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Episode 1
Richard: (Suspiciously) Why are you looking gloomy, Tony? Is anything wrong with you?
Tony: (pretending) Nothing in particular, Richard.
Richard: But you sit silently and contribute nothing to our discussion. You have to share your own experience too. Two heads they say are better than one.
Tony: (bowing with grief) Richard smiles are not always smiles. Please I’m not in a good mood.
Tony: (feeling his body temperature) Do you have malaria?
Tony nodding his head negatively Not at all
Deji: But I have been watching you since something is wrong? The elders do not shed tears without a reason.
Tony: I said nothing is wrong. Is there anything else?
Richard: You better speak your mind Tony. Silence at times is not golden.
Tony: (Reproachfully) Why don’t you paddle your own canoe and leave me alone? It is only a fool that is happy at all times. please don’t poke your nose in my affairs.
Tunji: (Angrily) Let us continue our discussion and leave him to his own problem. The only person who can scratch himself is the person who feels the itch. Let us mind our business.(Tony leaves the gathering and sits silently on the chair).
Deji: Hissing in annoyance. A chick is being warned not to feed on the rubbish dump he disregards the warning not knowing that it is for its own safety. where did we stop, Tunji?
Tunji: I couldn’t remember where we stopped. Would you please remind us, Richard?
Richard: We said the causes of road accident were drinking of alcohol, brake failure, overtaking at sharp bends and so on…..but guys please, I will implore you all to control your anger. As you know, our happiness is not perfect unless its shared equally. Tony is our good friend. Let us try to find out what is wrong with him because a hungry man us an angry man. and they all agreed with him and moved closer to Tony.
Tunji: Apologetically….We are sorry Tony. You know your problem is ours and ours is yours too. Why are we friends if you cant share your feelings with us? Don’t be annoyed please.
Deji: The truth is always bitter but it has to be told. It is not good at this tender age to be thinking wrongly. It is very harmful and dangerous. Your happiness is our concern. cheer up please
Richard: To say the fact keeping yourself away from our gathering will benefit us nothing. You know we are here to learn and benefit from each other. Let us reason and share our experience together.
Tony: shaking off the dust of worry out of his mind gradually was it not the English language we were taught in the morning you were discussing?
Deji: Yes
Tony: And you said I have been carried away.
Richard cuts in please don’t call a dog a monkey for our acceptability. if you hadn’t been carried away what was our last discussion then?
Tony: Deji said the causes of poor performance of students in English language in West African Examination Council (WAEC) are based on the following reasons: inadequate qualified teachers, poor conditions of libraries in schools and inadequate text books. while Richard said that those problems could be gradually reduced if government would employ more qualified teachers to teach English language. provision of conducive and well equipped libraries, the use of instructional materials to practice. Tunji now replied that students should also be encouraged to improve on oral English.
Deji: You are right but that was not exactly our last discussion. You cant sneeze and whistle at the same time. Impossible! You have been carried away by wrong thinking initially. Now tell us exactly what really happened. just then Tony bows his head and nods it sympathetically and Richard speaks
Richard: Thinking makes the elders head bowed. we are listening.
Tony lifting up his head and says lets bury the hatchet, guys i don’t want to bother you with my worries. it is a bitter story.
Tunji: Why are we friends then, if we cant share and learn from your bitter experience? Scratch our backs and we scratch yours help us in our difficulties and we will help you in yours. That is the equation of life.
Tony: On my way to school this morning I ran into one of my intimate friends in the primary school at a motor-park. He is now a bus conductor. I have been wondering since then how such a brilliant boy like Adewale could end up being a tout. what an irony!
Deji: Such is life! it is worth thinking about. But you must try to control your emotion. such conditions may happen as a result of loss of parents, lack of parental care, financial constraints or keeping of bad company. No matter what may be the situation, one must accept ones fate. The unchangeable fact is that destiny is immutable and ineluctable.
episode 2
Tony: I disagree with you, Deji. Destiny can b changed if one is not fervent in prayer. Especially if an enemy has foreseen the promising future, he will attempt to change the destiny. Such a brilliant boy cant be destined to be a tout. Without education now, his life is as wasteful and as useless as a corpse. You know education is a way of life.
