silent song essay question and answers

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A Silent Song And Other Stories KCSE Essay Questions and Answers-Series 1

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Sample answered essay questions.

Question 1:

Ninema is an admirable character. Support this from Vrenika Pather’s ‘Ninema’ 20marks.

Ninema is an outstanding character who is liked by many of the people she associates with. We see many good traits that she portrays in the story “Ninema”.

To start with, Ninema is presented as a principled person. She does not let the behaviours and traits of others change what she believes in. Her business manner is unique only to her, and she does not change it to fit or be like others. Although she was one of the traders, something about her was different.

She ran her business with an iron fist which made some people like her while others disliked her, -Tie people’s reactions do not affect her as she remains herself. ‘The ladies in the stalls admire _her mainly because they had gotten compromised at work and home.

In addition, Ninema is admirable since she is organised. She plans her work early enough, making it easy to run her business.

She wakes up early in the morning to reap the herbs that she takes to the market for the day. She organises her herbs in an appetising way, which draws many customers to here She does not chat with other ladies aimlessly, which would waste her time. She plans to ensure the stall is organised before she takes her breakfast. Once her stall is ready and only when ready, she takes sips ofthe tea she had brought. Her meals are packed early in the morning, which points to this organised personality. She packs tea and some sandwiches that she takes for lunch. Nlnemaås also admirable since she is skilful wise, She handles different customers masterfully, thus making her earn their loyalty. She can handle Mr Chinran, infatuated with her, by treating him with respect and appreciation instead of encouraging his infatuation. She also handles Mrs Singh firmly but respectively, thus winning her even though Mrs Singh is difficult and troublesome. Ninema’s ability to entice a new customer

by offering an extra bunch of mint for free shows that she is skilful in business, thus making her admirable as a trader.

Lastly, Ninema is seen to be courageous, making her admirable. When a man sexually harasses her, she does not let him go scot- free. She follows the man who pinches her erect nipple and hits him with the only weapon at hand — her Chumpal, which makes the man too astounded to react. The other women hawker jeer and cheer as Ninema repeatedly hits the man. She even gives him extra hits on behalf of all the women, thus depicting her as the fighter of her rights and those for others. By following the man and hitting him with her sandal, Ninema shows her courage.

From the story, Ninema is genuinely seen to be admirable due to her courageous, skilful, organised and moral nature.

When one is given power, he/she should use it onlyforgood but more often than not people use it for wrongpurposes. Support this statement basing your argument from Naguib Mahfouz’s ‘A Man of Awesome Power’ Many people who are in powerful positions or who have been gifted with some sort of power tend to abuse it. Instead of utilizing it for improvement of the society at large, they use it for their own selfish interests or to punish those that have wronged them. same scenario is seen in ‘A Man of Awesome Power through a number of illustrations.

We see Tayyib al- Mahdi utilizing the power given to him for revenge. This is not a good a way of power utilization as it causes harm to others. Tayyib realizes that he has power to order things to be and he sets out to utilize the power to change’ his country. However, the first episode where he utilizes this power shows that he is utilizing it to hit back at a person who offends him. The driver of the taxi that he hails suffers his wrath for refusing to stop. When Tayyib is on his way to the heart of the town, he hails a taxi but the driver simply waves a hand at him in haughty refuses. Tayyib’s irritation makes him stare at the rear wheels of the taxi and the two explode suddenly.

A Silent Song And Other Stories KCSE Essay Questions and Answer

He ignores the voice that reminds him that he should only use his power for good and lets his anger control him. This act of revenge was deliberate since as Tayyib bypasses the driver he feels that he has taught the man a lesson. By utilizing his power to hit back at the taxi driver, Tayyib shows that people with power use it for wrong purposes. We further see wrong utilization of power where Tayyib causes the man in the bus to suffer stomach pains. Although the man had physically attacked a woman, causing him to suffer stomach cramps not justified. Tayyib encounters a confrontation between the man and a woman in a public bus and the man ends up slapping the woman. Just like the incident with the taxi driver, Tayyib lets his anger control him where he focused it on the man’s stomach and immediately the man suffers severe cramps

that cause him to moan and scream in pain. The pain is so intense that an ambulance had to be called to fetch him•

Allowing his anger to control him and causing pain to the man who had slapped a woman is a vengeful act which is wrong thus showing how people with power use it for wrong purposes.

Beside, Tayyib uses the power bestowed on him to interfere with the radio presentation by causing the presenter to start sneezing. While seated in the café, he hears a radio announcer expounding on the developments that were to be expected in the future. Tayyib feels that the announcer should report on what has been achieved yet instead of giving false hopes to the people. Tayyib thus decides to cause some sneezing to attack the announcer since it was the only way to stop him.

Soon after, the announcer develops massive sneezes that prevent him from carrying on with the presentation. Tayyib feels happy and victorious after the unexpected conclusion of the announcement. Although his desire is to purify the broadcasting sector, the approach of causing massive sneezing to the presenter is harmful and thus wrong. Lastly, Tayyib is seen to use the power given to him to satisfy his sexual passion and desires. Tayyib utilizes the power to make a woman that he is attracted to notice

him. While he is seated at the tea garden planning how to effectively use his power, Tayyib notices a beautiful woman approaching the entrance of the garden. The woman does not notice him at first and Tayyib thinks of how through his powers he can cause her to be head -over-heels with him. He then sends her a hidden message and she responds to him. He sees nothing wrong with satisfying his desires as a way of repairing himself. He closes his note book and they surrender to fate, This is an immoral act since Tayyib is married to Haniya whom he had remained faithful to throughout their marriage.

People gifted with power should strive to use it only for good purposes and not to cause pain and suffering to others or for immoral deeds like Tayyib did.

Some cultural practices do not add value hence should be done away with.

Show the truthfulness of this assertion basing on Eric Ng’maryo’s ‘Ivory Bangles’. (20 marks)

Culture keeps people together and governs their way of life thus is important. However, there are some traditions that are of no benefit and in some cases such traditions cause harm to people who continue to embrace them as is the case in Ivory Bangles]

For this reason, such traditions should be discarded. Polygamy is one such cultural practice that has continued to be embraced yet it has no value. We realize that the community in the story holds in high esteem this practice. As such, a man who does not ascribe to it is seen to be a topic of discussion:

This comes out clear where the old man who is a respected Chief’s councilor is talked about because he had only one wife. According to the story, it was unheard- of for someone as powerful as the old man- a small chief, to have only one wife,

However, this value is seen to have no value since the old man is happy in his marriage and he really loves his wife to the extent that he gifted her twenty-four ivory bangle Besides, the riddle used by old man when responding to the Chief’s demand that he marries another wife shows that polygamy causes harm. The riddle’s interpretation A wife, a co-wife, witchcraft and death points to the harmful effects of the practice. As such, polygamy should be abolished as it causes harm and adds no value. Another cultural value that has no value is believe in the seer and the act of seeking his guidance. The old man goes to seek the advice of the seer after noticing some blood specks in the live at he goat that he slaughtered, He does this since his people, believed in him as their tribal seer and their priest. We also see how valued he is when the old man’s wife dismisses his demands. The old man harshly rebukes her telling her that the seer is the mouthpiece of their departed fathers, we however {see that this belief

does not add value since some of the advices given are bound to cause harm. The advice given to the old man by the seer supports this as the seer tells him ‘That the pebbles demand that he beats his wife and send her back to her father’s home. According to the seer, the pebbles are jealous of a happy wife- a woman unmolested by her husband. This shows that this believe in the seer is of no benefit but rather causes harm.

