(On a stage, three students are in a discourse, the two boys talk while the girl stands very close to Excoba)
EXCOBA: I came to this school to just get a certificate
Because there’s no way my parents will leave me intestate
For family members to make me lie prostrate
So Charle, let me functiate
SAM: You don’t know what you’re talking about
There’s no gift that surpasses education
Knowledge is for you, for you alone
No matter your monetary worth, ignorance will flush it
And you’ll be a flibbertigibbet if you say words like “functiate” in the midst of the learned
EXCOBA: We dey live life a
You dey talk chao
Na where from this big big grammer?
You want scar me?
Wey thing I do you ah you dey look for my trouble?
Why you happy say you dey sit on my thoughts?
Abeg gyare make I tink
SAM: I am not sitting on your thoughts
I’m talking to your senses
Where will smoking, breaking bounds, stealing, disrespecting authority,
Gallivanting around, having many girlfriends (turning to look at Dora) Boyfriends take you?
DORA: I haven’t made any attempt to speak with you
I no want your trouble
If you think you can advice
Make you go advice your own sister
Honey, we was going to the movies
Ewooo, “we was going to the theatre”
Someone has a bad grip on her concord do whatever you want
Don’t say I didn’t warn you
Exeunt Dora and Excoba
SAM: I see a future full of doom
When correction can make a lot of room
I wish this dirt can be swept with a broom
Then I could prevent this disaster loom
ONE YEAR LATER:
Dora: I don’t know what to do
I am in trouble, wetin I for do?
I hear Excoba is at the psychiatry and I get belle
My parents has sacked me from the house
And I don’t know anyone
I can’t stay in this school too, I have been sacked
I don’t know excoba’s house nor his hospital
Please Senior Sam, help me
First of all, your parents have sacked you not has sacked you
And I don’t want to say I told you so
How can you ask this favour from a fellow student?
What can I possibly do to help you out?
When I talk to student they rebel
When I’m talking sense to them
They show me remorse
Just look at Sarah, a daughter of two poor farmers
Posing as a rich kid
Thinking no one knows
When it became obvious there she was
Not being able to breathe in this school
Look at Alhassan, always cheating in examinations
When others are learning he sleeps like a log
His examination malpractices have sent him to the house
DORA: Just help me with money for an abortion
Sam: Abortion? You’re not even repentant?
Have you forgotten what happened to Nina?
A very beautiful girl dying while having an abortion,
Instead of you thinking of a better way
You stand in my presence and talk of an abortion
Here take this one Ghana Cedi for some food
Even if I had a lot, I’d never fund an abortion
Let this be a lesson to all assembled
I’ll never condone evil.
Marry your books and give birth to glaring success
Marry your books and give birth to flying success
Marry your books and give birth to excellence
A word to the wise is enough.
Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © 2014.
Mum Cee 