Richard: A man without education as you said is like an element without a symbol. Education is the key to success. If I were him, I would have killed myself because it is better to die young than to be accursed at old age. By the virtue of destiny, I believe that what one has been destined for from above is exactly what one would meet on earth.
Tunji: That is my belief. Whatever one is destined for no matter the circumstance, is inevitable and unchangeable. what will be will be. Reverend Samuel Ajayi Crowther was once a slave but later ordained as the first African Bishop. Therefore destiny can only be delayed but it can never be changed.
Tony: In as much as life changes everyday destiny can also be changed. The whole world is in satanic control…..(A great argument ensures btw Tony and his friends)
Deji: Don’t let us argue like blind men. Lets listen to one another.
Richard: Life can be changed, but destiny can never be changed. look at the story of Joseph the dreamer in the bible, who was destined to be the greatest among the children of Jacob. after he told his dreams to his brother, he was conspired against in order to destroy his destiny. They stripped him of his coat and cast him into a pit. They sold him later to the Ishmaelites for twenty pieces of silver and they brought him to Egypt as a slave. Joseph faced a lot of persecutions but God used the challenges as a ladder to uplift him to his victory. for this destiny is indestructible and unchangeable.
Tony: (Disbelief) That was then, not a life that conspires with evil. Joseph the dreamer was fervent in prayer. Had it been he succumbed to fornication he wouldn’t have fulfilled his destiny. Look at the case f Samson who was described as the strongest man in the bible. Eventually his destiny changed by losing his power through covetousness. Destiny can be changed either positively or negatively but it depends on the choice or the decision we make.
Tunji: You like argue blindly. haven’t you heard the elders say: destiny cannot be changed but destination can be delayed? If destiny is changed then it is no longer a destiny. Destiny maybe seen either as a sequence of fortune or event that is inevitable and unchangeable. Whatever happens to people in life is predestined by nature.
Tony: Did God destine a man to be rich t an early age and become poor in old age like a church rat? What of the insane, did God destine him to be mad? have you seen an infant born with insanity? The fact is that all things that God created are good. It is our enemies that p-----t destines.
Deji: (Observing a bird that chirps on the tree) Look at this bird. (They divert their attentions towards the bird) No matter how small it is, it flies and sings melodious songs to the ears and builds its nest on the tree. That’s their nature of destiny.. A bird cannot abandon the tree and live in water like fish. Impossible! our divine maker the giver of life knows that our destiny cant be exchanged or interchanged. God created individual creatures in different ways including our thought choice and nature. Before Jesus Christ was sent to this sinful world as a Messiah some prophets had foretold the specific details about his birth life and death including when He would arrive, where He would be born and what would happen to Him. All prophecies were fulfilled accordingly. To me nothing is accidental in destiny of a true child of God.
Tony: I can argue this issue with the last drop of my blood. In the Bible when God created man He created him in His own image. He put them in a beautiful garden-Eden-for pleasure. And thereafter satan came to beguile them. the mission of God for man changed immediately. He cursed and chase them out of the garden for disobedience. At last God bit a finger of regret for creating man. were Adam and Eve created by God to be cursed and die? (they looked at each other with out answering) It was satan that manipulated their destines.
Tunji: Can any affliction be greater than that of Job? satan put him trial by destroying his properties his Seven children died and he was smote with malignant boils from head to toe; still he fell down upon the ground and worshipped God. He said “naked I came out of my mothers womb, and naked I return thither; the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” With all these tribulations Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly. later God restore everything to him in seven fold. If we are in one accord with God satan has no power over our destiny. in as much as our God the giver of life is unchangeable destiny is also unavoidable and unchangeable.
Richard: Tony is arguing blindly. we have to disagree to agree. Destiny depends on how we choose our paths by the decisions we make. If we choose God and follow his commands, our lives can never be manipulated by the devil. whatever happens either god or bad destiny is where you end up but fate is how you get there.