The superstitious belief that having blood specks in a goat’s liver is a sign of something bad about to happen does not add any value, Tris is not based on any proven basis but is just a traditional belief. The old man goes to consult the seer since he had noted some blood specks in the liver of the goat he had slaughtered. The belief is so strong that the man does not agree with the wife’s dismissal of the seer’s demands. According to the wife, the seer was hitting back at her for turning down his marriage proposal. This argument that had been used previously does not appear believable at this time as the old man reminds the wife that the seer did not put blood specks on the goat’s liver. Wife battering is another cultural practice that the people hold in esteem yet it causes more Karm than good. When the old man consults the Seer about the blood specks in the liver of the goat he had slaughtered, ‘the seer’s pebble disclose that a wife was going to die since the spirits were jealous of a happy wife, a woman unmolested by her husband until old age. This (Shows the value attached to wife molestation. To avert the

death, the old man is asked to give his wife the ‘ritual beating before sending her back to her parent’s home. Although the old man offers to give a number of goats to avert the catastrophes, the pebbles keep demanding for the ritual beating forcing the old man and the wife to come up with a plan of tricking the pebbles. The harmful effect of the ritual beating is seen through Leveri, the wife to the old man’s son. The wife remembers how her daughter-in-law had been beaten to a fingernail’s distance to her grave by the son. This shows that the ritual beating can almost cause death hence the reason it should be discarded.

Although culture is a glue that holds people together, some of the outdated practices should be gotten rid of as the cause more harm than good.

War causes a lot of harm and thus should be avoided at any cost. Validate this statement basing your illustrations from Chimamanda Adichie’s ‘Ghosts’ (20 Marks)

Whenever parties engage in some form of fighting, there are grave implications that follow as is seen in Ghosts’ where the civil war that happened in July 6, 1967 cause suffering and pain to the people.

To start with, war is seen to cause displacement of several people. Many people are forced to run away from their country and their homes when the civil war broke

Prof. James and Ikenna’s meeting takes James down the memory lane where he recounts how they were forced to evacuate Nsukka in a hurry in July 6, 1967 when the war began. Through their conversation, we learn that Ikenna has lived in Sweden ever since the war began and has only come back to Nsukka recently. He discloses that he was flown out on Red Cross planes just like many other children had been airlifted to Gabon. Prof. James did not escape the displacement since he and his wife, Ebere had to move to America when the war broke out. Many people are seen to have been forced to leave their motherland as a result of the civil war.

secondly, we see that war leads to loss of lives. Several people had their lives cut short due to the civil war that broke out. The return of Ikenna comes as a surprise to Prof, James since Ikenna was thought to have died in the war. It is no wonder that Prof initially thought of throwing a handful of sand at him just like his people did to ensure that it was not a ghost. Actual loss of life is seen through Ikenna’s family. While explaining to prof the reason why he never returned to Nsukka after the war, Ikenna tells him that his whole family was killed when Orlu was bombed during the war thus he had nobody to come back to. It is not just Ikenna who lost loved ones but Prof too. His first daughter Zik died in the war. He tells Ikenna that the war took Zik. It is no wonder they named their second daughter Nkiruka which means: what is ahead is better.

Thirdly, war is seen to cause massive destruction and loss of properties. When Prof James and his wife first returned to Nsukka when the war ended in 1970, they notice major destructions that had occurred. Prof recounts how they found their house and items destroyed. His books were lying in front of the gate, his Mathematical Annals torn and used as tissue paper, the bath tab used as toilet and their photos ripped and their frames broken. The massive destruction of their house was too much that they had to be assigned a different house in a different street to avoid seeing their old house. In the process of their house being destroyed, they lose their Piano that belonged to Ebere. Prof also remembers the landscape of drove back to Nsukka after the war. The massive destruction a recounted by Prof shows how destructive war is.

Lastly, war causes psychological and physical suffering o live with nightmares the victims. Those who experience war and sad memories of it. Prof James is seen to have lived with the memories of the war. He easily remembers every detail of the war as he recounts it to Ikenna. Ikenna has suffered psychologically as is seen from the fact that he lost all his family in Orlu hence the reason he does not return to Nsukka. His psychological suffering is further seen from the fact that he never remarries after the war took his wife. Further evidence o psychological pain is seen where Prof observes how his people avoided the topic of war and if they engaged in it, it was with some vagueness. The naming of their second daughter Nkiruka- what is ahead

is better, also shows the pain that Prof and Ebere: were trying to avoid. The people also suffer physical pain. Prof.James remembers how a wounded soldier was shoved in their car on the day they returned to Nsukka«

War causes loss oflives, displacement ofpeoplej and destruction of properties among other effects. People should thus strive to live in harmony and avoid it at all costs.

Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts. Justify the validity of this statement using illustrations from Meja Mwangi’s Incident in the park. (20 marks).

Across the world, over centuries, the behaviour of some of the police officers has caused dire repercussions. Sometimes this happens due to excessive use of force or simply wrongful application law and policies, but majoriy this occurs as a result of impolite

Incident in the Park shows how city dwellers, hawkers and loafers find themselves in conflicts with the police over flimsy and petty reasons often ending unpleasantly. When the two constables accost the fruit peddler, he gets startled and confused. They demand for his licence and identity card which he obviously doesn’t have. Then he offers five shillings which doesn’t seem

good enough as one constable shrugs. This means that at times if the offer were attractive, they would have accepted it and left him.

The police refuse to listen to the fruit merchant and harshly shove him along the street to the city telling him he will explain to the judge. This complicates matters even more because the fruit- seller fears the judge more. It throws him into more panic as he has a case that is coming up the following week and the judge is a “tyrant”. He explains further that he is selling this time so that he can afford of me but all his entreaties fall on deaf ears. They remain unimpressed saying nothing until he breaks away and flees into the crowded city.

The situation escalates when the constables chase the fleeing man shouting for help from the passers-by. They actually betroth him unto the mob. A city man intercepts him and another man lunges for him as shouts increase. Tossed here and there as a suspect, the desperate fruit peddler stumbles and falls into a ditch. No one seems to care to find out what really is happening before taking action. No one listens as he pleads for mercy. 7his is where he meets his ‘verdict’ which is death. According to the crowd, ‘justice’ is administered. The mob universally condemn him without plausible evidence.

By the time the police arrive at the scene, it is too late. Their action is irreversible and fatal. Flie mob has already killed him for being a “thief”. They who are supposed

to ensure public safety an security have aided the killing o/a hardworking hawker by their silly mistake. This should not have happened if they had treated

the man Politely. An innocent life is so unnecessarily lost. This makes the public lose confidence in the police. after investigations the truth will come out and it will be hard to trust the police.

In a nutshell, wanton conflicts and deaths of innocent citizen could be averted if the police handled matters with courtesy and sobriety.

A Silent Song — Leonard Kibera.

