1 10 31 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/0ad99b080c7a71f613eb6c87b90715c1.jpg 81e870dd3f9c4bc469473a4a26f73130 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 209 Height 300 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 The King, His Highness, Johnson the II 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 Illustration of The King in the drama, <em><a href="http://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/exhibits/show/onitsha/item/6870">My Seven Daughters are After Young Boys</a>, </em>(pg. 34). African Studies Ken Lohrentz Onitsha 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/281f0e5b3d24cea99e0eb4258590752f.jpg ee6d38abe19fd8d46198f713a978e669 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 300 Height 305 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 "Juju" priest 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 "juju" priest is taken from <a href="http://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/exhibits/show/onitsha/item/6875">The Ibo Native Law and Custom</a> (pg. 28). African Studies Ken Lohrentz Nigeria 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 https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/4b719ca15cd911c1707d7537d5ba69c9.gif eee7edde58e1517865a64ee3f476ac4e 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 Pregnant woman begging man to marry her 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> Description An account of the resource This illustration of a pregnant woman begging a man to marry her while he attempts to flee is taken from <a href="http://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/exhibits/show/onitsha/item/6876"><em>Life Turns Man Up and Down</em></a>, (pg. 3). African Studies Ken Lohrentz Nigeria Onitsha https://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/files/original/d33a97ca51573437e64238068ec9c4cb.gif cd5105302cecfd8fad54850e4ceb1aa3 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 251 Height 354 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 Wrestlers 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> Description An account of the resource This illustration of wrestling, the most popular sport in Ibo land, is taken from <a href="http://exhibits.lib.ku.edu/exhibits/show/onitsha/item/6875"><em>The Ibo Native Law and Custom </em></a>(pg. 25)<em>.</em> African Studies Ken Lohrentz Nigeria Onitsha 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/83015e348cdffc962929502d70d40d5d.pdf 7c057a3d49bab30b8f0a37e7223d8b91 PDF Text Text I . , . . ?.IS. E R H -.,: --- .-. . -. . . . . HUSBAND -. $3 6~n@-me3N p -3-I** ................. c C ( f*!* P i. = - - -........... . .. -. PJram* cp .............. -- ���A WOMAN'S PRIDE I HER HUSBAND S MRS. CHINWE AKAOSA REVISED AND ENLARGED BY FELIX N STEPHEN . (Free Lance Journalist) Obtainable from :- MRS. P E. UNAIGWE . 6, BlDA ROAD, ONIrSHA. ��Preface This boodet containing ideas, originally launched out by a Nigerian married woman, in the difficult issue of marriage, is something very creditable. It will in the main, assist men and women when married, to live together, happily, It will not suffice to maintain, that a booklet of this nature, should .get into the hands of everybody by reading from other people's copies. Rather, it will be very essential for a person to own a copy. This will enable the person to think over the valuable ideas, herein contained. The characters used, are purely imaginary and bear no form of relationship, to any existing person. Upon being called upon to revise the book, I wilfully did it, since I am proud of the alertness of the Nigerians, both male and female, in all fields, these days. FELIX N. STEPHEN (PRSS Umam JOURNAL IS^) ! �OBEDIENCE IS A CHARhf FOR MARRIAGE LIFE Many people have often been heard saying that 'some women charm their. husbands, in order that they might be well loved. For my part however, i would very much disagree, since any attempt of that type, would only mean, a risk. The man's life, might be affected tragically. The -only suitable charms are :First: She '&st be clean both in appesfiince and behaviour. Second: Women ar6 supposed to cook and4:not : allow servants to go and manage. At'the same time, to teach their children the best domest work; for, the kitchen is t i e most reasonable ofiice for any married woman. Third : She should see that her husband 'take3 his meal in time. Fourth : She should keep her children clean by bathing them and also, make them have their meal in time. Fifth : She is expected to be in terms with her ncighbours. This will promote social life. Sixth : On no account, should she make it a polic$ to keep on purchasing things on credit. .:For, such might degrade her and a t the same time, affect the prestige of her husband. -All the �same, she should not go along to emulate some greedy women. who are very much after costly rind lovely dresses. Seventh : Husbands should always be greeted by their wives. This isvery pleasant and helps to bring about, more happiness. T H E TWO LOVERS. OKWERENKEDIKARA A N D HER HUSBAND. $ . a 2 �whenever people do, what is right in their homes. Jacob was the name of a certain man, who once existed. He married a woman who went by the name, Okwerenkedikara. The name in full, showed that obedience to the instructions of the husband, was a su5cient marriage charm. In fact, the name created a sort of sensation, whenever and wherever, it was mentioned. She took a very good care of her family and always agreed to what her husband said. She received strangers, both male and female, equally and before going Out to greet any stranger in their house, she would see that her clothes were clean and admirable, then with a pure heart and, smiles on her face, would present kola to them. Of course, through her husband. Afterwards, she would then advance, to greet the stranger or strangers, as the a s e may be. If it were her fellow woman that visited then1 with a child in her company Okwerenkedikra would take the child and then, present to the child with happiness and aduiration, something edible. Further, she would like to know, thecondition of health, of the stranger's relatives. �The .husband., himself,,~woul~ then,. be :..hnppy &ti 'his wi'fc .'and feel proud of her. -Jacob and his wife, had a daughter, called "Blessing" and s the'womlin called her husband, Papa "B".. Wheno ever one entered their house,'nothing but happiness, would' be noticed. For. proverbially. it 'has been maintained, that a child's countenance is takco into confidence before taking anything from the child. So, Okwerenkedikara's good charactcr, made the husband overlook certain things in their house and s t the same time, encouraged .him thiak of important improvements to be made. He was not the type that would spend money carelessly. When he wanted to drink wine. hc wduld go quietly into a pub and after while, would go to his' ho'u,e. He did not 'like to act as' some men, who feel that the: best way of relaxing, is to sleep overnight,. in the hotels. Thus, .his wife was quite sure of him and he. on his part, was respectful in all attitudes, towards her. a This of course, is one of the essential things in the life led hy a husband .and a wife. In fact, something of this nature, will surely prevent quarrels acd fighting. Yes! some men are ready to blame thcic wives every time that there. is discomfort within the family ciicle. �part,. k ~ c wthat . a man ..too, ;Iacoti.... on. his.. could--.be-wrong"an'&'so; .was' 'careful. Thus, both of them saw eye to eye in all affairs and in consequence, trained Blessing their daughter m d their . other. .Children successfully. why' because love involves if you want to marry. < lady try to marry a lady you love. Love is the one of the most important things in married life ' Love can make a man to forgive his wife whenever she offends him. Love could make the biide. and..:the.bridegroom to sit together to solve the .difficulties in their homes; because the devil .. a!ways .wants to reduce the people at peace. Thcdedil 'is always with his matches to separate the pecple in a family ,with his matches but if there is love, ,his aims will be in vain. So let every man and woman. boys and girls always try to love one another to be free from the snares of the devil.in the families for love is a good soup in our families. Marriage without love is like soup without salt. ' married how 'to maintain reffered to page best chsrms for Anq. woman who do not understand love in her home can only be' one..of this b.roklet, that is the husbands. �A LAZY MAN I MASTERED BY HIS WIFE S Once; there : was'. youngman called Alfred. ..After tiis eleinenlary" School 'career which of 'caurse, he successfully completed, he took to trade. It was' one Joseph,. who coached him. in the business. As a matter of fact, Alfred was very handsome and every person who saw him, liked him. Joseph gave him a .sum of six hundred pounds to purchase goods for ' sale. Unfortunately, however Alfred was the type, that would always like to mix up business with pleasure. Thus, while on tour, he might spend many days, purposely for pleasure and out of the money given to him for trade. Upon returning, he would tell every amount of lies, to his master, as to the cause of his delay.. The' experienced Joseph, then told him, that it would be proper foolishness, to keep on waiting his youth. H e further maintained, that it would not be advisable, for a . person to reap where he did not sow. Alfred did not care a bit. . ..After. some length of time, he was given money to be his own For that, a collective sum of three hundred pounds. was given out, jointly by hi3 parents and master. �He was very . rascal and so, could nor control the money. He was simply trying tn practise, what cleverness, !e had never przctised. The whole thing was then a loss to him. Even though the position was like that, yet Alfred thought it wise, to follow up his mates in marrying, as most of them had done so by Christmas. He actually did so. But in many cases, people hold that it is not the journey to Lagos that matters most, but the return from that town, which is considered to be one of the most difficult things. Alfred's wife, then ask for two shillings from him and with that, she began a trade in cassava. Gradualy, she prospered. Alfred himself, b-gan to grow very lazy. He was not able to continue his trade and slept very much, every day. He went very late to the m a r k t and of coruse, lavished his money on cigarattes and wine. Also, he kept on buying very costly clothes, until his money got finished. He was getting t o be good for nothing, when he was employed by the Council. A dog does not of course, leave its tail and so, Alfred, instead of working hard, continued to drink, during business hours. He was �soon 'dismissed and so, the next thing he did, was to assist his wife in peeling cassava for garri. His friends met him doing that one day, inspiie of the vain attempts made by his wife, to stop them. That was, when they called in, to ask him to go to meeting with them. He was greatly ashamed. But, it was no person's fault. For, Alfred was the cause- of his own ruin. The wife had gained control over him. Yes ! That is why, ,every man should try very much in his business. For, business should come first, before pleasure. AN ADVICE TO -YOUNGMEN It is indeed very necessary, for a youngman to be kery careful in w h a t e v e r he does, to get money. For, there is nothing as bad as a youngman, waisting his time. That is, instead of going to the market or work place when it is time to do so, he gets along, hunting for where to get palm wine, especially the overnight type, play Ludo . game or draught. As a matter or fact, it is not that these are not good. But, e v e r y t b i n g has its own . time. Therefore. indulging in them, ' �when the time is odd; is not advisable.3or such can bring about, misery, which will make a wife despise her own husband. There are many poor men, whose wives ought not despise them. For, nothing should happen, without a cause. The first is the type, that gets into that state, because of sickness. Another, is that, which is brought about by thteves, stealing or cheating or even clearing entirely, a man's goods. Also, some men become poor, through various type ot troubles, which might befall a man in this world. Any woman, who despises her husband, because of these, is surely violating the laws of marriage. Again, it is not good, for a youngman to make it a point, to go m d steal money or , play " way0 " so as to make his wife love or respect him the more. For, this is nothing but sort of commiting sin. MY HUSBAND DOESN'T LOVE ME Somebody who d o e s .bad, especially to her husband, will be surprised to find out, that she has actually cheated her own self. That was what happened when a certain lady met a native doctor and asked him to prepare a charm for her to make the husband, love her the more. �.The native.: doc!or, mas. not at all truthful .and .so, gave a .poison to the lady instead. She used it. in the food of hcr husband and the man caught tubrrculosk. Finally, he dicd. Mr. John bought the house a month later and sacked her k o ~ nit. Thus, the wolnitn. begin to suffer and then, came.to reialise, what she had done to herself. For; 'if 'a house does not fall on a widow, she .. may not easily know, that a married woman. stands a better chance.' Question : Is it neccsery for a woman, to be 'truthful to thc husland? Answer : Yes ! .It is quite necessary. For, it is through this, the .husband will know more about .the character of his wife. Apart from that, truthtelling, keeps the conscience at ease. WHAT CAN I DO WITH A WOMAN'S DECISION? The next, is about one man who felt that he could :not do anything useful, with the decision of a woman. .He ' was'quite careless and would not for anything sake, pay heed, to the pIeces of advice or warning, �given. .to him b y his.- Wife. It was for 'thaf"&ke, that trouble often' came up .in the fami!y. (Ejimke iishing against his wife Nkemakolam) The proverb, "one good turn, deserves. another,' 13 �is well justified. Yes. for when this is kept to, things would be normal. The wife whose name was Nkemakolam had a child called Chidubem. Nkemakolam tried all her best to get the husband pleased, but he would not. He did not like tc entertain visitors or even welcome them. There was no love in the family. Ejimke, the husband, was one day encountered by wayorists who told h m to bring three hundred pounds and have one i k ousand five hundred pounds, produced for him. The wife aarneci. But Ire would not pay heed ai d so, w:s out in th:: company of the gttmbiers. u .o ~:stru.:tcd him ,.o get an iron box, into whrcn tfe money would bt: put by the river god after szcrifices with a white goat, white hen and a white cloth, had been made. - Ejimke, had exhausted all his money and even borrowed some amount from friends. In the end t t e money was not got. The whole thing was a fake business. He grew very sad. His Child met him and asked what was the matter, he simply replied, that he should go and meet her mother. �(Nkcmakolam and her cldld Chidubem) The mother told Chidubem to leave up the matter and go to School. That of course, was the end of Ejklke. Later on. his son got scholarship and wmt rtn.! siudi:d Medicine Overseas, for eight years. �Upon his return, the mother who was still alive, was very happy indeed. ~e married, got childre2 and lived happily. And the father left their home and got lost like a sheep without a shepherd Qoestioa: Does a woman satisfy a wicked man? Answer: No, the day the wife does a good thing, that will be .the worst day for the man. Such husbands are never satisfied. It is very important for an unmarried lady to pray so that she will not be married to such men that are never satisfied. That God will give her the right husband. He has prepared for her and that the two will sit down and decide what to do. If it is man, that God will give him the right wife and the two will agree and they live happily. THE UNWISE COUPLE Some p e o p l e may say t h a t t h e y do . �not like to marry, becouse women are trmblesome. This is not wise. For, everything dcp:nds upon how a mat: p l a y his own card There was a man cal!ed Udxhuku He niarried Nwaobiora. Within the first week of their o marriage. Udechuku began : weep hirterly. NO person knew the real cause for that. The next thing heard, was his quest for the money he paid as bride-price. The inlaws themelves were surprised. One fun in the whole affair, was that he did these thicgs outside the kn~wledge of his wife, who kept on doing all she could, to keep him happy. When Nwaobiora discovered what was going on, she was very angry and so, decided not t o marry for life. She lived the life of a spinster and suffered greatly from the hands of ruffians, small boys who could not have been able to talk to her if she was still in her husband's house and, other sorts of low ranked people, who in some cases, abused and threatened t o beat her, even after using dirty words on her. - So now, it can easily be seen by e v e r y person and 3 1s o approvcd of, that n wom:tn's �pride, is her husband. When a husband misbehaves, the wife gets ashamed and degraded. But when the husband lives up to expectation, the wife is proud and she is right to do so. DO WOMEN KNOW THAT MONEY IS HARD ? People often say that women d o not know, that money is hard to get. This is actually a pity. AS a woman is the writer of this, she would by all means, feel that much thought should be given to the saying. There is no doubt, that some men are the real cause of it. For, they, while going ' 0 woo a woman, go to borrow about ten pounds, which they would use in sewing a suit. This of course, to persuade a woman, to decietfully think that they are wealthy. Further, they purchase about five pounds worth of a pair of spectacles and ten guineas worth of wrist watch. A very costly hat, would also be bought, to match. The nest may be the purchase of a scooter, even on hire purchace. Upon reaching the house of the prospective inlaws, it would appear as if his money were made up of �cash.;:.Well t h e'n;. there is no a x g u m e n t in ;. The man scooter the saying that, "No person would spit o t sugar, u put in his or her own mouth". �He may then go to write a letter of this type:"Joe's Mansion, P. 0. BOX 2914, Onitsha. 