Deji: The question that either destiny can be changed or not is complex and complicated. Let bygones be bygones (At this point the S.P and the Health perfect, Dorcas and Bukky join the gathering)….
episode 3
Dorcas: This is where you are! we have been looking for you since.
Richard: We are here under the tree having our leisure. take your seats and join our discussion. ( they sit)
Tony: What do you want to be in future? (pointing at his colleagues)
Deji: Nobody knows what the future may bring. As for me, I would like to be a Geologist. I wish to study how mineral resources are mined and extracted from the rock and soils. As a Geologist i can work in Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) Nigeria iron and steel industry. National Gold Refineries Company and so on. they all clapped to applaud him.
Richard: We have heard from Deji. Yes Tunji what of you?
Tunji: As for me I would love to be a Pharmacist. its my duty to prepare and dispense drugs and medicines prescribed by doctor to patients. Without Pharmacists lives are not saved. I can work in a hospital or with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control(NAFDAC) and so on…they clapped again to applaud him.
Dorcas: As for me I desire to be a passionate defender of law. In a nation where there is no law there is no sin. I wish to be a lawyer or a judge. A lawyer is a person who is well trained and qualified to advise people about the law while a judge is a legal official who presides over a court of law, either alone or as panel of judges. I can work in court as a Solicitor a Secretary or a Legal Adviser in any firm and so on.
Richard: Without telling the blind men they can perceive that my aspiration is to be a medical Doctor. The fact is that without a doctor there is no life. A doctor is a person who restores human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease or injury. We save life, soul and …..
Deji: cutting in Richy is it because medicine is very lucrative?
Richard: Apart from that doctors are lovely and dignifying in any society they find themselves.
Tony: What if you find yourself in other fields like Engineering?
Richard: God forbid! ( snapping his fingers audibly). Over my dead body! Whatever you wish yourself you accomplish.
Bukky: Well As for me, I will like to chose Accounting as my profession. An Accountant is a person that keeps or checks financial reports or records of a firm or an organisation. I can work in any firm as an Auditor, a Banker and so on….(they all clapped for her with whooping supports)..
Tunji: what does fate have for you in the future, Tony?
Tony: I’m going to be a political Activist..they all laugh at him hysterically.
Deji: Is it because politics s now a hot cake?
Tony: Besides, I wish to dedicate myself to serve humanity.
Bukky: Instead of politics I prefer farming.(they burst into laughter) Frankly speaking politics is like a refuse dump. So, you better change your mind. politics is a dangerous and devilish game. it kills.
Dorcas: Apart from that all politicians are liars. They can construct bridges where there is no river. Anyway you have a sweet tongue and your mouth is as slippery as okra soup.(They laugh at him). All politicians are pagans.
Richard: If I were you, I would just heed the advice of Bukky and Dorcas because you cant serve human beings and please God.
Deji: No one can serve God and Mammon simultaneously. Jesus Christ who pleased God and man without blemish was betrayed and nailed on the cross.
Richard: Obedience they say is better than sacrifice. it is better o heed the advice of friends. politics is like a harbinger of death as Bukky said.
Tony: Politics is not as black as yo have painted it. Dr Nelson Mandela was jailed for twenty seven years fighting for the abolition of apartheid in South Africa. He succeeded and later became the president. What of Chief M.K.O Abiola who died n detention after winning the election of June 12, 1993? As a good leader he sacrificed himself for his people. Whoever is afraid of death is not a dedicated leader. Jesus Christ fulfilled His destiny and died for sinner
Deji: That’s story, Tony. Whats not good s bad. instead of politics, why not Aviation? You will have access to travel out of the country. politics as we said is not a toy but death. You better look before you leap.
Tony: Even identical twins born of the same day at the same time and who share the same cord have different thoughts and different principles. politics is in my blood.
Richard: Tony A word they say is enough for the wise…..At this point the bell rings for closing. The students from various classes run to assemble for prayer…
Episode 4
Richard suddenly screams in his dream and runs from his room to his parents room. The wailings of Richard wake Martins and Martha. She holds him as he breaths hard and is visibly shaking.