Action speaks louder than words. Discuss the truth of this saying using illustrations from Leonard Kibera’s A Silent Song. (20 marks)

The character of an individual tells more than what they actually say. Mbane’s brother, Ezekiel, preaches water and takes wine. He is so devoted to God as a preacher, but neglects Mbane, to agonize in the streets for a long time until he almost dies. When he brings Mbane to his hut claiming to rescue him from the barbaric city in order that he can see the light of God, the blind beggar starts to feel more lonely and miserable in the desolate environment. lhe desolate hut is not a habitable place for him as it has a flea-ridden floor. One wonders

why he cannot live with his own brother in his own house! This action tells that the preacher does not love his brother.

It ironical for Ezekiel to keep preaching to his blind brother about Christ and salvation instead of first saving him from the harsh street beggary. Ezekiel seems to have already judged him as a sinner and that “Christ” will come down from heaven to do the good to him. Mbane dies miserably without much help from his brother. This is least expected from a man of God who should Have preached to his brother through actions of care and concern.

Ezekiel portrays religious hypocrisy since Christians would not throw insults and abuses to God’s people when they don’t agree with them on some issue, or when they do not show that they believe in Jesus Christ. When Mbane shows no interest in Christ, his brother tells him he is worse than a Judas. EIT1is lack of patience for a Christian, especially a preacher, is not morally acceptable.

Another action that tells of the preacher’s action is the meaning in his silence later as Mbane nears his death. Christians, good men and women on a Christmas morning, also display pretence in the way they curse and call him names instead of bringing the good knowledge of Christ to him. They claim, in his hearing, that he is an able-bodied person, only crippled more daily by the idleness of leisurely

begging. He could only yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and lameness. At times, self-pity overcomes him. To him, the God of the Gospel and religion are comforts beyond his reach as a cripple. His God is his only hope of deliverance from pain, destitution and despair. The people’s actions discourage him about Christianity which they profess but not practice.

In conclusion, the true gospel is the action of an individual because it is more practical than mere words. Actions work and satisfy the heart more than proclaiming the word ofGod.

Incident in the Park — Meja Mwangi.

1. Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts. Justify the validity of this statement using illustrations from Meja Mwangi’s Incident in the Park. (20 marks).

Across the world, over centuries, the behaviour of some of the police officers has caused dire repercussions. Sometimes this happens due to excessive use of force or simply wrongful application of the

law and policies, but majorly this occurs as a result of impolitel interactions between the two parties.

Incident in the Park shows how city dwellers, hawkers and loafers find themselves in conflicts with the police over flimsy and petty reasons often ending unpleasantly.

When the two constables accost the fruit peddler, he gets startled and confused. They demand for his licence and identity card which he obviously doesn’t have. Then he offers five shillings which doesn’t seem good enough as one constable shrugs. This means that at times if the offer were attractive, they would have accepted it and left him.

The police refuse to listen to the fruit merchant and harshly shove him along the street to the city telling him he will explain to the judge. This complicates matters even more because the fruit- seller fears the judge more, It throws him into more panic as he has a case that is coming up the following week and the judge is a “tyrant”. He explains further that he is selling this time so that he can afford a fine but all his entreaties fall on deaf ears They remain unimpressed saying nothing until he breaks away and flees into the crowded city.

The situation escalates when the constables chase the fleeing man shouting for help from the passers-by. They actually betroth him unto the mob. A city man intercepts him and anotherman lunges for him as shouts increase. Tossed here and there as a suspect, the desperate fruit peddler stumbles and falls into a ditch, No one seems to care to find out what really is happening before taking action. No one listens as he pleads for mercy, This is where he meets his Verdict’ which is death. According to

the crowd, ‘justice’ is administered. The mob universally condemn him without plausible evidence.

By the time the police arrive at the scene, it is too late. Their action is irreversible and fatal. The mob has already killed him for being a “thief”. They who are supposed to ensure public safety and security have aided the killing of a hardworking hawker by their silly mistake. This should not have happened if they had treated the man politely. An innocent life is so unnecessarily lost. This makes the public lose confidence in the police. after investigations the truth will come out and it will be hard to trust the police.

In a nutshell, wanton conflicts and deaths of innocent citizens could be averted if the police handled matters with courtesy and sobriety.

1. Action speaks louder than words. Discuss the truth of this saying using illustrations from Leonard Kibera’s A Silent Song. (20 marks)

The character of an individual tells more than what they actually say. Mbane’s brother, Ezekiel, preaches water and takes wine. He is so devoted to God as a preacher, but neglects Mbane, to agonize in the streets for a long time until he almost dies. When he brings Mbane to his hut claiming to rescue him from the barbaric city in order that he can see the light of God, the blind beggar starts to feel more lonely and miserable in the desolate environment. The desolate hut is not a habitable place for him as it has a flea-ridden floor. One wonders why he cannot live with his own brother in his own house! This action tells that the preacher does not love his brother.

It ironical for Ezekiel to keep preaching to his blind brother abou Christ and salvation instead of first saving him from the harsh street beggary. Ezekiel seems to have already judged him as a sinner and that “Christ” will come down from heaven to do th good to him. Mbane dies miserably without much help from his

brother. This is least expected from a man of God who should have preached to his brother through actions of care and concern.

Ezekiel portrays religious hypocrisy since Christians would not throw insults and abuses to God’s people when they don’t agree with them on some issue, or when they do not show that they believe in Jesus Christ. When Mbane shows no interest in Christ, his brother tells him he is worse than a Judas. This lack of patience for a Christian, especially a preacher, is not morally acceptable.

morning also display pretence in the way they curse and call him names instead of bringing the good knowledge of Christ to him. They claim, in his hearing, that he is an able-bodied person, only crippled more daily by the idleness of leisurely begging. He could only yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and lameness. At times self-pity overcomes him. To him, the God of the Gospel and religion are comforts beyond his reach as a cripple. His God is his only hope of deliverance from pain, destitution and despair. lie people’s actions discourage him about Christianity which they profess but not practice.

In conclusion, the true gospel is the action of an individual because it is more practical than mere words. Actions work and satisfy the heart more than proclaiming the word of God.

Another action that tells of the preacher’s action is the meaning in his silence later as Mbane nears his death. Christians, good men and women on a Christmas

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Enjoy free KCSE revision materials on imaginative compositions, essay questions and answers and comprehensive analysis (episodic approach) of the set books including Fathers of Nations by Paul B. Vitta, The Samaritan by John Lara, A Silent Song, An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro and Parliament of Owls by Adipo Sidang'. This blog is useful to Kenyan students preparing for KCSE; and their teachers.

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Essay: silent song kcse essay questions and answers, a silent song and other stories essay questions and answers.

An individual’s good qualities can attract admiration and love. Citing illustrations from Ninema by Vrenika Pather, write an essay to support this statement.

Exemplary attributes arouse respect, warm approval and affection.  Ninema is a young beautiful woman whose praiseworthy character makes her the embodiment of magnificence. She is respected and loved by all and sundry at the marketplace.

First, Ninema is respected because she faces her challenges and wins. She has to wake up at four o'clock on a Monday morning to reap the herbs from her garden. She is a market gardener. Her crops are healthy. Ninema has green fingers but she does not know it. She earns her living by selling her crops at the Indian market.  The walk to the market is long(P14). Her life is tough and so is she. She arranges her dhania and mint neatly and sighs. Although she accepts her lot in life, Ninema is not resigned to it. She has never had hot running water so she washes her face and feet with cold water from the outside tap. To take her weekly bath, Ninema boils water on the open fire. She coils her long black hair into a bun at the nape of her neck. She will wash it on Saturday when she takes her bath.  For now, it is neat and out of the way. Ninema's presence displaces the space around her and fills it with gravity(P13). Some day, with the money she is saving, she hopes to buy a house of her own(P15). Despite all these challenges, Ninema dreams of the home that will be hers some day soon. The house will have hot water. The kitchen will be on the inside. She will have her own large garden where her herbs will flourish. Maybe, she will start growing some fruit for herself(P16). The attribute of facing challenges and winning, instead of resigning to them, earns Ninema respect.

