to take in order to ruin the boy's career. As the days gone by, he decided to tell the relation who has undertaken to help the boy, to stop helping t.he boy since he (the relation) and the boy were not of the same parents. , . . 'IYou don't know, that the,boy--may become rich :.'if,you.,help ,. him and ,there by, rival . you financially''.. He wrote ., to: the:, rejation. The relation being dogged at helping the boy decided ; t b t since the -die was cast, it was cheerfully ,and cowardice.to turn 'back. 'This honourable man did /not. see 'any. other possible way o f ruining 'the boy's ':life: and >career than . t o cajale the boy .wherievef he s a i him. When ever . this.. boy. returned ,.ha& ,o n terminal holidays; this honourable man and, his sil~y,. ,beautiful,,nagging wife would. !oak a t the . boy with' one of their .disdainfully wicked and ostensibly friendly.looks and smiled; . . One day, .the boy saw his cold b r o t h e r .at b f f e ; His.cold brother asked him (the boy) :his where abouts pretending to ,.show.love for the boy. The boy be'ing well waxed in psychology, told him' that he was thinking in terms of.learning carpentry "There's good" replied his honourable cold,. brother. "I would b e grateful to hear.you do,as you have just:said," he added, ' �At. this. juncture thp.. boy la.u,phed a t .his century old wretched,,crooked; ~old'byothei and they presently left the spot :and departed, from :... one another.. .. Boys and Girls, you have seen. how queer: tbc world is. Trust nobody untit..you face a,sharp adversity; It 'is when:you are in.':adversi@. that you 'will know how-,:far a -.man or R . \\omen loves yeu. Facial uppearance isexrremely deceptive and it kbetter to study men and women, brotl~cr and::sisier before shouinp and buildingconfidcnae in them. CHAPTER:.. FO.UR . This is a yuesrion.which. I am sure most.o? the reading.public who .had seen many .,!hidgs..will not fail to give the expected answer. 'Those who are well experiencedh psycholngy.will easily find solution to above question. .I will. give you -th.e answerweryeasily tecausel ti~ve.:~:2s,sce,n m-a.n;y things happen on many cccasiontx Well, Ladies and ~i~jtl&ne~":: I'%vould Chis.question by quoting. .o,yr'Lerd's parable:'bf the Good Samari:an.Chapter Vx. V 25-37,. On'orie occaiou it happened that a &ertainLawyer wanted , t o .tempt our Lord. He asked ,our Lord, wbat he (Lawyer) would, .do :to 'inherit Fternal' life Our Lord replied by asking the Lawyer what was writteniq the LE,W .and how far the Lawycr was 'igading" the Law. 11 �The Lawyer answered that in the l a w , he read:that we should love our Lord our God with al1;our heart, and with all our soul, and with all our strenght, and with all our mind; and our neighhour as ourselves.-Our Lord said that the Lawyer had answered rightly. Our Lord asked tbe Lawycr to go and do what he (Lawyer), had read for it was through it only. would the Lawyer be shved. This our Lord's answer did not* satisfy the Lawyer and he continued t o ask our Lord wliom his neighbour (Lawycr) was. In order to see that the Lawyer's curiousity was properly satisfied, our Lord used parable of the'good .Samaritan in answering it. The parable reads: Acertain man was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho and as it happened, he fell among robbers who severely beat him and left him half dead. As it oceasioned, a priest and a 1 e v i t e passed and saw him but showed no sign of human sympathy. Presently, a Samaritan came and when he saw, was moved with pity. He instantly took the unfortunate man bound his wound and took him t o a nearby inn. After caring for him properly, he asked the innkepers t o be very careful of the man and went away. Our Lofd them asked the Lawyer of t h e three men who showed neighbourhood to the man. The Lawyer said that it was the man who bounded the unfortunate man's wound and cared for his feeding (i e the good Samaritan). �Infac:, without furt:,er exp:al;ation, I am very sure that the reeding public will have pictured the unhidden answer to the aboved 'question. CI-IAPTER FIVE Explanation o f the Parable It is a pity that most rich men do n a t remembrr thcir hungry brothers and neiglibours. From this parable or proverb, we can see that are one and brotherhood and E~eighbourhood should not be confined to any one cycle. We must be generous to every one. \Ve must be honest to every me. Wr. are expectrd to help our brother who is in any type of dstress. If we overlook our neighbour who is in social or economic unest, we.bhall certainly be punished by our ever merciful Fatt er-Creatcr God. It is when you hclp a person who is in a digressed situation that you are said to be doing what you are divinely expected to do. Remembcr that you are doing your community no gaod if you fail to disentangle your brohers and neighbours who are under the yoke of economic or social unrest. provided, of course, you are ' sufficiently able t o do so., A real brother will be obviously seen in time of adversity. He will not depart you are in diEculty. He mill. from you w h e ~ always stand you in good stead. CHAPTER SIX Day Tendency It has been observed that most people are Present . 13 �untrust worthy. For-inslnnce, in the little village of Wakki, there was one man who had a son and a daughter. H e was the poorest of the poor. As it happened, a died premature and was survived by the two children. He had three brothers who were to look after his children aud his wife. Ask me what . happened after this man's death. Terrible ! Terrible !! Terrible !!! Shame ! Shanie !! Shame !!! these three G e n t 1m e n started t o quarrel among themselves' as to whose rihgt it was to look after their brother's wife and children. They started to disown some of the customary rights of the eldest son amongst them. They bluntly refused the identity o f Tradition in Ibo land that in a family, the senior son in family has greater share of their dead brsther's telongings in accordance with I b o custom and idedogy. T h e quarrel gathered momentum. and burst into a feeding which brought about deep rooted enernity in 'the family. They quarrelled to such a n extent that the pcople in the village w e P e compelled to intervene as gudges. These villagers said that it was the right of the senior man in the family to look after t h e , children and wife of their dead brother. The two disfavoured brothers did not agree and were very unbending. It was from tbls .their long drzwn quarrel that outsiders (villagers) were able to realize that what they were quarrelling about was not only w h o was to look after the woman and her unfortunate children but also who was to receive the dowry of their dead brother's daughter. �.Infact, these - men . were . no worjby -..to. .be cdled the brothers of the deadman for if they were to be entitled to answer such rt n a h c "Brother", they would kave been truthful to themselves, reliable, human and sympathetic.; They were no more and no less cadous smugs and prigs. CHAPTER SEVEN 1)rcision of the . Villagrrr. After &he villagers h .a d . search'd, col!cert'e facts, frmn Traditionn and Customs, they .decided that fnst sonbamongst, the three:Was fully'cutitled to look after the wvman and her children. This decision did not meet the approval octhe other two who were disfavoured. They (Fwo) thinking thiit they had been deprived of the right to the dowry of their dead brother's daughter, because deadly mad with, anger. The quarrel began afresh and was idtelisified when one brought ''out a matchet tp matchet the first son on whom .the whole right. was conferred. '.But beforoyhe was' able to matchet him, .he' was diabled by. a , clever .villager. Inorder to see ;hat the.si'tuation was rectified the villagers reassemb1ed:and evrdtoally decided that only the woman was to belong exclusively to the ,first son hut the daughter and the son were. to be. cared for by all: It was also. decided that. tbree of - them were to cater for the b o y educationally. There was n o , objectionJ:to this second village decision. The gentlemen.were then 15 �satisfied hecause, they were entilkd'to the dowry .. of the girl. .They turned up a new:le'if. . . They i l l con!ihued t o live id" haramony and catered for the 'boy and the girl collectively. Hy the time tbc girl was ful1y:matured to marry, the boy had got bis first Scllool Leaving Certificate hfany Suitors stormed the h o u s e of these gentlemen, The men,.perstladed the girl to marry so that they could get money with which to start caterbg .for the brother. This girl baving 'the welfare of her brother at heart, did not waste time to marry. She readily submitted to , . the wishes of her family. . , The bride price of the girl was settled. at £200 (two hundred pounds). It was &greed that lhis amount was to be paid a t a stretch since money to finance the brother of the girl who was preparing t o go t o a Secondary School was needed T h e would. be. husband of the girl paid tho amount as embodied in their agreement. Now. in the division of the money, t h e three kotbers agteed that they would s h a r e the dowry of the girl equally. They made a verbal arrangement to see that they divided the five 'years which t.hq were duty bouned to cater for the boy in a secondary school. The dowry s o paid was eventually divided into three and the five- years which the boy was to stay in the -secondary school was verbally divided too. Those o f y o u who are mathamaticians no doubt, know how much each recie{ed. �CHAPTER EIGHT How. educationally did thry crrter, [or .unfortunate poor boy?, the Having divided the dowry of the girl, these gentlemen took their fabulous shares and went to their defferent cabins. What of the mother of the girl? The bitter answer was that a woman had no right to share her daughter's dowry. ?he boy was asked to take entrance examination to e sewndary school. Thia the boy did with success in the first attempt. The boy was wked to c o m e for an intarview with a deposit of f6 (five pounds). When the boy saw and read the latter embodying. this imformation, he ran hastily t o the three brothers and notified them about it. Thcse Gentlemen reccived the news with disfigured smile suggestive of disappoi11tm:nt. The follworng day, the poor boy went and called. three of them together and interviewed them on the issue. They t 0 d the boy to prepare for the interview thinking that the boy would fail the interview so that they might see possibility of evading the respomibility that devolves on them. The boy prepared very well for the interview. But the question is did they give him that required deposit of £5 (five pounds)? The answer is in the bitter nagation. On the day of the interview, the three brothers started to quarrel as was formally the case. The bone, of contention was who was to pay the £5 five pounds deposite alone? As none of them volunteered to pay the money, the boy was d o u b t l c s ~ l ~ left in a lurch. He had no possibility of getting the money. You ean just picture the fate of this poor boy. The boy wept bitterly. As the boy was guided by providence, he did not hesitate to call the villagers who made the deciaion that the boy was t o be trained by his cousins in the event of his entering secondary school. When the villagers came, the boy boldly stood up and said vehemently. "My dear fathers, I thank you all for hououring my call; knowing that I am a small boy but yet to reflect 17 �that yo3 all have abundant milk for human symputby, you all tried to put u p appearance. Fitticthers1 humbly wish to bring it t o y o u r no~icothat my cousins have deviated from the iecision which you all made in connection with niy mother's stay with my cousins and I.and my sister. in general. They have refused m e entry inio a secondary school just as you have said. 1 fannot say with any degree of certainty the factors which might be respons~ble for the aititude of honour or dishonour. Sirs, I am implyiog that your fresh decision on the isue would be welcomed '. CHAPTER NINE The uniqur decision o the villagers. f Having heard the boy's main purpose o f calliag them together, the villagers asked the three bro:hers t o give their reasons for dragging the boy into horns of decimma. The three brothers indulged in one of their selfish manner of awwering of questions. When they saw that public opinion was strang against them, they started to reciminate themselves. The quarrel which had been abandoned for some time, mas reborn with more intensity that it was not pozsible for tbe villagers t o decide anything. Becausu the day was marked with utter confussion, the villager$ were forced to depart from the men. When the villagers went away, the brothers were engrossed in a docply b der thought of how to make away the boy's hfe. They busied rhemselve~considering and planing possibilities of evad~ng public cenaure. 18 �This boy was very much beloved by other villagers and was bald in high enteem. A spy came to the boy and his mother and told them the cv~l plan which the three brothers were giving much thought and how adverse its, .effect would be if the three brothers were allowed to. dilate their plan. When the spy went away, thw boy Went to the oldest man in the village and had the whole story told to him. This oldest man heard tho story with r profound feeling o sympathy and instructed tha boy to f run to the protection 01 his (boy) grandfathcr, This boy took to his advice immediately. The grandfather of this boy saw him with joy but when ahe boy told him of the incident, he was ahdced. He did not k m whit t a do hecause he bad no adequate nwney with which - t o start carring o n the respona~bility. Ifrot you can just imagine the condition and &ate of this boy. This hoy grew mad with sorrow: CHAPTER TEN Whai happond to the boy?' The grand father OF this; tmy,had. a very od f r i e d ' ?bu ' it,, He went to this his friend and told him &aot The friend war not a t all happy a t the nrwa and so, La gave his. F i n d Ohc s a d f a t h e r o the boy).a firm promise f that he would cater financially foe the b o p Both the boy and h i s gran,&theher became very happy w8e.n this promis* was m d e . 'The bay was then asked t o airer the Principal of the college and telL him the r e a m why be did not put up: appearance o n the day. oE int*~vi.w.,When the box went t a , t h e cdlega, h dsrsatd. tho whole story ta the Pculcigal who heard i t with a filling.oP sympathy. The Principal asked the boy. to go home and. get the deposit, The boy ran kucrledly to the friend oE his grandfather who, as the boy told him that his ' interview with. t b : P~incipalwas a fuccess, joyfully. gave .the deposit ta th* boy. The boy u c a t and paid in this drpo& to the Pdnoipal. �' The Principal gave a prospectus of the college to this boy. When he came back he presented it t o his grandfather who gave it t o tho good man. This man saw the required outfits and tried to buy them for the boy without further request. On the reopening day, the good friend of the boy's grandfather, gave the boy rchoolfees and extra amount as the boy's own money for emergent canes. So well and so truthful was this man that he catered for the boy for the five golden years with out owing the boy any grudge. At the end of the five golden years, the boy took his cnntnb, and being guided by Providencr, he was able t o snatch grade one. The boy's benefactor was so pleased that be asked tha boy to find admission into a University where he was t o do Doctorate degree. The boy, with out any hesitation, wrote an application to Columbia University. The application waa favourably replied. All the time, the boy did not see those three gentlemen who had refused him help. The honourable gentlemen heard that the boy had been catered for by his grandfather's friend and, that the boy had got his cantab, but they did not hear tbrt the boy had started to look for admission into a University. You can think what was the influence of this news to those gentlemen. Infact they wero at the most agnosing mood for they began to think what would be the boy's feeling about their rhame1:rs ingratitude to the boy's dead father. They began to wrde letters to the boy asking the boy to forgive them for their irresponsible attitude towards him. The boy did not even reply to any of those foolish letters. CHAPTER ELEVEN The Boy's University Education. As the boy waa fully ofired admission into a University, his benefactor asked him whether he would like it if many people (including the bog's three honounblo uncles) were invited to the boys send-off ceremony. The boy replied that since hi: uncles had deed rooted hatred 20 �againrt him, he would not like it . if many poeple (inclusive of these men) were invited. "They. will even -plan. to kill me if they hear.of it". the boy alleged. This suggestion by the boy, ,met.approval of all the good men and the plan was adopted eventually so that the boy's proceeding to tke Uoiversity was concealled F:m the n ~ i c i : of his relations. O the day they wkrz to.resume, the boy n was finaacirlly equiped. You can just picture the atmosphere which must have permeated 'into the mind of the boy. You can imagine the mood in which the boy was when he left home for the University of Columbia. He was so well guided by God that he passed the many terrific seas without trouble. . Throughout the seven years he was to stay in the University, he mas not troubled by any mzntal or physical weakness. Money was aent to him whenever it was necessary to do so. All his concern was only to see that he studied hard to pet his full Doctorate Degree thus reflecting the sol? aim of his well-wishers. This he did. He ably did his practical and theoritical studies leading to Doctorate Degree that at the end of his Academic Course, he got first class honours in Doctorate. Wben his certificate was given to him, he made every possible effort t o send a telegram to his well-wishers telling ihem that he had finished his acadamic years with a very tremelrdous succrss and he was preparing to return on the following week. 21 �As tbis good man and his friend (the boy's grandfather) heard the joyful news, they became very happy. Providence was still at work. Before the date on which the boy was to return, he was asked by,the Nigerian Government to. work under any aovernment Hospital of his own'choice. The boy agreed to do so and rightly.chosed a Government Hospital of his own choice. CHAPTER TWELVE On the day the b6y was to return from the University, everything needed for his reception was still provided by his grandfather's friend. The news about his return from the University began to transpire all. over the town. .Infact, it was until the news of the boy's .return began to circulate. about the town the boy's uncles heard that the boy had gone to a university. And had it not been that many wellwisherS of the boy's, .were invited and this made these gentlemen to become away of it., The Gdvernment bought him one Ope1 car at Lagos, the car was handed over to h ~ m when he landed at Lagos. Hurrah ! Hmrah ! ! Victory is for the men of God. Y,ou q n easily imagine what was the fate.'bf the uncles of the boy. You can, without being told, picture the distorted faces of these unworthy uncles of the boy. One ironical thing wae that the uncles of the boy wore asked and cordially invited Ito attend the reception ceremoney in honour of the'bqv. Immediately the boy returned, the whole : 22 �invitces capered with joy,. The. occasion was marked with cheer extravagant merriment. The. highlight of the occasion was the' group .of photographs taken by all the p e s t s present. While the well:wishers of the .boy saw interest in tHe. occasion, the callous, priggish, smuggish and, impish uncles of the boy; showed a gloomy page. Although they laughed when others were laughing, their laughter was. :black.. They ate with others, but their stomach was: nor all that normal., They, drank with others,, Eutunfortunately, their belly was troubled in such a way that it was not possible for them to make the proper use of their excretry organ. I n ' short, all .they partook with others, caused them much injury physically. While other guests who partook the edibles. with them went home untroubled, they suffered stomachache. This brought their death. Their children suffered the same evil and this was the most birter side of it. As the rivellry was over, all 'went away mil the boy went t o work in the Government Hospital of his own choice. CHAPTER