1st September 1960. My dear Cecilia, I am writing this to enquire first of all, about your present condition of healtb, together with that of your parents. Infact, neither tongue, nor words, can express the deep love, I have on you. Believe me dear, I cannot afford to miss you. You may be sorry to hear that my lorry that runs from Onitsha to Sokoto collieded on its way on Saturday last week. Do not worry.'For, that is nothing to me. There is still money, t o get into. the factory a brand new one. even today and I hare three youngmen trading for me now'at Lagos and it is sure, that they will be of great help to me, in the recovery of it. �Fdrget-ail--about it -however ano reply early, so. as to %able me know that you actually rkeiyed. it. Yours Lovingly, Joe. 'In time, Cecilia received the .letter and replied thus:"Central School, Ugiri. My dear Joe, 3rd -September, 1960.. I have received your letter.. I . hope. that you are i n good health. At any rate; I have leatnt of how your lorry.was involved in -an accident. May I know from you, when you . will come to . O U place - again. 1 earnestly expect you; For, .it will be a joy to me, for ..us. t o be .tied up,. .as a husband and wife. SO please, try to come again. DO, .send me some money, so that I can purchase certain . . . things that' I "nicd most. 1'. dd not think,that .. there i# anything, .that iii! .our getting marfled. ' ~ �I..... am. Y O U I:. ~~ncerely,.. ~ Cecilia?. .Here .,now, -haye k e n seen, one letter from ', . . . a man and another from a lady. What can easily ..- . t e understood is this, a mere assumption Infact, a ::vain one. N6.-'monev. :nc clothes-and no lorry. Yet, he would go to 'play politics in order.' to &wive a .lady.. I n the end, she agrees to marry the man.. . ; Convinci~~g parents, who finally agree, Loth her of them. marry and gc, to ti c man's house to live. one day, ... tbe man went to the .marlid and bought some clothes . of .twenty pounds. .in . .value, and ...... . . &Lo, begaw .to'.give a sum of ten .pounds per diem . & rhe.:wife; :.zis:chop nidti'ey:'. Joy* and noihinR but T rhii?, filled the mind: of theywife.Blit:sh&'did not he manhad ~ d u c e d .,the chop money . t o five. shillings. .The wife ;was (no longer pleased;.:Uithin . . . . a,., . short. .time, the.,graph descended. t.o two ..shiilings. and six peke. For, the man was tunning broke �> . . . . ,.?. .:$he?$if4'. oh! Bkt ,a&. part,..&odd-te8p&igf&, &&kt:.t&ci man7:bega&, give!';wn ;'$Kiltin& it6-rWer to;.:, as chop money.:;-Jhiti.:- later er: ?.an,be red?=$- b,t.0 ., give five shillings and then, to two shillings andsix pence. , : ,- .,.4: ..,, ,, �AN - ADVICE FOR ALL It is not advisable for a man to go about borrowing money and assuming that he is rich, only to convince a lady to have a very high opinion of his own person. This is nothing short of self-deceit It is not to marry a wife, that is the problem, But it is the maintenance. In short, it will be highly appreciable, for a small man, to present himself as such, before his wife. She then, can know exactly, bow best to make the estimates for feeding. much of course, to the conveoience of the husband, who is the breadwinner. Troubles will cease. Happiness will reign and marriage life, will be enjoyed. AID TO MARRIAGE LIFE In the main. marriage is a thing. quite sacred and sanctioned by even God himself. It is a scrt of unity. between a mln and a woman different parentage, that finally brings them to a state of brotber and sister. In many cases. the husband is the breadwinner and pilar of the fami!y, while the wife is the care-taker. �It does .,not. neoessarily matter, what might bc the rank of a " husband. When once a lady is attkcbed' to him as a wife, she is well respected. The next is, the question of peaceful living. This point, of course, seems a bit controversial in nature. For, it might be either from the husband or the wife. There are some men, who make themselves, difficult to understand. In fact, they always would like their wives to fear them. But, this is a type of motive. based upon some misdirected intentions. Truely, men who are feared. seldom do well. It would be far betttr, to be respected, than to' be feared. A man who is feared, can neither satisfy any person 'nor even be ,satisfied, himself. Thus, life shifts gently, from the atmosphere of gaiety, to that of melancholy. A husband who renders himself quite understandable to his wife, finds things easier and safe. Unlike the difficult charactered man. he lives happily and considers points with his wife in matters of mayor significance. ' More often their husbands, veniences, That would like to than not, m a n y wives extricate from the ghas.:ly hands of idconis of course, where the men give p r i o r i t y t o " t h e pieces �of advice, given to them, by such women. .The joy experienced, in a f a m i l y, .is .but a gift of God. This is evidenced . by the series of complaints,'. 'got' from some. men. . who keep on feeling that they are always worried by their2;wives. Yes, it takes time,' for one to .see. one's own faults. HAPPY LlVING Okpaku was the name of a certian woman, . . married to Nnaji. She was barren' and so, always felt. sorry .for . her situation..:. B u t..she could not help it, since, the question of getting a . child, cannot be' solved by any amcunt ,of fotce. Really. true 'love existed -between her and her husband;. . . . . Instead of abusing his wife,, as some .men do, he kept on comforting her and then, making her .. . . .to-feal hippy at home. ~ k ' f ~ r t h went to the extent er of telling her, that one 'day, God would, give them ,a chiid. Together therefore, both of 'them lived 'ljeacefully. .She was proud of her husband and so, did not look left or right. �No .. .other-man,-.was.. as dear.:.t.o:her, . as her own '.......; .. . . . . hu8bGkd ...lone. day, . some ..people met the 'husband . . . . . . . . . . . ..; 'and.asked...him to sack his wifl, as they said that ........... .. she was, not of any use.. But,.. he refused. Some ... women,. . .advised, the. lady - t o run away from her ....... . husband . . . . . . .and if possible, remain as a free-woman, so that she- might through a stroke of luck, get a child; :But she refused. 'It did not take long however, before they had twin born babies. So then, where there is love between a husband and his wife, much improvement,. is expected. The wife will respect her husband, very well and no other p e r s on, will hear their discussions, either sweet or bitter. ADVICE FOR SOME WOMEN WHO THINK, THAT FARMING WORK IS PUNISHMENT. . . , ., ow" ' cpi&on,' 'is it cot those who were In rich i n the :olden : days were rich farmer, ? Most of-them were very' energetic and could work out .the money for the training 'of their children up to . . Doctors :and Lawyers; So farming 'should not be neglected in. this .our present generation. If your �husband. tells you ; Dear'' you shall go home and do...~oni~ farming. .~lease'.donot say that.fie:wishes tb . puriisli you, :for i4r&ng .is .no .:.p u ~ i i h d ~ n It t; is when: :he has 'his own iliterest, we o u g h t to make or teach' our children how to farm for no one can live without food and also no one knows tomorrcw ; things may change at any time. So it is' better 'for some one to know how to farm. Do not be affended because you are told to go to farm. Let no woman boast that her father is a chief and her father has money. No c h i e f can rule without some food in his stomach. ~ o n ' tyou know that a Imngry man sees very far? How can we now neglect farming ? ADVICE TO ALL MEN Our older people say; when right hand washes left hand, let left hand wash right hand. Yo:l ought to help wives and be sympathetic with them. Most of our men are very rich, i t dosen't mean as. I have stated here that women are. su~posed go -to farm; you ought not take ..to farm work a s a punishment o n your wives. �ADVICE FOR YOUNG LADlES Whatever might be the rank of any woman, she ought not forget that her pride is her husband. He may be rich or poor. But he should not be neglected. For, it is on him, that the respect of the woman lies. Obedience to the husband's instructions, gives pleasure and helps in the unity of the members of a family. Women who think that lodging in the hotels and cheating men of their money, ought to rcmmember, that the time shall come, when they will no longer do that. For, by then, things will change greatly and they will be forced by age, to go home and become useless. There is nothing sweeter or more bitter than marriage. However. it depends upon how a man and his wife. may like to hve. If happily and in peace, then, there will be joy. But if unhappily and in pieces, then it is their fault. THE END. ���- CENTRAL Q t I W N G PRESS; &a 3 Mcorr Street, 9 . . , , d h r . ,. - .~ - P 0. 60x . ,. 225, a Nigeria. m i � 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 A woman's pride is her husband Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Akaosa, Chinwe 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 : obtainable from Mrs. P.E. Unaigwe 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.c3268 Description An account of the resource Although this is one of only a few pamphlets written by a woman, this edition of '<em>A Woman's Pride is Her Husband</em>' probably from 1962, was "revised and enlarged" by Felix N. Stephen, another popular and prolific pamphlet author. This situation raises the question of true authorship, for the title of the pamphlet suggests that the writer is, and should be, a woman. Yet the pamphlet's style is consistent with Stephen's, and he is listed with "Mrs. Chinwe Akaosa," on the title page.<br /><br />In the preface, Stephen describes the original author as "a Nigerian married woman" who "originally launched out" ideas "in the difficult issue of marriage," (pg.2). Her name is not given in the preface, and there is a distinct lack of details about her. The Onitsha pamphlets often include photographs of authors or publishers, but none are provided with this work. Perhaps Chinwe Akaosa is a fictitious author, for no other pamphlets are attributed to Akosa. It is likely that Stephen, (a pseudonym for Nathan O. Njoku),described as a "Free Lance Journalist" on the title page, is responsible for much of the content here.<br /><br />This pamphlet makes interesting claims about gender roles in 1960s Nigeria, including the opening statement, "Obedience is a charm for marriage life," (pg.3). Much of the material is similar to American publications from the 1950s that provide advice to ensure a happy home from the likes of Betty Crocker. The pamphlet argues that a marriage to an unloving husband is better than the plight of a widow, for example. A section of the pamphlet that begins on page 8 notes that "A Lazy Man is Mastered by His Wife." And Stephen plays with the pamphlet's title, <em>A Woman's Pride is Her Husband</em>, when he states in the preface that he is "proud of the alertness of Nigerians, both male and female, in all fields, these days," (pg.2). 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/7b79e37048d3ce616e0099611ae98e18.pdf daf2fb980400b66b672ead521dc041bd PDF Text Text ELEKERE AGWO. md lv E NJS. Reu, Enugu. t e P l k 3s . ��PRINTED BY O M A PRESS & BOOKSHOP OWERRI/ONITHSA ROAD, AWO-OMAMMA-ORLU, First Edition, July, 1964. All Right Reserved. ��ELEKERE AGWO: THE ,QUACK DOCTOR Bad manners and other incorrigible incivility shown to some patients by some doctors' assistants &iid some hospital staff ; the long waiting before a atient could see a doctor, the grossly inadequate medical acilities in some hospitals, all these, and more, conspired to push an honest but otherwise busy-bee Okondu into the hands of mercenary q u a c k s typified by Sunday, and into honorary ignorant quackery. P Okondu's oonfrontation with Dr. Jika's wife at the doctor's d o o r almost made the elstwhile law-abi3ing Okondu literally run amuck with injection-syringe and hypodern~ic needless, indiscretely administering cheap but highly poisonous arsenic-containing Acetylarsan injections lo his first wife and his only son, Bomboy. Okondu learnt the lesson of the disastrous consequences of illegal injection so well by heart that his first wife, the never very over-friendly Ola, who actually pushed Okondu into meddling with illicit drug deals, was so hard-hit by the poisoning effects of the injection on herself and her boy, that, despite her inveterate d i s 1 i k e of orthodox medicine and all it stands for, she was forced, by circumstances beyond her control, to add a belief in the doctors as one of her litany of other credoea. - - - �ELEICEKE .: ACWO: THE QUACK DOCTOR. ' . . Phaim), . D. NKEM AKUNEME, BSc. (B. Ph.c,, M. P. S., M. R. S . H. . etc. . .. , . ? - To Elizar, my ever dutiful and loving wife. COPYRIGHT. 1964. BY D. NKEM AKUNEME. .. FIRST; PUBLISHED . . D. IN EASTERN NIGERIA .. IN . . :. 1961 N. AKUNEMC AWO-OMAMMA. Printed in Nigeria by OMA PRINTING PRESS, AWO-OMAMMA MSTERN NIGERIA. �.. . ELEKERE -AGWO: THE . . ... . . -- QUACK DOCTOR. Kpoi ! kpoi ! kpoi ! tapped 0kondu at Dr. Jika's closed door with the bent end of his walking stick. "Who is that?" asked Mma, the doctor's wife from within; Kpoi l Kpoi ! Kpoi l , continued Okondu, paying little or no heed to the !who is that' posed Rom .within by the Dr's wife. 'Who is that, I say 7' repeated Mma from within, a bit angrily as she heaved herself up from the sofa, her big beefy, bullying body swaying lazily obliquely as .she got up making for the door. 'Who is that knocking at my door?' Okondu . continued with his kpoi, kpoi. kpoi. without uttering as much as a word in reply. The do& opended wide quite abruptly. hlma had expected to see a familiar figure who wanted to tease her deliberately by such irritating knocks at.hcr door; she had, at the very least, expected to see a country squire, the type whore regular but resourceful visits help to keep private medical practitioners going financially; she had hoped to confront a respectable but apparently prosporous lawyer in an evening suit with a top hat on his head and a brief-ease in the lift hand and an umbrella or a walking stick in the right hand. The human animal she saw at her door irritated her all the more because he put on a kharki knicker and a kharki shirt, with nothing on the head and feet. 'Did you hear me ask 'who is that' from wtthin' demanded Mma. Yes. I heard you fine, fine', replied Okondu. 'And why didn't you say a word ? 'If I told you who I war, which was what you asked for, you would not know. as I have neither been here before nor have we met anywhere. Moreover, unles you are one of those who are g n I tuitously afraid of their own shadows in broad day-l~ghf, do not see any reason why you should not have opened the door s~lently to find for yourself who it was that was knocking at the door. 'Don't talk to the doctor's wife like that, or else I turn . you out of this here place' soaped the doctor's wife. . . 5 �'Look here, 'Mrs doctor's wife' I haven't 'come here to be If you don't behave, i. 'il he p~infully ist&GiiX k fell rdii ttiii '& i I have two women in my house who can be said to be your betters in some way. If I set them after you, you will be forced to learn the one lesson you now seem to forget, namely, tbat the fact that you are a doctor's wife will not help you when it comes to a trial of streneth-between a man and a woman or between a w o m a n and two women. - Dr Njika'r beefy wlfe up-braldlng Mazl Okondu for hlr irrltatlng knocks at the Dr's door. 6 �Mma was so stung by the impudence and brazen audacious outspokenness of this 'all Kharki intruder' that she slammed the door against Okondu without. any t y p e of feelingness as. to what might.become of Okondu's indisposition which brought him to the doctor's house. .. .. Seeing he had been locked-out by a mare woman, a woman who called herself a medical OWcer's wife, a fat lump of thoughtless edible meat, Okondu went straight home; his serious toothache which brought him to the doctor seemed to have been effectively, if temporarily, drowned under the mental agony that now teok absolute posscssionof him; His appearance so altered with what he called "a disappointing sub-human deal' that his acquaintances would h a v e taken him for his fwenty years older double self. Okondu went directly intq his room. He banged the door behind him.. I t s terrific impact brought Ekcmma, the second wife, post-haste onto the 'spot., 'Ohu' sighed Eke. 'I thought the walls had fallen in. .I..don9t lmow you are in, dim (my hubby) ;What are you, doing in-doors at .. , this busy hour of the day ?' 'Leave me alone. leave h e alone, Ekes, said Okondu rather harshily. I don't want to see any one now; leave me alune, leave me alone'. For a time, Eke was a bit confused. She could not instantly account for this unusually abropt manner of her normally gentlc-behavcd husband. Ekemma knew that her husband was almost always in good company with wine and spirits as long as the wind-pipe is quite capable of draining them down. So, she hurried into the cellar. filled a wine glass with 'Our -Homo Made -stuff (illicit gin), OHMS, Akweteshi and as quickly hurried back to Okondu's room. - - 'Here' that's a drink for you' dim.' '. 'What drink is that? Whose is it? Where did you get i' t ? Okonju in the . most unco-operative undertpne. 