Ninema earns lots of admiration because she focuses on earning a living and ignores all other distractions. Although Ninema is a beautiful woman who makes heads turn as she walks, she does not take the attention to heart. Ninema’s hips sway from side to side as she moves her body in rhythm to balance the basket on her head. Her thin chiffon sari dress drapes around her perfect body effortlessly as if kept in place by her high, firm breasts. She has long, toned arms and a cinched waist which cause men to stop and stare. When she faces them with her piercing, black eyes they turn around in embarrassment. The women admire her high cheekbones. Ninema is neither influenced nor affected by the attention she receives from the men or women. Her concern is with earning a living. She sets up her stall and arranges her herbs appetizingly. Other lady hawkers chat with her and each other amiably. Ninema rarely chats back. She has no time to waste. Nobody minds the fact that Ninema does not pay attention to the trifles. She only focuses on earning a living. These qualities attract admiration(P13-14).

Ninema has the wisdom of family trading so she has the perception that the first and last customers are very important. She knows that the first customer opens the business day while the last closes it. She takes extra care of them for they bring luck. She learned the trade from her mother and father who passed down this wisdom from generations of family trading. Ninema believes in its grace and power. She also has good faith in accounting and can count faster than you can say the word ‘herb' (P14). Mr. Chinran is her first customer and she treats him with respect and appreciation for he is loyal. At the end of the market day, when a new customer, a last minute buyer drops by, Ninema gives her an extra bunch of mint for free. The customer is happy and promises to always shop at her stall for herbs(P15). This wisdom makes Ninema an admirable individual.

Also, Ninema treats all her loyal customers with respect and appreciation. Mr. Chinran is one of the loyal customers. He often was the first to support Ninema when she opened her stall. The ladies in the other stalls tease saying he was in love with her. She simply smiled away their silliness. Mr. Chinran is a rich lawyer from the Brahmin caste while Ninema is a poor girl from a low caste. How could he be interested in her?  It was unthinkable like having a relationship with a white man. This notwithstanding, the mere sight of Ninema made Mr. Chinran’s day. He is so infatuated with her that the thought of his mother arranging a marriage for him makes him hot under the collar. Some prying, jealous wife would take over the herbs buying rounds and deny him the opportunity of seeing Ninema. His mother complains that he buys too much and this morning he buys even more than usual. Ninema does not encourage his infatuation with her but since he is a loyal customer he treats him with respect and appreciation(P14). Although Mr. Chinran is from a prestigious caste, his fondness of Ninema is proof that someone’s good qualities can endear them to people.

Ninema handles her customers masterfully and this makes them fond of her. This is evident in the way she handles Mrs. Singh. Ninema refers to her respectfully as auntie. When Ninema tells her that three bunches of parsley cost six cents, she exclaims that it is too much, expecting her to lower the price but she does not budge; not for rich Mrs. Singh not for anyone else(P14). Mrs. Singh tries the ploy on the next herb to get better prices but it is inadequate. Mrs. Singh likes to haggle out of boredom. She wants a long market day to avoid going back to her large empty house where the servants do everything including cooking. She bargains in order to interact with Ninema for as long as possible. Ninema’s skills earn her adoration and loyalty from rich people such as Mrs. Singh(P15).

Ninema earns the love, respect and admiration of the other market women because she is her own person. She acts independently and confidently. Ninema runs her business with an iron fist. Some people like her herbs and her manner of doing things and support her. Some are offended ostensibly because she does not bring down the prizes, she sells only herbs and is not chatty. Really what they did not like is that she is her own person. She does not give in to what other people expect of her. This frightened some as much as it thrilled others. The ladies in the other stalls like Ninema because of this. They look up to her. She is one of them but something about her is different. The difference draws them to her rather than repulse them. They want to learn her secret because unlike her they often compromise themselves at work and at home. This makes them angry with themselves. They admire how Ninema carries herself. Ninema’s qualities of independence and confidence make her admirable and lovable(P15).

Ninema has a steady flow of customers since she takes personal interest in each of our customers. At lunch time she eats her packed sandwiches as she works. Her stall is busy. She arranges her herbs appetizingly and every day she picks up on passing trade. Customers are attracted by the smell and look of her stall. She has to grow more seed in order to keep up with the demand. She hopes to have enough to satisfy all her customers since her herbs diminish fast. Business is flourishing. Most rich people buy herbs from Ninema during their lunch break making this the busiest time of the day. These are clerical workers and professionals. Although she is busy, Ninema finds time to take personal interest in each of her customers. She knows whose son is studying to be a doctor far away in India, whose daughter just got married, who moved in their new home and where they bought it. Ninema has many customers because she is genuinely interested in their lives. Indeed such good qualities attract respect and love(P15).

Lastly, Ninema gets cheers of approval from the other market women for the way she stands up to the indecent man who assaults her. She hits the man much to the delight of the cheering market women. The man had approached her and blocked her away. She stared at him straight in the face. The strange man grinned at her lasciviously, and then suddenly extended his arm and pinched her erect nipple, hard. He then laughed out loud, turned away in a cocksure stride and told her in a vulgar tone, “If you liked that, follow me.” After placing her basket down with deliberate care, to avoid bruising the herbs nestled neatly inside, Ninema follows the man and beats him on the back of his head with her chumpal. She then hits him all over his face and torso. The astounded man covers his face with his hands. Ninema only notices that the other market women had been keenly watching the fight when she hears their jeers, cheers and laughter. The man is too embarrassed and  dumbfounded to react. He is scared that the women could gang up against him. Ninema gives him a few extra hits on behalf of all the women. He whimpers for she is strong. The women clap and laugh heartily. Ninema bends gracefully, picks the basket and places it gently on her head and says goodbye to the other women. Ninema is loved and respected as a result of such attributes(P16).

In conclusion, good attributes or traits are bound to attract affection and admiration from our peers and other people, regardless of age, financial status or class.

A SILENT SONG ESSAY QUESTION

People commit unethical acts as a result of lack of care. Citing illustrations from Incident in the Park by Meja Mwangi, write an essay to support this statement.

Immorality stems from people’s indifference. Unethical acts like negligence and brutality result from lack of care. Blood thirsty city dwellers brutally murder an innocent fruit seller without batting an eyelid in Incident in the Park.

Government workers go about their business ignoring the ravaging effects of the drought on the neglected park. The park is dirty and brown. There was no promise of rain that August. The ground is dusty brown, bare and parched. The ministerial offices, City Hall and parliament buildings and the ominous cathedral are a stone throw away from the pathetic looking park. The ministerial offices are modern   fortresses and its occupants conveniently ignore the park which clearly lacks proper care. This is evidenced by the dry bits of grass, dry leaves and thirsty trees. Only delicate flowers, planted like oasis islands at various spots, are watered in a desperate effort to keep the dirty brown park beautiful. The sad-looking boathouse and dirty, muddy water sum up the government's lack of care for the park.