THIRTEEN Let us see the influe,nee o the tide of time. f Ladics and ~entlemen, am resuming that L you are following the story. You '?kemember the death of the boy's farher, the quarrel which printed bad impression on thier life's page, how the boy's: uncles. left Mm in . financial difficultyl 23. �You can easily remember how the boy's grandfather sent him to a friend of his (ie. the boy's grandfather's friend) and how the man proved and manned the identity of brotherhood. The Univers~tyEducation of the boy and his resulting graduation and return. Now. let us see how the uncles of the boy approached him. One day the uncles of the boy approached him. One day, the uncles rof the boy had a meethg and their main topic was tbe possible way of appeasing the boy's anger against them. They were unable to make any reasonable decision and so they had to disperse. On the ensuing day, they gathered together for the same thing, but no good result. Because there was no real'decision on how to meet the boy amicably. One of the boy's uncles slipped away from his brothers und went to the Government Hospital where the boy was working. When the boy saw him coming, he was startled. He did not expect that any of his uncles would eveen come to see him or contact him at all. As he hadmo knowledge of the man's visit to him he kept quite watchiog the man t o know why he (the man) came. The man (ie. one of the uncles) was fearing the boy and so, he did not approach him immediately. After what seemed a legion of hours, the uncle said, "Good Morning My firother". Because of the fact that the boy had bacome well educated and had learnt to be associative, he did not hesitate to respond to the aalutation of 24 �his uncle. "Do you come to see me?" he asked smiling. "Yes" was the answer. The .uncle had then got a little bit .of chance to talk to the bop and so he said, "I have come just t o tell you that wheh you passed entrmce to a secondary school, I tried to persuade my brothers to dip in their pockets and contribute towards your educational .advancement-but tliey were unbending. Myself, seeing no alternative, dtd not carry on the whole responsibility alone." ''Sorry" was a noble leply from the boy. "1 have forgotton all about it9'..The boy took him in and gave him whisky and other' types of .costly wine wbich he knew his unwhorthy uncles had not smelt of. When the uncle went home, he did not t ~ l his brothers who were at home l that he had heen'sble to meet the boy. Corrosive remorse of ' conscience betwitched his uncle's mind. ~ h l other two did the samli : and the boy gave the same entertainme?t t o them. Infact. it is really justifiable ,to say that it was . the pricks of conaience that caused their agnosing death. From this incident, we gather that once God destines the state or position of a person, all -ehvious efforts to dupe him of it would .be doomed to 'a failure. �CHAPTER ' FOURTEEN Why you should hate envieusnerr. A man has two wives Mary, and Anna. He was a poor maker of silk mattrasses. He used to 've his wives five shillings each everyday. Un ortunately, his first wife tbok it a privellege and so she did .not try to do something in order to get her own pocket, The second wife of the man was so wise and energitic that she did a lot of farming and trading. In course of time, the first wife gave birth to a male baby. She Bas well looked after by her hustand and the second wife of her husband, Anna. After two years, Anna was conceived and as it happened during the time of her delivery, she also gave birth to a male babe. I t was a pity to reckon that it was only her husband who looked after her. Here was enviousness in the open air. Mary did not even tell Anna that she (Mary) was lacking what t o give to her, Anna.'Because of Mary's jealous looks. at Anna's male child, Anna was not happy with Mary'a bad manner this brought a serious disunity between the two. Their chiltren grew in this disunified atmosphere, When they reached the age of attending school, thejr father decided to cater for two of them. As they started schooling the same year, Mary and Anna began to particularise instruction to the children. Anra instructing her child James to study hard and try to be first in their class and Mary did the same thing to her son John. f' 26 �CHAPTER . FIFTEEN PRZ.MARY EDUCATION OF TRE TWO CHILDREN. There grew a qurrel in the home as to whether James would be the first to go to , a secondary school if he (James) happened to pass std. six before John, his senior brother. When Mary saw tbat James was very britlliant and was topping John in theijr terminal examination, she grew very envious. She began to find means for bewitchiog Jame's brain so that her son John might topple James. Anna, the mother of James. knew about it but being a kind and humble woman, she did nothing to revenge, James continued t o topple John in all their examinations and consquently, James passed his Std. six while John was in Std. four. Their father decided to send James to a secondry school immediatly. Here, Mary brought out her envious motives. She opposed her husband's decision in to saying that her son John was their husband's first son and therefore, John must go to a secondary school before James. All the time, Anna the mother of James, was very calm and was looking at the folly of Mary. Their husband was not influenced by tbe story words of Mary and her urging. He still persisted in sending James to take entrance 27 �exami,mtion t'o a secpndary school. -James did so with success.. Their father did not waste time in paying for James in the secondary school. The mother-of James, Anna, being an industrious woman, was able to give h e r Husband E200 (two hundred pounds) to use it in-catering for her son. . EnviousnCss, the bame of human beinzs! It is a pity to note.that when James was e finalist in a secondary schodl, John was then in standard six that is, when Ja es got his Cambridge Overseas School Certifi ate. The mother of John told. him that James and his mother must have been the cause of John's fnilure and mental dullness. 1? ' CHAPTER SIXTEEN .THESQUABBLE B E T W E E N .JAMES . . AND JOHN ' As John' had been told by his mother that James was the cause of his mental weakness, John started t a quarrel with James. Everyday the mother of James was troubled by the mother,of John. Their Husband decided to send John to a secondary school as well but John, being a narrow minded boy, was'sby his mother's words. . . As.time went 'on, the. two brothers John. -and. James become 'potenrial enemies. �Their father. did not find any possible way of unifying them as long as the mother of John was alive. Because of this, it became. impossible to foster unified Spirit in the home. John busied himself in possibility of killins James (his'brother). He called a Native. Doctor and instructed him to poison James for him.;This the Native Doctor prepared to do after John had given him the sum of sixty pounds (£60) which was the cost of the poison, for killing James. When the Native Doctor was preparing to make the medicine for poisoning James, John instantly felt ill aud on the day the Native Doctor secretly, put the poison in J a m e s mother's drinking pot, John's illnrss grew to the point of resulting death. ' The Native Doctor.. sveing the reactionary fatal effect of the poison, told John to tell Jamea not t o drink the poisoned water, “otherwise", he said, "you would face your death". John was unable and infact, very reluctant to tell ,James what the Native Doctor said. He John, thought that the NativeDoctDr was sympathaising James. Their honest father did not know that the enemity had satukated to the point of giving birth ,to this vicious iocident. As he became aware git, he was lost in agony of fate but seeing that he could not make any amendment to the situation he gave up struggle for Unity. �CHAPTER.. SEVENTEEN The ' ~ e s u ho f the poisin It is unfortunate to reckon that immediately James returned from work and. being th'irsty drank the water in. which John:s Native Doctor had put poison, John died at once.. It war; .at the Death of John that JdnIcS was made.known to understand by the Native Doctor that John had..planned to poison him (James) but .fortunately'. for James, all John's devilish plans ended in a smoke occasioning . James :Death. Infact. without further explanation. we have all sew bow enviousness io the bmr of human beings. All-knowing sees all our movements and can therefure, p u n ~ ~ h whco 1r.u do not think us ii possible. What gain have we when we deliberately'poison our brother or our neighbour? 'CHAPTER ;EIGHTEEN Loor 06.~iotlcsrhood .. .:From .what we have just gathered as coqtains in. tbis pamphlet, it'is evident that our' first duty towards our. neighbouri is to .Qve them with all our loving spirit.and kindness. Love has no �limit as the parable of the good Samaritan, shows us. If your brother o r your neighbpur is in financial ditficulty, it is your first and formost task to find possible ways of freeing him. It does not necessarily .mean thai .you will -steal in order to realise him, (your. poor brother) but your kind advice is a really healing medicine. It is not only financial problem that befalls a man, but also, your brother might be wounded in mind due to irresponsible at~itude of an enemy; where this is the caw, it then falls on you to pacify both ends. If you see any possible way of admonishing the two enemies, you should not htsitate t o do so beca!~se if'you try to mollify their anger, you will then be able to fraternise them. Once they are made to feel the oneness of brotherhood, your brothe.'~wounded mind will he freed and that ,of his previous e n m y will tie normal. Thus fosteriug ah attl1ostph:re of good-understanding and neighbourliness between your brother and his former enemy. Infact, if you d o not reconcil $our brother and his enemy, yon are indirectly sowing an unrootable seed of enemity because. the children of both your brother and his enemy, will to be potential enemies. Your leaving your brother to continue t o antngonise with hip enemy does nor show that you haved the life o f y o u r b r o t h e r a t ?Iea,rt. �I say 'this bekuse . it' has been observed that maiiy .;people.: who are not in: good terms, use t o poison themaalves. Your brother's -enemy may poison him if you' fail to unify them. Your brother .may do likewise to' his enemy and where he does that, you have the greater share of the blame. CHAPTER . NINETEEN At, ~ d u i c e to. Richmen. Please if you are rich, it is your duty to help your brother., That you are rich dozs-not necessarily mean that you must be a millionaire or .own a car before knowing th@ you are duty bound to help your brother.. No! You must help your brother whenever you see that you rank morally.and financially higher than your brother/ neighbour. "Make friends by t,he mammon of, unrightiousness" is a wise saying by Our Lord. You'may be 'at an annual jncdme of two hundred pounds (£200) while your brother is at twenty pounds (£20) per.annum,. .really you .are, by duty bound to help your poor brother whenever he embarks upon a project that is reasonable .. .. enough. Not only financisl' assistance will be given to t&s 'yourspoor 'brother, but also your keen advice is very important. You may tell him to save a substantial amount out of his .,poor income. .You may slig.ges~ gooapaying hobby any t o him. When you see that your poor.brother ?2 �or neigbbour is mis-using his .poor earning, you must not fail to advice hini on the right way of apportioning his income t o his different desires to ensure that he'gets minimum satisfaction. Where your brother does not heed your advice, you may call a family mecting and tell the members of your family what ,is happening. It is a common saying that "Good words are not heeded. at first and are even bitter" but persist in telling him. A day will come when he shall realise all you told him and must repay you. But where he fails-to repay you, God, who sees all good works with inspiring mercy, will. not fail to repay you in heaven. If your brother is poor but does not know. that he is poor, tell.'him that he is p ~ o r ,if he fails to rccognise his. poverty stricken slate, infact, you are free to leave him to fool himself.to the brim. He must someday come to realise that he is in the hours of financial or moral dilemma. When he inevitably comes to know this, also not neglet to show sympathy to him knowing that to err is human, and to fo-give is Divine. �CHAPTER TWENTY General Inrsiruction Ladies and Genetlemen, boys and Girls, it is my ferrent hope that you might have experienced some of the facts contained in this pamphlet. I heve just written this pamphlet merely to ma e you awvre of many a moral pit falls which will continue to bring bad atmosphere in our homes if you fail to eraditcate them. I am nursing the hope that we must now !decide to turn over a new leaf by showing that God knows what'he meant by creating us many. If d l men were short, tall or dwaffed, the world would be ypside down and so, if wc wish to be of a parent before recognising that we are brothers, we mould be making an unhappy mistake. If we can try, for justice sake, to extend our hands of fellowship and brrjtherhood to all men not minding the happy fact that we are not of a parent of the same age. grade, the world will look brighter. Live and jet live should be the. key word of every ?@xed community. k �1 Hard work is the grand secret of success. 2 Nothing but rags an< poverty can come of 3 4 5 6 idleness. Elbow grease is thc only stuff to m a k e Gold with. . No sweat 'no sweet. He who would have the crows eggs must climb the tree. Diligence is the mother of Good luck. 7 Idleness is' the devil's bolster. S Great greediness to reap heips not the money heep. 9 Slow and sure is better than fast and flimsy.. enriches a man far more than fits and start8 of fortunate speculation. . . 11 Every day a thread makes a skein in a' year. 12 Brick by brick houses are built. 10 ~erseverance, by its daily 13 We should creep before w e . walk, walk' before wa run, and run 'before we ride. I 14- In getting rich the more, haste the worse. IS Haste tripe up its own heels. �~ast~'. climbers have sudden falls. It is bad to begin business without capital. 1t..is hard marketing with empty. pkkets. We want a nest eggs, for hens will I a y where there are eggs' already. You must bake with the flour you have. stay'as a journey man till you have'saved few pounds. You must fly when your wings have a got feathers. ~radin~ without capital is like buildins a house' without bricka, msking a fire without sticks, burning candles without wicks; and.it leads .men into tricks and laod them in a fix, Give tmt not a small business till you see that a large one will pay you better. Better a poor horse than' ah empty stall. Better half a loaf than none at all. Better a little furniture than an empty house. W b o can sit on .a stone and feed himself had better 'not move. From bad to.worse is poor improvement. A crust is hard fare, but none at'all is harder. �Don't jump out of the w i n g pan into the fire. A little trade with profit ie better than a great concern at a loss. A small fire that warms you is better than a large fire that burns you. Large hares may be caught in a small wood. He who undertakes too mucb succeeds but a little ln a great river great fish are found. Where will the ass go that he will not have to work? Where can a cow live and not get milked? Where will you find a land without stones or meat without bones? Everywhere on earth men must cat bread in the sweat of their faces. To fly from trouble men must haveeagles' wings. Alteration is not always improvement. A rolling stone gathers no moss He who cao wait long enough will win. This, .That, end the other, anything, and everything, all put together make nothing in the end. �4 lazy fellow quarrels with hi's tools. All traders are good to good traders. A clever man can make money out ofdirt. :You cannot get honey. if you are frightened a t . bees. Patience and attention will get on in the long run. If the cat sits long enough at t h e hole she will catch the. mouse. .. . Sleeping poultry are carried off by fox. Fools a s k ' what's 0' cldck: but wise men know their. time. God sends every bird its food, but.. He. does n i t throw it into the nest. God gives. us our'daily bread b u t it is .through our own labour. .The morning hour carries gold in its mouth. , He who drives last, in a row gets all the dust in his eyes. Rise.early, and you will have a clear start for the day. H needs have a long spoon who would eat, e . . . of the same dish with Satan.. h'evei ruin yourself for the sake of pelf. �. Take nothing in hand that will bring you repentance. Better walk .barefoot than ride in a carriage to hell. . The mouse wins little by nibbling the cheeie if it gets caught'in the trap. Where the carcass is, thither will the . eagles be gathered together. Good advice is poor food to a hungry family. Most men who go down hills meet with Judas before they get to the bottom. Every traveller throws' a stone where there is a heap already. All the cooks Sastc a fat pig. I n times of prosperity friends will be plenty but in times of adversity not one in twenty. All aeighbours are cousins to the rich man but the poor man's brother does not know him, men must not dispair for ' ~ o d is yet alive. A good man may be put in the fire but he cannot be burnt. While there's life there's hope., 1f you've tumbled off the back of prosperity, do not lie in the ditch but u p with you and try again. He who is down has a grand opportuaiky for lusting in God. o own 39 �A fualt.faith can on& fioat in good smooth water. A . true faith like a life-boat, is at home in stoms. New company makes people new men. Sweet to yau and sweet to your enemy. Mr;'Facing-both-ways. Mr. Fair-speech and Mr. Two-tongues are neighbours who are best at a distance. Religious deceivers are the worst of vermin. Some of the dear old !Mrs. Goodbodies want a blessed almshouse. 'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. He who tries to. cheat the Lord will . be quite ready to cheat his fellow men. Great cry generally 'means little wool. Some men,%windmills, are only put-crackers. Better be a dead dog than a live hypocrite. If a straight line will not pay, a crooked one won't. What is got by shufling is very dangerous gain. The devil tempts genuine christains. .Through bad company good men cYlange to be ascruel as death and grave. , �Charity actually begins at home. It is not all that sing loudest that praiae God most It may give a moment's peace to wear a mask, bur deception will come home to you and bring sorrow with it. Honesty is the beat policy. If lion's skio does not do, never try the fox's. Try to be as true as steel. Let your face hands, like the Church clock, always tell how your inner works are going. Better be laughed at as Tom Tell-Truth than be praised as Crafty Charlie. At last the upright will have their nward, but for the double minded to get heaven is as impossible as for a man to swim the atlantic with a mill-stone under each arm. Plain deeling may bring us trouble but it is better than shuffling. Times never were good for law prodigals. Ready Money must be quite a curiosity t o some men and yet they spend like Lords. There are more asses than those with four legs. Fellows who have no estate but there labour, and no family arms except those they work with will spend their little hard earniogs at the beer shop or in waste. �106 Drlakipg water neither makes a man sick, nor in dept, nor his Wife a widow, and yet some men hardly. know the flavour of it. 107 Thost who wear the shoes know best . where it'.pinches them. 108 If fools did not ga . ta marker bad wares would ..never be sold. 109 With mohey best articles are taught. 110 When there are five eggs a penny four of them are rotten. I l l Poor m e n often buy in very small quantities and s a pay through the nose. 1 1 2 " ' ~ u a & t ~ buyers puichase with cheapest prices. 11'3 Looking for smalt eaviogs people 'for& greater things. 1.14 ., Penny w h . and p m d foolish are very .had man~qements ,116 . ~ h a one does not want is d e a ~ h i s i ir, eyes at a,:fatfhing. . 117.. Fint dpsirxg. makes a great h b in poor o . . .. people's means, , . .+. 