'It, is the usual stuff; it is for you; I got it expla'ned Eke most affectionately. querried f f.o m the cellar' . �You womm" I am spitefully disgusted with your generation. M~ke sure you haven't finished the wine in the cellar under the pretext of doing me some kind service. You clever dangerously kind women. N o man ever knows where he exactly is with you I I don't want any drink from you, and make sure that tho bottles in the cellar were as full when I left them as they were after your unauthorised visit. Otherwise, you will tell me whether Iam marrylng you o r you are marrying me". Eke returned the wine from the g1as.s into the bottle. clrefully pouring i t in so as not t o drop any; in a way, thankful t o the urgency of the situation which made her fill the glass in the f i ~ instant without t tasting the contents. On the other hand, this painful experience provoked a series of conflicting reactions in her mind. Eke felt hurt by this shabby treatment from her husband who had grossly misunderstood her honest intention. A t the same time she 1neffe:tlvely tried t o blame herself for not finding out, first, what was actually wrong with her hubby before trying her hand at the unrealistic experimant of drowning one's sorrows in a pool o f alcohdic drink rather than l>>k t h e difficult situation squarely i n the face. Ultimately. the insecure and over-conscious Ekebeing ohly a second wife and childless sank into sad moodiness which always immediately follows painful expzriences of this kind in excitable permonalititles of Ekemma's type. Ola, the head-wife came In frsm the local market. A the bass of s Okondu's mannor, she Is also the s>le braln behind her hxband's successful trading. "Where is di-anyi (our husband) ? "asked Ola. *' He is in his room' replied Eke, the junior wife. "What is he doing there at this time of the eveninx?. -You go and find the answar your self'', snapped Eke. Ekemma's curt reply sent Ola hartenlng t o Okondu's room. The full six-foot of his slim figure was badly arrangzd on the bed. H e dldn't care, two- ence, how wide apart the legs were thrown, almost touching the dusty loor; the hands werespread side-ways. Okondu lay flat on his back with the limbs flung any-how side-ways as i f he were begging t o be nailed t o the cross. f �'.What Is the matter, what is the matter, dim'?" requested Ola. Okondu opened his eyes, closed his open mouth. and collected his legs and looked Ola straight in her colourless crystal clear irresistible eyes, stretching his arms like a child welcoming its mother home after a day's absence from the home. Ola slumped into his empty hairy breast, threw her arms around Okondu's neck and waist and lift ed him up, up, into her laps. "What is wrong with you ? Have you lost any thing ? Have you been fighting with any body? Tell me' Tell me* Has Eke given you a wee bit of her venomous tongue?askedOla without waiting for an answer. Okondu opened h i s mouth but could not speak for w a n t of words. His wits seemed t o have deserted him. "S~cakt o me darling. As your first wife. I have a right t o share o in your distress. I am bound more as a duty than as a help t do my best for you at ail times. Come on, dim, speak t o me" A t last. Okondu overcame the bz-witching mental distress and spoke: "Nwunyem. (my wife), I have seen my ears for the first time in my life without the aid of a mirror: that compact mass who calls herself Dr Jika's wife, had not only prevented me from seeing the doctor but had gone t o the unbearable extent o slamming their door f against my face, all because 1 refused t o say a word when she dewas knocking at manded from behind a clwed door t o know w h ~ her door." "is that all" asked Oia most serenely. "Leave it t o me to deal with the doctor's wife. But, don't you think that it is irreverent t o talk of a doctor's wife as a 'compact mass? What you males contemptuously refer t o as compact mass, is t o us, ladies, an evidence of good living, some thing t o be proud of. �By the way, have J not told youdozens of times befors, not to rush t~ tho doctors with the minutest physical - . discomf tux? Mrs. O k n d u N o l slumped herself helplessly Into husband's hairy breast and tried to lift him up from bed. her �. :.You waste.your. time; you exhaust ~o~r.patiende'b~.&:long.wait~ ing and .at- times end.up <withgetting noth~ngfor yoiu.piks:except i . . a heart ache and a. heavy bill. No trader. likes .burning hm. candle . . . from:both extremities.' . . . . .. .. ,;;,. . , . . . . . . ., 'Biit tha?i:'dbctors' .job: they make a living b y treating"pa3s and diseases' reported .Okondu. :'.,'..ST,.. . .: . '; . . "Yes, but tKey a & not, thd odj.:ones that do. this.' Do you remember that:time . .you injured :your.. leg:,by"b.icyclc accident? . . . . . . . . . . . ....... *Yes, quite .vividly" .. . . . 'What did 'you db;' . . . . .And 'so, what1 -. 'What did you, do, I asked? shouted Ola. .. . . . .. .. .. . .Oh yes, Ola, I weit to ~ro:~unda~;.who dress2 the wdutld and tendec! it until it .healed'. repl.ied <Okondu. . . . . . . - ~ , ' ' , 'Why. then, .didn't you gd.to.'Sunday with your. toothache? Don't you know that every hospital staff takes special delight at doctoring patients privately .for . small.cbarge and quicker:attention?' a .. .... .. . ... .... . . .. . . 'I' don'tiknow about that. Wise ,people do not use the same instrument for:the eye 'as they use f o r t h e ear:.physical.injury isnot the same thing as toothache. .Moreover, the hospital belongs to the . . . doctors, a n d I don't see how I can be bhmed for-gohg 'to-thedoctor .. , :;. .. . . . . . with my toothacW- .- .-'. . , . . .a *Yes. you .are wise;. you always :l$~ow. what.toG when you say find yourself in.a right corner. Yo,= ca.n go h a ~ k .to..Dr. 4ka's b o y s if.you likc, you'might 'come bact this time wtth a'pocker in your head. and make sure you:don't.wmplain aloud.pr .flop into your bed. like .and .an .empty.. bag' . admonished Ola, iron~cally, .. . . ... .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i . -. . ,,'Okay 1. Okay !:You, win 1. I.shall. go to;~.Sunday.after.. dinner. .' . Since Ok&du0s 'bic$Ae wo&d'lie&d"hi had hot i ~ & h t 'it fit to.see Sunday .to expresshis thanks, . I t wasatheshame .of.this typical ..... ...... ingratitude of many a Nigerian former pat!ent that actually drqve . . ............. him to the doctor's house. �A trader of Okondu's calibre. who needs every minute of his tlme. knows exactly what .waste of time it was t o attend t o hospital o r tti .doctor's private .surgery; Okondu knew this very well before he opted t o go to D r Jlka. He had now learned his lessons too well by heart. This time he was determined t o patch things up with Sunday. So, h e collected t w o fat. yams, one big Rode-Island .cock, a calabash 'of 'upper wine' and two bottles of Beck:$ Beer. and made basketful wit', the bally-lot which he tied securely with bambo-rope onto the back ,carriage of his ever-green Raleidh bicycle. H e , ran a shorr distance with. the bike still by his side; then, with the left foot on. the' pedal. he deftly took the right-leg over the basket, falling. bang on t o th:! ricketty seat of his ageing ever-green Ralelgh. Off he went t o Sunday's. .cycling through badly-kept r o a d r, with b u m p s a n d pot-ho!es here and there, now dodging loosr, unfettered goats, now dodging fowls, and then, confronting obstinate ducks and ducklings which refused t o give way, inspite of Okondu's frenzied bell ringing. .: .. A t the enteranci t o Bro-Sunday's houri. 'Oko"du rang' his cycle .:bell .rathe? more enthtisiastically.. . 'Hello stranger' sh&ted sunday, peeping out of his narrow un.dressed.window. *You are doubly welcome; come rlght in' .. , . . Sunday..who had seen the basketful of provisions on the bike, rushtd out t o help his guest lean the bike on the rough mud-wall of his weather.beaten,. grass-thatched..:shsnty which passed for a,dwelling house, almost crumbllng under.the heavy. regular, torrential rains. 'Sit. down.strang&, . said .Sunday, showing Okondu to an easychair without a cushion in it. 'Make yourself comfy'. .'The furniture in the bed-sitting room was rather minimal: a bambdb bed with very dirty aimy-mosquito net pitched on the bdmbob . . pillars; a dirty .Oclianla, the'niade-at-Onlbha type o f bush' lamp. rest. . . . .. , Ing on an equally dusiy wooden table; cushionless settee, an easy-chair, two'flre-sue chairs made:bf cheaieit:wood. There was evidence o f pennilessness and want littered all .over thedusty room. Yet, Sunday, . . an ebull1entSunda)5: Smarty 'Sunny- Boy, would not, for ali the world. . . ... . . .. admit chit gianbi& hdd 'pasied 'him by. �- His green Raleigh, his black su2, his sharppointed suede shoes and his setee, are symbols of up to date living which made Sunday feel and talk big in s o c i a 1 circles. As a stunch believar in out ward appearances, Sunday placed greatest premium in the stuff on him arguing within himself, that only very few ofthose society figures with whom he hob-nobbed, would ever care to come to his house. .To those who mct him. out doors, Sunday is the man, the perfectly dressed man, the typical modern man. But to those who knew him up to his shanty. Sunday was rock-bottom in the scale of pre-eminence, outward appearances notwithstanding. - - - 'Now, then, Mazi Okondu, what can I do for you?' said Sunday, patting his guest sharply on the back. 'I h o p you haven't come to ask me to escort you to a third father in-law? You men in the money are making women scarce. and brides priec prohibitive, for poor us, by amassing as mmy women as you can pay for' - - '*You have seen me for a very long distance, Sunny Boy; I already have a wife too many. You can have Ekemmb for the asking", replied Okondu. 'My purpose of coming to you is three-fold. dear Sunday. A lame dog hardly fwgets those who helped tt over the tiles. In the first place. I want to thank you, pract~cally, with this basket ful ef provisions lor the medicdl aids you have hitherto rendered to me and my family. Secondly may I thank you in advance for the services you may render. to us in future. And lastly, I have brought same complaints wh~chI hope you will be able to look into with your proverbial kind resourcefulness". - 'No mention' h1az.i Okondu. I am always at your service' replied Sunday, smilingly. Okondu presented the b a 5 k.e t of gifts. Sunday accepted them with utmost pleasure. It was nearing the end of the month when Civil servants of Sunday's grade find it extremely difficult to make both ends meet.. To Sunday, the unexpected present was a wondaful lift over the domestic hurdles. �*'I .have a.nasty nagging tooth-ache which seems to have cut deep into the nerve-root of my very existence The quickest relief is what I want; I don't mind the cost" said Okondu. 'Just a minute' replied SunnyBoy Sunday went out of the room into the compound; looked, carsfuly round, to make sure that no b?dy wzs whtching him; then hz dug out from the bosom of t h e.aa;th a rusty c i g 3 r e t t e cup Sunday, the Ward-Servant 'doctor' digging ont his injection-giving parapheruilia from the earth in the field neer his house. 14 �containing an all-glass injection syringe with a central nozzle, two hig5ly-tarnished hypodermic needles ,with blunt :tips, a bottle of 0.3 mega units of procaine penicillin and some water for injection. It was necessary t a hide these things somewhere outside Sunday's room. In the Hospital where Sunday was working as a ward-servant, drug pilfering was a popular pastime and houses of hospital workers were regularly searched by the police. To find such injection materials i n Sunday's flat could land him Into jail, or into considerable fine which he could not afford. Sunday shook off the dust from the cigarette tin and carried it hurriedly across the field into his room where Okondu was waiting anxiously to know what Sunny-Boy was up to over the field, for. Okondu observed Sunday, through the window, digging in the field like the nativc-doctor looking for the burial place of harmful jujuchlrms. or for drug roots for a decoction therapy. "Here, I will give you what we hossital men call 'short-gun' injxtion. It is the best in the market. Doctors will charge yo= a life's saving to prescribe it for you. Pharmacists will charge even for the container which you are sure to throw away after use. Yet yon will get it from nre for a mere 15 shillings: but because of the gifts yon brought me I can accept St-. "Never mind, Sunday. I will pay your bill in full; "health fistn Okondu put his hand into the inner breast-pocket of his kharki shirt and brought out a rumpled leather purse containing a bundle of miscellanious currency notes. He turned through tho notes, drawing out a ten-shilling one. , " Here, Sunday, I will give you the remaining 51- in a minute". Disging his fingers into the front pocket of his kharki knicker. he brought a handful of loose coins. of varied denominations, and placed them into his palm. selecting enough of the combination to make up 51- which he handed to Sunday. Sunday watched the cerernbny quite interestedly, wishing he had asked for more. �Okondu got a dab of clove oil on the aching tooth togcthsr with. nins packets of A. P. C. ons of w'Jich he was instructed to take thrice! daily. The toothache disappeared with quickness with which hung* vanishes after a good feed. F. "Tell me Sunny-by, where, how, and from whom you learned the art of injection-giving. I am very mxch interested. If I know how fp give injections, then I would not 10s: my appetite if the bally-lot qf: . . doctors and their money-thirsty aides went to blazes en-masse". 4. il "What you want to know, Mazi Okondu, is an easy mattar but a long story. Nothin2 is hidden under the sun to those who could use their e y s and brains properly. I learntd the art of healing b8 watching doctors and nurses in the wards through spending a great& plrt of my warking tims with the patisnts discussing their diseases and their treatment; part of my time is spent in the dispensary observing every move of the dispensary staff under tho pretexl of waiting to collect drugs for my ward. If you are serious a b m t becoming 'doctor' by being able t o give injections, Mazi Okondu, you m u s-t h w e to undergo a course of apprenticeship with me, after payins a l ! or part of a prescribed tuition fee, added Sunday. "Just t-ll m what your charge is, and leave the rest to me " : said Okondu. .. "My charge is fair and whst you can readily pay. I will take a m x e £15. I hope that isn't much ! The charge includes the cost of teaching you to be a 'doctor'; you will pet a syringe and two hgponeedles as part of bargain at the end of your pupilage. 'What is hypo-ncedle ?' asked Okondu. .. 'You wait and see: wz haven't started the course yet', advised Sunday. 'Here is £5. Sunday; when do we start' 'Well, well, Maai Okondu, I could see you mean b u s i n e s s �Do you know what? I have 'got a good number of patients in a bush village, eight miles from this town. In that village I a m known as 'the doctor'; in fact, the only doctor they know for miles around. I visit the patients every Saturday evening. It is a good 30 minutes leisurely cycling from here. You know. Mazi Okondu, those of us who assume the role of doctors must pretend to behave like doctors. We cannot rush our heads off cycling furiously to the village. We have to take it easy like gentlemen doctors. You want to conle with me this Saturday ?' - 'With all pleasure' replied Okondu. ' See you Saturday at 3 p.m. * 'Chcrio. Sunny-boy; see you Saturday, 3 o'clock'. Okondu rang his cycl? b-ll rather exuberantly as he approached his house. The house-hold rushed forth to welcome him. Also waiting for his arrival was Oka. his trading mate. ' You look quite transformed ', commented Ola, the first wife. 'Tell us all about it. Has Sunday pulled the magic Cord ? Come on dianyi, speak out '. ' You could have met mc half the way to Sunday's if you were all that anxious to know what happcned beforz ever you say welcome to your husband,' remonstrated Okondu. ' Oku! I am just interested in knowiog how you feel after seeing Sunday. At least 1 have a right to know, being solely instrumental to your going to Sunday.' ' Okay. I shall tell you all about it in a 'minute. Meanwhile. I shall better ses Mazi Oka; thereafter, the story of my eventful deals with Sunny-Boy shall be the fruit of our evening meal.' ' Hello Oka 1 what is the news? Come along to my sitting room How was today's marketing '. 'Oh, not so bad, Mazi Okondu ' replied Oka. ' I b to find out why you were not at the market this morn(. hear from your wives about your indisposition. �As:,, for the. market.news, soonest ,:after displaying. o u.r., wares, a bird whispered to me that the rice of Bicycle cigarettes had go* .up by half penny per packet o 20 at Oron 25 miles away. I acte@ quickly and made for Oron by lorry with 60 cartons of 144 .pack?qs which I disposed of within minutes of my arrival. The trip was repeated with tripple theabove quantity. I must admit, Mazi Okondu, that if we have another 'to-day' during the week. w shall not : .have much to eomplain about." f' - The fact of the case was that the cigarette price went up by a penny per packet, not half a penriy as Oks gave Okondu to understand, and that Oka went to Oror. v:th greater quantities of cigarette on each of the two trips. H+ .yas, one of tha many such servants who put up a bungabw of !heir own after serving you for less than two yearn because more i!i.!n half of the profits they make for you went into theid private pockets, in addition to the normal salaries and profit share bonus. - > '\li,Il d&e 'Oka''" remarkid 'Ok'hdi. half we celebrate the day's good takings ? " Okondu filleJ his glass with ' OHMS and another glass for Oka. ' ~ o o d.luck, comrade, 'said 0k;ndu. 'I wish you have said, 'good open' ; no sensible chap would wish his g o d , to 'lock' 'replied Oka in jpcular mood. -1: 'Oh; well. 'good open. Mazi Oka'.. 'Our customers, ''our customers' The two glasses knuokled .with crackling sound. W wish our customers property. long life and. increased needs ; for our services, don't we. Mazi Oka. May their hmds fill with ggld so, that the overflow may be ours to grasp for aye and a day. men'. Amen: - . The ~ibatidnwas poured by the arch-priest of the brief ceiemony Mazi Okondu. 