Secondly, the park is filled with many idlers who have little care in the world. They waste many hours lying idle in the park. They ignore the city and parliament clocks which strike suddenly, together - reminding them of how much time they had wasted. They care less about being useful. The clocks’ pleas go unheeded. Some insolent loafers simply shake their heads defiantly, curse loudly, face the other way and go back to sleep. Only every now and then, does a misplaced idler heed the clocks nagging disapproval and accusing fingers and walk away. The park people have no intention to go anywhere else but while away. They are here to stay. They have arrived. During the afternoons, the park looks parched and almost dead, dotted with a few loungers. More idlers sit by the lake watching the rowers, day in day out. This unproductive lot is a burden to the city and to society.

The neglected pond in the park is another sign of lack of care by relevant authorities. The fish pond is dangerously overgrown with weeds. Colourless weeds choke the yellow, blue and purple water lilies. An ugly mishmash of weeds has replaced the aesthetic blue-green surface of the once beautiful pond. Initially, the pond flowers stuck out buds, thick colorful fingers and proclaimed order but not anymore - the existence of these beautiful fauna has been snuffed out by a riot of unclassifiable intruders and bastard flowers. To make matters worse, the park soil has collapsed, forcing the pond’s murky, brown water and bewildered fish to the deeper, further end. The sorry state of the pond points to acute lack of attention or care.

The hairy loafer who feeds the fish is defiant. He ignores the public notice on the board that cautions people against feeding the fish. He carelessly tosses debris, tiny bits of grass and soil at the hungry fish. The fish fight for the useless things but let go when they realize they are worthless. The idler throws in more rubbish and carelessly sniggers - he has no iota of empathy whatsoever. He also drops in a piece of soil at the fish. When he learns that fish feeds on insects, he tries to find some and later decides to throw in a flattened cigarette end when he cannot catch any insects. The big fish that catches the cigarette butt releases it since it is useless. At last, the uncaring idler curses after violently hurling a large rock at the confounded fish. His lack of empathy leads him to defy the order not to feed the fish and as a result he harms the fishes.

The police constables are callous. They harass innocent people heartlessly, displaying no shred of sympathy. The two city constables accost the old fruit seller and demand for his license and identification. As fate would have it, he has neither. He cannot afford a licence. The old man nods uncomprehendingly and shakes his head sadly when the police demand for a license. He desperately tries to bribe the constables by offering five shillings; all he had made that day. The policeman grabs him by his old coat and remarks that he would explain it to the judge. The old man swears by his mother. He is devastated because he has another case with the cruel judge. A tyrant who would hang him this time round. The fruit seller cries that the judge is crazy and would castrate him but his pleas fall on deaf ears. He offers the constables a 10- shilling bribe and even his foot baskets. The constables remain indifferent even when he cries that he has a wife and children. They do not care. They match him right ahead. When he realizes that he is talking to a brick wall, he decides to leap and run for it but not before cursing the cops, their wives and their children.

The judge is portrayed as being unjust or outrightly cruel. When the police insist on taking him to the judge, the old fruit seller cries desperately. He has no licence and identification. He swears by his mother. He already has a case with the judge and he does not want to be taken back. He believes the judge will hung him. He is selling the fruits in order to afford the fine that was earlier imposed. He pleads with the police men as brothers. He even tells them that the judge is a tyrant - a crazy man who will have him castrated. The allusion to his wife and children does not bear any fruits. He tries to bribe the police with 10 shillings and appease them with his fruit basket but the uncaring constables match him ahead. The fruit seller curses the policemen and their families and decides to bolt. He takes this desperate measure to avoid facing the evil, apathetic judge.

The bloodthirsty city dwellers   have no regard for human life. Realizing that the city constable were adamant about taking him to the judge, the fruit seller decides to run for it. He leaps, breaking away, leaving the policeman holding onto a piece of his one coat. He runs across the park. The policeman shouts for help. The old man hopes to get protection by disappearing into the city dwellers. That was not to be. The barbarous city dwellers lunge at him trying to nab him. The old man is savagely desperate to escape. When he stumbles and falls into a ditch, the ferocious mob stones him to death. He cries out pleading for mercy. The bloodthirsty crowd leaves him for dead, looking like a broken twisted rag doll, covered in stones and a thick red blood. The crowd mistakenly label him as a thief.

Lastly, the injustice witnessed after the innocent fruit seller killed is the height of brutality and lack of care. The constable strives to shift blame. No one looks guilty enough. The constables conveniently withdraw. An inspector confirms that the man is dead. The crowd that stoned him and those that witnessed his savage murder lower their eyes. Unwilling to openly testify, some of the residents hurriedly return to their offices, indifferently. The word ‘thief’ oozes out discreetly from mouth to mouth. They mistakenly condemn the man to be a desperate thief. They judge him by the unmistakable uniform of his trade - dirty torn clothes and a mean hungry face. Even the inspector of police is uneasy and doubtful about his next course of action. The poor man finds no justice even in his death. All and sundry conclude that a thief is a thief. The twisted garbage-strewn dark alleyways are lawlessly governed by one savage unwritten law concerning the fate of apprehended thieves. Ironically, the man is killed before his identity is established. Sadly, he can only be identified by his grieving wife and children in a cold room. An innocent life is cut short due to the heartless nature of idle, uncaring city dwellers and the inept police department.

In conclusion, any society that lacks benevolence disintegrates into an abyss of lawlessness and immorality.

When someone is given too much power, they can abuse their position. Write an essay in support of this statement citing illustrations from A Man of Awesome Power .

When someone is given too much power or control, they can become corrupt and misuse their power for personal or selfish reasons. For example, they may mistreat others and this can lead to negative consequences to the people they are supposed to serve.  In A Man of Awesome Power by Naguib Mahfouz, Tayyib al-Mahdi loses his power after misusing it.

Tayyib al-Mahdi uses his awesome power to punish the taxi driver who ignores him when he hails it. Tayyib al-Mahdi tries to flag down the taxi but the driver ignores him disdainfully. This had happened to him in the past. Unlike when this happened in the past, now Tayyib al-Mahdi is filled with greater irritation. Power has corrupted him. In this moment of anger, he makes an impulsive decision to punish the man. He considers that he could make the driver suffer an accident. He decides to shatter the taxi's rear wheels instead. He knows that he should use his powers only for good but his anger results in his cruelty. He stares at the taxi's rear wheels and both of them explode like a bomb. The taxi driver is frustrated for losing two wheels at one time. As he walks by the helpless man, Tayyib al-Mahdi gives him a meaningful look and offers to help him but his unknowing pupil glares at the hapless man, resentful and enraged. He feels like he had taught the man a much needed lesson. Initially, al-Mahdi had thoughtful dreams but after acquiring awesome power, he becomes corrupt and abuses his power. 