1J8' .. must"not'm&e a puppy fw a Rase, .. .You. 119 Buy wh~t suits you to wear and if it doei ndt' suit other pcopk ta l o ~ ka t let them cbsc their eyes k2Q AU' wqrjlcn arc s o d ! eikher; for something or for. nothing, their dresses will telb yciu which. �Never allow your money to be your master. He who has a Eest wife always has his money best spent. The husband may earn money but only the wife can save it. A wise wife buildeth her house, but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. A man cannot prosper till he gets his wife's leave. A thrifty house wife is better than a great income. A good wife aqd health are a man's best weahh. Nothing coma out of a sack but what was in it. An empty bag shakes nothing but wind out of it. He who knows nothing is confident of everything, hence he is bullheaded beyond measure. Every clock, and even the Sundial, must be set according to their watches. The Lord's dear pcople havo a lot to do t o keep their doctrine sound. Any fool may have something to s a y against the best Minister in Nigeria. No man can make bad language in the pulpit. All lmguage arc bad which common people cannot make head or tail of. - 43 �136 Nobody would carp at godly, sober, decent, plain words. 137 A countryman is as warm in fustain as a king in velvct. 138 Truth is as comfortable in homely words as in fine speech. 139 If hearers are better sermons would be bztter. 140 Hungry men leave dishing the meat to the w o k only let the weat be sweet and substantial. 141 N o piper ever suited all ears. 142 Thoughts are not facts. 143 The sprab thought itself a herring, but the fisherman knew better. 144 Dogs, honever, always will back, a n d what is worse, some of them will bite. 145 The worst wheel of the cart creats most. 146 . One fool makes many. 147 Those who are at the bottom of t h e mischief have generally no part in the matter of true godliness. 148 One dog will set a whole kennel howling, and the wisest course is t o keep out of the man who has the compliant-called the grumbles. 149 H e that hespatters others t o generally rolls in tbe mud himself before long. 150 The fruit of spirit is love. �151 Keep'not lit1 toinorrow' what you can do today. l52 , Time and ,.tide vait for nobody. 153 They who would not plough must not expect to .eat., 154 They who waste the i spring will have a lea^. autumn. 155 He that till he be fed, will gape till he. be.dead. 156 'with exemption of poverty and dirt nothing can be got without pains. 157' Hares never run intd the mouths 'of slceping dogs. 158 He that hath time, and looks for better time, time comes that he repents himselp of time. 159 God. helps those who help themselves. 160 Niether the, wise nor the wealthycan help him who has long refused to help himsdf 161 There is no sunshine without some shadows. . . 162 A horse that is week in the legs may not stumble for 8 'mile or' two. ,163 Whatever is rotten will read and cracked pot will leak. 164 The cleanest' field.'of wheat 'has its share of weeds. 165 The most careful driver one day upses the cart. ' ' 45 �166 By mistakes t h a . cleverest cook spills. a little broth. 167 One may,get rid of one eyed nag and buys a blind one. 168 Thwe who live in the glais house, should n o t thjow stones. 169 Other peoples imperfcctio:ls can show us our imperfections. 170 If there is an apple in my niegbour's eye, 'there is no doubtone ,in mine. 171 Faults are always 'thick "where love is thin. 172 'A white horse is all' black i f your eye chooses to make it so. 173 If ,we aiiff long!.enough .at rose water, we shall find out that it has a bad smell. 174 Two heads are Setter than one. 175 Many. littles make a mickle. -176 sq light thbue& mike a great weigl~t of sin. 777 Neve'r.'all'oy .yout. 'thoughts to turn to be . your enemies. 178' , ~ < 'thougnts are the maxrow of Sin. l 179 Vain thoughts will knock at the door, but .,.. . we must not open to them 18.0. ..Eventhough. sinful thoughts rise they must not reign mauy �181 He who turns a n~orsel over and wer in his mouth, does so because he rlikes the fluvor. IS2 I-:e who meditates upon evil, loves it, and is ripe to commit it. .*. If you turn your thougl~ts 0 - 3 towards sin, your bands then wi!l follow. 184 An arrow may fly through the air and leave no trace. 185 The ill thoughts always leave' a trail like a serpent. 186 Where.there, is much traffic of bad thinking there will be much mire and dirt. 187 Every wave of wicked thought adds something to the corruption i88 If you nurse sin on the knees of thought it will grow into a giant. 189 Good thoughts are blessed p e s t s and should be heartily wellcomed and well fed. 190 Holy thoughts are hopeful evidences of a renewed heart. 191 It is wise and prudent to have the mind stored with choice subjects for meditation. 192 A blind man has nothing to 'do with a looking glass. 193 He is drunk that preaches to drunken men 191 Coachbox is not ment for a cat. 195 Men who do n o t fit to be a minister should step down. 47 �~ 1 1 u man is, that he will be. t A maid servant should act as a maid servaiit and not as a mistress. Working without tools generally loses the zeal of a worker. Dont fight if you can't. Flute is made for man and not for a pig or for any animal. What is worth doing at a11 is worth doiag well. Impossibilities should not be aimed at, by wise people. He who fires at the man in the moon wastes his. powder. A sensi'sle fellow dont carry water in a sieve. &oney worth. not loosing should not 6 handed over to a set. of .knaves. Fools only can perform any unnecessary thing. He who knows better should not praise a proud man. How could a fish wear a clothes? ~ n y t h i n gin good colour needs no paint. Pretender alone comforts a conscience that. makes n o 6onfessioa. ' �Sunlight ha6 nothing to do witb a candle light. Blockades can prove thing that no-body doubts. Who ever attempts a thing which will cost more than it is worth is a 1001 at forty. People should avoid Wig penny wise and pound foolish. He who would not worth the amount of a dog-tax is not wortby to live. A wise man need not convince a mao against his will in matters of no consequence. He need not Se angry if he wishes to e i d a quarrel. To quench a fire one should not throw oil into it. A wise man never apes with a mad dog. Do unto others as you would like to be done. Never interfere between 8 man and his wifeA Noted debtor is a noted liar. Keep debt, dirt and the dei4 out from your house and then you be a good house keeper. Good wife, good house boy and good master and good children make a good family. �226:: .A ipersm in debt.-is .alwayrj degraded.. 227 Always remember that poverty is:hard, but debr is horrible., 228 A smoky house and a scolding wife are .. :the two -worst. evils of. our life. 229' . A &or man.has.more respect than a person i n debt.. 230 Other people's huge sum-bf money is very in': the~:.cjks::of an,:bonest. man. 231 A b d r i o ~ i .ai'iys ' i ~ a ~ 'ricky . cpitly i n r ks ihe p ~ 6 i i c gatherings?. 232 ..fie:ihac lives be&nd. his incart% is ruining hitksklf. 233 He ,that..lives,, extravagantly Ties so t o hh/hcr' sha'ine and sorrow,. 234 The poor. needs not desirc .style' a n d ,. and smartnessif 'he wishes to survivi, 235 Wk must be conte&ted'&thwbt we haw. 236 ..If frogs' try t o look a i . big rts .b& the; . will b e 'iure"to bu&. 237 A f&tunate:m&nee& not burn candle bn b~th en'ds. . : .. 238 Economy may be ,considered as half the battle .i.n life.. .> : 239,. Spend well if.you earn well'. _ .. , . 240 He that wants nonelet him not.iyaite any. ' I- �Poor mans wives .should not all learn to fry fresh fish. You. appear to manage well if you fare .. according to your earnings. Who conld not pay according to hisjliei promises is 3 noted deptor and k liar. . Be out from debt 'if you .want to be free from lies. . Where the hen' laid one egg there it i 0 likely. to' lay another. who ever makes it his'habit .to borrow one penny will be sure of borrowingone pound. A pig in credit always grunts. Owing and borrowing are bramble bushes full of, thorns. He that borrowed the neighhour's spade never feel better for the fear of breaking it. He never grow rich that never 'fail. Honesty first before generosity. Better go to bed without your supper than to rise in debt. You will know what you are worth by paying what you owe. Petty expenses a t times cause people's downfall. An empty sack never stand upright. �Spiders web never catch anything than flies. Nether Tom nor Dick should like to bc neiboughs to a barel of powder. We must not try to rub Peter to p.iy Pual. Never try to shave an egg, or pull h.airs out of a bald pate. It is easier by paying depts out of an empty pocket than shaving an egg. or pulling hairs out of a bald pate. Although Samson was a strong man yet he could not pay debts without n?ong. 13e sure to snswer a good man if your words binds as an oath. He that stavesoff payments by false promises deserves no mercy. A hundred years of regret pay not a farthing of debt. Never allow the advices being given you to go in through one ear go out from the other. He needs buy a dear repentance that refuses to have cheap advice. A word may worth a world to one who is beginning life. . He that goes a borrowing may as well go a sorrowing. Any kind of bird must love its own nest.. The way 'to my home is the best bit of road i n the country. 52 �271 ~eoplc:think the smoke from their own chimney better than the fire on olller peoples own hearth. 272 The honey suckle at iny own door is 'the sweetest I ever well. 273 East and West h6me is the beat. 274 Leave the cock to crow on its dunghill. 275 A dog acts a s a lion when a t home. 276 When the cat is away from the house then the rat governs. 277 Reershops are the enemies of home. 478 Anything that hurts home is a curse. 279 If you are incharge of a home try and make it happy and holy. 280. .If you make your house wretched be not annoyed if you are called a bad man. 281 Married life is not all sugar, but grace in the heart will keep away most of the sours. 822 Godliness and love can make people to sing among thorns and heriers. 283 Both the husband and wife always enjoy an average pleasure. in their playing. 284 Self rules make the home happiness a mere cham. 285 A yoked couple will find their load very light for them. �286 I t i.s 'not every a o u p 1 e that is really a pair. 287 ,%lt true homes that make the families is happy. 288 A..home should be a Bethel and not a Uabel. 289 .,Heis not a hiisbind if he cannot bind &ll 290 291 292 293 294 295 236 297 298 299 300 together like a corner stoner but not crush everything like a mill stone. Unkind and domineering husbands ought not to pretend to be christians, for the act clean contrary to Christ's commands. Homes not well ordered will hecome a Bedlam and be a scandal . t o the parish. If the father drops, the reins, the. family coach will soon be in the ditch. . Harshness and softness alone will not keep -home in happy order. Home is no home if the children there are not, in Obedience, it is a pain and. not a pleasureto be in it. Happy for you if you .are happy for me. Evil to him who evil thinks. 'All 'fathers are not wise for some do epoil their children. There has never been any body wiser than . Solomon. Those who never give their children t,he rod must not wonder if. their children become a rod t o thorn. Men who strike in their anger generally miss their mark.' �' 301 .When home is ruled according to God's word angels might be asked to stay night with us. 301 'stre . is a wicked wife who drives her husband away by her long tongue. 303 Majority of our women are angels h the streets but devils at home. 5 : Home is the grandest of all institutions. 0. 305 H e who never sees something W not know N ,something. 306 Eggs, are eggs but some are rotten. 307 Hopes are hopes. but many 'are delusions. 308 If you are alive .never tell anybody to die. 309 He who hunts after legacies had need iron shoes. 310 H e that waits for dead men's shoes may long go bare-foot. 311 He who waits for his unlce'a cow need not be in a hurry to spread. the butter. 312 Re who lives on and hope has a slim diet. 313 It is to a mans sheer folly if he hopes for impossibilities. 314 You should not look for crops if y o u have not sown seed. 315. A wicked fellow should not expect good if he has not done good. �316 Who marries a slovenly, dressy girl, and hopes to make her,a good wife, might as well buy a goose and expsct it , t > turn out a milch cow. 317 A master who attends b a r with his boy should not expect to be called a good master 318 If you 're sick have hope . till on the last . minute. . . 319 Teach a child to lie, and theri .hope t t k . . he will grow up honest. ,320 Put a wasp in a tar . Barrel and wait kl . it makes honey. 321 -A sensible fellow .is not exrected 'to Ecanderlise young ones.' . 322 Wishing somethiag is not hoping for. it. 323 Maw are turn in^ their faces lo bell and , hope 70 get to heaven. 324 Hopes of heaven are solemn things, and should be tried by the word of God. 325 "He that believeth in Christ hath everlasting l:C-97 IllG . 326 Presumption is a ladder which will break the mounter'a neck, so try it not if yout love your - soul. , . 327 Who hideth his .band in 'his bosom; it grieveth him t o bring it again to his mouth. 328 A sluggard is wiser in his own cqnceit. 329 One man's folly i s as plain as the sun in . . the sky. 330 . Hit a sluggard hard if you know that he can bear it. 9 �331 Rave patience and pity Tor p o e r t y but to lazinesa beat with a long whip. 332 Sift a sluggard grain by frail1 acid yo11will find him all chaff 333 Me who is worthy to live must g r u d g e laziness. 334 Tile rankest seeds don't grow in tbe mind of the wicked. 3.35 Every crcaturc on earth likes to increase and hatcs decreasing. 336 Woman is the worst temtation in the man's days. 337 Who wastes his times and strength in sloth offers himself to be a target for the devil. 338 One with evil spirit plays while he should work. He who plays not and works not is the workshop for satan. 339 Have stomarch for work if you have for eating ant drinking. 340 The drunkard and the glulton shall come to poverty 341 Drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. 342 An Idler knows not what leisure means. 343 By the door of sluggishness evil. enters the heart more often. 344 A sluggard is a fine raw material for the devil. 345 i t is belter to kill a lion while it is a cub. �346 A wild goose nevcr ldrs a tame egg. 347 All are not hunters that wear red coats. 348 Live and let live except the sluggard, for it is said that those who could not work is not expected to eat. 349 The more a moukey climbs the more its tail is seen. 350 Sluggards idleness is noticed as long as he lives. 351 The more a Sluggard lives the more he is ashamed of his idleness. 352 A butterfly is no butterfly if it could make no honey. 353 Better die an honourable death than live a good for nothing life. 354 Better get into my coffin than be dead and alive. 355 Evil done is rewarded at the end. 356 Free will is the guardian of morality. 357 Love is blind and it knows no bounds. 358 The little children of yesterday will be the adults of tomorrow. 359 Determination is the mother of success. 360 Evils in town is the profit to the doctors. �Notice: This Pamphlet has been an honest production of a persond conception.of-many a queer conducts that characterise the day. It is therefore given as a general information !hat a reproduction of any part/whole of the Stories contaiccd in his yamphlet, must. be through a peru~issionfrom the author. �GREAT OPPORTUNITY OFFERED TO YOU Charity Printing Prea C A L L I ' N G !! All the ways lead to )O. charity Printiog Press PRINTERS, PUBLISHERS & BINDERS 36 New Market Road; Onirsha. We are the Printers of high prestige, you can progress with us. No job is too small or loo big. Just send your jobs to us and we can give you absolute satisfaction. A TRIAL WILL SURELY CONVINCE YOU. W print the f&owings a t moderate charges : k Phamphlets, Membership cards, Invitation cards, Labels, Hand bills' Receipts, Periodicals etc. etc. ALWAYS SEND YOUR JOBS TO US. ��BOOBS BUBLBSWIED BY ' .HIGHBRED 'MAXWELL 1. Our modern ladies' characters towards boys 2s 2s 2. Forget me not . 3. Guides for engagement 2s 4. Ideal pocket & Happydays diary each 2s 5. How. to make meetings 2s 2s 6. The Joy OF life and its nierriment 7. Wonders shall never end 216 8. £9000,000,000 Man still says no money 216 9. Public opinion on lovers . 3s 10.' About husband and wife who hate 11. . themselves ' 3s I?. How to write good letters and applications %3s 13. Story abt ut the. Gentle Giant Is 14. Money palaver 116 15. Awo.and Akintola i n political battle . 316 drama (in print) 16. Dr. .Chike Obi's mcrld Ph. D. mathema- . . tician (in print) . . j/6 17. How' to write business letters, Good English, Applications, Telegrams and Important invitations. 316 18. Beauty is a trouble 316 19. How to be tbe frieflds of girls 316 net. a Order your copies of these, .and m'anp other iaterehing educative novels from WBGWBRED .MAXWEILL STUDENTS O W N BOOKSHOP 17 BRIGHT STREET, ONITSHA-NIGERIA. Pi(1NIED IN NlaCRlA BV Charily Prlntlnx Pnrr 36 New Market Rnsd. Onnrha. ��I LEARN TO. SPEAK. 360 PROVERBS, � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Learn to speak 360 interesting proverbs and know your true brother Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Eze, C. N. Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria : Highbred Maxwell Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ca. 1962? Language A language of the resource English Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3287 Description An account of the resource Providing almost one proverb for every day of the year, C. N. Eze offers several intriguing messages about wisdom, justice and morality. In the first 19 chapters of this pamphlet Eze discusses how "brotherhood" has both lagged and manifested itself, (pg.2). He cleverly ties the meanings of some proverbs to the act of knowing your true brother. For example, Eze reminds readers of "a proverb of first class reality" -- "Appearances are often deceptive," (pg. 3). Thus, "know your true brother," as the title suggests. In addition, he draws on social justice themes in proverbs such as, "All neighbours are cousins to the rich man but the poor man's brother does not know him," (pg.39). And bear in mind: "Good advice is poor food to a hungry family," (pg.39). Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">ttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/7532076f82bc88d185302829b06da8b2.pdf 26c8dd5732298b6f458262206e0f20d7 PDF Text Text TURNS MAN ] DOWN M O N E Y A N D GIRLS TURN M A N UP A N D D O W N Tbir man tbinks about bis life. his p r o b e s are many. I am very sorry frr lim NEE PRICE 316 ��GIRL Now, see how this girl turns Dick up and down. Comfort is holding Dick of being responsible for her PreganncY while Dick denies. "LEAVE ME! LEAVE ME!!" Said Dick. o "I Will never leave yo, unless you agree ! .marry me as you promised me before, said Comfort. This a a lesson to boys and girls of nowadays." Who thinks that intercourse is a pass port to life. �Preface -.... -.--. .-.Dedication ....Life and money turn man up and down ....Poverty ...-.... Tonic for your personality ..... Important sayings ofwise for your life to, -widen .. ..... .your knowledge My important words to men Life turns man up and down ... Youths without exper.ience -".. -.... ' Lack of patience The privelege of citizen Still in love secretly . I -....Men die in many ways because of money-and .women Questions for men ....-... ...Important words of advice against what may happen to you in future ... -Men .versus money -.. . General brokage in Nigeria today Very fast with life ... ... ...An undiscovered treasure , -- -" . . -" . . - - - - - -- - - -- - - - - 5 7 9 11 17 19 21 22 24 31 32 33 36 42 49 51 52 �Every place I go, "people shout the strong man of the pen". I very much appreciate this type of popularity and.