6 1 Oka handed Okcndu the dry's takings nccordhg to his 0 1 account. He left without further ceremonies to conlinue the cerebration;'sdlo, at tlio'Blue Moon Bar from his lion share of the day's d, boon: N * .thaC'Oka had left, Okondu is free to' r:la:e his den13 with Sunday to his wives. �/ . .' . ' "Now, then. Ola. Sunday is the dootor that can treat both blind.ness and lameness. My toothache is now a question of 'was'. It had been charmed away by Sunday's short-gun injection and a dab o f yellowish brown highly centcd stuff. D3 you know, what? continued Okondu. '1 don't know 'what' replied Ola in a more receptive mood. 'I will tell you: I am going to learn to be a 'doctor'. I have fixed every thing with Sunday this coming Saturday. If I can give injections, no member of my family will have any needs to go the doctor' 'Unless hc or she is carried to the doctor uaconscious, you should have added' interrupted Eke, the second wife. 'Elekere Agwo aburo dibia. I will never. be your patient' What Eke was trying to say, in Ibo language, was that he who becomes a doctor by merely spying or understudying a quack doctor can never make a good doctor and that she could not care less abeut being treated by such an unhallowed quack like her husband is qualifying for. To Okondu. Saturday came rather draggingly as if tied, on the back of a mail. Okondu doned his kharki dress promptly at 2.45 p.m. and made away to Sunday's on his green Raleigh being propelled more by th extreme desire to learn lo give injections than by the smooth sail of his trust worthy machine. 'Hello sunday,' ejaculated bkondu as he jumped down his bike in front of Sunday's house. 'Hello Okondu,' riplied Sunday from within. 'You have arrived dead on time. Come right in. l will be ready in a jiffy'. . A s Okondu: .came in, Sunday observed something wrong with .. . ~kondu'sattire. �" I am sorry, Mxi O'mnJu, but you cma3t ,to w!ih me cn my medial :rip In t h u attire. Those o f us who prase hkc dcctcrs must try to Crtss and prttend t.a behave like them, You aLst have t o n puc on your 5 u n d a y &st if you wish t o accompany r c A~othcr reason far Crmsinp pwprriy is that vr?!l-dress=d men arc hardly har: rassed bf i h t *cx:!ipe~ni:.;' po1i:e a rhc conirol-porci. Well.drescd quack @'doct~rs" hard!y harrasrd by '*ca::h-permare ler '' t r a n t p&ce at control pests. - 20 �These police, you know, are yet t o be told that our present day soclety Is dotted here and ;here, robbers in evening suits. with trousered-swindlers and day-light It takes all sorts of people t o make thls world of curs" " I can see what you mean, Sunny-boy" - In next r o no t h e , Okondu was back, finely turned out In hiss - - black and beack with black suede and black felt h a t t o match "that Is It! you are now ready for the Journey." Their first succcrs(ul skip over the hlgh-way hurdle was an easy paraage over the p o k e control post. They were' passed wlth smart salute, so t o say. In fact those of us who suit-up t o the neck. European fashion, or put on the jaunty airs of an arronpmt M. P o r a . ministar in a n ovcr sized agbada, hardly experience t h e frequent discourtesies one comes in ever.lncreauing cmtact within Nlgerla today. When Sunday and Okondu were near half a mile from the vlHage, thsy were met by Jacob. Sundays l o d agent who-collects customer patients f m Sunday for a penny commission for every 21- lnJec:lon-patient he brought t o Sunday. "Duckie Sunday' I wan make I tell you some tln which don p s s from worse to bad' requosterr Jocob, hls deecicated h a n d s trembling: his ccco nut-like h e a d turned down t o disguisa the anxlety In hls fibrous oedrmatous eye-brows lndicatlng probable starvation anaemia. 'Promise, duckle Sunday, you no go let the news wch I wan tell you make you vex' entreated Jacob. 'Go on. J, k. and plpe-up; replled Sunday. 'I am 11 ears'. 1 ''Dan l a s t man wch you glvam Jaklshlon last Soklday. 1' don die." �"Good Lsrd ! y3u Soa'c rnean t o sny tha: J n ; h is d d ; " cx- c l a i n ~ d Sunday. " Yes,'john you see. don die p i o - pro: i f you se& now nihim spirit Every body for rawoon rink say rta de jaLis'.!on killam as nothin de doam before before. 71:e big boys for taweon wan go for repcrt for pclicc. Sunday's so-called ' Short-gun ' illegal injections have sent m n y poor and illiteral: rnortals.to earlier gnvy as exemplified by sorrowful .. sudden death of llvely John after quack injection. 22 �John him brodars want nothin but your head so that they no go renrember their dead brodar whenever de don see you alive with their eyes. N de old people for tawoon na de don save you finish. a Nothin go happen you now" explained Jacob without emotion. The fact of the matter was that after post-mortem deliberations lasting four hours. the villftge elders convinced the youths that it wss futile and a show of ignorance of natural laws, to presecute or prosecute a doctor for the death of any of his patients. The 'grey hairs* araued that mazy ~ a t i t n t cdie ever3 day al! over the world, civilised or not, inspitc of doctors' treatmcntr; many more recover without any treatments. Cousequently. thc dtath or recovery of any patient i s partly an act of the gods and not exclusively the responsibility of the doctors. The elders went so tar in their determination to save Sunday's head thereby preserving the age-long custom of the san-tity of the doctor's position in a society, that they ( theelders ) went to the painful extent o f catalouguing before the youths t h e numter of patients whe h a d b e e n saved by Sunday's short-gun injection. A big welcome awaited Sunday. The mere fact that he ever carre bark t o the village was enough t o convince t h e remaining doubtinpthomases that he meant well. since the wicked have known to :tart to run when no one was pursuing then. The tragic truth about John's sudden death was that John should not have been dead. were it not for the injection Sunday gave him. John, lively ebullient John, did not, in actual fact need any injection as he had, for years not shown any sign of illness. People even thought that John was so vivaciously mobile thet death would have a task over- taking him. �The injection was cheap at 21-. Sunday had promised that it could hake some one work physically hard f o r hours on end, prospects Which late John found irresistible indeed. The injection Sunday gave was a 3 gramme ampoule of multidose N.A.B. dissolved in heavily contaminated w a t e r containi ig debris, motile organisms, and abundant visible evidence of its unsui'tability as injection s o l u t i o n. The multi-dose ampoule Ha; meant for five to ten pa!ients. Yet Sunday gave it all to John out of sheer ignorance of right dossages of drugs. The water "red by Sunday in dissolving the N.A.B. could, in iiself, initiate local abscess'es, erysepelps, embdlism and even, as in this case, death. Added to t h above horrifying dangers, the NAB. was administered ignoran:ly into the muscle instead of through the usual intravenous route. Such a costly meddling i n t o what o n e hardly undektood h a d ,caus:d John his life. 'The pity of it. all -was that '.Sunday' lcarned nothing from his nmernary life destroying quackery; but resobed to cootinue giving injections a b long a s there are' some ignorant folks wound, willing to show the right upper 'quadrant of tteir dirty buttocks-for cheap 21- injections. . - . Had Sunday witnessed the beginnings o'i: his psticnt's post4njection agony. all Sunday could have done was to suggest that the injection was doing ils work ;The primitive folks were sure to ccmcur. With them no injzction was worth anything ilnlcss it gave some pains or any other side eKects which uould be interpreted as signs of good fight by the injection against intramuscular or intrasystemic disease. , . . , Had Sunday watched his patient's last moments, there was very little he couid do as he knew practically nothing about the appropriate anti-dotes to arsenic poisoning. �All ihe sick in the village turned out i n full force t o receive their 21- per Injection treatment. To every John dead, there were probably a thousand Jones and many more Margarettes willing t o testify t o the efficacy of Sunday's cheap injection. Some women reminded themsrlves and others that since one fatal motor accident never prevented traders from travelling, nor yet were women ever daunted in their hunt for children of their own by a fatal case of child ,delivery, so need none be deterred :from accepting injections from Sunday as a result of this single tragic injection episode. Three weekly rounds of such medical trips were all that Okondu needed t o qualify him t o be able t o give injections. The end of his apprenticeship w2s marked with his payment of the balance of Dokie Sunday's charge; the giving of an Everette ail-glass syringe, t w o hypo-needles; 4 ampoules c f 3cc Acetylarnn. 4 of penicillin powder by Sunday. (Okon d ~ ' smedical menrorj as the only authority needed as a signal for the student t o enter the drug-market as an injrction glver. N o lessons were given t o Okondu on the vital importance of the sterility o f the injectab!e material and injecting equipments. N o lessons on the signs and symptoms,of diseases. N o one mentioned the toxi- city o f drugs. In .three weeks what doctors Okondu had 'mastered' take the best part c f six years t o begin t o understand. T o Okondu it was hit-or-miss therapy; ace:yhrsan, and he had only been taught of penicillin, and streptomycin as if these were the only drugs in ex:stence. '' Dim ( my husband) I am going t o be your first patient" marked'ola, the'first wife. re- " W e can now have ar many injections ar we wish at little cost rather than fall a victim t o the mercenary instincts o f some orthodox Nigerian medical man. The wide - spread connercialisation of Nigerian medical practice hls taken out of it any vestige of kindness and syrrpatl~y. I haven'c .great deal of respect for any technically first-class doctor who lacks other qualitits of sympathy considera!ion for others, justice and moral rectitude. �"My hopeless headache and that- perennial'waist'pain would'certainly divappear after I shall have taken several dozens of injections .. on tho head and a t the back-side " , . '' Why in the head ? ", interrupted Okondu. '' Must the injcc, lion be given on the very site of the pains ? "'That :is the idea. " replied Ola. " The injection does better, perhaps, when given a chance.to 6ght the pains at close quarters". " What, if you have the pains in 'your eyes? Would 'you thin .requ:rt for the needle into your eye-ball?". . , ".. Life-deslroyina qua.k wife after two at work! Trad:r Okon?ugiving inbtion .to hh first w e c b pupdage undcl quackdunday. . .. 26 , �! No!, dim, rensible human beings don't allow sharp instru.. ments into their eyes . . . Okondu started his 'medical practice' on t w o members of his .. I'Oh . ". family: Ola :received 3cc of acetylarsan-penicillin injections daily for thirty injections. Bom-boy, Okondu's only son, got half as many. A t the end of the .course * Ola's sight ... . .- . .. .... started. t o fade. . . Okondu held that . th? la;tinjections were merely doing over-time and that blaineeded two 0r.a few'more injections t o get the effects home t o the bodya One ad4itional injection made Ola lose her sight 'almost- cotipletely. . . dzv:!oped .. Born b ; o rashes resembling skin leprosy. Okondu; who had hitherto lived long anong dinppdntments and hardships felt ths &cnt turn of evens wT.:more than he had act- ua!ly bargained .for. .. . . . Ola has t o be taken literally by hand t o Kano.for eye treatment. .> Bam-bby mustbe sent.to,the leper co!ony. The two cases needed equal . . w g w t act-nti-n. cure. hydciay only one Okondu. Tha ea-!ier :he trlatrnent i f lepr~sy.the quicker the pr&on& c h e durati0.n of trearment. . But. therc is He cduld not share himself into two t o cope with . the twti;qu~lly urgtnr !it"atlons. . A deciridn must be m d. a; are rather m w e preriousjandneedzd priority attention. Eyes Lepr~syhas an^ not beenll&own t o be a disease in a hurry. of i t s victims h a d : ,. lingerCdf& years kitho"t fatal consequincesi Eyes, on the o t h i r hand, . . ore not so!d : .: in the.shopr and shciutif . . .. be atten.dedto. .sodnest. . . .. ..'. .Eke was beqged t o take Bom-boy t o the lepw -colopy.but, she rep i n e d w m o v e d . .The pr.esent trouble was entirely of Okondu's,making. aided and abated. by Ola,, his first wife.. Bom-boy was .the. only irmocent victim. Okondu did not know. that by regularly civing acetyIm:n t o his wife 2nd son he was surely but slowly poisoniFg their systems. �Acetylarsan is a pentavalent organic asenical compound, cummulative in action, with symptoms of poisoning insidu~ousin onset, starting with weakness, loss of appetite, constipation, then, conjuntival congestion which may lead to the fading of vision and eventually to ultimate blindness if untreated. Arsenic dermatitis may takc different forms, viz-increased pigmentation, melanosis, may be obsewed especially on the neck, eye-lids, and nipples which may ba mistaken for a serious skin disease such as leprosy. OIa is being taken literally by hand to kano by her husband for eye treament after she had none blmd ar a r e d : of arsenic containing injections giving her by h:r quack doctor husband. - �Acetylarsan is normally prescribed to patients once or twice weekly for four to seven injections as a treatment regimen, depending on the nature and severity of the disease. May God forgive Okondu and his ilk for they know not what they are doing. Had Okondu known the poisonous nature of the injections, he wouldhave been the, last thi.~gon two legs to poison his loving Ola and his only male child. Assuming that Okondu and his ilk succeeded in getting the forgi~enessof the Almighty and that of knowledgeable victims, like Ola, could they ever hope to be forgiven by innocent Bom-boy and other unsuspecting but ignorant members of the public who fell ready victim to the dangerously dead-laden injection by unqualified mercenary quacks ? That is the question. T I I first lap of the journey to Kano was undertaken on an Eke~ Day, a rest day when relatives and well-wishers of 0kondu's family could conveniently take leave from their hand-to-mouth perennial farming to wave and wish the sojourners safe journey. The Gwomgworo (converted lorry-bus) sereetched to a noisy stop. Okondu and wife got in and off to a good start on their way' to Kano. The bus ran steadily on, as long as it alone o@ied the single-line tarred Owerri-Onitsha road; but soon as it ran off the tarred surface to make way for traffic from the opposite direction or to o v e t d e a slower moving vehicle in the same direction, the uneven road-side m ~ d e 'bus' jolt with horrible row of a noise as the made even short passengers lind themselves jamming their heads on the roof of the bu3. At Onitsha, the couple joined the Onitsha-Enugu bus, "Dim", called out Ola in an audible whisper. "What ?", asked Okondu in a way of an answer. "Do you think I shall ever see clearly again in life T ' �"Even if you don't, a visit to Kano will certainly prove helpful. m e streets of Kano are littered with blind and near-blind beggars on the street corners; destitutes, who have for decades remained unplaitiffly grateful to Allah for little mercies such as being alite and able to beg-which reminds one of the Hausa idiom which says that oneeyed man becomes grateful to God only when he comes across a totally blind man. However, if Kano fails us, my Ola, you will have none to blame but your religiouo distmst of doctors as a body of professioners". The easy journey on .the broad, well-surfaced Onitsha-Enugu road made the couple feel quite relaxed. They talked freely unrestrainedly. Every passenger on the bus seemed to betalking simultaneously in a typical viciferous Nigerian fashion which hardly make ahy distinction between conversation and shouting. The noisy situation suited the couple fine. They discussed their private affairs without the slightest fear of cvesdroppers. The rowdy chattering came to an abmpt end as if lightening flash has stmck every one dumb. Every passenger sat stiff on the seats. The Catholic amongst them made spontaneous signs of the Cross indicating a prayerful attitude at the imminence of unexpected danger. "We are now on the Eva Valley" whispered one passenger. "No, you are wrong, we are on the Millikin Hill", rejoined ' another promptly. "You cannot be on the valley, but in it." . �The driver was seriously and asiduously negotiating the sharp bends which snaked and snaked round and round until one felt like being spilled over into the deep ravine on the left. The raised trap gy rocky natural continuous kerb on the right made the deal look like driving betw:en the devil and the deep sea. The slightest swerve to left or right would definitely end disastrously. Fatal accidents had occurred 'on the Millikin Hill in the past. To prevent such accidents, drivers were given timely warnings in every conceivable phraseology, calculated to infuse a sense of greater care on the drivers. "Drive slowly". "change to low gear", "sharp bends, strictly no over-taking", "'better be late than the late", ."beware of land-slides' and such like warning sign-posts were posted at regular distance along the rdute as a guide to literate drivers who care to look-out. The appearance of "Enugu welcomes c3rzful drivers" sign board showed that the worst was over. Every passenger spat on theirchests as a sure physiological proof of total recovery from the fearful experience they had just passed through. "Dim! why don't they make the road straighter?" "Who are the they ?" replied Okondu. "Well, I mean those who built the road in the first instance" "A bridge over the valley will cost the whole annual revenue of a Nigerian Region. To lavel-down the hill will take some doing and may have to wait for the age of nuclear-atomic bull-dozers' replied Okondu. "Oh!, are we saving money or lives" . "Ojugo!, you are asking me!" �The PH-Kano train was late as usual. You never knew where you were with most Nigerian trains. No one, not even those officials paid to give correct infonnation about train movements could conscientiously swear to the accuracy of their infonnation. Some of them don't bother to find out. , 8. The train pulled up three hours behind schedule. The compartments were full up to the roof. It was a tug-0'-war. getting on to the train. Okondu jumped in and clambered hurriedly over badly packed luggages littered all over the place taking up every available space-gang -way, toilets and all. It was a toad-leap all the way. Okondu went into .the first, secobd, and third compartments without finding anything like a standing space. He became concerned about the wife still on the platform, thinking that the train might move off any minute withoutamoment's warning. He therefore, rushed to the nearest window in the 4th compartment, forced it open, peeped out and shouted' out to his wife and the. carriers to come along with the luggages. He put the first'luggage reached him on the pile lent by those already comfortably settled. As he l~urried to receive more of the luggages from thecarriers he first slipped from the pile and fell flat onto the face of a sleeping Hausa man fully stretched-out in a long seat. Audu got up, black with furry, and 'swore out: "You black infidel! You blind beggar1 Can't you distinguish a packing bench from a human body ?" "Have this-+ dirty s l a p f o r reminding me of blindness and all that? A very brief fight ensued. Some passengers around rushed forth and parted them. A bowling of 'Yi hankuri, mallam' (hold your peace mallam) pacified Audu very readily. . Peace was suddenly restored. This looked like the briefest fight in history; Okondu collected the rest of the luggages. The wife was pulled in through the window. �The carriers were paid off. It would seem as if the surest way to create spaces on a packed train would be by creating a scene. The diffident travellers learn thereby tocollect their stretched legs so as to allow the late-comas a sitting space. .. ~. u d " . shared his seat with the Okondu's. . . ."