Secondly, Tayyib al-Mahdi hastily punishes the radio announcer only because he is annoyed by his views. The announcer was expounding on promising developments expected in the future. This is after Tayyib al-Mahdi's memorable services were mistaken for an awakening of the state or outright renaissance. Tayyib al-Mahdi fills a gaping pothole, locks a dangerously hanging electrical box, removes a pile of rubbish and drains   a sewer using his awesome power. In the past, such promises excited Tayyib only to leave him frustrated. Now that he has awesome power, Tayyib al-Mahdi is infuriated by the announcer’s promises. He commands him to talk about what has been accomplished not the future. Tayyib al-Mahdi is overcome with fury and thoughtlessly punishes the man with a bout of incessant sneezing. He makes the man to sneeze massively without warning. Then he sneezes abruptly - more emphatically. He sneezes   uncontrollably until he could not complete a full sentence. Sneezes keep waylaying him so he chooses to play a recorded song “Walk Around and See”. Al-Mahdi plans to censor mass media by stopping any talk that annoys him. He would make speakers that displease him to sneeze spontaneously, emit shrill cries like women at a wedding, or suffer uncontrollable diarrhoea. Tayyib al-Mahdi is intoxicated with an intense feeling of happiness and victory. He forgets his benevolent dreams. After acquiring power, he uses the power to bad effect by mistreating others. 

Tayyib al-Mahdi also misuses his awesome power when he uses it to charm the gorgeous woman at the zoo at the expense of the righteous plans he has. Tayyib al-Mahdi visits the tea garden at the zoo purposely to properly plan how to put his new powers to greater use. However, he instead uses it to seduce a gorgeous and enticing woman that catches his eye. Tayyib al-Mahdi is filled with an inexplicable desire - one that   is not ordinary and his inappropriate since he has a tremendous burden of proper planning and awareness of need. This woman does not take notice of Tayyib al-Mahdi. Her large, round eyes are preoccupied with the the ducks floating in the green lake. Tayyib sends her a hidden message using his awesome powers, instantly setting her head-over-heels. He decides to heal himself before repairing the world. In one shared smile, Tayyib utterly forgets both his faith and his life. He surrenders to his fate. This ill-advised move results in the loss of his powers and his vibrant   mood. The miracle disappears like a dream because of his selfish imprudence. He will be haunted eternally by an awesome sadness. Before getting his awesome power, Tayyib was contented. Now, he uses his powers to satisfy his selfish desires. 

Lastly, Tayyib loses his power when he strikes the man on the bus with severe cramps. When an argument between the man and the woman erupts, Tayyib could not hear but he studies the dimensions of the argument carefully. He is shocked when the man suddenly slaps the woman.   Tayyib focuses all his anger on the man’s stomach. The brute doubles over and moans and screams in pain when Tayyib strikes him with severe cramps. He has to be carried outside for an ambulance to fetch him. Some people on the bus opine that the man deserves it owing to his bad manners and cheekiness. Tayyib is satisfied and believes that he had done his duty in the best manner possible. Instead of using his awesome power to fulfill his compassionate dreams for his country and the planet, Tayyib misuses his power by punishing anyone that displeases him.

In conclusion, when someone is given excessive authority or control, they can misuse it as in the case of Tayyib al-Mahdi. He becomes callous when he acquires awesome power. Initially, he was humane and had thoughtful dreams for his country and the planet.

People living with disability face many difficulties in life. Using Mbane in Leonard Kibera’s A Silent Song, write a composition to support this assertion. 