-I am encouraged more to push my pen with all the. advisable words at my disposal. Apart from shouting the 'The strong man of the pen'. Readers write me congratulatory letters almost every day. I am sorry I caanot acknowledge those goodletters one by one but I an1 very thankfull to those writers and hereby re-ffirm my efforts and determination to makt my pamphlets "food for thought" at al! times. In this pamphlet named "Life and money turn man up and down" you will usually acquire considerable ideas with regards to life, and learn much. It is also a physchological pamphlet! THE STRONGS MAN OF PEN. �A picture of a Lagos Boy greeting his bar Lady Friend. "A Highlife man and hi!; lover" This man is a womanizer and a smooker. He can finish ten packets of C. G. a day and can not pass a night without any lady. He does not care for anybody. He doesn't know his home town again. He does not care for his parents. What he knows is to take his C. G. and to chase girls all about. Just look at his waist. He hasn't known that C. G. is dangerous to human beings and girls are poisonous to boys. He will one day suffer them. �UFE A N D MONEY TURN M A N UP AND DOWN "THERE IS A NEW POISON IN AFRICA" . . . , TODAY! ~ l a s h p , trash music and absence'sdllb on the streets in bars,, hotels and homes"are running a countless number of lives bbth youllg aria-ol'd. Bad music that stirs up animal lust in ' men Alid women and causes them to lose their honour and respect is becoming more,.popular every day. . �''M~ch present day African music as well as some music introduced from foreign countries in ' crude reckless and steer noise! Hundreds of people are enslaving then~seb~es the Devil by constantly to listtning to songs which rob their hearts and minds of beauty, decent th'inking and moral strength. 'Take Me G o Corner' and hundreds of other songs in that same cla<s stimulates sinful thoughts in the mind, drain all purity from the heart, and rob a man of strenght of character. Not only our youth, our but adults also are succumbing to these evil songs and obscene music. They think that they are having fun, while in actual fact they are selling their souls and their lives to the Devil and to ruin. We challenge all right thinking citizens of Africa to take stock of what they allow to fill their minds and to take up their time and energy. Bad music is a hot bed for evil, and obscene songs are destructive to the soul. Life And Money Turn Man Up And Down. We feel that musicians like all other citizens, have a great role to play in the task of nation building in Africa. They have a duty to give us music and songs which will build up character in the younger generation. They will utterly fail society if, in order to achieve popular acclaim and to earn money, they dish out only profane, calamorous and morally objectionable songs and music. Such music will dull the mental perception of our people, deaden their consience, and excite beastly and degrading desires in them". (AGican Challega Writer) �POVERTY ,Poverty pains the heart too much. Poverty makes ond to look weak and ugly, and fades one's personality. Poverty makes one to be inactive and to talk less. Poverty reduces one's power and makes one to walk and appear as a sick persbn sometimes. . '. Poverty makes one to be popular in his community because he has no means to "advertise'"himself. A poor man dies un-noticed because not many people know him, but when a rich man beq6mes mere sick, radios, newspapers and other information .organs will report it with sensational iieadline's. �A poor ma.n thinks every npw and .then. He is u.ot happy. Hiinself and his family are not enjoying life. They buy and use secondhand dresses and shoes. -A soup cook:d with 2s lasts one week for thr poor man and'his family. A ,poor man wears 'Patch-Patch' dresses not because'he does no: know that T it is not all that g o o d , ' ~ u tbecause he cannot afford to buy new clothes. A poor man suffers inferiorty complex. He cannot be offered an honourable seat at an occassion. A poor man receives insults even from his very relatives because people respect the money and not the person. The poor man thinks more of his daily bread but the rich man thinks more of his thousands of pounds and another profitable business to establish. The poor man lives in a small unrurnished room because he cannot pay for a decent spacious room. The poor man knows nice things but his condition has forced him to ignor those things. The poor man very hardly pay his tax, rate. or levy from his church or town. A poor man oppases any expenses which may call for new donations or l ~ v y his association because he cannot donate in or simply pay his own levy. �When a poor man's wife delivers, be will be partly happy. and sad.. He is happy because his wife delivered. On the other hand, he is sad. because he. has no:money to meet up with the hospital br maternity bills, and the maintenance of the child.and the wife. A poor man shakes his head when he sees his juniors or age-grades enjoying life. He asks himself "What type of world do I come?" ' In short a -poor man live a poor life, and suffers many things and infact, the poverty pains the heart too much. Tonic For Your Personality. Success is like a tonic, it makes life worth living. People who have never been successful and have not moved forward in life are usually unhappy. People develop interesting individuals as they achieve certain goals they set for themselves. And when they are not progressing, the results are bound to spoil their personalities. Mary was an example of a person who was suffering from a 'standstill' she did not progress in life. She had to leave secondary school before she had finished, and look for a job. So she took the only job she could tiad, filling in a small office. �But many has musical talent. Without training however, her talent was not developed. Filing, filing filing, and how she hated filing. This was not success, and she knew it. Naturally, it sl~owed in her personality. She had not happiness, and there was constant confl~ctin t e r mind. . Nothing is more pitiful than the person who is not progressing in life. As we progress, our personalities become more attractive. What happens to a person who continually fails? He becomes discouraged. and he says, 'Why bother to try? I can't win away'. This kind of person is likely to become suspicious, blaming people and circumstances for his lack of success. It is not uncommon to a person like this to complain of headaches and nervousness. It is surprising then that psychiatrist and psychologists agree that this basic phychological need, the need of being successful. must be met in a person's life he is to be his best. There are some people who have some success even though not complete success. They are likely to be more interesting than one who fails in life entirely. They are usually optimistic, and they inspire hope in others. Successful people look forward to the future. Why? Because the past has been profitable, and the present is encouraging. As a result, they face tomorrow with confidence. --("African Challenge," 12 Lagos) �Important Sayings of Wise For Your Lie To Widen. .Your knowledge. .'1 small man's mouth is his protection. ' 2 . Never boast that you will do this tomorrow because sickness or death or money can disappoint you. 3 poverty is better than illness. 4 A good girl friend is better than a bad wife. . . . . .. . ; 5 All the good or bad deeds done to your parents will come back to you when you have your own. children. 6 Big heap does not mean big bmio. 7 It is better to hear that a man beats a woman than to hear that a woman beats a man. 8 To hold one important certificate is better than to hold seven minor certificates. 9 A child that goes message for people receives many gifts. 10 A wife with bad manners does not gain much from her husband. 11 Life turns man up and' down. 12 Poverty sometimes stops a man from visiting 'his town, and again makes him to : disassociate with his relatives and towns people. 13 �13 Arich man is "Everybody's friend. 14 The man with bold eyes does not see more than the other fellow with smaller eyes. 15 He who borrows money reveals his difficulty before he may be considered for the loan. 16 A woman's gift gladdens the heart more than that o f a man to man. .. . , -a 17 Some disappointments are really disappointments but some are blessing. 18 No man agrees that he is poor before a wo- man. 19 He who dislikes his parents plays with his life and bis life becomes miserable at the 11th hour. 20 When a man who has not up to £5 sees another person counting his £100, he will not be happy with his condition. 21 if something wounds you and the person who supposes to sorry for you fails .to d o it, do not complain, wait and you will see a similar thing happen to him. - 2 2 A' person who laughs a prisoner should bear in mind that nobody is sure that he will never go to prison in life. �23 If you have persistent misfottunes, people . will .. . . mistake it for your sins. .. 24 Without harlots womanizers shall "spoil" girls more and worry marrird females too much. 25 When one remembers death he lessens'his anxiousne s in earthly things. 26 If a beggar asks much he may not be given anything again. 27 if you see two brothers quarrel!ing, do not side anyone because they shall latter settle their differences and come to talk against you. 28 Sometimes generousity is mistaken for richness and quietness, for weakness, and noise making for strength. 29 I f you see a mother who hates her child, really something is wrong with the child. 30 When you mention somebody's mother or father during a quarrel then you have provoked the situation too much. 31 If a thief steals a thief he needs no sympathy. 32 He who is betrayed by his relative is done for. 33 A child does not call Mama when it needs nothing. 34 A man who says that he could burry himself alife forgets that one of his hands would be still left uncovered. �'-.35.': .One does pot ,k~~w.::how . ... ... . mother . .. .-.vadablq;.a . . is until she is dead. 36 In many cases, poverty is tbe result of ones. own faults. 37. If a fowl chases you early in the morning try to run away for you never can tell if it had acquired teeth during the night. 38. . A man who claims that he knoysev:r)thing know nothing. 39. Time is always too much for the idle. 40 Education is like gold. When you want it, y ~ have to do some digging for it is rarely avaiu lable on the surface. 41. One finger cannot remove lice f r m the head. 42. Think always of pleasing; please and you will end being pleased. 43. The 'difference between the fool and the wise is that one misunderstands while the other understands. 44. Two wise men cannot share three cowries. 45. The bird that compares itself with a vulture will sleep at the back of the oven. 46. The beggar's hand is usually longer than the givers. 47. A wife not do any who does not trade or does other b u s i n e s s t h a n t o 16 �stay at home, coo: and chop to her satisfaction, does not know the hardship of money. - 48. A bad writer blames hi3 pen at any time. 49. Half education is better illiteracy. 50. other. than complete If everybody is rich nobady will serve each 51. If another person's corpse is carried the unconcerned regards it as a bundle of firewood. 52. A poor man who does not know that he is poor and spends more than he should not, shall die poor. 53. A sensible visitor eats half belly but the visitor who has no sense eats everything in the plate wholly. 54. A husband and wife who quarrel or fight in the presence of a visitor are both good fools. 55. When a child calls you to come and eat with him and you do so he will never respect you again, and will take you as his age-grade. 56. A disfigured girl with bad manners shall remain with her parents for ever. 17 �.. ... . .. .. . .. . 57.' A bfind man .who hides; wifi not know when he is seen unless he is touched. 58. Whenever you see a person you did a bad thing your mind will cut, and sometimes in your bid to avoid him seeing you, you collide with another person or bicycle or vehicle. 58 He who falls with great debts will hardly rise up again. . . 60 An ugly wife with good manner is better than the beautiful wife with ugly manners. 61. The man whose house is on fire does not pursue aoy rat that comes out of the house. 62. A "bigman" who hates his people and prefers to associata with nobody and stays alone, is like an up-stair without a strong foundation. 63. If you have a wife with a sweet tongue you will not notice easily when she tells you a bad word. 64. No matter how sharp your teeth may be, you cannot bite water. 65. Not only youths make love, our old people play it with their age-grades. 66 A peaceful man lives longer than a trouble maker. 67. It is very scarce to find a man who hate love affairs. �68. A man with wife and children, any day he lacks chop money, he will be running up and down to get money, but a bachelor any day he lacks chop money, he would go to a friend's house and eat. 69. One of the worst sin is to lie again a dead 70. He who talks nonsense makes himself nonsense. My Important Words To men! 1. Since man was naturally born to eat by sweat and labour, man should not keep idle. You should work and work hard. 2. Man should be good "planner". You should plan for how money will be coming by itself. If your plan for money fails, then .you will not rest, becaue man was not born to rest, you should put up fresh plans and struggle about. 3. Man should face his problem as a man and not as a woman or a child. You should not cry when a problem .comes instead you should laugh at it and find its solution. hlan is known when a big thing happens, and not when there is no event. �4. Man should not talk as a women and should, not behave as a woman. Woman has her natural, manner of talking and behaviour. ad has also .. his natural way of things. . . 5. Man should not rest otherwise hunger comes.. but man should not over work himself too much, otherwise sickness or death comes. Wealth accumulated has no power to save you when d k j h comes. So many millionaires had since. died. Their money did not save them. Therefore man should not over work himself too much or value the money more than his life. 6. Man should not quarrel with a woman in the public because her mouth will over take your own and she can tell you anything and you become ashamed. Man should not also fight a woman. 7. Man should be courageous, and vigilant in time of inevitable battle. 8. Man should not fight wrongly or declare unjustified "war" against fellow man. 9. Man should not abuse manhood and should every time uphold the dignity of man. 20 �LIFE TURNS MAN UP r\ND DOWN Life turns man up and dowa, my brother. Man. falls several tinles before he becomes somebody. Sometimes, you will have no chop money and rentage, fees aod this will make your landlord to insult you every now and then. You will keep on borrwoing money from friends and relatives. As you keep on borrowing the money, so will people talk about it in your absence, spoiling your name. You might have seen a man who owned a private car and after sgme time could not own a common bicycle but later r2gained his riches after dramatic fa11 and rise. Now read how life and money turned a man who had $2.000 up and down. £2000 MAN BUT NOW A BEGGER. I was a trader who had £2,000. This £2000 . later f i n i s h e d b e c a u s e of a s h o r t a g e loss I sustained from the goods imported. 21 �Thus I became poor and was laughed by my enemies. I left trading and was employed by an European Company to be a sales agent. Not very long the company terminated me. Not only that I was caught by illness which took all the little money I got from the company. After my recovery, I tried several other business and could not succeed. I am now a begger but I still have hope in God because, hence there is life there must be hope. Some struggling youths are impatient. Life is not easy. All these rich men and women you know if they tell you how life turned them up and down you will be marvelled. They suffered and sometimes there would be no penny to buy common garri and drink. Therefore man falls several times before he becomes somebody. However, in some rare cases, you will see some boys who are very lucky to stand strongly in their early beginning of business. �YOUTHS WITHOUT EXPERIEMi E Soue youths who have no experience with regards to life use to bluff the poor and say whatever they like. They will come to regret their bluffing, saying of bad words and careless usage of money when life teaches them a lesson they will never forget in life. Some fallen angels are now 'passenger collectors', some wander about and some other are in the lowest degree of lives. Whatever amount you get, do not be confiden: that it can never get finished through one way or the other. Nothing is impossible for God to do. Whenever, your progress gives up in any business do not be discouraged. Pick up courage and attempt other works. It may take you fairly long years or short years to see what you want. On the other hand you can still continue your fallen business provided that you can manage things. It does not pay too much to run from this work to the other one, unless you have tried all you can for long and become sure that the work cannot help you any longer, than you leave it for another one. By this time, critical observers will not blame you or critise you for impatience. �LACK O F PATIENCE You see, some of our struggling youths have no patience and again many people are not satished with their works. Ttey would stay in this business and envy others in another works. Thinking that there is more profits in those works more than theirs. This makes some people to quit their business. PLEASE DO NOT SMOKE THE TRUTH ABOUT CiGARETTES Until1 recently the public looked upon smoking as a habit to enjoy. Young men and women though it was a sign of 'grown up modem, smart". Older people enjoyed it as a luxury. Some doctors said it was harmful, and some pastors said it was a habit that Christians should be kept away from. But most smokers igoored the warnings as not being serious. Medical reports were denied by cigarette manufacturers and ignored by the public. Now the public overseas is being shocked awake Medical research has proved so strongly that cigarettee smokiog is highly dangerous to health, that smokers are becommg frightened. Cigarette sale are going down in America and Europe. Doctors themselves are stopping smoking and telling their patients they must stop. Even government departments in Russia, Europe and America are issuing warnings. �The importance OF the new c ~ l o o k smoking on is shown by the fact that the wo~~li's largest magazines are publishing articles revealing the dangers. This is worth nothing, since most map;~zines depend on money from cigarette advisers to help support their publications. Yet Reader' Qigest, Times, Newsweek, and other leading magazines now believe that smoking is so dangerous that they are willing to risk loss of advertising money in order to warn their leaders. . In the face of all this we are shocked to learn that cigarette manufacturers are allowed to increase their sales in Africa (see news report in April 1964 Challenge). As sales go down overseas, manufacturers try to find new buyers in Africa T o do so they use advertising that decieves our pub'ic into thinking smoking is modern smars, healthful. They link it up with sports, entytainn~ent, university graduates and professional men. While the public overseas, has been enlightened by their Press and Goverdment, our people are being put to sleep with cigarette smoke: Why have our newspapers and magazines said very little? Are they afraid of losing advertising money? Why don't our governn~entr!epartments warn the public? Are they afraid of losing cigarette taxes? Isn't the health of our people more important than advertisement and taxes? Life and money Turns man up and down CHIEF H U M A N W A N T S The Primary human wants are: (a) Air to breathe. (b) Water to drink and for trade and domestic purposes. (c) Adequate wholesome and nurishing food. id) Land on which to build our houses. (ej Sufficient clothing to keep us warm and to enable us to conform to the accepted standards of decency. (f) A house or shelter to protect us from the sun, wind and rain, and to ensure the privacy necessary for human beings in a civilised society. �(1;) A fire or fuel to enable us to cook our food. THE PIIIYILEGES OF A CITIZEN. 1. Perhaps the greatest privilege of a citizen is his right to have share in the government of the country. He can do so by his vote. 2. In the eyes of the law all citizen are broadly speaking, equal. Whatever our station in life, whether rich or poor, .all of us are liable to punishment in the ordinary courts of law for breaches of the law. 3. Unless he has been suspected of committing a felony a constable may not arrest a .citizen with, out a warrant. 