~amuri (Iboman) nguh (have) kola huts. 'Audu gave kola to Okondu. . . . 'Th&ks, .:we Ibos hardl9;'iefuse'. a kift &kbia .nuts even when . . . . ., . . . given by a confinned enem);. I'don't ' h o w you have aU, that amount of the '&lk of human kindness id your flat scrawny, unwashed chest." ''Ytj, you would have asked me to make 'charge' (metning 7.. . . chancej'fo; . you r&r than d;op your & & g e o n my head. . f t takes ,.. .. . L . . .:. a despkably d~s~erate'ibomait d o like you did" spoke ~ u d u ' i clas . t o. . . n sical ' ~ % ~ ~ a n o ' ; 8 " , I "Yes, i€, bkes'a watery.braid lfke not io real&, that theSe long . . seats aii meant tb. accommodate three -pi&6ngeri;. You can't simply . . foot frame. '&I t h e blnch ',when stretch ;tbe full~~~six, of your la* . . .. . . _ -. some other paying passkngen.: r e standing"" replied Okondu rather a . . ...,. .. .: ;.. . causti~lly;stillholding'ihe kola in his hand. . _ I . "Chikina (let us. make peace); gidi-gidi ba chau (fighting is no . . good), pleaded Audu. �okondu exchanging blows with an Hausa fellow-passenger in the over-crowded PH-Kano Limited Passenger train. Peace was made soon after over Kola nuts. 34 �Peace was made with breaking of t h e kola. "Dim", whispered Ola, "did we remember to send a telegram " to Ndah to await our arrival a t Kano 1 "Oh, yes, I gave 31- to Jona to do that; I didn't want us to be the 'unguided strangers who have eyes but could'nt see the town," replied Okondu. The train journey to Kanu was a mixed bag. The wobbling movement of the train pleased Okondu, though it made Ola dizzy and violently sick. The train,at topspeed, touched sixty miles per hour. The very frequent stops at the stations were a pain in the necks of those passengers who would like to get to the end of the journey with minimal delay. The single-track rail system made the journey by train tiresomely tedious as the so-called ExpreseTrain had had to stop, willy-nilly, at practically every station either to side track the on-coming train or to on-load and off-load. It took good two nights and days to wver the 589 miles journey. , Okondu and Ola arrived at Kano dog-tired. Their feet were slightly swollen with the long sedentary journey. Kano weather was dreadfully different and a bit too slow to make friends. The harmattan was in full swing. Okondu and wife got up in their first morning at Kano with hoarse voice and some feelings of a smoker's throat. Their lips were sore with the drought; OIa particularly, found it difficult to smile without first of all running the moist tongue over the lips. Laughing was completely led out as this was swe to be fellowed by serious bleeding from the cracked harmattandried lips. "Welcome to Sabon Gari Kano", said Ndah. "The Ibos here feel more at home than they do in their own hom+towns". "Don't say such a thing to any body's hearing", remonstrated Okondu. "No sane man ever admits in public that his father's trousers are torn at the Suttock regions. Moreover. 'East and West, home is the best' no matter however dirty the children make it". �. "AUow me to expla'in' myklf, Mazi Okondu" replied Ndall. "Cost of living is dog -cheap here in Kano. With a half penny piece you can fill your pockets with jada and rogo (pea-nuts and cassava), fura da nono (corrflour and sour milk). We get much more garri a t Kano than you could get in Aba market, from where much of the gami is imported. What i,s more you are so removed from innumerable cords of our traditional extedded family links that you begin to feel and think like the average Hausaman who cares very little about the typical,lboman's serious attachments to transient life and living, and-the frequent inconsiderate inconvenient demands for this or for that 'from relations, distant and near, from home and other places. I like Kano so much; you can be sure of a daily bread here w h e ther you are capable of workingor not as long as you are not asha'med to sit by the road ,side or tramp from house to house begging alms. Here is the only place in the whole of Nigeria where people consider it more blessed to give than to receive" "No wonder I ani not surprised ' Is, that the reason why you .@"e left home for more than ten years without bothering'to visit home or ask any question. about home 7 I am cock-sure you won't know the way to.your father's house if you travel home now un-accompanied." , ' "Tell me more about home" Mazi Okohdu. Don't misunderstand. me. I am faced with the same difficulties as .faced the l i r d which had 'a burning desire to squart but couldn't because, of obstrup tion caused b y its tail. In other words, if I have enough money today, infact, enough to pay my passage and buy presents for the string of r e lations, enough to start marrying with, the dogs shall bark me. welcome in the next moment in my father's house. Believe you me" .. . "I see!" mused Okondu. 'four home,has'cha$ed a lot over the ten years of your absence : The oldest women in the remotest part of the rural areas in .the villages wear shoes or water-proof sandals on the advice of health visitors who attribute rheumatic joint and other pains ,to walking bare-foot ,on swampy wet roads and pathways especially during the rainy seasons. My grannie cannot now make a complete lbo sentence without throwing in a word or two of English: Westernisation has actually come to town in the rural villages. The burning ambition of every home youth is to own a house solidly built with brick blocks and roofed with corrugated aluminium sheets. Such a house has its prestigegiving value as well as saving its owner the trouble of constantly changing the grasrthatch of native houses every rainy season. �No guest at home nowadays feels. well-treated unless you open several bottles of beer for him at a sitting, concluding the drinking treat with several shots of spirit such as whisky, brandy, schhap, or OHMS. These branded wines have driven our traditional palm wine into the corners. Only people in lower society ever talk of 'palm wine these.days," concluded Okondu. . . "Go on" Mazi ~ k o n d u ,"You have converted me; tell me more about home" said Ndah. will refuse to believe your eyes if you go home, I can assure you. Team-work and communal spirit are our greatest assets. The bad-men of the town and the."terrors of the nights" are now behind the bars .as a result of collective disciplinary efforts. People take night-watches in turn since the nearest police-post is twelve miles away. Stealing is practically extinct. Progress and prosperity have come to the town through her patdotic children, bhildren who make it a duty tovisit home at least on& in 24 months to see for themselves how their town compares with others in the neighbourhood". "YOU "You speak of the'town as if people in it do not have any cares in the world" replied Ndah. "Oh yes, Ndah, they do have their headaches and heartaches. Civilisation had not yet produced sufficient &re to the ever rocketting high brides price. Liligations are ever in the inc%se. So, Mazi Ndah, what the home people gain from the absence of thieves in the town they lose to litigations and high brides prices. We must hive to do something about these two giant drains on people's savings. Many otherwise sensible men had gone to bsd supperless to afford enough to pay for a wife or to see that the other man did notget the better lawyer in a land dispute. What do you think'we 'can do ' to let our home people curtail these two money-wasting traits T �"Let me see", replied Ndahmefully. "I have my own ideas on the problems of high brides price andlitigations. I am all in favour of high brides price. In a country like ours, where polygamy is not illegal, many thoughtless men (and there are many afloat these days) would be changing women as they changetheircoats if we remove the restraining influences of high brides price. Easy come, easy go what we get cheaply we throw away as we throw pebbles without much concerns. Surely, family life, the very cradle of society, would be jeopardised if children become involved in the last-in-first-out type of cheap marriages. But if we pay heavily for a wife, the odds are that before we save enough to think of getting another wife, the children of the first marriage shall have grown up enough to be as heavy a drain on our savings as marrying a second wife, thereby helping to keep the first marriage in tact. a good thing for society and family. Don't forget, Mazi Okondu, that the English man who pays nothing for a wife has a law against bigamy or poligamy. It takes him about £300 to initiate a divorce case or has got to wait for 3 years before he can proceed with a divorce case, paying alimony all along as he waits. As for litigations, why worry 7 when people spend all their big savings on litigations, those peace-loving ones with little savings shall supercede them. I consider it illogical and silly sense of economy to spend hundreds of borrowed pounds (sterling) in court for a piece of land costing less than £20. Any more home news 7" asked Ndah, brightening up with genuine interest. "I would like to change the topic, if you don't niind, Ndah" said Okondu. "First things first; my wife here with me had not been seeing very well since a fortnight ago. We have come to see what help we can get from Kano Eye Hospital which we have heard so much about. My wife and I hope you will make time tomorrow to see us to the Hospital". "I will gladly do that for you two:' replied Ndah. "The earlier we set off in the morning the better. The hospital adheres strictly to the policy of first-come-first-served irrespective of political preferences or social status. Patients are numbered as soon as they arrive at the hospital: The first in the queue becomes number one, the second, number two, and so on and that is the strict order by which the doctor is consulted. Jumping of the queue by those highly placed is completely out of the question." �The morning came rather earlier. thaq :mu@., 5 a.m. it was By bright day-light. The light.chiuy .harmattan windJhrew particles 'of dust indiscriminately in non-directive directions. . Okondu woke up . with the appetiteof a; cart-load df t h e w fruit-eating~fric~n monkeys. Xi. Ola, had no stomach for any . h & .She felt likeah el&enth hour student on an examinatioh moriiini; .Her bowels. were freer .than usualand sbe.visited the toilet as frequently as if she took a purand & . ga!i"e andldiuretic. Her wholt Gind was on her,cy-uble . . . . . questionabk .fate awaiting her .at the Clinic: ' ~ d a h . a 1.u p :befmc. w . . ad, of them. ~ h i.all',git'off . : earlier; .. .. y .. . . . ' 2, I '- , "Sabo Pasha?" (New patienti) asked Musa. Dogo, the sedous. looking, spot-faced, .blast-iuAce, A m a n . . Hi; .'&gii&-~&sa was quite intelligible to Ndah who replied promptly in the for . .. . . , all concerned. &ative "Bi hanu hago (go directly left-ward)" instructed Dogo in an unmistakable 'no-nonsense' attitude. The grey-ha'iied .nurse who was receiving the new pHtien& . seem to see clearly even through hk pait of 1 0 0 ~ ~ f i t t i n ~ . ' b i c ~ ~ & ~ ~ lenses. He dipped his pen, miles outside' .the ink-pot ,. a d &owed a habitual involuntary tendency of d j p t i n g his glasses &ch looked at any body pr a t any thing, such .as a e+rd., ?;he .ryes ' . drooped. promhently. The dimples around the eyesmade then, apcrr as if t k y had, been.shadding tears frequently, . . I :.. . .. , && ' ' . ~ " ' f ; ~ .oftOla wen a couple registering their small-boy who sUi & stained an eye injury while playing .on tfie fields with his play-maies.' . . . . i/ I "Mr., what is the name df your child .?'' asked the aged. .nuke, .. . . .. . , .. so slowly hesita'& as 'if he had .all .,.. time there is .to ask .that the ../ . . single question, adjusting his glasses. as he attempted to .. . . at the . couple through his shady .$asses. ,4 59 I . �"Leonard", replied the 'MI'. "Male or female" continued the nurse. "His name is Leonard, nurse" replied 'MI'. "Yes, I have heard that; now I want to know his sex" thundered the aged nurse a little angrily. "Be sensible, old man; Leonard has always been the name of a male human being" replied Mr. "Look here, Mr. it will pay you, whilst you are here, to answer all questions without much.argumentation. We don't, as a rule, entertain argument from patients. or their relations. This is a busy hospital. All we want is a stralght answer to a simple question, no more, no less and I suppose that the sex of your child is simple enough for your understanding" lectured the nurse. "Thank you boss", :mats', retorted 'Mr.' "Next patient", commanded the old nurse. " "Name 1 "Mrs Olamma Okondu" "Age" "Mother of four children," Sir. " "Sex 1 "Mrs, Sir" "Then, Mrs, take this card, go straight on to the waiting room and join others in the pre-cli'nical morning prayer. The Rev. Doctor will see you after prayers." The waiting-prayer room, air-conditioned and scrupulously clean seemed to be an appropriate introduction to the hospital, a different wodd to patients of Ola's ilk who came from the areas where cleanliness of the surroundings is no serious concern to the avenge housewife, whose endemic indifference to neighbourhood with cob-websdusty walls, scruffy ceilings, and dusty floors iscommon-knowledge. The walls were tastefully decorated with an artist's impressions of the Holy Trinity, the angels, and as many of the saints as the fertile imagination of the artist could accommodate. Ola felt like being spiritually up-lifted. A miracle seemed to be working already: She can, at least, see a host of ideas and winged thoughts in her mind's eyes. 40 �The weird wiry middle-aged European doctor breezed into his surgery in a jaunty mood characteristic of a hard honorary worker who isreaping very rich spiritual harvest of his.unstinted aon-mercenary industry, his billiard-ball-like bald. fore-head shining lustrously like the highly polished floors of aprivate ward ofa "European" hospital. "Let's have the first patient" scowled the doctor in heavy Yankee accent. "What is the matter with you, lady 7" asked +e doctor to Mrs. Okondu, looking down into his ponderous smoktng-pipc..which he lighted with more concentration tban he had concontration to spare to his new patient. "Docta, I am suffering from eye-sight", replied Mn Okondu, a trifle nervously. "If that is your only trouble, then, good madonna, you have no 'trouble at. all. It is a blessing for any one to 'suffer' from eye.sight" continued the doctor. "No docta, but I can hardly see with my eyes; it is. worse in thetwilight", protested Ola. "Right', let's hear all about it" "Docta, it just came without warning" "Were any of your parents blind? "No, docta" "Have you any blind person in your family ?" "None that I know of, docta" *'Have you been taking any thing lately+rugs, injection, native medicines, before your sight started to fail" ? > . "No docta" "Sure ?' "Y*, docta" "What caused it ? Do vou know ?" '"No docta" "Well! well! well!, go behind the screen, lie down on the bed, relax absolutely; I am going to give you a thorough examination. �Doctor's examination disclosed some eye inflammation much akin to effects of poisoning by arseninc. He could not be definite about this since the patient had told him that she had not been 'taking drugs of any kind lately. Not knowing what to d6, the doctor took a chance and prescribed penicillin injections, steptomycin eyedrops, and prayers for seven days as an in-patient on ward 2. One week's treatment yielded no ostensible results. The doctor was worried about this. The patient wasequally worried. She was gettingfed up with penicillin and prayer course of treatment which didn't seem to do her any obvious good. She thought of the children left at home, more especially, of Bom-Boy, whose skin condition and near-paralytic left arm constituted another source of great concern to her over-burdened mind, causing her insomnia, anorexia, (loss of appetite) and restlessness. Her conscience has started to sit her on thorns for not telling the doctor the truth about the real cause of her eye trouble which she knew very well. Ola knew as much as Okondu knew that the repeated penicillin-in-Acetylatsan given her, illegally, by her illiterate trader-husband originated her eyetrouble and Bom-Boy's arm and skin conditions. Ola hadn't the courage totell this to the doctor for fear of implicating her husband who was already kneedeep in hot trouble. Now, her conscience is giving her a timely prompting that it would be in her. best interest to tell the tmth. She would either tell the truth or remain in the hospital for an indefinite period of possibly, an unsuccessful course of treatment. An accurately diagnosed disease is far more easier to cure than pining hope on chance. A week. of tie-in-bed had already plunged, the otherwise loquacious Ola into a gloomy and demoralising idleness. Such kind of Hospital routine is rather alien to her very active nature. The unmitigated rudeness of some of the Nigerian trained nurses, joined forces with the prosaic atmosphereof the regemented hospital ward-life to have a nostalgic effect on her. ''It is now or never*' soliloquised Ola. "I must tell the docta the truth. The truth had often made many free." �With this tho.ight in her mind sh: fell asleep to dream of no.thing but her full:. rcstorzd sight, a matting Eom-Boy, an3 peaceful home. "How do yoc feel this morning, madam" inquired the doctc-r mrch more in a carcfree tone of fed-upness. "Not a) bid, docta" ?" "That's better, any c h a n ~ e "Yes d Jcta, more a change of heart than of my physical condi ion" "Good:.