People living with disability find it more difficult to do certain activities or to interact with the world around them. in leonard kibera’s a silent song , mbane is a visually impaired and disabled man whose movement and other activities are constrained as a result of his disability. first, mbane’s movement is inhibited as a result of his disability. he gropes slowly towards the door of his hut. he can only crawl weakly on his knees and elbows. he cannot go further since the pain in his spine and stomach gather violence rapidly. the pangs paralyse him for a short tormenting moment. the pain soon disappears but with the same savage fury of its onslaught, leaving mbane cold with sweat. he anticipates another imminent attack. giving up the fight, he lets go his chin and hits his forehead on the dirty flea-ridden floor. mbane’s freedom of movement is curtailed by his visual impairment, disability and pain. he is restricted to the suspicious hut.  secondly, his perception of time, day or beauty is limited. although he is hungry, he does not know what time it is. he wallows in the gloom of his eternal night. time, day and beauty lie beyond the bitter limits of darkness. he is restricted to feeling, hearing and running away from danger. he is also limited to a world of retreat. due to his lameness, he can only crawl away. he has no power to hit back. surely, people living with disability suffer certain restrictions. when his brother ezekiel brings him from the streets to his home, mbane is restricted to his new confinement. his brother says that he rescued him from the barbaric city so that he could see the light of god. the hut is serene but so suspicious. this is mbane’s new life away from the streets of the city. his new confinement is devoid of the urban ruggedness and noise. it lacks the quick prancing footsteps of the busy city people. in his limitation, mbane can never fathom their business. also, he is restricted to pleading with the people to help him stay alive by offering him some coins. because of his disability, mbane had little comprehension or knowledge of the city. he earns his living on one street only, retreating to the back lane when it was deserted. his condition inhibits him from telling the length, width, beauty or size of the street. he is used to the talk of bright weather, lovely morning or beautiful sunset but he cannot take part in the small talk. he feels challenged when pedestrians sing to the blue sky and whistle to the gay morning. in his impediment, he cannot perceive these senses. during the day, mbane has to endure the overly generous heat of the sun and obstinate flies mobbing the edges of his lips. at night, he cannot escape the hostile biting cold when he retreats to the back lane unsheltered, to surrender to his vulnerability to sleep and is occasionally victimized by some ignoble thieves. mbane is also constrained in his ability to eke out a living since he is disabled. he is forced to beg on that lonely street of the city. mbane has come to understand that money is the essence of urban life. he is therefore happy with gay people since they mostly answer his plea. dull people with heavy tired footsteps and voices have empty pockets. unlike him, the good men and women of the city have the ability to work in the buildings next to him and more up the street. he has no option but to endure the scorching sun and stubborn flies. at night, he is tempted by the strange rhythms but cannot indulge because of his condition. he is limited to hearing voices cursing and singing and bottles cracking. mbane is restricted from joining the good men’s and women’s merry-making after a hard day’s work. only pimps and whores enjoyed the proceeds of the good men’s sweat. also, mbane's condition has restricted him from getting married. his brother ezekiel is married to sarah. he must have been married around mbane's age. mbane would never be able to reach out his hand in fulfillment of his life in the same way. he can only yearn impotently, sadly constrained because of his darkness and lameness. he is overcome by bitter self-pity and can only console himself about his own light and thus he would smile broadly and bravely. his brother’s wife occasionally brings him some bitter medicine. his condition impedes him from getting a wife of his own and settling down. mbane has become accustomed to limited conversation or communication. his brother enters his hut and sits on his bed but for a long time no one speaks. mbane cannot be expected to start a conversation. all his life, he has been speaking to himself in his thoughts while living on the streets. he had no one to address except himself. occasionally, he would blurt out a mechanical plea of “yes”. now, if anyone speaks to him, he carries the subject on a line of uncommunicative thought in his own mind. when his brother asks if he believes in god, mbane replies that he does not know since to him he does not matter. apart from that, mbane's condition makes him feel alienated and thus he holds a different religious view from his mother’s and his brother’s. his mother views men as one stream flowing through the rocks of life. they would twist and turn the pebbles and get dirty in the muddy earth. they cry in the falls and whirlpools of life and laugh and sing when the flow is smooth and undisturbed. some cry in the potholes of life’s valley, while others laugh triumph elsewhere. mbane's condition inhibits him to not only ceaselessly crying but also feeling that he is not even part of the stream. he feels like the bitter fluid in his own throat. his pain gives him no reason to believe in god. no one understands his darkness. god is white cleanness of eternal light but his life only contains darkness and blackness. he is forgotten and unnoticed. sometimes, he is cursed and called able-bodied, only crippled by idleness of leisurely begging. lastly, mbane feels trapped in his unwashed body which reeks of sweat. he craves freedom that he cannot achieve. he dreams of a glorious future away from his pangs of darkness where light lies. right now he is restricted since his eyes are denied the lights. he dreams of a future where someone would understand him and raise the innocence of his crippled life along with the chosen. it gives him hope and he sings his own happy song, silently to himself. he cannot seek refuge in the brothels like other men so he can only find it in his silent song. his soul has a destination, or so he thinks. but for now, he has to make do with it being incarcerated in his sweaty smelly body, which is unwashed except when in the rain. surely, disability can be limiting. in conclusion, people living with disability undergo many impediments and limitations that deny them some pleasures or opportunities in life., (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); citing illustrations from eric ng'maryo's ivory bangles , write a composition showing how established customs are difficult to change . people are often reluctant to change their way of doing something especially something which they have been doing for a long time. the society in ivory bangles is superstitious and also holds on to norms such as polygamy and hunting game for ivory. firstly, this is a society where people are apt to believe in superstitions. when the old man notices blood specks on the liver of a goat he had slaughtered, he has to go and consult the seer. although he has a deep-seated suspicion of the seer, he still goes to him since he is a tribal seer, and a priest of the people. the seer gives him some unsettling revelation and a difficult task to do in order to avert a disaster. he reveals that the seer’s pebbles said someone was going to die. that is the old man’s wife. in order to avert this, the old man is supposed to give his wife a thorough beating and send her to her parents. the seer’s pebbles are adamant that there is no other way to appease them. this worries the old man so much. his mind wanders as he walks home. only a small trickle washes the trunk in front of him when he relieves himself. the old man believes the seer is the mouthpiece of their departed forefathers. visiting the seer is so common that the wife can guess where he went earlier that day. he tells his wife that the spirits want him to give her a ritual beating. once upon a time, the seer wanted to marry the woman. he had even promised to put a spell on her. his warning is therefore laughable but according to the man it is solemn since it is not he who put the blood specks on the goat’s liver. the woman comes up with a simple, ingenious scheme to fool the spirits. old habits, like superstitions and consulting seers, die hard since the people have held on to them for a long time. despite having a deep-seated suspicion of the seer, the old man still considers the viability of the ritual beating since established habits are difficult to change. secondly, the habit of wife battering is part and parcel of the society and is even considered a solemn ritual. the seer’s pebbles claim that the spirits are jealous of a happy wife, a woman  unmolested by her husband until old age when she is called “grandmother”. to avert her death after he finds blood specks on the liver of a goat he was slaughtering, the old man has to give his wife a thorough beating and send her to her parents after the beating. the pebbles insist on wife battering and refuse the offer of countless goats by the old man. the man is reluctant to lay his hands on his comely caring wife who bathes him when he arrives home and cooks him a delicious meal. according to the spirits, this is supposed to be a ritual beating to avert calamity. the woman says, the seer - “that old vulture”, was once interested in marrying her and had even promised to put a spell on her. it appears he is just jealous of her happy marriage. but the man considers him the mouthpiece of the departed forefathers. the old man is different from his son who is accustomed to the norm of domestic violence. he beat his wife leveri to a fingernail’s distance to her grave. such cases are so common that there is a prescribed way of solving them. clans would meet and the offending man would be fined, they would then drink reconciliatory beer and everyone would go home happy. surely, wife battering has been accepted as a norm in this society. polygamy is another accepted custom in the society. the old man earned the enviable position of the chief’s councillor as a reward for bravery in the battle of the five rainy days. the wife calls him son of a chief. he is a wood carver, son of a wood carver and a very brave warrior. he is thus much respected in the society, but also much talked about because he has only one wife. a chief’s councillor is considered a small chief, and whoever heard of a chief with one wife the ageing chief even advised him to get himself another wife. the old man loves his wife. as much as polygamy is customary, he does not comply. however, it is so deeply-rooted in the society that the people find it strange for a man of his social standing to have only one wife and even the chief himself advises him to consider polygamy. another practice that seems so deeply-rooted in this society is the hunting and killing of game like elephants. the old man killed an elephant using a poisoned arrow and from its ivory, he carved twenty four bangles for his wife. she wears eight  bangles in either hand and four heavy ones on each leg. the ones on her hands are etched with mnemonic marks for a long love poem. he presented the bangles to her when their son and only child was named. she looks beautiful like a chief’s wife when adorning the bangles. when the elephants invade the village, the villagers are worried about the devastation they leave in their wake. they destroy young crops. the beasts are pursued by people who know how to use poisoned arrows. with poisoned arrows, several can be killed. the scouts sit atop of trees and warn people about the movement of the six elephants; one bull and five cows. unfortunately, the old man’s wife is attacked by a wounded bull elephant which