4. No citizen can be legally punished or deprived of his possessions except-by the decisions of the ordinary courts of law. 5. All citizens enjoy equal protection from the law. The protective hands of the Police Force are there for us all. 6. Every citizen enjoys personal freedom: short of breaking the. law he is free to do what he likes. If a citizen is wrongfully deprived of his liberty he can obtain redress by recourse to the law courts. 7 Every citizen has a right to freedom of discussion . This means that he is free to say, write or publish any thing he pleases so long as he does not commit a breach of the law. The law is infringed if he says or publishes anything of defanatory, seditious, blasphemous or obscene character. 8. Every citizen has the right to public meeting. People may nieet together whenever or wherever they please in so far as they do not offend against the law. They can be apprzhended for committing a nuisance or tresspass or constituting an unlawful assembly. Also the public have no right to meet in a public throughfare, or public resorts. 9. Every citizen enjoys the right of self-defence, He is justified in using a proport onate amount of force in defence of himself, his wife, his children. his house or his property. �The responsibilities of a Citizen to His Tunw or her town A. 1. A Citizen's first duty is loyalty to his Queen or President and country. In exchange for the protection extended by the Queen or President every subject owes a "natural and legal obedience to her or him" 2. It is the duty of the citizen to obey all the laws of the land. 3. Since the revenue of the Government is used to defray public expenditure, it is the duty of the citizen to pay all taxes and rates which he has to pay and not try to defraud the revenue. 4. If called upon to help, it is the duty of every citizen to give active aid to the police in the apprehension of offenders. 5. The citizen must d o all in his pDwer to belp suppress a riot, or other outbursts of disorder, or to help repel an invasion. 6. It is his duty to aid the cause ofjustice by giving evidence as a witness in criminal or police cases. 7. He has a responsibility to register the birth of his Children soon after they are born, to have them vaccinated, and to see that they recieve elementary education B. The above are the legal statutory duties of a citizen, but it must not be supposed that the responsibilities of the citizen end with these. If a citizen faithfully adhered to the above he could be described as a law abiding citizen. If he were apprised of all the information in the foregoing pages he might be considered an informed citizen. But this would not in themselves make him a good citizen. It is important that the citizen should realise that he lives in a civilised society and that he has certain moral, social and community obligations. In times like these there is no place for the "lone wolf." Out actions are dependent on the actions of others with whom we have to associate. If, therefore we wish to be worthy citizen of our country, there are certain principles which we must try to observe. These are: (I) Proper human relationship. (2) Service for the community. 27 �Proper Human ~dationship the Art 'of Living. or This is an important element of good citizenship. This calls for (a) consideration for the feelings of others: (b) respect for other person's point of view; (c) Co-operation. (a ) The consideration for the feelings of others Jesus put it this way: "Do unto others as others would have do unto you". Think how much better our society would be if we all try to be (i) Less selfish, (ii) Conscious of the dignity of human personality, (iii) Appreciative of the effects of other people, (iv) More humane, (v) Obedient and respectful to those in authority over us, (vi) Better users of the Queen's Highway. (i) So many of us want everything for ourselves and our families. Let us remember that other people have as much right to happiness and the good things of this world as we. We shall all try to bear one another's burdens by acts of helpfulness when the need arises. (ii) In the eyes of God all men are equal. Every person regardless of his station in life, has a dignity and importance far greater than lower animal. He or she is a human being and should be treated as such (iii) All of us are proud of the things we do. Let us cultivate a sense of gratitude, the habit of giving due praise and thanks to people for what they do for us. or what they do for others because of us. Little gifts of flowers, Birthday or Christmas cards bring happiness both to the donator and the recipient. Also we must not be too ready to blame others, for we all make mistakes. (iv) We mus8 try to avoid the bullying, aggressive scowling and critical attitude in our relations with our friends or subordinates. (v) We must not be in subordinate to our supperiors. Insubordination is is distasteful to any employer. It antagonises him and be-gets retaliations and victimisation. In the long run it is the employee who suffers. (vl) If we only gave a thought to the untold misery ' 1. 28 ' �whichhtoad accidents bring to the homes of so many families. We would all develop .a,better road sense and observe the Highway Cod:. (b) Respect for the other pcrsm'spoint o view f This would be a dull and monotonous world if we all think alike. It is said that variety is the spice of life. None of us has a monopoly of brains or ideas. We must therefore learn to be tolerant of the views and opinions of others. Don't do all the talking. Listen to what the other persons have to say even if their view on a question is not the same as yours. Theremay be a lot in what they have to say (c) Co-oporation It requires little thought to realise that we have to depend on each other at every turn of our lives. Production under the modern system is based "division of labour" "specialisation" whereby several kinds of workers have to co-operate to turn out one finished manufactured article. Similarly no one today could be entirely self-sufficient in every respect. Every person has to depend on the labour of other people on certain commodities which he cannot produce himself. Thus all workers are dependent on other workers whether they be agricultural manual. factory, technical, clerical, administration or professional worker. 2 Service to the community This is one of the noblest duties of the citizen. A number of voluntary organisation such as the Red Cross Society, Child Welfare League, Boy Scout Movement, Girl Guide Movement, Literary and Cultural Clubs, etc offer innumerable opportunities for people to render services to the community. Incia dentaly, these organisations help to develop in their members the qualities of leadership and a sense of responsiblity, and aim t o produce the kind of citizen our country needs at the present time. �Now read a letter from a man who was poisoned by his own wife because of his love. I married in 1947 and wed in 1949. What a honey moon I and my wife began to live happily, not a small one, but a big one. She loved me quite alright, and I myself also loved her. We don't hide anything for each other. If anybody spoke to her on the street, when she returned, she @Is me. she could not eat without me, I myself could not also eat or taste without her. We lived very good for complete two years before devil came in. I HAD A FRIEND What brought trouble? I had a male friend who was very handsome Each time this my friend visited me, my wife admired him. He attracted my wife very much. To talk the truth so that the devil w!ll be ashamed, that my friend never first chased that my wife. My wife gave him all impression and showed him likeness, before that my friend become interested in her. After I heard that when I left for my work, that my friend came and began to play with my wife. That my wife had not taken her money and cooked fresh fish for me but I heard that she used to buy fresh fish and cook it for that my friend. I never took any action when I heard this because I don't do my things like that, I wanted to witness everything with my eyes. One day when I returned work, I saw my two tumblers broken into pieces, I asked my wife who broke them 30 �but' s h i . t 6 ~ drrik'that it"wiii'bui 'ixe$etii'$aby. After ' I heard from my house boy that it was broken by that my friend when he was playing with my wife after both had taken two bott1,:s of beer. I counted this two. One day again, I retorned and saw peculiar thing. 1 counted it three, and began to keep watch of them. One day I left my house for my work, shy about 10 a. m. the very day, I told my manager that I was attacked by big headche and that I wanted to go home and rest for three hours, he permitted me because he was a good mao. I went back to my house and met both parties swallowing pounded yam with fresh fish. I looked on my bed, it was rough, not as it was in the morning the very day. When that my friend saw me he nearly ran mad. Shame was his lot. That my wife could not know whdt to do. Only God knew how she felt. I never showed them that I was highly offended I brought out two bottles of beer from my cupboard and presented it to that my friend, he was unable to finish one cup, before I drank up the beer. I left bim with that my wife and went to my work. -When I returned in the evening. I did not see that my wife she has packed her things and ran to her people. I waited and waited for her to return but I could not see her. According to the native custom, it was my business to go to my in-laws to �inquire why my wife ran and what was her anger Upon all what ,she did to me, I carried two jars o i tombo wine and -went to her parents, when I reached their house with some of my relatives, that my wife saw us and ran out. 1 We. formally presented 'the twd jars o f tokbo . 4 -5 wir.e to those my in-laws. After drinking the wine . .I told them the purpose .'of 'our' &mi&. ~ h &my . in-laws sent a messenger who called in that my wife she' greeted us.with shaide." My in&.' said 'that there was no need for long talk, beciusc theyhad . . heard what they "called deplorable thing" i t bas the tresspass she cdmmitted made her run away they told They begged greatly to 'forg& hen' because i t was, the first offence. They. added that to er;' is human, to forgive i s divine. . - , , ' ' f A. "s' I had earlier decided in my mind that. what ever happened, I will not marry .her again. But I surrendered when an irresistible presure was 'brought and bear on me, by my relatives to receive that my wife back once more. That my wife returned back to my house two days after we came to their house. We begad to live again. Each time we went to bed, she began to beg me to forgive her. I told her that I have forgotten everything, but I added: ':'let another do not happen again". She swore that she would not do that type of thing again �After all these. had .'happened,':;,1thought that my wife and that my friend were no more in love, that they had separated, but I soon heard that they were still in love secretli. 1.investigated and i t was true. I ,went to one o f my. relatives and told .him. He told me to. prepare and sack that my .'wife, I was in preparation, that .my wife gave me poison'that my. friend. gave her t o . give. ,me, so that if . I .die they would be chanced quite alright' to carry on, witb' their love and marry together. The poison nearly killed me. It suffered mi and I s p o t £154: 9s : 8 d t o cure it. That my wife left m e during the'time 1 was sick because she was'informed that 1 have known that.she was.:the person who poisoned me. After, 1,heard that she was. living with ,that my .friend. They married for a year and ' o n e day, they got a big buarrel, and fought, and each sustained injuries, and they qarted. This is the end of my story. My ' name; i s Paul. P. 0.Ebeme: Private Mail Bag ,2819, Kpoko ~ o y and girls, men and women and dear bros ther's and sisters in this life .problems and happiness, man do suffer,till sweat comes out !before,he eats. In tbis troubled world man cannot, record a l l what had happ5ned ,to him in the scramble for money and. the grievous disappointmentwhich life . has fired him. And , I 'can 'tell you :that man. whether short, thin or poor cannot be taken as a small man because any; man . has a .way .,,it]. which ,he shows his manhood, .either.: ; power, I:: cleverness, ;:: foresight, commonsense charm o r . trick: ' , , 33 . : �b1EN DIE IN MAtlY :WAYS BECAUSE OF MONEY AND WOMEN Men die in many ways in finding'.moneyi:~om&, .. .. . . ,.... men had died in the motor accident, many had. died': . .. , for over working themselves. ~estlessness .of. "mind! . . . . . , ,.: and 'heart failure have killid millions of men. :Infact; . mHn do suffer, and man is .a iesponsible being fii'; the following reasons: ;, '(I) Whether a man has money o r not,' d f::".:,c mi t s t . : :. e ~ $ , . , contribute financially to the development "ofi3.bis: . community. (2) Whether a man '. is poorer than 'church:kt'.. he . . .. is liable to pay tax. (3) Whether a man has money or not the desire for marriage sleeps with him on the bed every night. (4) Whether a man has money or, not. he is being looked upon by his relatives to help them. (5) Whether a man has money or not be is responsible for the maintainance . of his parents. (6) . - Whether a man has money ornot he is responsible to maintain his wife and train his children. There are other numerous responsibilities .-which man has. �.. , \ . , -' . , I . QUESTIONS FOR MEN ( 1 In what way is a man known? A man is known by courage, endurance, cleverness and hardworking. ' (2). 1 what way does man overcomes. his problems? h . Man conquers his problems first by prayer,. common-'. . . sense and contribution of advic? received. from.?wi& thinkers. . . $ (3) Is a born to have things easy? Nan is born to sweat before he eats, :,knowing; thisi : we need not worry our mind whenever .we are ' troubled. (4) What type of men are expected succeed in life? Men who are expected to succeed are men who are courageous, patient, kind, honest, labourious and fearers of God. (5) What type of men are expected to fall in life Men who are expected to fall in life are men who have too much competitional mind, men .who envy, men who are dishonest and men. who hate the pro.gress of the others. (6) What type , of men .are expected to be poor forever ? , 35 �There are m:n who hate t o work but love delightful things. They are also the type ,of men that are idle. (7) . What type of 'men are wanted'! Men wanted are men who hnderstand others point of views, men who love their neighbours as themselves, men who are faithfuli simple, sympathetic Godly and poor in heart. (8) What happens t o men who are arrogant and rich in heart? Fall and shame a l w q s be theirs. (9) Is it true that good men d o not have big money? That is lie, the only thing is that good men d o not, as dishonest and unfaithful men, have money one day but have theirs gradually. (10) Is it true that wicked and bad men have money greater than good men? The fact is a that a thief can haveE10.000 a d a y , but thatJ money will finish within a short time while the man who gathers by labcur increase daily.' (11) In what way is a bad man known? A bad man is easily known by words of mouth, attitude especially when you d o a business of money with him. �(12) In what way is a good man known? :.:. .. '. .. . .. ... BY words of mouth an'd .actions.you .know.+ good man. a (13) What is that dkbt 'that mln b&s his 6ohinuUUUu . ..., . , .... nity ? , The debt is wife. When. a man marries he has, . . ?.. . . .. paid his people. (14) Do men maintain their parents greater than their girl friends? . < . It is deplorable to oboerve that some mendoh't ' care about their parents instead they will maintain their parents who born and su~reredfor ,them, they take to drink and maintain thrir girl friends. I have seen many parents going naked xhile their sons wear robes and drive costly cars. (15) Are men who keep tnemselves clean'womaniscrs? Cleanliness is holiness so it. is .very foolish: to think that those who keep themselves clean do, so' in qrder to attrack women but do so for their personal pleasures and to have respect before the public. Infact, 'simplicity of dress and .cleanliness of the body . . : . and mind is lifely.: (16) What does dirtiness earns a man? Dirtiness earns a man under assessment of wealth, . ... disrespect and disgrace. :' (17) Does cleanliness mean wearing of rich clothes costly hand watch and gold? ? . . ' In short. cleanliness of the body and clothes . . whether cheap or costly. . .. . . . , . �But it is not bad to wear eminent watches and gold and robes if you have what is called money. ,(IS) Is it bad for men to rub powder? Every thing depends oo having time and the type of business one does. If you have time to powder your face it is not bad. After all, we do things t o keep our lives long, and have happiness. (19) What makes some men who had got money before to die poor? ' It is a shame to do a common work. (20) ' What type of men regain their wealth after life had blown them? They are men who are not shy or shameful to do the' work of a common man. IMPORTANT. WORDS OF ADVICE AGAINST WHAT MAY HAPPEN TO YOU IN FUTURE Here comes a letter from a man whose former boy asked to come and serve him seven years as he had served him and ,the advice given him and you (1) Dear master of life, I heard that you' are a. great master of life and a famous adviser and I have read your books and was convinced that you are a wonderful being I write. 38 �But if you were rair'to hirl and he insist not to help you until you serve him then he has not the slightest respect and sympathy, and I.advice you not to go and serve the., b.xy because his mind-+ not good to you and his aims at bigh. What * I can, tell you is; Forget the boy's money and take thing mainly for n o condition in this w0r.d is Fermanent and life, you see is empty dream.' Again from today stop to pray to God to take away your precious life and nerper attempt to commit suicide for it is arainst the law of the state and that o f God. And don't have little mind, encourage your!self as a man by prayer and labour you shall regain lyour wealth and become a man whoIhas astory of . life to tell. Here comes a second letter from a €I per month court messenger whose, wife denands more than his ,salary and the advice given him and you. 2. I am a court messenger receiving £5 per month. [when I receive it I share it. To tell you my own miserable state: formerly I had many dependants and what was called money but now I am no where. I have no person to help me financially except my former boy, Robinson, who insisted that he would not help me until I have served him for seven years he had served me. After the boy said this, my brain scattered and I was unconscious. What I did was to pray to God to take away my life instead I will live to serve the boy who had served me. Now tell me what to do either to go and serve th? bay or s t a ~ d firm in my decision ot to go and serve the boy however. hunger worries 39 �Your case is a difficult one but I will try. Nobody except y ~ u , can tell whether you treated yixr boy fairly or not during his service to you. If you were cruel and gave him tough time it might t ? his annoyance a ~ why he insist that he will not d hel;, you until you serve him for 7 years he had scrved you in order to return every wickedness for uickedness. That is to retaliate. Advice: I gave. my wife £4 for,what we will eat for one month. I ' used 5s for my pocket money and saved 15s for our cloths and eventuality. But what is paining me now is the persistent complaint of my wife that hunger worries her at any time because the £4 is not sufficient for one month. When I asked' hcr to tell me the amount she thinks that will d o for one month, she said £8. AS I cannot afford £8 what will I d o ? 1. 0. ISELLE UKWU W. NIGERIA Advice: I don't think that your wife knows your income. Try to make her know your salary to avoid undue demand because she is over assessing you. In view of the present high cost of living manage to give her small amount to start small trade, from there she can help to what you eat. Here comes the third lrtter from a woman who explains why she divorced her husband. and condemn men and advice given her and you. 3. Dear Mr.' Njoku, I have been reading your books wit11 interest. �1,;ould ..gatherdhat''you.a r e an impartial writer bGt 'I don't know how you will f d l . to;. read me criticise me as you a r e a man b u t m y how,. I will ' strick .because my pen is not. a rrspxter of ,anybody or a disrespect, t~,well.