-goody, let's hcar about it" . The weird, uiry, j:unty, midde-acd European doctor, who has a habit of wearing is Stelhescope always and every where, is seen giving Ola a thorough medical examiuation. 43 �"Docta, the eye trouble started like this: My husband called on a certain dffitor on one occasion. For an.obvious elementary misunderstanding, the doctor's wife turned him out without second thoughts and thus prevented him from seeing the doctor when he badly needed urgent medical attention. My husband decided, in consequence, to learn to give injections. This took him three weeks at a cost of E15. In this part of the world, dacta, every intelligent human who can manipulate a syringe and needle assumes the title of a 'docta'. For miles around he would have no real doctor to compete with him. Personally,. surgical operations apart, any one can practise medicine after a few weeks' training. Doctoring is not a difficult thing: Some one tells you he h s pneumonia; you look up a text book of medicine and lind that penicillin is'good for pneumonia and prescribe it. Just that.--.-." "Stop I madam, you have wandered miles away from the topic. What has all that amusing nonsense got to do with your eyetrouble" interrupted the doctor. "Sorry docta; when my husband learned to give injection. I offered to be his first patient. I needed some course of injections to tide me over the rainy season which annually afnicts me with illness. My husband gave me penicillin dissolved in 3cc acetylarsan solution to pepup or activate the normally painless indolent procaine penicillin. People here don't, 'as a rule, appreciate any injections unless they felt some smarting pains or rigorous after-effects during or after its administration. Thus, acetylarsan solution in procaine penicillin, gingers things up like red pepper in a dull soup. As I was saying my husband gave me the above mentioned combination of injection daily for as long as I can remember. At one time, during the course of the injections, my sight started to fail me. I complained to my husband. He simply councelled that the injection was working according to plan and that all I needed was a few more injections to round things up. My sight rounded-up before I could complete the second round of injections. �"By Jove I i t sounds absolutely incredible, alround." "Believe it or not, docto'r, that is a .true story. It did happen. I am very sorry for not telling you this before now. Promise, docta. that you won't put me and my husband into any further trouble by this revelation. My husband and I had had more trouble already than we had bargained for." "Madam, in th8 states, a doctor is bound to treat all patient, who come to him or face court action for negligence. The doctor's wife ought to know this. Why then didn't you sue. the doctor and his wife in the courts ? You could havr b1gge3 thousands of dollars as court-awards." "No doctor,' we dare not; my husband and I are nonentities compared with the doctor.. With money and professional prestige you can get away with any thing-justice, injustice, anything, in this country" replied Ola quite confidently. "Again, madam, I must warn you sternly not to play with drugs as if they are harmless lolies. They are two-edged swords: They help doctors to save lives, I must admit, but the ways by which they do so are not always free from dangers, some of which may 'provc dissastrous in consequence. Don't use drugs unless prescirbed by doctors. If you are ever in doubts about the potential dangers of any drug consult your local Pharmacist. I think I know now what is wrong The eyeinflammation might have been caused by arsenic poisoning." .The doctor prescribed a course of anti-arsxic poison injections. The altered treatment worked exceedindy well. In less than a space of ten days her sight returnedsteadily. An Optician was brought in. He gave a five guineas pair of glasses to correct the slight irreparable defect already initiated by the arsenical d a m ~ g e the optic nerves to �By. this, time the,.doctor had devdoped some .: genuine interest in the patient. Ola, who was then relaxed and obviously delighted with k r , r e p n t improvements,, wppcrated fully -w i t.h the doctor. She had :.no,more; inhihitionscin aqswering or asking quesrions. .The doctor liked this sudden c h a a g e $hd.hardly missed the slightest oppr!unity to chat, with the extrovert a n d hard --hitling ,a n 6 pleasantly-rude OIa. . . . . . . . . . . -".Madam.?. asks the doctor in a low but reacsurinp.tone: " tell mt, why on earth you agreed co.accept .inj:ctions from your illi:erale trader-husbmd when s o u know that it takes the best part of 7 years to. pruduce a medicaid:&tor. and nearlv. as longto t&in a gradaatc pharmacist, the only two group of professionals w h n x e .authoristd to handle all groups of drugs and poisons exp-rtly? Do you think that .your husband's illitrate. brains wcre of .'s:.ch high:qualities that he~.could.masterin three wtrks ,whit took daxors nticiut six years of hard studies to- bigin to. grasp??. . . . . . . . '. "That's a very fine questidn dam. But do you w a n t me to . .. . reply yo* in 'full and with undiluted frqnkncss? " ". . ..... .. . . .... . . "'Yes: 'midam., Loti ari so &, as E .under lock'.6nd' key. ' b r f *hat.+ . excitingrcvclationi you .might care t o makc " . ,.. ..,,. .. . . . . .I . . . '.. . . . . . . . . . "~fi'. l l , dozta, l&t,mb.say' quite: f r a M 3,,.that. your. tidipit81 a i d w . . . ... . . . . . _',_ : , m a n y 6tkr:Mirsion -1ospitak . a n veritbble exczptions'.to. the fail.hospital serviccs 4.n this ing standards..i.n-~~o~~.~ourt:o3s.:honor~ry .. :~... ~. . l a i . . '~lii. . , c'oimtry. . .In . a h y:i' . ' ~.c n.e r.a~ o ~ ~ .i..t i tl takts . . patients' io.'&c. . . . . b u r s of waiting to see the doctor. and.exactly '.that-amount-6f. ...". . . . . . . . . . . . . tinie 'L.. i o bi'.told.by .'iomD cifvi~~irvaiti iioctor<fb cbme t6 see me privrte~ . .. ly in my hcuse if you want better treatment". When you opt to be treated privately. you arc sent back to the time.wasting dispensary queue with the private pr:scription for a course of. spy, three five shillings 'free' injxtions after' you shall have paid from three i o five guineas private consultation fees to the Civil Servant doctor who by thc'way, i s well paid by t h t gov:rnmcint for his services td patients. - �- "Getting the 'frel'pr&criptiorir dispeilid is another hard matter. :,-unlessyou..are the .hard boiled, type .who could jump- the queues ,without>mindingthe rudeshdrp. tongues and probably. stiff first cuffs.from those .-whose tights you have -.usurped. by queuejumping just :to be told that the drugs prescribed for you arc either out -of stock-ot not -:stocked at'all" .".. . .. , . . .:. * . "If the patient 'is so unlucky .to be~idmittedan in patient with, say, starvation anaemia caused by deficient home diet, the in-patient -is allowed to continue on the diet. brought from home at the same tim: as tho .drug.treatm:nt of the starvation.anamia proceeds. Tell .m:. docta. 'the s m e , economy, and the justice in paying heavily t o . g:t i fiv: shillings free injxtion prescribed for you when you can l get th3 s a m e inj:ctioa for less than five shillings elsewhere with minium waste of time ? " - -, - "Go on, madam, there is still .room in. my ears to hear mote of yam rev:lations" replied the doctor. . . "The way and mtnner you are.rccrivcd at t h e doctor's flat drpsnds entirely on th; typ: of atleadant the doctor has. a n d on tb: fl1::ulting 'wtathertock' m o o d of the doctor's mistress. At tim:s. you are treated very unkindly by the mistress as if you have c.irried a p h m o u s m:ss 'to the do:tor's house b y . your presence. So, docta, senzible patients prefer to get treated in the market placer. and at rh: ' l i d chemist shops rather than w a s t e one's precious, time and money by going to the hospital. I hate snobbishness i n . any shape or form, whctt.cr. it ccmes from. bas$& staff or from any one else" . . " By Sores you seem to have. m a d e a strong case for t h e profissitn to snsuer, if all you sald were correct'' " Ask ev:ry body you kcit, docta, if yoo doubt nie *' 47 �"No need, madam, I haven't got the lime to go a-Gallup-polling on the issue. I have more precious things to do. Suffice it to say that patients are seen on appointment in the States. They have to pay, sometimes heavily, either to the medical doctor in private practice or to the hospitals as the case may be. Whatever the case, patients are made to feel that they are getting quick and efficient services for their money. In the State, pali:nts have the last words nearly always on many issues unless professional principles are involved. But. tell me, madam, do you still wish to go back to the quacks just to save time and money when you have practically lost your eye-sight to the quacks? Don't you think that it is better to wait for your turn to get scientific professional treatment f r o m a qualified doctor, at all costs. rather than rush to the market and to the quacks for quicker, though unprofessionally unethical services with concomitrant dangers?" I can only die once, docta, so, why worry' I suppose that doctors are human beings as patients are follow human beings. I " don't see any fundsmentd ditTerence betwed t'hem. The docta merely has more genenlised knowledge in a vast field of study in l~hich the patient appears not to be so well versed: the patient pays the docta, directly or indirectly. for his services, as he would pay to any other class of workers who serves him." "Doctas will, definitely fast or take other odd jobs if patients were scarce or unwilling to pay. It, therefore, behoves sensible doctors to treat kindly any one from whom they get their means of livelihood." " Thank you, very little, for your irreverent slander on overworked Nigerian doctors. The trouble with many Nigerian patients is that most of them are potential neurotics, jumpy. impltient. inconsiderate, and unreasonably hasty." �They don't seem t o reslise char a doctor in Nigeria is assigned t o a larger proportion of patient3 ( one doctor t o about a hundred thousand prospective patients) than he could ever hope t o cope with, even if he allocated a fraction of a second t o each of his propective 100.000 patients. Surprising enough. each patient would like a doctor t o give the best part of halfan hour listening t o his unconnected. some times incomprehensible vague accounts of the symptoms of his illness, when, -at the same time. he shows unmistakable resentment and feels his time i s being wasted when the doctor gives half that amount of attention t o the patient next before him. Madam. the profession is intolerant o f competition with illiterate quacks in the market places. The profess~oncan accomrnedate Pharmacisrs in certain cases. especially in conof ditions of. acute ~hortaze medical doctors, but definitely we doctors have no intention of competing with traders. -teachers, ex-service men and other injection-giving wayfarers on two irgs". " " Doctor; I want t o tell',you wh3t you don't' know about this country. We. in this country, pet the best 'dxtoring' on the rad!o, I n the pages : of the dailies and through other advertising axencies. I there anything wrong in any intelligent literate individual. who, on seeing that some"nne has a boil. looks up the 'Family doctor' sees penicillin i s good for boil and. starts TO use it or p ~ r c r i b e sit t o some one. who has a boil? Aker all,' isn't it wSat maly doctors do? What can be better than A ~ p r o the tremnrnt of hedache and pains!" in . .. .No. no, no, madam there is more t o medical education and pract- .ice than the lsyma~can ever hope t o know. Oherwise it wouldn't I have been in t h e practice of medicine for tht bast part of my life. Yet I don't seem to take seven yearsto prcduce a medical doctor. find its studies and prazcice as easy ,as you have Just made it. W e .doctors are always up against rha dificulties of differential diagnosis:even your so-called headxhe i s r clmmon sign t o many maladies; we ..have got t o know through knowleJge of specific symptons of specific . diseases of which headache Is a common sign, the actual disease that ;gave rise t o the. headache. �I must admit, madam, that a doctor may, at time, give wrong diagnosis as a result of human factors, such as inadequate knowledge, personal upsets. dislike of patient, and others. When all is said and done, it will pay you to seek for an expert attention in all things, more so, in health matters" The doctor was prepared not to let his elcrquent p3tient have a the last word or have s ~ c h gloomy picture of the medical profession but bzfore he could finish the next sentence he was summoncd away hurriedly to attend to'an emergency case just rushed into the hospital. Shortly afterwards, th:re were yellings and cries of lementation all over the place. Ola was rather at a big loss to know what it was all about. She longed anxiously to get some one to let her into the know of the cause o f ths hustle a n d bustle. The noise and wailings grew a n d grew so much that Ola decided t o fine out for hcrself if t h e wholc hospital is in mutiny or what. She h a d barely gone half the way down the steps before she nc~icedthe doctor coming up in her direc:ion. wearing a n expression suggestive o f an Army General returning from a cease-fire truce-meeting following a mmth-old drawn-out decimating battle. "Madam. I have come back to finish up our conversation". 'Do you know why I was summoned out?', "No. docta. I am anxious to hear all abcut it" "I will tell you in 'a second. A yourg man nearly 21 years old, had a bottle-wound on the upper lid of the right eye whilst quarrelling. t h c prevous night. with an erratic night-club hostess o v e r settlement of old bills. At about nine. ante meridian. the following morning he was given an A.T.S. injection in the market place. I was told. Soon nfter the injcction, the man dropped, flop, almost dead. shouting that he could not see. hear or stand errect. His fellow traders gave him a bowl of milk followed with coco-nut water as a quasi-kind of native anti-dote. to n avail. They tried to force him : , t o swallow a battle-full o f cditrle p a l m oil. This didn't help. �They tanitd i while to sce 'if the toxic symptoms of the A.T.S. injection would be short-lived but the viclim sank lower and lower. He had to be rushed to my hospital as a last resort. I tried my best to rcvivc him but he had gone beyond redempticn. .Madam, It must have beea an extreme case of hypersensi~ivityto Anti-Tetanus Serum injection, one of the fala1 dangers confronting all those who accept injections from unqualified quacks and other injection pedlars of all sons". ' " You ..are telling. me, docta' w e are taking chances each time . < we accept dmgs from any~one;. . doctor. Pharmacist, o r ~ t h e so-called . il;aeran: quacks.. We taka charter also when we accept to'undergo a surgical operation; some patients for operation had even dropped stone,d:ad qt the first sniff of chloroform, anaesthetics war before the s & c o n bird .doned bis long gown. I.feel alrnost'cirkn docto; that the A.T.S. patient could have died all the same had he g i t the injection on the order ofthe hospital doctor. as it weuld have taken twice as much time to summon the Gmeral Hospital doctor to his bed-side a s i t had taken to rush : him.. to your hospital from . . the.ma~krt ~ i a c e. The general hospital iiuracsare powcrleif to 'do . any ;hiag . in such matters not even show obvious sympathy, until . . . ,. . the doctor had made his a-minute-too late arriGa1.' Half the ho& tal deaths shrll have beon alive to-day had the doctors and nurses shown half as much concern to -the living in-katient's a; they show . to those' between 1 i f e and. dea~h.. A; far as I am concerned; t h t .. .: general haspital beds shall nevcr'see my back unless, perhaps, as the very last resort. possibly. for a post-mortem, if some doctors care . . . . . . about. it." ' , .. '' Madam, you are agreeably very pungent to members of my profession and their worthy allies,. the nurses' I am' sure you are now well-enough to h e . such a convincing force. I shall send you home tomorrow if nothing dsamatic happens over the night. You deserve a satisfactory discharge." . �O h get up very early inspite, of a heavy sedation to make her sleep H t r frock of the palest green with precise pleats tlattcnd her figure so much chat the doetor had ,a job making her out at first sight. . . . " b hospiml uniform musi be doing untold 'injustice' to