Martha: Quickly and abruptly Whats wrong with you?
Martins: in a cool voice Richard whats the matter….Richard didn’t give any respond and then Martha shouted at him
Martha: Are you dumb? cant you say whats wrong with you eeh?
Richard: I had a terrible d-r-e-a-m.
Martha: Why are you shivering? Were masquerades running after you in the dream?
Richard shaking his head No Mum. I…..I found myself in a pool of blood. I was surrounded by a crowd and was rushed to the hospital.
Martha: (fear runs through her. She holds her head firmly in her palms). May God forbid your bad dream! (flicking her fingers over his head) Its over to your enemy. If anyone plans evil against you evil will befall him. when the wood insects gathers its sticks on its head it carries them. When Elulu(bird) calls for rains on its head it rains. Its he who dumbs ashes that ashes trail…clearing her throat Unless I have hands on evil. but if I don’t no one can pull a strand on hair out of my child’s head.
Martins: Dear, let us be patient and look into this matter carefully. There is a proverb that says, if a child is cutting down a tree, the elders will be looking at the direction where it will fall. It seems as if Richard discuss with someone about road accident.
Martha: Did you? ( Richard shakes his head)
Martins interrupted don’t nod your head like an agama lizard. cant you talk again?
Richard: Except when our English teacher asked me to mention the causes of road accident in the English passage we read.
Martha: It may be the story of the passage he took to the dream. What do you suggest, dear?
Martins: I think so.
Martha in a deep breath holds Martins hand to feel her chest…..just feel my heart pounding under my ribs:
Martins: God will forbid any bad dream.
Martha: Ase! Ase! (looking up to heaven with palms open)
A few hours later, Richard sleeps again. They heard him snoring. Richard had another dreadful dream. He sees himself as a destitute, haggling with customers over the price of the luggage he carried…Martha calls Richy! Rich! Richard! He answered and slept again…Richard get up! A child who desires sleeplessness for his parents would also not sleep…Wake up! Up! Richy opens his eyes and sleep off.
Martins: We cant set a roof ablaze and sleep under it. How can a prince in a palace dream to himself as a slave? I am tired of all this awful and incredible dreams of Richard.
Martha: A dream is like a parable..It may speak volumes of good fortune or vice versa..
Martins: I’m completely out of my with over the dreams.
Martha: Did you have another child beside him? Aren’t you a man? The horns are not too heavy for a cow to bear. There is no problem without a solution. I will suggest Baba Fagbemi, the Ifa Priest at Asamu village to consult Ifa the father of Orunmila..All the hidden events shall be revealed to us.
Martha beating Richy gently Will you get up…Richard stretches himself and wakes up. He yawns recklessly and rubs the sleep out of his eyes, finding his parents sitting and deliberating.
Richard scratching himself and ask Dad, aren’t you sleeping? Mum What is the matter?
Martins: We heard you negotiating price in your dream. now facing his wife and ignoring Richard…Dear, what if I first call Dr. Sam to come and examine him?
Martha: It is a welcome idea…..
Early in the morning, Martins takes his phone and calls Dr. Sam’s phone number. In a twinkle of an eye, Dr. Sam arrives in a white Honda Jeep.
Dr Sam walks to the bed in which Richard lies and carries out different tests, but nothing is detected. Madam there’s nothing wrong with him..you don’t need to worry yourselves.
Martha: But doctor, why is he always having bad dreams? We didn’t sleep throughout last night. I thought it was a symptom of typhoid fever.
Dr. Sam: smiling. It was just a mere nightmare. Children usually take the events that happened during the day to their dreams. A dream can be described as an event that happened as if it were real which eventually is unreal. It is like a paradox.
Martha: I even asked him whether he followed any of his friends to sew cloths but he said nothing as such..If i tell him to relate the dreadful dreams on the dungs hills you would be surprised.
Dr. Sam: What has a refuse dumb got to do with the dreams?
Martha: It would neutralize the negative effect.
Dr. Sam laugh over the matter..
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