-fashioned ientlemen.. 1 was i n the school when. a certain young .man approached my parents' to marry me. The. man. .was a shop boy i n the' U. A.'C. but when asked about his occupation he;replied: "I 'am a branch manavr o f the U. A.'C." 'He told me 'secretly that he had f 2,OCO saving in the' Bank and promise, to pleaseand maintain ;,he if I agree to marry him. I'was not impressed by 'the : E2,000 he claimed to have had in the Rank but I was impressed by his promise. to pleased and rcaintain me. ' 'I was also impressed by his appearance. I agreed and we married together. The first month I came to his house I received a good treatment. Everything 'was normal. But when, we entered the second month I experienced a slight change. The third and fouth month were deplorable and miserable. The man started- to show me his true tolour and I regretted my marriage with him. , He started to beat me, started to make mouth a t me for the slightest offence. started to do me all sort of things a man supposed not d o to bis wife. What action did I take? I left the man with his insincerity, with his unfaithfulness, with his cruelty, with his senselessness and his wickedness. The attitude of the man has made me to condemn men and always look at them with unreliable eyes. The ' littles in them pretend to be big. No more with me and men I have chosen independent life. �Aivice: Elizabeth, I can assure you that I am nor a ~ n o y e dbetause you critised: men of which I am among. I'm only, ageinst destructive criticism I am also sorry for your broken marriage. Whom will 'I td. n e, is it you o r the man for the failure of thc mmiage? I will 19ot blame any party for being respo~siblefor the,failure of the marriage until I hear both sides. I have heard'lou but have not heard not voice of your former husband; One book says: "don't givz judgment until you h:ar both sides of the case." Do you know Elizabeth that woman is born to be under man as man is born to carry the responsibility of a woman? That woman who is disobedient and has quick temper cannot succeed in marriage? Referring to your decision to become an independent girl, it is the worst you have said. Do you know,that an independent woman has no way to refuse thecbarge that she is a prostitute? That is very hard to resist the trials of men? That people will look you very down! Please revoke your plan if you want to save yourself from blemish and regret. The last is your condemnation to entire men. You have misfired. Don't you know that all men as well as woman are not bad or good. To say the truth, the number of good men leads the number of the women who are good. If you don't know, know it as from now. And it is unwise to assume that all men are unreliable simply because a certain man disappointed you. The fourth letter comes from a man whose wife over-powered. during fighting and the advice 'given him and you. �4. M y OWD case is ihis; My'wife Paulioa is a strong woman and a .:tireless fighter.. Instead I will overpower h e r 'during fighting.. she 'overpowers .me being that she knows that st.e is stronger than,me, me what [.will she disregards my orders. P1easC:tell ... ...... do. to this cvoman.' ., ' OKEREKE UCHE, ABUDU N. NIGERIA There is n o 'reason why a woman should overpower you. Why say wk.t .is expected from a woman? It means that it is :b certain thihg you d o : which makes you very weak o. are you sick?. You cannot d o the woman anything. than to avoid affray and keep your bouse in peace by displinary action. Don't fight next time, fighting lets- some one down and you cannot- reform a woman by beating her o r quarrelling with her., Advice: The fifth letter comes from a girl who is .in difficulty in choosing a good husband and the advice given her and you. 5 Two men are coming to marry he. The one I love has n o money to mairtain me but the one I . dan't like has much money to give me. Please tell me what to do. VERONICA 0. B. EBI ONITSHA. Advice: If you know that you cannot marry the man whom you love because he has no money and cannot also marry a money man you don't like wait for the man whom you love and at the same time have money. Be very careful in engaging a man. Ty to know the work of money and love in r mamage. �"MEN VERSUS MONEY" . , \ . . . . .. . The struggle for money has gone so far, that s j m e have now begin to ,ask; which is .it that controls the others? The' lifeless or the animate men? The uneasiness.money of this life, is mostly caused by money, ..many dic in the strife. Other still remain in want. What evil has it not introduced? Where there is peace it intrudes. Those who has not often complain. Those who has it also complain. Dearest friends has it seperated, so from father has it disunited, husband and wife hastit. brought t o a clash that is how money handles man's life. . But man is made to control . money 'and.not money to control man. In whatever-condition .you may be let not money change your mind. To,.:the ..rich and poor give good treatment, for the Lord:$ .. ,. ., .-the maker of them all. .. , Remember the great 'END' that respects no& and treat others as you would like to be treated. BHOKACE OF NIGERIA WORKERS "BROKAGE" is Nigeria workers, .number One disease. They cry, '1 am broke among Nigerian workers that one often wonders whether there is a Nigerian wage earner who does not go broke before ..the end of the month. "Employers in Nigeria know the 'brokage7 disease too well. Often, though always grudgingly, they give their ernplojees salary,advance t o tide them over the rest of the month. The 'brokage' problem naturally causes many employers a great concern. "Many of them, have come to know that at 'no time does a worker loose more concentration, become more downcast and agitated and worried a s when he is' broke. When the Nigerian worker is broke it shows on ' his face and only a little ::money, 'either by way of loan from" a friend. or , ' 44 �salary advance from his employer. can restore his self--confidence and make him do his work conscientiously. Tht question that Nigeria Governments and other employers of labour have been asking is: Why in the Nigerian worker always broke"? ,Most Nigeriaos, including the workers themselves, will promptly answer that they go broke because of the low salaries paid in the couctry. There could be so if it is only the members of the lower income group of workers that go broke. Unfortunately this is not so. 'What about the highly paid worker, the senior servicemen who is often referred to as an overpaid Nigerian? Why does he go broker Why is it that it is among this class of well-paid workers that 'brokage' is most pronounced?. "It is 'an open secret that in Government mimi. stries and in commercial houses, chief clerks and other better paid officials often borrow money, when they are broke, from t h e junior workers under them and by subtle means. Often the borrowing is covered up with the excuse that 'oga' (the boss) has no loose cash with him". 'On this pretext the 'oga' will order the messenger to buy him cigarettes or soft drinks or kolanuts or other such little things with his own money as 'op' has no lcose cash with him". "At times, the 'oga' comes out bold, with the same no loose cash excuse, to demand two, three, five or more shillings from his mesienger nr his compound cleaner or junior clerk in 'the office. �' e does this almost every other day from the H tenth of the month. .And .at'the ' end of the month it will be discovered that the 'oga' is owing a number of his junior staff sums of money that range from five shillings to f I. A witty messenger in a Federal Government Ministry in Lagos who knew the game once shocked his deputv permanent secretary out of his witts. The deputy . permanent secretary had, with the usual story that he only had a £5 note, asked him to buy a packet of cigarettes outside..^^ But the messenger asked the deputy permanent secretary t o bring the £5 since it could easily be changed by the cigarette seller. Rut the deputy permanent secretary had not even a five shillings note on him. The story was told by the deputy permanent secretary himself. A defence very oftell put up for brokers is that it is our social system that compels a wage earner to cater, not just for himself, but also for stines of other aged mother, father, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts and. so on that is responsible for this social melody. While there is no doubt that our social system makes some contribution, it will be certainly incorrect t o hold it u p as the main cause of 'brokage' among Nigerian workers. Indeed, workers who minister religiously t o the needs of their large families hardly complain of brokage. They prefer t o bear their burden in silence and make every sacrifice, including self-denial in order t o discharge their responsibilities to their families. �,. But eve.0.' a;$suiniog"that . .family re:~po,cisibilities: are~~the main.cause' of 'brokage', what is the sedse in a man accepting more responsibilities than he can bear 7 The truth is that most of those Nigerians, who are saddled with family responsibilities fail to tell their people their true positions, how much they earn, how much they spend it and how much they can afford to give to their families. They lie about their incomes and so increas their relative expectations. Take the case of a senior executive officer in a commercial house who earn £960 a year. He lives in a flat of £20 a month, he pays £15 each month to his company to defray his car loan, he spend f25 on his family of five (himself, wife. two children and a maid): £2 goes to his provident fund; f 2 goes to his family medical expenses, the nany takes, £3: he sets aside $3 for entertainment, and his family union dues and his newspaper claim seven shillings and nine pence. At the end of the month he is left with barely £10 and on assumption that his pay is tax-free and that his car basic allowance and mileage claims during the month will be enough for him to run his car. We have not considered a life insurance policy for himself and family or his saving for the rainy day or his buying books to keep up to date in his job or the school fees for his children and clothing for himself and family. Why should a man in such a position not make tbe position clear to his family? Why should he agree to being further saddled with 'the responsibility of paying for a sister or a brother in a College or University 7 47 �.Is there any sanity in his agreeing t o assume re~~oiisibility old uncles and aunts: at home?. '. for Surely if a man takes the members of his family into confidence, they will understand:and'dra. stically cut down on.what tbey expect from hi.n. Bur4:have said i t is never the . w & k < that carries family 'respmsibility :'who' grumble: most about *,brokage'The worker who complains the loudest . and always pesters his employer for salary advance .and runs round the money lenders, offices often has hardly any family responsibility. He is merely. .an arch . -broker. -: . . On what does' he spend his' money, that '.. 6. e . i ~ ,..broken,before the fifth of every new month?, .The answer is simple but eainful." ~e : spends his money on' wine and woman, on inesential .loxuries and on.putting up false shows .just t o be .like ': the Joneses next door.. . . . . .. ~ ~ a i the reason for the extravagance in most ", Nigerians is simple. . . . The majority of Nigerians believe, that what matters in life, is not what they are or what .they :can. do by themselves or what moral and intellectual .. , qualities they possesses; not what they bring into life or what they give t o life. The matters to them is the number of persons they know and the number of persons who know them. This, they believe, is the passport to,success, since to reach the top in society, all one needs t o 'do is to press the right buttons and make the right contacts through the persons who knows and the persons who know one. , . ..With this wrong belief firmly planted. 'in their minds, most Nigerian workers, instead of working ,hard, instead of husbanding their incomes .well so "as to improve their personal lasts and these of their -' �families: : instead .of employing their earnings to : advancii 'their.metlta1; moral and~.intelledtual..abilities spend their hard-earned money. ' i n ,cultivating the companies of 'big men' and living fast lives. they can ill-afford. ' So on a salary of £960 a year, or seven less this class of Nigerians move into a flat of £25 a month, get the flat expensively furnished on hirer purchase terms, employ a driver on a salary of £10 10s a month go in for a big car for which they pay about £30 a month ( .there are cases of workers who buy ears when they are not yet qualified, by their status in their offices, to do so), keep a string of girl friends that cost them about £25 a month and spend at least £ 5 . every week--end on pubcrawing. Although some of such Nigerians may have cook stewards at home, they do not go home for their meals because their native dishes-eko, amala, eba, egusi, ewedu and okoro are .too mean for them to eat. They must go to big hotels daily for their lunch and dinner and always with girl friends and one or two other friends just to show *off. They called themselves the new civilized Nigerians. They keep the company of ministers of state and business men whose income in a week pays their year's salary. In the night clubs, they go in for drinking contests buying more drinks than they need. By the end of the month they find that they have overdrawn their accounts in the bank by more than £50 and that number of cheques they have issued had bounced. Worse, they find that their petrol bill have ' 49 �soared , t o more than f20, not because they have been going' about much in the interest of their jobs but because they have been darting from one girl's house to another playing the big boys. Today in Nigeria, it is not unusual or strange for an executive officer on a salary o f f 1,200 a )ear to give expensive parties every quarter for Ministers of State or for well-known business men or even2 for girl friends just for the fun of getting his name and photograph in print. Neither is it anything to make people raisestheir eyebrows for a young man on a salary of less than £800 a year to change into expensively tailored suits every week-end. With his background then, the answer to the question of what makes the Nigeria worker always broke becomes simplified. The Nigeria worker goes broke not necessary because his income is inadpquate: He goes broken because he does not live within his income. The Nigeria wage earner will not be broken at the end of the month if he. draws at list of what he really needs, and not what he wants each month. Learns to refuse to accept a family responsibility that he can't carry. Re-examines his present carryings on so as to find those that are really worth the troubles and .expense and those that are not. . . . ~ e c i d e st o ' . deceive . himself. no.' nibre . and, see himself as he really is-(Sam Uba). . . . �GENERAL BROKAGE IN #ICERIA: TODAY. Not only the Nigeria workers broke, other private individuals broke. If you will have the chance to go to any hotel you know' and see how people larvish their money. They order beer with competition. This man will 'order six bottle. The other man will order twelve bottles at ago. This beer is not to entertain an important visitor but just to show. off and win the love of postitutes in the hotel. Apart from wasting money on beer in the hotel there are other ways that traders and businessmen lawish their money and later broke. I list below very few of the ways: (I) Common buying of cars nowadays and maintaining them by even those who are tenants. (2) Common buying of motor cycles this time by those who cannot afford to pay a fine of £150. (3) Spending much on women. : (4) Being too fast with modern life. Infact. I used to laush at some boys who are tenants yet buy cars. Why not use that money and buy a landed property so that when you may broke then you sell it and begin business again. Some boys buy the cars with the pretext that it helps them to run about for business. In. as much as 1 have noticed, so many boys buy cars in order to carry woman up and down on the front. You will hardly see them carrying their wives in the cars. They prefer to give 'lifts'. There is no sense in your purchasing a car wben your capital is not big and when you have not been able to build even a single house in the township. �Do not be fast .with life stherwise ynu..broke. When y o u , get n car, you. will.run. much evpen.ses. -Your''people vGll t:ake f o r . granted..that . .your pocket has become tcb heavy and you cannot deny it. Then they will contact you constantly help If you tell them that you have no money they will never be satisfied, hence you drive a car. Apart from your people, friends will come to borrow money from you. In fact, some youths who are-fast with life d o not know the implications in buj;iig cars when they are not qualified. It is shameful to drive car this year and ride on a bicycle next year because of brokage. Your enemies will laugh you t o scorn. My friend, God's time is the best. A trader in the market who trades with £500 is not qualified to own any type of motor cycle how much more a second-hand car is cheaper. It is cheaper and better to join a taxi whenever there is an urgent business call than to own a personal means of transport with the capital which cannot even survive the present unhealthy trade competition. Some boys this time furnish their rooms with considerable sum of money. Boys who have just begun lives should not over tide their rooms. You can buy a radio and leave record-changer as this is wastehl. In short, you should not buy unnecessary things otherwise you broke. It is regrettable to observe that some boys who havejust began lives by family beds with £12 10s English matress, because the locally made £4 matress is too low for them. You see all this makes nonsense of a careful life and invites brokage ' �O u r boys this time arcvery fast with life. They need cars, radiograms and other luxurious things. Bicycle is no longer regarded this time because of car. If you are too fund of car when you are not eligible to buy it, well you may go to the firm that sells it and buy one. N ~ b o d ywill teil you to re-sell the car but the tning that will tell you to re-sell it by auction, will tell you. "IT IS A TRUE WORD" "It is a true word" that some wives d o not salute their husbands good morning and "thank Sir" after choping. When I heard this, I could not believe -but when I conducted an intensive investigation, I came to see that "it is a true word". NO EXPENSES NO DIFFICULTY! One would not make any expenses in salutation 'and there is no difficulty in it, it is a question of "open mouth and close it". Therefore any wife who fails to salute her husband has neglected her husband to the last, and must' be aware o f . the coesquences. When I was conducting the investigation with regards to the salutation, I came in contact with one housewife who did not salute her husband at all, I qucrried her QUESTION: I have noticed that you do not salute your dear husband in the morning and after choping, why? Wife: "Yes I don't I am annoyed with my husband. He does not buy me dresses and other things necessary that a wife must use. This is the reason wby I stop to salute him this time." �Other housewives probably have a similar reason as to why they do not salute their husbands. Bur there is no sense in it. That your husband does not buy you things must not stop your saluting him. Perhaps. he has money. Some housewives demand things, fram their husbands without assessing the income of their husbands You should not demand gold beads and earrings when your husband cannot afford to purchase them. You ask for the things you know he can afford to buy without 'pains' otherwise vou kad him into debts. On the other hand, any husband wh? intentionally stops to buy her wife necessary things, since he has the means, calls for disrespect from.his wife. AN UNDISCOVERED TREASURE. "A Christian worker entered a wretched poverty stricken home. Beneath a rickety table, he saw a dust covered Bible. As he left, 'he said. "There's a treasure in this house which if discovered and believed would make . you all rich"! A deligent search was made f ~ the hidden treasure. r Could it be a jewel or a pot of gold left by the former occupants of the home? asked the searchers one of another. Their search was ,in vain. No treasure was found. Not long there after, the mother picked'up the old Bible. She began to shift the pages of the unread Bible. On the flyleaf were written these words: Thy testimonies are better to me than thousands of gold and silver! 