the Tc attractive figures of good-looking female patients'' commented t h e doctor most sincerely. "Madam, you oan regard yourself as a free woman: you are now free to g o home. I wish you good hcalth. good occasional luck ,at the pools, and enough ef dollars to boast your ego up. Wherever you go a d whatever you do. remember that your lost sight was restored o y o u by a qualified doctor. n o t by a quack." *'Thanks for nothing,docta; without my co-operatioti you couldn't do much for my eye trouble in the first week. I h a v e paid t h e . hospital bill and. truatmeot charges and I frcl like owing nothing to, any m e ; ... i . . ?.Bye -bye, my learned intractable patient " .. .. "&',.?'Bye, .my understanding. good-natured. end consrientious d o c k IF all doxors were like you and all hospitals were like yours' things wbpld wcar a diflerenc look for poor over-exploited patients. Pity, you:are just one out of to many. a tiny drop 'in the ocean of corrupt mercenary modicd practices, a grain in the desert sand-dunrs insignificant. incoosequential. and bnrecongnissble". - "I shall not oecd money to advertise you and your hcspital. Aa things stand. and until there i s , n drastic change in the ways hospital patient3 aro being treated in m a n y General hospitdls, majority of patients weuld continue to regard hospitals as place where go to die rather than .where they go to learn to live wcll. A the best. U my good docta ", ' Ola boarded the Kano- P. H. Limited Train at 12 noon. Ndah had already despatched a telegram to Okondu, intimating h i m l o "await wife arriving Aba Friday Noon train". Wednesday trains are not, as a rule, always as over-pocked a1 Monday and 'Friday trains. Ola had, in effect, three seater bench exclusively to hcrsolf throughomt the 48 hours 640 miles trains journey to Aba. . �The wobbling movement of the fast-moving limited train coupled with the apparmt !.satisfactory physical conditicn in which ,madam Okondu found herself. helpd to rock her quk)cly to sleep: She was just on the threshold of some pleasant dreams about. her Bomboy when a very sharp jadded noise made by a deliberate tang with a pair-of mechanical pmers-like .device got hcr'up on her legs. *.Tickets, all tiekets ready" shouted the scrawny 10okinqT.T.C (Train Ticket Collector) his 'lanky frame being shzken interm~ttently by paroxysms of tobacco c o u ~ h s betwten the tickets '; 'ill tickets ready0 skoutr. r Madam Okondu searched her breait. her hand-bag. her headgear. and her hold-all for the ticket. She remembered receiving the ticket from Ndah. She knew shetocksome areat care to preserve it: hutwhere she put it; she just coulln't recollect. Shi h'ud been S 0 over-carcful with the ticket that she herself could not fr.d where she . . kept it. 8 ' "If you can't find your ticket. woman, come with me; you must have to pay double the cost of a ticket or face court action for entering Her Majesty's Train without a ticket" threatened the T.'T. C. in all seriousness. It never occurred to the T.T. C. to ask for the passenger's weigh-bill wherein the number of the ticket was definitely entered. Mrs. Okondu, quite over-confident that she bcupht a ticket, feeling satisfied that it war tucked away some whcre on her person. was so busv searching for it to rake any notice of the threat? of 'double payment or court action' cmanatir.~ frern the 'dark devil' the embarrassing T. T . C. who planted himself imtr.ovably, starring at Ola like an imagecarved out of mzrble and stone. .. . "Give me time to find it" pleaded Old. '' 1.can.t waste the whole. time waiting for you to find your bloody ticket". swore the T.T.C. I have other 500 tkkcts t o see". ."Go .on, then, and see other tickets: I will'bring n~ine you to as soon as I find it. Alternately you can cbme back for it after y 0 u have seen other passengers' tickets", requested OIa. �. . . . ' am not moving an inch "ntil I have your ticket or have you' I 'You must have to carry !me on your dirty lousy .head, if you must go with me' lashed-out Ola: 'will you.stop.harrassing me?, , , .' . :.. The T.T.C. stood for a good khile: staring at Ola with' furrowed brows. Every one around anticipated a scene, but to their pleasant surprise, the T.T.C.. as if bitten suddenly by a bug of good judge. ment, moved unceremoniously 'away, shouting 't i c k t r , ~ , all ticrets ready' as he swayed left and nght. in a big wsy. insp:cting tick-ts .. and luggages on both sides of th2 co~upirtmcntpassage. , . ' ' . .The ticket rang a bell. in Ola's brain. She now remembered she tied 'it in the waixt-end of her wrap-round-the-waist skirt-like loin cloth. . 'H&O 'is -the ticket. Mr. T.T.C. ;I 'have fouhd it at last; I know 1 h3d it: If you thought I s!ole into your train, then. your .imagination had misfired' : T h.s T.T.C. . snatchedthe ticket from her, 10,oked at it closely > . for a time on one hide. then" turned ;he other side .and ihspected .this much more clorrly. ~ a turned the first kde and inspected it with ' as much scrutiny. He was in the process of turning to the second . . . side a second tim: when Ola 1ish:d out with ber neverfailing veno.... _ .mous tongue: . . . .. .. . . . 'Give in5 my ticket. you diity swine. You look at i( as if you are seeing a train ticket for the first time 'in life'. : .: ' yo-~rself how : 'Min'd ticket and putyou talk to me. t hIfeyou don? behave. I'shall . next station. without a seize your you down in ticket. then you should have to wait for 48 hours before' you ' c a n get anothx tram to board. assuming that you l?ave enough.money for . . . . . . a frcsh ticket. ". 'You no fit d u a d broke in Ola in 'broken ~irglis'b'; *try it and .see. what igo.happin to :bou.: you kharki trousered tyrant'. - !., . ..'The 'kvam;. 'levam' please from the nearby: passengtrs made .the .T.T.C give UD the imincnt show-down, whilst he, unresrrvedly . . . 'continued on his 'tickets.. all tichts' harange, .. , �. looked om o f . the. window tb . skk for herself those' scenes and landscapes she could not see on their jo& soro ney. to, $ado. . saq.muQ hut? $dad", ..,, ] like grp"ndiLpt . .. : pyramids scattered on both sides of the rail with littlest .efforts at orderliness.; she saw dirty looking children and equally badly dressed . I -adults. who fprmed a kind ,of infosmal .guard of hodour fqr the passinp. train, mnking sonorous jubilant hoi$es that defied ad9 i6. , . .. tell~gent !nterpretation ;. she'saw rock, hills with ;tony pcak;'and ruggqd sides that could give sanctuary to all sorts of innumerable .. ,)y,iJc livcs; bhc \liqu&sed iush corn field$..a ,rh$ exhila&ng site to .a, Farmer's ward 2 cattle, counttles hard of cattle, exceedingly big, with drbo'ping tummies and lcose flesh' vqry. fat metron who had lately lost half her wsigbt to slimming gills; Ola saw frail-look' ing ~ulmi"herdsmen, lookinithe wor!d in the face as if they have no ..... 'care: 'iiola'ted 'datino' trees towermi in the vcsta of giass or desert land, miled 'from any where. Ola' wondeied why ;ailire had made Nigeri&i $iysicnl f~aturesi o ;tttiactivc? She fht ' convinced that un- ' 'crowdes trdin jburney' frdm' gas; to. ~ort'h;kpecially if m a d e in . good he& kith eno@h' monei,' is thb' mdsi 'relixing and refreshing recreatioi any one cobld ho$ to hive any whbre.' t * i s 0larmlleoted~-herself.. 111 i I., : like's . I I .b ' .. . : , ., . ?#.. Ola arrived at her destination to find that no one was waiting for her,, except the blood sucker truck-pushers and the ra!lway port6rs who readily rchdek'd paid sthicis to any dfiaccompan~ed passengers who uskcd lor them. She :trekked to the motor -park. trailing far behitld her lugeages which the truck -pusher pushed on at a much faster phco than she could.cope with. .At long last, after a breath raking marathon to keep - u p with the truck -pusher, whose integrity, experience has taught her to doubt, Ola,got a t the. motor station,ybere, s11,e. hoard4 a [orry to her home. a good 45 miles drive at 66 M. P. H. from th- motor park. - - �Her feelings were mixed: T o her, it was painful that none waited ,far h:r at railway station despite the telegram sent from Kano 49 hours earlier; she was nonetheless happy to be going home to familiar surroundings where her words had alway8 been law; happy to be g h g horn:, in su:h a satisfying condition of restored sight. . Ola learnt, on arrival hm:, that h:r telegram had taken 53 hours to fail to arrive. With the P. & T. in matters of telegaph deliveries. it has always been quicker to send a horseman, or, if money is not your trouble, to publish yoar movemtnts in the dailies, rather than to send telegrams. In any case, had the telegram jrrived earlier, the odds were that no body would have come to meet her. since Okondu, her evx-loyal husblnd, h3d taken Born-Boy to the Lep:r Settl<ment a week ago, where he decided to stay with Bom-Boy until some willing, but God-sent soul would be forrhtoming, from ~ o d n c s s knows where. to take th2: twos with hi:n. O:m.~dln x r exp:c:ed thnt Ola would be wdl so soan. As fcr Ekemma, Okondu's second wife. it was all Okondu's and Ola's business. They both, according to her. saw trouble coming and cxtendcd b3th arms to en'xa:: it. They s h x ~ l d l v ~ h nons to blame but themselves. Eke would nor l s e her appctite on the so-. called misfortunes, knowing as she knew that those of them who . accepted traatmsnt from unqualified charlattans, eithcr be-suse of its cheapness, or b:cau>e of quicker s-rviocs, ought to bs prepared t o learn silently by heart. the lessons one often learns from cheap and easy acquisitions. As far as Ekemma is concerned, life is so precious .. . that. no secriEce, not even of time or money, cculd be considered too : great in order t a get tho hsalth back whm life is threatened through the warning notice which death often gives to mortals via illness. Ola received a heroiness welcome from every one at home in. cluding Eke. Okondu und om-BOY w x e more conspicuous by their absence. �. .':Where Jsmy Bom-Boy; wliere. i s Rilanyi[ q k e d .Ola with visibly palpitating heart beat. ,, . . . . "I can only tell you where Dl-anyi said he was going when h e left home a week ago" replied. Eke carefreeiy; 'He .sai& he was taking I C . Bom-Boy,ro the Bintu ~e&-~ettlemenr and we have not. heard of o r from him ever since". a , . .I# I . Ekcmma. who had no living .irsues hcrself- she Iost'two" 'm a I e chil6ren t o Indian Flu of 1958 -had little o r no soft feelings left f o r ,. .. , . , , . , ,. . , . . other woman's children. . The !nmates of !he Bintu Leper Settlement welcoming Born-Boy with express. pity and d~sl~gured hmbh faces and b p y gaits. ions of 57 �OIa knew and understood her attitude very well and mad: as much allowance as she could for il. OIa was resolute on seeing her Bom-Boy and her hubby Okondu without delay. The other children pleaded in vain for their mum to tarry awhile with them before setting off again if she must. She promised them bigger bundles of swezts and other 'market things' and, then, took-off directly for Bintu Lepx Settlement. She budgeted conservatively for a maximaurn of 3 hours' travelling to got t o Bintu, 60 miles a-ay. Much depends on how soon t t e passenger-trucks could get there. People who are used to road-travels by lorries hardly expect much fro= them as these passenger lorries are never compulsorilly serviced until they develop engine or t y n troubles. The practice in other countries of compulsory servicing for every 1033 miles covered has not yet arrived in Nigeria. Travellers must have to buy a lot of patience if they have none already, t o survive journeys by passenger-lorries. Every body on the lorry, care-freely. gets on every body else's nerves. You are not always sure of getting to your destination safely and on scheduled time. , OIa didn't seem to have reckoned with avoidable delays of the above mentioned type in her rough estimation of the duration of her journey to Bintu. At mile 35 on the Olaku-Eintu road, the passcnzer-lorry in which she was travelling. took a sharp right turn instead of keeping on a straight course. Every passenger wondered where, on earth, the ' m ~ d drivtr was heading to. Some pastengcrs ' protested in very unmistakable terms indicative of deep annoyance. The driver drove steadily on and on and on, off-course, and t h e n came to a d:ad stop in a living compound about 4 miles off-route. " ~ l lm3n, down" chmandod t h e driver, arching himself like a swanky peacock, as if to say that he drives the whole country, ministers and all as, and whcre he likes. - . A bamge .of abuses descended o n him from the irrate passengers who felt grossly offended by 'the time -wasting, and unbargained-for off-course journey. 58 I �'Fancy your brazen'lmpudence to: 'kike uizso'hi& . 'y ' . . .Worn . the main roadi swore one passenger. . .. 'You must be a mad doe t o do that' swore another. " .. . ' "" . . . _ :.,... -:. . >.,' 'You no go see bettar for your 'llfe-:-for taking.:us b+.rtkis far place' added the third. 'Every body, down' shouted the driver; 'the more..you sit-tight in my lorry, the mare you detain )ovrsalves. In your' own interests you better come down,so that I may unpack the plankson the floor . .. of the lorry'. pleaded the driver.' .' ri,.,.' ' ~ e ' a r e ldnger in i h u r r i ; lot none come down eammatd$ . ,. . had self-appointed.ihimscll the' leader . >.' , ,.' . . .. . b . r d one of the'passen.qers, who ' .. . of the bassengers. ' w e shali stay here until.the.d&er trkes uk back t o ,,.. .. the main road. We ainc going to allow him to, unpack his planks. ,. . .. ,. .. It I s high time the drlvars began t e riipect th6feIings ofnthr..people .. .< . , ., .! <:;:<;:; who p&ide the m w y by which their salarie; are paid. Wepassen- . gers, could afford t o be serious for once In our lives with these jmpru* dent, irreverent, l;reprehenrible, . . , . ..: . > ,..< imesponiible:drivers:. :Does i t m e a n i s ni0re.=&~cerii.,t6' td&'driv&s .@an . . that the delivery of the the safe and timely arrival o f their . t o theiri-respective journey's end?' , . *I .wonder' echoed o n e o f.. the. passengers: . . ... .*.' 1 . ' . ~ No passenKer' moved ss much as a - m u s t k P T h e-dilver- e v F t cd from comma'ndinz .them to.pleadlng for understanding;. ..kcwas too late. In the end hi? l u m ~ e d onto the wheel and'rcsumed-thejourney without deliverlnp th6 planks.. A t mile 40;'thd'ldriy broke+own; o r so the driver told every one. .'' Those paesagers In hurry d e c Id e d - t o .jotn anbthcr 1'0 r i y. 59 �The driver of the presumedly faulty lorry refused t o refund pan or all of the money already paid by Ola and the rest. Ola transferred t o another lorry. A t Mile 60 she came down. 'Where Is the m t o Blntu Leper Settlement' asked Ola t o a mlddle -aged lad w i t flabby llps lndicatlng that she had ' spent the best part o f her h e talking gllbly on many thlngs -the gossiping type who never stopped ulklng until they fell asleep at nights. i 'Are you golng to the Leper Settlement' querrled the woman. *Yes, but not as a patlent. I am merely a visitor' .:'You- must be a stranger ; you won't be allowed In at rhls tlme of theday u visitlng hour is from 2 p.m. t o 4 p.m. dally save Sunday-when you can stay .on until 6 p.m if you have the guts to stay that long among the lepers. If I were you. I would seek shelter for the nlght t o v l ~ l ty a l n t m o r r o w at the proper tlme'. ' ... Thank you for nothlng, &dam, you are givlng me'mare informations than I requested for. Perhaps people this way have tongues having no brakes.' All I asked for Is the road t o Blntu Settlement. N o more, no less.' ' 'Woman' is that another name for gratitude In your village? Sooner o r later you would come to reallse that my Informations are the best you can have under the circumstances. Good luck and may God grant you peace and patlence, the two quallties much needed t o get o n w d l with people.' Blntu Settlement, u the name suggested, Is a mln!ature village. The patients llve, one t o a room flat, o r t w o t o a room-and-parlour if a couple o r close rehtlons came as patlents together. Younger patlents who can't normally cater for themselves are adoxed by the older ones u wards. The flats are built around the clrcumfcrence of a. big circle. f The body o the clrcle is used as common ncreatlonal field for all the occu ants o f the same quarter. One advantage of such a pattern o f butt ing IS that one sandlng in front o f one f l a t can see other fellows golng In o r coming out from any other flat so that the movements of any of the inmates of one cubicle can be easlly watched by the 'rubber k n d who care to do so. 8 - �.... The psr&t:of aiver.y'young 'patknt ' i;ncouiagid i o stay .for. i some time until'the patierit getk used t o the older patient who would adopt. him. The big iron-entrance gate made the village look'like' a' private extensive home. A large bell hung at a conspicuious. place at. the gat6 so that any literate new-comer'co'uld easily .see the 'ring the bell for'attention' notice. The in-patients who. had 1ale:passes. out could also ring this bell'to.be4et in byGab, the "iron&eartcd' keeper of the iron-gate. Gab. the unsmiling gate-man was also a veteran of two wars and an en-patient of the rtttlerntnt. ' . : ' . . ........ . Ola rang the beil rathe; tAo &huriastically.' ~ h ; gateman Same. ...... .... bait-haste, thihkidg' the Director of the ~ettlknint was it'tik gate as . . . '..I no visitor was expected at'that t h e of ihe &iig. To cab' utter s disappointment, hesaw a not-too-bad l&king.'though equally unsmiling lady, fair-complexioned. and wrapped fashionably. capa-pk-. in Akwette cloths. , . . . . . . . ..,. . . * . .. , . ... "Na wstin' >o".want*' quenied Gab fither authoritatively: ' ... . "'I '$el. my sdyand my' mant admitted here a wcek ag6 .to .the .... . .. , . . . . . . . . . . .. . minute;....... . ._;. . . . "Big . . . . . . &b. no go save you natin" interrupt&d. ... ~ e f o r c could say. a word, ihe gate 'had closed with such ? she . %tic bang that .rould only indicate the. disgust the . . . gate-man fclt at . . . . ,. . 