'Ah'! she exclaimed, "Can this be the treasure, the stronger spoke of? She and the other members of the family began to read the Bible A change came into their lives. A change came into the home. Love, joy and peace came into hearts which were formerly filled with, sin and discontentment. When the Christian worker returned to the home the grateful family exclaimed, 'We have found the treasure, and in reading it and receiving it into our hearts, we have also found the Saviour!" 54 �, . BOOKS PUBL'SHED BY: NJOKU 8r SONS ' BOOKSHOP 1.: The life story of Dr. Nkrumah. Dr. Cl~ike Obi arid other leaders in Nigeria . 39 2. Hausas and Ibos 31216' :3 No condition is permanmt 4 Why boys of nowadays never marry early ; again 5 Beware of women 6 How to make love with girls 7 Now to get a lady in 10% , 316. 8 How Tshombe and Mobutu regretted after . the death of Lurnumba 316 316 9. How to play love 216' 10 How to write love letters 316 ' I I ' Life story of boys and girls 12 Hausa, Ibo, Eoglish and Yoruba made easy . for beginners 216 13 How to write Better letters, Applications and Business letters 3114 The Nigerian bachelor's guide 216 15. How to write good English, Letters, Compositioos and welcome address 316 2r6 16 A guide to marriage 17 How to write agreements and receipts 216 18 How John Kennedy suffered in life and died suddenly 216 19. How to study and pass examinations 316 20' How to marry a good girl and live in peace z with her 316 21'; How to write and speak to girls for : friendship 216 22: Questions and Answers on Typewriting, Short-hand and Office Routine . - . . 316 23 How to study proverbs and their meanings 316 A ~ p l yfor our Catalogue and be one o j our successful custombs with 3d Stamp, ro NJOKU & SONS BOOKSHOP No 6 Arondizogu Street, Fegge-Onitsha ALL STAR PRINTERS ONITSHA. �BOOKS PUBL'SHED BY: NJOKU 8r SONS BOOKSHOP 1. The life story of Dr. Nkrumah, Dr. Chike 39 Obi arid other leaders in Nigeria 2. Hausas and Ibos 313 No condition is permanent 216 4 Why boys of nowadays never marry early again 216 5 Beware of women 216 6 How to make love with girls 216 7 How to get a lady in love 316 8 How Tshombe and Mobutu regretted after the death of Lumumba 3 16 9 How to play love 316 10 How to write love letters 216 1 1 Life story of boys and girls 316 12 Hausa, Ibo, English and Yoruba made easy for beginners 216 13 How to write Better letters, Applications and Business letters 3/14 The Nigerian bachelor's guide 216 15 How to write good English, Letters, Compositions and welcome address 316 16 A guide to marriage 2,6 17 How to write agreements and receipts 216 18 How John Kennedy suffered in life and died suddenly 216 19, How to study and pass examinations 316 20 How to marry a good girl and live i n peace witbkr 316 21 How to write and speak to girls for friendship 216 22 Questions and Answers on Typewriting, Short-hand and Office Routine 316 23 How to study proverbs and their meanings 316 Apply for our Catalogue and be one of ow successful nwtomers with 3d Stamp, to NJOKU & SONS BOOKSHOP No 6 Aronduogu Street, Fegge-Onitsha ALL STAR PRlNTERS ONITSMA. �rg L1 LIFE, MONEY A N D GIRLS TURN M A N UP. A N D D O W N Now, see how thi girl turns Dick op and down. Comfort is holding Dick of being responsible for htr pregnancy'while Dick denies. "Leave me!, leave me1 ", said Dick. "I will never leave you unless you agree to marry me as you promised ma before " : Comfort. said This is a lesson to boys and girls of nowadap wbo think that intercourse is a p a s p r t to life. C. F I sc . $3 .r J � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Life turns man up and down : money and girls turn man up and down Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Olisah, Okenwa Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Onitsha, Nigeria: Njoku & Sons Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1964? Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3309 Description An account of the resource This cleverly-titled work from Sunday O. Olisah, also known as "the Strong Man of the Pen," is described as "a psychological pamphlet" that examines the connections surrounding poverty, unhappiness, success and progress, (pg. 3). The cover has an illustration of a pensive man seated on a chair with a caption below that states, "This man thinks about his life. His problems are many. I am very sorry for him." A strong theme running through this advice-filled pamphlet, also common in much market literature, is that "Men die in many ways because of money and women," (pg. 34).<br /><br />One example of how "girls turn man up and down" appears on the first page where Comfort holds Dick responsible for her pregnancy, (pg. 1). Dick wants Comfort to leave him, but she insists that they marry. Olisah makes his message clear to any reader "who thinks that intercourse is a pass port [sic] to life," (pg. 3). Another story of a life turned upside-down comes from a long letter written by Paul Ebeme who laments his wife's attempt to poison him after carrying on an affair with his friend (pg.30-33). Although he recovers from the poisoning after paying for an expensive cure, his wife decides to leave him to marry the other man. This is just one case of how "Man is born to sweat before he eats," (pg. 35).<br /><br />The author includes sayings labeled as "wise for your life to widen your knowledge" that include "A small man's mouth is his protection" and "Poverty is better than illness," (pg. 13). Some expressions have disturbing connotations related to masculine pride, such as "It is better to hear that a man beats a woman than to hear that a woman beats a man," (pg. 13) and "No man agrees that he is poor before a woman," (pg. 14). As a counter to these statements, Olisah notes" One does not know how valuable a mother is until she is dead," (pg. 16). Others contain even more wit such as "if a thief steals a thief he needs no sympathy," (pg. 15) and "a man who claims that he knows everything knows nothing,"(pg. 16). In a right-side-up world, wives would respect their husbands and the state would respect its citizens, according to Olisah. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <p>&nbsp;<a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a></p> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/aa6d69d2051eeff0bf8c1c82d4f20d71.jpg 3788d4a9943e0255bdd956e9cff5929e Omeka Image File The metadata element set that was included in the `files_images` table in previous versions of Omeka. These elements are common to all image files. Width 1132 Height 800 Bit Depth 8 Channels 3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Map of Southern Nigeria Subject The topic of the resource Map Description An account of the resource This map shows Onitsha's position as the center of the Nigerian book trade in the 1960's. African Studies Ken Lohrentz Onitsha https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/a17378755889c8f1ec4a2b5429e86162.pdf 706aa1315cd0cca24cbc9aa3f0dfe344 PDF Text Text I MY SEVEN DAUGHTERS I -/ A Z AFTER 3 E (A CLASSICAL DRAMA) FOR SCHOOLS & COLLEGES The Seven Daughters (Good ' for Nothing) . ����MY SEVEN DAUGHTERS ARE AFTER YOUNG BOYS BY Nathan Njoka Price 31- Copyrighr rtsemcd, ��Contents Pages I. 2. In an enemy's house -... In The King's General Parlour 1% - -- 3. (in The King's Red Roomi 17 - - 21 - 23 4. In The King's General Parlour 5. In a secret place. ( Enter Patriciah, Mabel ...... 25 Justinah, Okoronkwo. -6. I n The King's Palace On "Ofala 7. In The Kiag'a General Parlour Day" -... -- , 27 28 8. I n The Native Doctor's House ( Enter the King, ...-. 31 and a Native doctor -- - 9. The Kiog, His Highness Jobnson The I1 34 10. In Tbe Natlve Doctor's House (Enter Tbe King and he meets the doctor ..... 1 1. In King's Palace -.... -. 12. Wsr Between King Johnson ...... 1 3. King Johnson won tbe war ...... ...... . - 35 37 79 40 �Compliments From:- MR. NJOKU AND SONS BOOKS 1 STOCK AND PRICES N How to write Love Letters 5s 6d How to write better Letters, applications and business Letters 1s 6d How to. Succeed in Life 3sOd ,How to make Love 2s6d How to get a Lady in Love 2s 6d How to play love 3s 6d How 'Tshome and Mobutu regretttd after the death of Mr. Lumumba 3s 6d . Salutatiou is not love 2s 6d Why boys of nowadays don't marry in time 2s ad Why boys don't trust their girl friends 2s 6d How to write good English, Letters and Composition 2s 6d No condition is permanent 2s 6d Man suffers Is 6d each Beware of women 2s 6d A Guide to marriage 2s 6d How to know Hausa, Ibo, Yoruba and English made easy for beginners ?s 6d Love shall never end 3s The prize of love 2s 6d The story of boys and girls 3s 6d How t o write agreements and receipts 2s 6d My seven daughters are .after young boys 3s Nigerian Bachelors guide and spinsters guide 2s 6d Complete Letter writing for boys & Girls in colleges & schools 3s �Preface Tbis is a funny and interesting drama intended t o make your leisure time very enjoyable. It is also designed to ban your anger. Whcn ever you are annoyed, take up this booklet and g o through it. You will come across very funny items that w ~ l l make you forget all about your anger. N. 0. NJOKU ��Characters Of The Play King Johnson King Dankwere The king of Bogima The Soldiers Police Band The king Johnson's wives King Johnson's servant Crowd or congregation Native warriors The Native doctor The twelve thieves Dog "Tiger" Justinah Mabel Patriciah Okoronkwo Beauty king of Bansala ��"CONCERT" STARTS I N THE KING'S GENERAL, PARLOUR (Enter the h n g and his servant) King: How man? times have Iwarned you that your service with me will be terminated if you 'continue to put eye on my wives and daughters. I have received several complaints against you from outsiclers. You are fioally warned just now t o take time, otherwise you lose your job and become an applicant. Servant: My Lord, please tell me what type of putting eye on your daughters and wives. King: I mean [bat you are chasing them about. Were it to be that you have got the opportunity, you would have mixed up with them. You are too fond of females, why? It has came to my observation that, some servants find meaus to mingle with their masters wives and daughters. When 1 hold you one day, I will cut off that your thing with a knife. (laughter) Servant: My lord, your daughters and some of your wives are the people who worry me every now and then. King: By how? �Servant: They are interested in me and have been asking me for friendship. When I said No! some of your wives started to hate and tronble me. Any thing I do, they find faults in it merely because I refused to be their secret lovers. King: "Gracious me". Oh ! God of Israel I must believe you. I know that you 'can identify those of my wives who are hostile to you because you declioed to love them. Servant: When you call them out, I would point those ones and take the obvious consequences from them. King: Don't fear any hell. G o now and c d l all of them. (The Servant goes to call them) (The wives Come In) Point at those stupid ones. Servant; (pointing) this woman, this and this. King: Three of you come out. The rest go out first. You may be called again. (They move oat). My servant told me that three of you request him for love, but he refused, and as a result of his refusal, you people started to antagonise him. Justinah let me hear you first. �Justinah: I am surprised to hear this. How on earth will I ever request t h ~ sdefamed and ugly boy to love me He was the person who wanted me to love him but 1 warned him strongly that, he was not my rank, and above all, he was a servant to us and that it would be the highest degradation if one heard that we were in love terms.. King: But love is blind. I t does not count one's outlook, wealth or possition. 1 am not eatisfied with your denial. I do not doubt the possibility of a wife telling her husband's servant for love making and letting down her private part t o the boy. If you are telling the truth, why not report to me that time you alleged he asked you for love. In short, I hold the opin~onthat my servant is talking :he truth. I will f~ne,youunder the native Law and sustom. You know that under our popular native law and custom, if a wife "indulges in love with another man, in which I find you guilty, the husband would either sack her or impose a maximum fine on the wife. I fine you one goat, one fowl, two guineas, and you know that you would produce one mighty kola nut the day you would pay the fines. I give you three days to pay the fines, if you fail, I will seize all you have in my house and kick you away. Justinah: Thank Sir. King: Mabel, I have finished with Justinah. What have you to say in your own? �Mabel: Give me Bible or any other oath, I will swear that I have never had the time to speak to this boy. King: I am not a commissioner of oaths. I have no legal right t o administer oath on anybody. Your lie is more serious than that of Justinah. When you said that you had never had the time to speak to this fine boy. You will pay the same fines as Justinah. Mabel: Thank Sir. King: Patriciah tell me your own lie. Patriciah: This boy ha8 just wanted to put us into trouble. He is the type of a liar I have not seen. He is a black devil. King: I cannot just follow what you are saying.' You have to pay fines as others. I am satisfied before my conscience that my servant is truthful. Three of you move away now. (THEY MOVE OUT) You servant I will promote your position in this my house. I have now engaged you to be watching all my wives and daughters for me. Any one you see going wrongly, tell me. 1 will increase your pay with two pounds as from the 1st of next month. Servant: My Lard, thank Sir. May God save the King. Woe betide all your enemies. CURTAIN FALLS �The king and his wives. His servant poitrts to the wives who are hostile to him because B e refused to love them. �In An Enemy's House. . (Enters Mabel, Jastinah, Patriciah and Okoronkwo) After four months the three wives of the King had paid the fines, they conspire to stage a coup detect against him or if this one fails, they finish his life with a rvit poison) Okoronkwo: Every body who heard the story of how the King; (Your husband) imposed maximum was usually fines on you was against him. e ruthleshl and unjustified: It was too bad of him rely upon the allegation of a servant without a considerable security. How can a wife request a servant for friendship, when important and wealthy men find it difficiilt to win the love of a woman? It is "strange" to be heard that a woman asks her husband's servant who is also her servant, for love. ~ Patrioiah: The King did not treat us b e f ~ r e ~ t h q t boy as if we are his wives. We did not receive any justice from his verdict. He insaulted us "three" much and we must pay him'in his own ooins. Justinah: I am not in wasting time. Let Mr. Okoronkwo get for us 12 strong armed thieves who will go tomorrow midnight and get the King assasinated. They can succeed, However, the King is a "epirit" and wonderful, if the theives fail to kill him we can put a rat poison in his chop and see what will be the result. �Mabel: Mr. Okoronkwo, tell us whether or not you can arrange the tbieves-clever and strong one. Okoronkwo: I have been undertaking similar duties. I will get you wonderful thieves to do the job. They can't charge more than k20. Patriciah, Mabel, Justinah: We can pay that. We will pay them after this job. Okoronkwo: Okay, wait and see what will happen. (THEY DEPART) CURTAIN FALLS Scene 3 " , . I n The King's Palace Enter the twelve armed thieves. One woman is among them. They go straight t o the side where the King sleeps. His dog called "Tiger" sees them and begins to bark at them. This wakes the King from sleep. He understands that thieves are within his palace and he takes up his riffle and load it for defence. One af the thieves fires at the dog-"Tiger" but it escapes unhurt. An expert thief repeats firing the "Tiger" and all in vain. �The dog thee chases them up and in the fight thaf follows, the dog biter two thieves who fall on the spot and die and others run away leaving some of their weapons. The King comes out and sees that two of the thieves are killed by his dog, he calls the attention of his household and the thieves are carried into a nearby river. I CURTAIN FALLS. �The thieves are running away. Dog-Tiger pursues them. The two dead ones are lying down. �Scene 4 (IN T H E RING'S GENERAL PARLOUR) In the morning'many people begin to Gome to sympathise the King on the attempt on his life. The King begins to narrate to them how the whole thirag happened. His dog the "Tiger" stays by him. The King instructs his drummer to begin to supply music and. they start to beat drums. The King provides refreshment for all the sympathizers. Those three wives of the King who arranged the th~eves are some of those dancing in the Palace for the Kings safety from the thieves. The whole events last for about five hours in the palace. CURTAIN FALLS. Scene 5 1N AN ENEMY'S HOUSE. (Enter Justinah, Mabel, Patrisiah and Okoronkwo) Mabel: Mr. Okoronkwo, you have seen that this plot to assasinate the King has foiled. Have you any suggestion as to what next ijne of action is to be taken in order to rouud the authocratic king up. If we put poison as we had in mind, in the king's chop, it must fail as the king is wonderful. �Okoronkwo: I will tell you people what to do. I will get you an explosive and you pat it under the pillow on the king's bed. When he goes to sleep, and immediately his head touches the pillow. the cxplosive will explode and kill the so-called wonderful kiog straight away. Patriciah: This could be effective. Get us the exploswe tomorrow please. We don't want the king to live to celebrate his next annual "OFALA" festival. Justinah: The king may not escape this second attempt on his life. Please Mr. Okoronkwo get us the explosive. I myself will put it undrr his pillow. Okoronkwo: Okay. you have it tomorrow. (THEY DEPART) Cunain falls. Scene 6. (In The King's Bed Room) The kiog goes to sleep in the night. When his head touches his pillow, the explosive there explodes smoke, but the and the whole room is covered w ~ t h King 1s not wounded. When this explosive exploded, the,lwhole of his hourehold are shocked and they run out to see what happened some neighbours come. They a n shouts. �King: Tbank God that I am saved, again. Those staging this coup do not know that I am beyond human destruction. I will conduc~ an investigation and know those plotters,. and deal with them. (Curtain falls, All Move Out) IN THE KING'S GENERAL PARLOUR (The King after two days of this explosive incident, conducted an extensive investigation and found out that his thrie wives- Patriciah, Justinah, and Mabel and Mr. Okoronkwo whom the King (Johnson) defeated in the Kingship contest are the people after his blood. The King invited many of his subjects and his household to hls general parlour in order to announce the result of his inquiry. By this time the three wives have ran away. King: I have the pleasure to announce you all that my wives-Mabel, Patiriciah, and Justinah and t h e notorious Mr. Okoronkwo, whom 1 defeated in the Kingship contest, are the people afrer my blood. 1 will report this matter to the Police, and take more precautionary measures against eventualities in this my and your palace wbicb haa lasted for centuriee, and which Mr. Okoronkwo wanted to overthrow in order to have his way. �Congregation: God forbid ! God forbid! God forbid King: I will employ more six night watchmen and arm them. They will shoot any-body they see coming inside my palace after 7 p.m. Congregation: This is good, we support you. King: I wonder what I do some people. I think that my rule is fair. When I came into power after the death of my father I put a atop to several bad practices. I stoped that if twins are born they would be abondoned in a bush, and so on. Congregation: You know even Jesiis Christ was persecuted and suffered for nothing sake. King: Oh yes. I see with you. No mqtter how good a person may be, some people will hate him for nothing sake. I have finished what 1 wish to tell you. Let you people be bringing me informations and news. You can go now. Congregation: May God save the King (They exit) Curtain falls. �Sceoe 8. I n a secret Place (Enter Patriciah, Mabel, Justinph and Okoronkwo.) Okoronkwo: We must not give up thz idea to kill the King. As he h,s known that we are planing to kill him, he will wage war against us, the best thing is to try all our possible best to kill him and be saved ourselves. Justinah: It is hard but we can't give up. Mr. Okoronkwo have you any other plan. Okoronkwo: Thousand and one other plans You will get one of his other wives who is not in fair term with him, and give her a petrol about a gallon, to pour on the side of his bed room one midnight and put it fire This must burn the King into ashes. It will burn every place and otner people in his palace could be burnt. Mabel: The difficulty is how to get the wife as none of us enters his palace to confere with anybody. Okoronkwo: Well you can arrange with the person when you see her in the market. When you see her, call her out and arrange it with her. Patriciah: Mr. Okoronkwo the "Senior planer". This suggestion 1s good. Let us implement it. Okoronkwo : Okay 1 am awaiting the third result. (They depart) Curtain falls �Scene 9 Outside the King's Bed Room (As the King sleeps, the wife, Beauty, who was brought over by other three wives, pours one gallon of petrol around the King's bed room and on the zink, and puts fire, but rt does not catch fire. She tries all she can to effect fire but i\ could not catch. Unfortunately for the wife, the King's 'Tiger' sees her. The dog takes an offence dog and bites the wife, Beauty, who dles on the spot. The King wakes up and sees what happened. He orders his servant to throw in the deceased into a nearby water and the decsased is carried off. The palace is quiet and the King does not want to make the incident public. - (CURTAIN FALLS) Scene 10 In A Pricate Place (Enter Mabel. Justinah, Patriciah and Okoronkwo) Okoronkwo: It is painful that this third attempt to murder the King has failed again,but I have not lost hope of killing him. I will try to kill him myaelf with my pistol and charm. The K ~ n gwill celebrate his annual "Ofela" featival next friday and I will shoot him that day during the time he dances. �Justinah: This thing is too hard now. But if you succeed, we will be too happy and three of us will be your wives. Mabel: I now doubt the possibility of getting this man killed. He is a "spirit". Patriciah: I also doubt it. Okoronkwo: Don't mind. One could attempt something several times before he succeeds. Take heart. Just wait to hear what I will do. Patriciah: Okay let's see what will happen. All of us will meet again in your house. Okoronkwo: Okay. bye bye all. (All exit) Curtain falls. Scene I1 In King's palace On "OFALA DAY" (The King Johnson) celebrates his annual "Ofala" festival. Many very important personalities attend. Masquerades and traditional dances feature the aeremony. It is colourful and grand. �All seats and vacancy fill to capacity by people At a stage of the festival, Mr. Okoronkwo breaks the crowd where the King dances, aad shoots the King with his pistol. The gun does not wound the jubilating King, but rather kills athpr five innocent speeiators. Mr. Okoronkwo tries to run away are but he is held by people. The dead ones carried away to the public mortuary f a post moteen examination as usual. Mr. Okoronkwo is roughly handled by a large crowd. and finally arrested by a Police Officer. The 'Ofala' festival is on. At the end of the festival, every body begins to go and the incident becomes the talk of the people as they go.) Curtain Falls Scene 1 2 In the King's General parlour (Due to the good services and the informations which the King's senior servaut oftenly gives the King, he wants the servant t o marry his mJst beautiful daughter - Silinah. The servant is the one who had a 'case' wlth the King's three wives Patricieh, Mabel and Justinah. In the parlour enter the King, beautiful Silinah and his servant who will turn to be the King's inlaw). - �King: My servant, Godwin, you are a very faithful servant, you serve me very well. You gives me iaformations. I trust you more than my wives and children. My wives want me to die. My children are stupid things. MY SEVEN DAUGHTERS ARE A F T E R YOUNG BOYS ! They only know how to play love and nothing more again. But Silinah will make a good wife. She is not after young boys as others she is different from my daughters. Silinah will be your wife as from Tliursday next week. I will give you £500 and one building in the town to start life with her. servant (Godwin): My lord, will this ever happen on earth ? That a servant of a king later becomes his iolaw ! This will be a famous news if Silinah would agree. Silinah :I agree that you will marry me. King ; Everything is okay now. Godwin go home and tell your pkople about this. I hope that they would approve of it. Servant : My lord, they must approve the marriage. They may not even believe me when 1 tell them that you say that I will marry your daughter. King : You will go tomorrow. You and Silinrth can now leave the parlour. (They exit) CURTAIN FALLS. 29 �Scene 14 ' In the King's General Palour. he "Corpse" of his dog-the " ' ~ i ~ e ris Laid to rest) " The dog of the king is dead. It died a natural death. The King's power and protection have been greatly reduced by the death of this dog. The King and other people weep bitterly for the dog's death. , The dog is dressed and put in s golden coffin. The funeral ceremony starts. Several native dancers and masquerades are invited by the Klng and they attend the funeral cermony of a c'og. The first ceremony of its kind to take place on earth. There are gun shoots in the air. Tbe dog is buried in the palace. After the burial of the dynamic dog, the king announces that he will mourn for the dog for three months, the dog he says, contributed immensed to his "Power" and protection from those after "My blood". King: My "power" and protection have been greatly reduced by the death of my dog the "Tiger". It was more stronger than the real Tiger. I know that thieves and other notorious people who are tired of attempting my life will resume the attempt to kill me since my dog is dead. But with the protection of the Almighty Father any of their further attempt will foil again. �I will make a statue of the dog-"Tiger" in my palace because what the dog did in the safety of my life was too mighty. I will never forget the dog. I will also open a school to be entitled "Dog Tiger's Memorial School". This may sound very funny to some people, but I mean it. May the soul of the Dog Tiger rest in peace. Crowd: A-men. (The funeral Ceremony wounds up) Curtain falls Scene 15 In A Native Doctor's House (Enter tbe King and a native dootor) (After two weeks "Dog - Tiger" died, the King Hs Highness Kiug Johnson the 2nd meets a native i doctor who is also a fortune-tell~r (Onye Ogbaja). King: I have come for you to make for me a charm which can be talking. This charm will have among other things a foresight, and will be kept in my pr~vatehome. When an evil is forthcoming this charm will have to notify me so that I may prevetit it or get ready for fight. You know that no King can rule for a long time without the help of God, charms, informants and personal prccaiitions. Yob might have heard that my life was attempted but for charm which an old woman made for me I would have been killed. �If you can d o this cbarm tell me. If you cannot tell me. Doctor: I can do it. King: Before we proceed to negotiate your charge for the charm, we will enter into convenant (Igbandu). The convenant is that you must never tell any body that I call at your house and you manufac ture a charm for me, and if you venture to say it, that day will you die. You will not also make a similar charm for another person. Myself ill not inform any living soul that you make charm for me, if I say it, that day will I also die. Doctor: Let us enter into the convenant. (They bring out a mighty Kola nut, and take a blade razor and cut their bodies very little and blood comes out. The Kola nut is broken, each person having a piece of his own. They mix up their blood and each touches his own share of the Kola nut on the mixed blood and the native doctor says " J agree that after manufacturing the charm for H e Highness, King Johnson the 2nd, that I will never reveal it to any body, and that I will never also make a similar charm for any other person, but sbould I go contrary to this convenant let me die". He then puts the Kola nut with the blood in his mouth, chews and swallows. 32 �The King also says: ''I agree that I.will no] disclose t o any living soul that I meet this native doctor and he makes a charm for me but should 1 go contrary to this convenant, that day will 1 die." He then puts the kola nut in his moutb, chews and swallows. Thus the convensnt is entered. Doctor: We have now entered into the convenant, I will now tell you how much you have got to pay me for the charm. You will pay me E65. You will also buy the following materials for the "work". One skull and a tongue of a man, six fowls, one goat, one bottle of strong drink. one camelleao. a head of a snake, four yards of clothes, and a tortoise. King: I will provide all the materials for theG'work" within tbe next one week. When I come within this time, I will pay half of your charge, when I see that the charm is effective, I will balance you. I will now go till I come again. Dootor: Okay my Lord, goodbye. (The King exits) Curtain falls, �The King, His Highness, Johnson the 1 1 31 �Scene 16 In : The Native Doctor's House (Enter the King and he meets the Doctor) ' Within one week as the King said, he comes again to the native doctor with all the materials for the 'work'. King : Doctor open this carton before me and take all the materials. I spent over E213 in order t o get them. (The Doctor opens the carton and takes the materials for his 'work' and begins to check them.) Doctor: They are correct. King : Have the half of your charge (he gives him the E32 101- (the doctor accepts i t ) Doctor :~ h a n k ' s i r . I will do wonders. I will let s o u know that there is devil. King: Seeing is believing. �Doctor: I will now begin to d o the "work" (He begins to invoke spirits that will come and inspire poucr in what he manufactures, he invokes: " My forefathers, Mammy-water, Kanskporo spirit,, Mukeke spirit, Taranta spirit. Bankolo spirit, Alunkoyil spir~t, Labat spirit, Juntiza spirit, Lakademo spirit. I conjure you all now t o come and give power in all I d o here today. D o not disappoint me, don't let me bc ashamed, please! (After invoking the spirits, the native doctor wbo rubs native chalk on his eyes, begins to beat his drum and sings a spiritual song. At the end this event, he takes six "shorts" of strong drink. After this, he begins to manufacture the charm and gets it ready within six hours calculating from the time. His Highness, King Johnsoh, arrived with the materials. He now gives the King the charm and he takea it.) Doctor: This charm has some fobidens: It must not be kept in a room where you sleep with your wives. You must not consult the charm for information or advice without washmg your face, hands and foots. You must not allow any oil to touch it. You can go now with the charm but when you rzach home, d o not reply to any salutations. Do not speak to any body the whole of today. You must not wash for seven days. Within this seven day$ d o not eat any thing that 2ontains fish and oil. That is finish. �King: Okay, I go, we see again. Doctor: Goodbye. ( Exit King) ( Curtain falls ) Scene 7 In King's Palace. (The King's talking charm has started to prove that it has foresight and very effective. One day it called the King and notified him that there will ,be an inter-tribal war-big one, which cannot be avoided to and advised the K ~ n g notify his Army, police and subjects about the "forthcoming" war which will last about nine months. The charm further advised the King to be sleeping in his latrine during the war and to guard his palace with armed soldiers. The King then sent an urgent message to senior officials of the Army and Police and summoned many of his snbjects to his palace in order to tell them about the War.) King: (speaking to congregation in his palace). I have an information from my usual reliable source that our neighbouring t r ~ b e preparing war against is us, They have imported bullets, firearms, explosives, and other dangerous weapons for the war. They will very soon attack us and the war could last up to nine months. The aggressors want to overthrow my government and throwu and take over the rule of my nation. 37 �We must not allow this to happen. God and the spirits of our fore-father9 will help us to win this war. Woe betide the enemies. Let all of you get ready for the big war. We are inherited wariors. Some of you who have arrows and dane guns would fight with them. Those who haven't any weapons will be supplied with them here. You know that the central war arena will be a t the boundary, we will try to cross the boundary over to their nation and destroy importants places like post and Telegraph offices, Airport, Bsnks, and bomb the palace of the King, My Army and police are very busy preparing for the war. The police band will supply war music throughout the war period as this will inspire power in us. Fight to a finish ! Fight the eoemies to the last man ! ! Congre~ation We will fight them to a finish and : regain the government of the break-away tribe. , King : Okay, go now and prepare for the war. (They Exit) Curtain falls Scene 10 (After eighteen days the King announced to his subjects that they would be attacked soon, the war starts, and each tribe arrives at the boundary with Armies, and native wariors. Fighting goes on. �Each party struggling to oross the boundary to the opponents land and fight there. Eventuallythe warriors of King Johnson overpower \heir opponents and cross over to their land in order to fight there. They seongIy guard their boundary against the entry into the~r tribe by the ~nemies. Six hours the war started. causualities amount to 306 from the side of King Johnson's opponents. The causualities of King Johnson's figbters are two only.>The name of the King of other tribe is King -Dankwere. Tbe warrior; of King Johnson have started to bomb some public buildings and installations in the nation of King Dankwere. However, they fail to enter into the palace of King Dankwere and destroy it, because there is a very heavy guard around the palace. Six fighters of King Johnson are dead during an attempt to enter the palace of King Dankwere. When the war beeomes to3 hot and furtber attempts to enter the palace of King Lankwere by King Johnson's warriors are made, King Dankwere bas to flee his palace and hides some where about six miles from his official residence. Within three months, the big war started, the fighters of King Dankwere are dead 1,035 people. King Johnson lost 182 warriors. Within 8 months, King Dankwcre and his people are tired of the war, . and in the nineth month K ~ n g Daokwere is k~lled in ' that place he hided and his people surrender. 39 �Before this war ended, King ~ a n k w e r i ' s casualities were 99,000 while King Johnson's dead ones were 2,013. Tbis shows that King Johnson's fighters have better defence and more stronger. Johnson is the king of Bogima tribe. The late Dankwere was the king of Bansala tribe which was formerly ruled by Bogima nation. Bansala became independent by farce but the latest war has given the Bogima nation the opportunity to rule Bansala once more. Radio Bogima, broadcasting the vietory of King Johnson says, "the nine-month old war between Bogima and Bansala is ended. The king of Bansala is dead and hie remaining fighters have surrendered. King Johnson has won the big war and has taken over the government of Bansala. Bansala's ~asualities in this war numbered 99,000, Bogima 201 3 only. "Our dynamic and powerful King Johnson bas ordered1 an automatic intergration of Bansala Army and Police with the Bogima Army and Police. Bansala currenay notes, coins and postage stamps bearing the photograph of the late King Dankwere must not be circulated again," the radio concluded. CURTAIN FALLS. THE END. ���The lovers of Novels to send three pence stamp for their catalogues and become our successful customers. 66 Arondizuogu st. Fegge Osha. ' New - -) . Era Press, 33 Iweka Road @ha. - � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Document A resource containing textual data. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource My seven daughters are after young boys : [a classical drama for schools & colleges] Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Njoku, N. O. (Nathan O.) Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Fegge-Osha ; [Onitsha?] : Njoku & Sons Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 196- Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Nigerian literature (English) Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context ksrl.c3553 Description An account of the resource This play's preface suggests that the work should be read as a closet drama. Readers are duly instructed: "<em>When ever you are annoyed, take up this booklet and go through it. You will come across very funny items that will make you forget all about your anger,</em>" (pg.8).&nbsp;<br /><br />The seven daughters of the pamphlet's title are featured as busty women on the cover to attract the reader into purchasing this play. They do not figure in the action of the play at all. In the plot the one good daughter is given to the faithful servant who warns the king that three of his wives are unfaithful. The play's story appears to come from oral tradition. The jilted wives attempt to murder the king on three different occasions. The king's dog,Tiger, protects him and the king proves to be impervious to poison and bullets. This play also incorporates elements of ritual practice and masquerade. After the dog dies of natural causes, the king consults with a traditional doctor who makes a charm after a kola nut ceremony that will prevent the king from developing any vulnerability. <br /><br />Both this play and <em>Beware of Women</em>, also by Nathan O. Njoku, have dogs that protect their masters against the poisons and bad intentions of women. Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/86899822d22e59ea2cba751725ac32ff.jpg 9d04b79d33983eb2ec0d203986b395e4 Omeka Image File The metadata element set that was included in the `files_images` table in previous versions of Omeka. These elements are common to all image files. Width 261 Height 344 Bit Depth 8 Channels 3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Market Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Buckman, Thomas R. Description An account of the resource Photo of Onitsha Market taken by Thomas R. Buckman. Reproduced with permission. African Studies Ken Lohrentz Onitsha https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/5f9ef3c0bc52bc310acfc9e39de3095f.jpg d11e18dfca4853d09a8c11988f6faac0 Omeka Image File The metadata element set that was included in the `files_images` table in previous versions of Omeka. These elements are common to all image files. Width 296 Height 370 Bit Depth 8 Channels 3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Onitsha Still Image A static visual representation. Examples of still images are: paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type "text" to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Poverty Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <p>This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. However, for this Item, either (a) no rights-holder(s) have been identified or (b) one or more rights-holder(s) have been identified but none have been located. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use.&nbsp;</p> <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-RUU/1.0/</a> Description An account of the resource This illustration of a poverty-striken worker is taken from <a href="http://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/exhibits/show/onitsha/item/6876">Life Turns Man Up and Down</a>, (pg. 9). African Studies Ken Lohrentz Nigeria Onitsha