'visit& k h o chose to &it hours 'outo'ide the visiting ' b e . The ve. . . . one." teran . kdew nd. preferences;. not even effemiiate . . He'had never been ckivalrokin his life: To him the niatter is as closed GO^'; decision, against which there is .no appeal'. . ,. . . . .. . ,. . . Ola is apt the type to take 'No' for 8n answer. She rang the bell so e h t ~ c a l l ythat- somt inmates of the SsttlemenPwbb'tgmC near the gateat the h e ' took message t o 'Okondu of tho . 'nice-lookin? .lady at the gate for him':.' Okondu made for the gate.. 1: ': . . ' ,I.. 1 .+ .. : , ' �He was so pleased with the sight of his wife that he opened the gate without much 'thoughis as to.the. consequences: No patient or hisrelation is a I I o w e d to towh the gate. Only Gab. can do. it. Breach of regulations is often seriously frowned at by authorities. .It might lead Po an instant discharge of the culprit-patient without completing his treatment. Okondu swept Okhigh into his hosom,crying; "014 1 Ola'l.. wife; is .it. you that I am seeing or your double?'.' . , . . . . 'How ,are you. n w' o? 'I am absolutely alright, Dim,' replicd OIa. Thank goodness , .. ... f&jpartial'm'&ci:s. .Our joy shall know no i;ounds whcn our .Born. . _ . . : Boy is' co&pfetely recovered. How .is he.. . . . . . . . . . . . 'Shall .we oo.in? Our-5at is a good five minutes stroll:from.~tl?o ... gate. Our Boy. is fast asleep'. I As Okondu and wife tried to move in the direction of the vill. age, Gab. landed on the scene as i f from nowhere. .. :. , ...... . ,. 'Go hack, womsn. . .I. no .go let y0.u in ,even ityou be .the best. . . . .. . eat womm for dis warld; g3 back. I sly' commanded Gab. , Okondu and Ola pleaded and pleaded to no avail. It suddenly occured to Ola that where words of mouth fail to achieve expected . .- . . rcsulis. . . . . . o f some. kind . has . worked miracles. You don't :have * bribery . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. to go,,far in .. country. to meet .ungincipled indkdualb who .sell the . .. thFir con;cicacc for a few shillings. up backed up with empty prp. & s .that ace nevi? fulfilled :once .the. objective, is attained. . 'Here, h d p me spent"d&', . 0h 'gave Ggb' five 'shilling 'tip'. ............... g& odaoed;.''Gab: wa& O h with' a royal salute. His furrow<d,brows brightened. up as if an inward.gracc had coursed his Veirid. The golden, key<.hasopcqed the bolted gate, .as.B e saying.gocs. he: ia �"Na dem make the law, but na me de kipam. Ifi I no hopen 'the gate, no one go henter. Madam, make it stay so-tay iGya ; no body igo. make palaba ifi Ino. report you" . - Okondu-Bom Boy's 'mud hut with aluminiun sheet rwfing was, comparatively passable for human habitation. OIa entered the hut unceremoniously, picked-up Bom Boy and examined the body t o see if the skin patches had shown any signs of clearing. Her facial expression dropped suddenly as if stung by the usual unexpected rudeness from a junior Nigerian subordinate. The patches were s t i l l there i n extenio. "Tell me. Dim, what has been done to. it so far. Did you tell docta the whole truth about it?'' "How can I ? How can any onet The doctor could hand me over t o the police if I confessed to him that my illegal injections t o Bom-Boy caused the skin patches" replied Okondu rather nervously. **Well l am goi"g t o tell the Dr. how the patches came about first thing tomorrow morning". "You must be crazy t3 want t s implicate me. Ola. You can't; you mustn't; you dare n x do that, my Ola", pleaded Okondu, this time more firmly than he had ever been before. Leave it t o me Dim; you won't be t o any trouble. before, I might, as wtll, do it again this time. I can never put you into any harm deliberately' it I have done D m ' t worry. Dim. **Listen t o me Ola: Ihave let you have your way in almost all things hitherto. I have already had enough of my own share of the average difficulties of life. My cup is quite full with vinegar and gall. I don't want any more trouble. If you i n s i s t on telling the doctor the whole truth, then. I will be gone before you have the chance t o do it, and only goodness knows where I shall be gone to." �"Dim. be reasonable. We are here. miles from home. to see Bom-Boy well. There are no two ways about seeing him cured except by telling the doctor the root cause of the trouble. May I repeat, for the purpose of reassuring you, that you won't be implicated. The docta won't be told that you knew what happened. Otherwise, he would naturally querry why you didn't tell him from the start. There is no need to meet trouble half the way: wise men either eo all out for the trouble or wait till it comes. Bom-Boy must be cured. I can almost swear to it that you won't be implicated. Dim." With this assunnn the topic became as good as closed. The idea of a Leper Settlement is to make it approximate a real home as much as possible. The essence of a home is privacy. This is ensured by allocating a room-flat 10 a patient, or two room-flat to two related-patients Each patient owns his own toilet, a plot of land for cultivating food crops as well as cash crops. His old surroundings are transplanted as much as possible to his new situations.. Trade is taught in the settlement. Faid employments are given to the able patients such as road making, general labour, hospital work in patients' wards, and farming. Schools are organised for patients of school age. Adult education classes seemed popular. A rich woman patient had been known to be so thrilled with her ability to write her name through adult education classes that she orderzd for an eigth guineas Parker fountain pm. - Okondu had been spoken to previouslv by the doctor in-charge about school arrangements for Born-Boy. The doctor had undertsken to see the welfare Officer for it. The idea gave Okondu some anxious moments as he felt that the question of school arrangements should not have arisen at all if the doctor had not been certain that Bom-Boy's stay in the Settlement would be long. - �The doctor came 'to work earlier than usual. The two nursing sisters who normally accompany bim on the hut-rounds had not yet arrived. So, the doctor (aught it fit to pop in. informally, to see the little new patient about his rchoool arrangements before resuming the dry's work in.the usual 'Big Three' way. 'Can I come in. asked the doctor 8s he entered the tlat door obliquely to accommodate his hefty stumpish figure, with his loose fitting jaw-flesh almost tauching the colar-bone. 'Come in doctor. Meet my wife just arrived to see her son. We call her Ola' 'Children are almost always safer in the hands of their mothen and grannies; why hasn't she been here fro= tho start to look lnrr htr son?' asked the doctor with as much indifference as could carilly srrggcst that he didn't want an answer?. 'Oh, doctor. she hasn't bien well herself. She had just retuned from Kano w h e r e her eye-trouble had b e e n sucoerrfuUy trutcd. Eh.... m eh' ......, 'Stop. Dim. I can speak for myself. I haven't lost my tongue yet, yoti know' interrupted Ola ' 'Docta, I don't mind sta ing on to take care of my boy, if you don't mind provided I know ow long the teatment is likely to last. h "You don't have to stay mth the boy once a suitablo patient could be found to take care of him. As for tho duration of treament, I am arraid, it will take some good while to diagnose, with absolute certainty, the species of Bacillus Lcprae that caused the &inpatches. Our 6 n t smear test didn't reem to .sive any clue to the species of tho cauutive organism. f i e one week*$ pre-treatment diagnoses didnot kern to . have made any noticeable impression an the nasty patch. ' �Our smear tests are done fortnightly and .your boy must -have to wait till another week -end for another test.,I am afraid. By then. I hope we shall be able t o get to grips with the root cause of the trouble. It is most. likely that your boy had been infected with an unusual species of Bacillus Lepsae that .does not readily respoad to routin2 symptomatic tests. Any thing can happen these days. We are n e w surprise6 at new discoveries.' In the inte&ning period between now and the -hext siniar-te$t,we shall make bure t1:at your boy's body does not harbour any physiological defects. such as low haenloglobin count, . . . .. -. ... . . . . worms in the guts, liver troubles, ere. that nhy likely ,b& complication in the courss of the treatment.' ., ., . . -. . .., . . .. . . . 'Well, docta. I h a m , something very iniprotantly relcvsnl to tell you* said Ola in.-all:seriousness. ' . . .- ... ..,,!2 'Madam, you better hold on, s m not in yet for the formal rounds. I shall be back soon with the sisters. who; I hope, shall be very glad to shsre your informations with me, unless they are con. . fidential' i .. 4 The two sisters heights five and one quaker feet, symmetrical in dimensions, looked in appearances, as if they were blood relations to the hefly hI. 0.But for th:ir white uniforms. and smiling faces, one could easily. mistake them for moving bags of garri tied in the middle with white. ribbon bands. They were. hurrying to join the doctor i whom, they thought, ha3 gone i hut or two ahead of them ,on [he hut rounds. The two over weight Nursing sisters the nuisance-sister' ( as they are nicknamed by some of their, staff-nurses). moved so hsavily over the grass-field as if their lower extremities needed oiling. - 'NOW, .. - then, madam! what is it you want to tell or ark me. Be brief and to the pdint. . ~ l l ' o t h e r patients &e'kaiting' .. 'Doctor'. Bom-Boy's skin- patches started like thi$:- A m3n came along one day with some bottles of injectable materials which he claimed could make children grow fister and stronger.. Adult4 the drug-pedlar said; could hadrdly fall ill after taking such injections. �Bom-Boy had been too small and tooweak for his age. Such injeotions suited him quite handsomely. An injection that encourages rapid growth and promoter good health, should bc expected to cost guineas if given by the doctors. But the itinerant ex-service man 'doctor' charged me only three shillings, all told, for each injection. I paid six shillings for me and Bom-Boy each time he visited. At first, the injection seemed to be doing us a world of good. I started to feel my former self again. Bom-Boy became more agile and started t o eat well. The injection's apparent harmless efficacy coupled with its obvious cheapness made me ask for it for self and son each time the 'doctor' called. Our regular patronage made the 'doc's calls more frequent, some timescalling as many as thrice weekly. The after-effects of such injections were my recent loss of eye sight, and the present .. Bom-Boy's skin conditions, doctat - - - 'Do you know what the injection was called ? asked the doctor in a calculated professional self cont:ol.' 'What injection was it ?' 'Penicillinpowder, dissolved with 3cc acetylarsan injection solution' 'I see' did your husbind know about this? . Okoridu's hair and eye-brows stood on edge. He was almost prepared t o jump the window but for the prompt and timely reply from Ola: . . . 'No, docta' 'You said ,your eye trouble .got treated at Kano?' .. . 'Yes docta' 'Did you tell theKano doctor what happened before he started your eye treatment' 'No, docta, not until after a week's fruitle treatment' 'Why did you have to wait for a week before telling him?' 'Because. I went to Kano to b a t the fading eye-sight and not to treat its cause. I did'nt think such revelation rcvelant at fiat.' �'What did the Kano.doctor tell you when'he knew the cause of your eye trouble ?' 'e advised me very strongly against accepting medicines &om H tiny one other .than doctors or pharmacists' . . Are you, then, converted ? No, docta ? What ? "Decidedly, no, Docta" . . . . Why not ? Docta' if every patient went to the hospital or to doctors with their com?laints in a country like ours with so few doctors and much fewer pharmacists, a country where nearly every third.man is a pro:spective patient of one disease or the other malaria, jaundice colic and headiche we shall 'have inore deaths in the hospitals than we d o have at present; because .our ,hospitals shall be so over-crowded with patients that many of them shall have been-dead before ever theJ have an inch of a chance of seeing any doctor. But for the Chemists, the death rolls in our community would have been more alarmingly higher. As for those trader-drug pedlars and the like, docta, I think they do help'. - Will you stop the trash, lady. What do you know about drugs and their toxicity as to psntificate as to who should and who shouldn't handle them?. Once bitten, twice shy -but you don't seem to have learned anything from your part experiences in the hands of the quacks.' �'Okey, doaa. I shall be your slave, once - &om-Boy geu better through your treatments. .If that I s any help,, I want to say before you, doaa. that I believe i n three d's viz.: drugs, dollars. and doctors in that order Just as my husband and my husband's second wlfe do." Okondu, Ola, and Bom-Boy Wave hearty good Settlement Medical o r Area Superintendent. THE END. . bye t o the Leper �HEALTH FIRST BOOKS D NKEM AKUNEME . ELEKERE AGWO: T H E Q U A C K DOCTOR A NOVEL ON 'THE DANGERS OF ILLEGAL - INJECTIONS AND SELF-MEDICATIONS (2) Poisoas and Poisoning By t h e same author. Over 5,000: people die every year, of poisoning, over 20,000 people are treated annually of.poisoning symptoms, more than .half of these are innocent children. .,. ' To be on the safe side, Read "Poisons & Poisoning. Price only 2/- �P R O F I L E , Mr. Akuneme has spent 15 years of his student life as a scholarship student. In the secondary school, he was an Orlu N. A. scholar for 4 years from 1940 to 1943 He spent 4 years in the school of pharmacy Yaba as a Nigerian Government Scholarship Student from 1944 to 1948. As Eastern Nigeria Government Scholar, he spent 7 years in U. K. :-5 years in Leeds University, studying academic pharmacy and special studies pharmacology. and the rest in Leicester Colleze of Technology and Wakefield Clayton Haspital working and gaining invaluable experieoce. In U. K. Mr. Akwneme lectured widely to Rotary Clubs, Church organisations, Youth Clubs, University Union Societies, International Centres, and Pax Rornana World Congress, on such topics as Colour Prejudice, Nigzria, African Pharmacology, the place of women in African Society etc. His best known contributions while in U. K. were:- As presideat of Leeds Branch ot Nigeria Union, he organised a Landladies' Day Party (now an annual event). Where landladies and landlords. University Vice chancellors, HOS: pita1 matrons, College principals, and others who had shown obvious interests and kindness to Nige. rians in IJ. K. were treated gene- r rously, to Nigerian foods, c u h a l display, and Nigerian film shows, an event very widely publicised by D. N.Akunernz British and World Press . - . and British . information Service, as "the best practical demonstration of inter -- ratial harmony'' - - - ~ - �Akuneme played a leading part in founding the Leeds University Afro Asiaa society which provided needed forum for Afro-Asian students' meetings He has written numerous "Health First? series of articles on such topics as:"Occupations and their influence on the health of a nation". Mental ~ & l t h Nigerian U. K. students. of Psychology of studying. Poisons and poisoning. Pharmacy in a: new Nigeria. 'Face to face with Bribery and. Corruption etc. ,i H style..of writing hi3 been : acclaimed by leading British and. Nigerian journalists as "pleasantly informal", "irres.istibly interesting", and "doubtlessly educative". - . . M ~ k t i n e m ehas worked as ~ o i ~ i t a l ; . pharmacist in Lagos,.Bukuru, Barakin Ladi, Kaduna, Bernin Kebbi, Jos, Wakefield (England), Liverpool, Enugu, Onitsha and P.H.: He studied in Awo-Omamma (his home town), at Kano (in Northern Nigeria), and in Lagos - a true citizen of a .Federal Nigeria, ~ k u n e m e married to Elizabeth Njoku, a U. K. is trained Staff nurse of the Nightingale Calibre, and is a proud father of four lovable children Cynthia, Terrence, Ikwukaku Edmond, and Charles Ndubueze. - ��� 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 Elekere Agwo : the quack doctor Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Akuneme, D. Nkem. Type The nature or genre of the resource Onitsha market literature Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Awo-omamma, Eastern Nigeria : Oma Printing Press Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource c. 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.c3545 Description An account of the resource This long pamphlet is described as "<em>a novel on the dangers of illegal injections and self-medications,</em>" (pg.70). Neither an advice guide nor how-to pamphlet, this fictional account joins others by Akuneme that cover issues related to mental health, pharmacy and poisons as part of a series called "Health First". The story follows a "law-abiding" yet disgruntled trader named Okondu who joins up with a dubious character named Sunday to administer illegal injections for profit. Okondu's first wife, Ola, and son, Bom-Boy, receive poisonous injections containing arsenic from Okondu to "cure" their ailments. Rather than promoting growth, strength and healing, the injections bring disaster to Okondu's family.<br /><br />Characters in this tale learn lessons about their experiences "in the hands of quacks," (pg.68). One strong message within the story is that drugs "are two-edged swords," (pg.45). In the end, education conquers ignorance and Okondu is forgiven for his attempt to substitute three quick weeks of "quack" apprenticeship for six years of rigorous professional medical training. Akuneme writes, "May God Forgive Okondu and his ilk for they know not what they are doing," (pg.29). Some Of the challenges facing Nigeria's medical profession and its ailing citizens, as well as the country's transportation network, are revealed in this entertaining story. 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>