stamps on her and kills her. the people are accustomed to shooting and killing elephants. sometimes, the wounded animals tend to be wild. the people have a customary way of solving conflicts in the society. to confuse the spirit of death, the woman plans to go to her brother’s home weeping and complaining that her husband had beaten her without any reason. she would refuse to go back to his home when he comes for her. this would force their respective clans to confer, with the view of reconciling them. the husband would be fined and they would drink beer of reconciliation. this would be done to fool the spirits and life would continue as before. after she comes from the market, the woman plans to cook for the man and go to her brother’s. she plans to hoe the weedy part of her grove before squeezing tears out of her eyes and going to her brother’s house. indeed, these people have certain prescribed ways of conflict resolution that are hard to change. lastly, the woman is accustomed to performing her normal wifely duties of taking care of her husband and grandson. when he gets home, she unstraps his leather sandals and leads him behind the house to the lean-to, to bathe him. she cooks him a meal consisting a pottage made of mashed green bananas and finely shredded meat and stock vegetables, herbs and a touch of her hand. at night, she lies with the old man, her husband, before stealing back to her grandson’s, ‘her husband’. when she goes to the market she buys the boy a length of sugar cane and some snuff for the man. after coming from the market, she cooks and carefully covers her husband’s food. she has plans to go to her brother’s but first she plans to hoe in the part of the grove the man said was very weedy. she is also so accustomed to hoeing that despite the heavy load of ivory bangles on her hands, the small hoe goes at a fast practiced speed. only three weeks ago, she weeded the same spot with her daughter-in-law leveri. although she has to visit her brother’s home, she can’t help but perform the habitual tasks at home first. unfortunately, she is killed while still hoeing in the grove. surely, old habits die hard. in conclusion, people are predisposed to doing things that are customary or typical and it is difficult to convince someone to do something they are not used to., children suffer when their parents mistreat them. write an essay to support this statement basing your illustrations on the sins of the fathers . rwafa exerts unwarranted pressure on rondo causing him grief, leaving him with bitter memories and ruining his life. surely, children endure misery when their parents treat them badly. rondo suffers when his father rwafa orchestrates an accident that kills his two daughters, yuna and rhoda. when mr. basil mzamane, rondo’s father-in-law, whom rwafa abhors, offers to give rondo's children a real treat - a road trip to bulawayo, rwafa soon disappears. when the trio take the trip, they are involved in a fatal crash that claims their lives. gaston shoko, rondo’s workmate, suggests that mr. rwafa must have been involved in the accident since that was a typical second street accident. when rondo ponders the events and history behind them, he becomes numb and almost like a zombie. he feels trapped like an animal when he thinks back on his father’s routine. rwafa is a prime suspect in the accident since he loathed basil mzamane. he had called him a traitor when he brokered a peace deal between mrs. quayle and rwafa’s club-wielding gang. there has always been tension between the two but it culminates during the birthday party. mr. rwafa was also bitter because rondo had married into and ignominious mudziviti family. furthermore, instead of a grandson, he had also given him two grand-daughters with ndevere blood. rwafa is responsible for the accident that kills his son’s daughters and their grandfather. this causes rondo untold grief. he even contemplates shooting his own father. he tries to erase the pain by reconstructing the accident, imagining his daughters died happily or at least, obliviously. the pain courses through him again and again for the whole week after the unfortunate incident. he sits on the same sofa, chin lodged in the cup of his hands, listening to the haunting songs sung by the mournful women. his indifferent father tells him that his grief will pass like the morning dew in the sun. that he would be grateful it happened now rather than later and he should thank him. rondo’s mind was elsewhere. the silence in his mind would have been filled by his daughters’ voices. surely, rwafa causes rondo deep misery when he engineers the untimely death of his two daughters. this destroys rondo. rondo grows up to be a laughing stock as a result of his father’s disrespectful treatment towards him. none of the words he used to address rondo had any respect in them. when rwafa compels rondo to work at the clarion, and earn his own keep, he refers to him as slob. because of this, his wife selina notes that rondo is always in his father’s shadow. she thinks that she could do better in his pants. also, his colleagues do not take him seriously. he is not a brilliant journalist and he feels he has been asleep all his life. according to rwafa, there would not ever be anything rondo could get right. even his wife saw him as ‘less-than-me’. at work, people were laughing at him at every moment and the only time they held him in awe is when they needed a favour from his father through him. they even used his name to get something from finance houses, audit stores, legal firms etcetera. they still laughed at him and he knew. this made him defenseless and he would join in the laughter, accepting to be a fool. rondo admits that his wife was right for positing that he must have been afraid of a shadow - his father’s shadow. this thought was not pleasant to admit. although rondo loved selina, rwafa hated her and her family and was against their marriage. rondo was about to lose selina because his father, a full blown bhwa mkwanyashanu, would not let his family be demeaned by his son rondo. he calls him effeminate for wanting to marry into the ignominious mudziviti family. rondo told selina about at the time his father destroyed his old guitar and he peed himself out of fear because he loved her. the flames of the burning guitar gutted all the courage out of him. while selina and rondo's mother were quite close, his father frowned and even spat at the relationship. rwafa hated selina’s clan, madzviti-ndebele, because they had raided his own clan, zezeru-karanga, leaving him with pains of the scars. his deepest scar is that he cannot forgive anyone: not his enemies, not his wife, not his son. the first time selina came to the house and rondo told rwafa about her people, he walked out and stayed away for the whole day. apart from that, he demanded that rondo gives him a grandson to inherit his cars, houses, money and charisma. this was not easy for rondo to accept. although he was afraid of his father, rondo still thought he was the greatest. rondo’s father demands that rondo gives him a grandson to whom he could leave the inheritance. he wanted a duplicate or an heir. rwafa feels that after the ignominy of marrying her, it was ignominious that rondo first child was a girl with ndevere blood. his second child was also a grand-daughter. as a result of this, rwafa could not be appeased by anything. it was as if rondo had been written out, written off and disappeared. since rondo was the only son and only child, his father did many things for him but rondo did not show enough gratitude of respect because he was not aware. this made rwafa very disappointed and rondo’s mother had to do a lot of humiliating things to calm him down. although she enjoyed the affluence of being married to a senior government official, she had deep fears about the future of her only child rondo. rwafa loved himself so much that he was prepared to destroy his son in an effort to have a duplicate or an heir. this demand for grandson was not easy for rondo to accept.   when rwafa destroyed rondo’s old guitar, all the courage was gutted out of him. selina felt that rondo was hurt and his pain could affect those around him. she thought he was selfish for apologizing too much. unlike her who was brought up in a family with people with ‘long hearts’, that is people who forgive others, he was not from such a loving family. rondo’s first disappointment happened when his father gave him his first sermon. when rondo was only four, an uncle had given him an old guitar. his father found him strumming tunelessly on the instrument. rwafa broke the strings and threw the guitar into a fire. he retorted that no son of rwafa has ever been a rolling stone and there would be no mick jaggers or john whites in his house since those people had no sense of responsibility or destination in mind. rondo, only a child of them, had no idea what he was talking about. fear was planted in him. he peed his pants. the flames of that burning guitar had gutted all the courage out of him. he tells selina all this because he loved her. indeed, rwafa’s mistreatment adversely affects his son rondo. rondo develops a stammer because throughout his life, he was unable to answer any of his father’s questions. mr. rwafa, as a minister of security, had pursued his duties so zealously that he could not distinguish between party and family. this made people, especially rondo, to suffer. his mother told him that many people developed a stammer when rwafa asked them questions. rondo took a long time to learn what his father’s job was. rondo and rwafa lived in their separate cages and his mother was caught up in the sensitivity of rwafa’s job and rondo’s nature. because of rwafa’s actions, rondo always thought rwafa was right. he was too diminished to think otherwise. he was also afraid for his mother whenever she had to oppose the old man. indeed, rondo suffers because of his father’s ill treatment rwafa skips his only son’s wedding causing him pain. when rwafa drives to rondo’s house to see mr. basil mzamane, it is surprising. selina knows that the visit is neither a courtesy call nor a friendly gesture. rwafa also seems quite cheerful in rondo and selina’s house which was unusual, more so with mr. basil mzamane present. the two men’s attitudes towards rondo’s wedding were different. while mr. basil mzamane fully supported the wedding and paid the larger part of the wedding celebrations expenses, mr. rwafa skipped the whole ceremony altogether. rondo’s mother had also helped but she had been reduced to tears when her husband had asked: “who did you say is wedding” then conveniently left town for a ‘state business’ for two weeks just to avoid going. rwafa ruins rondo’s daughters joint birthday celebration when he goes on an irrational hateful rant. selina and rondo had invited all their relatives and friends for joint birthday celebration for their daughters, yuna and rhoda. it was a generally peaceful scene with children playing and adults enjoying themselves. there were moments of subtle tension, tight smiles and loud laughs between mr. rwafa and mr. basil mzamane. mr. rwafa’s sarcastic reference to mr. basil mzamane as “honorable mp” causes a moment of silence and relaxation. rondo and selina had longed for a moment like this with their parents who. the peaceful party is destroyed when mr. rwafa is prompted to talk of the liberation struggle. he talks of betrayals and alludes to traditional enemies of the people since time immemorial: enemies of the state, clan and family. he calls them looters and cattle thieves. he also calls them personal enemies, child thieves and baby snatchers. he declares that no son of rwafa can play second fiddle to anyone’s lead nor carry anyone’s pisspot. he is terribly hurt when he refers to his son rondo as effeminate and spineless for marrying into the family of their enemies, poisoning the pure blood of the rwafa clan. he suggests that the impostors are smoked out, flashed out and blasted out. guests grab their children and leave one after another. rondo remains rooted unable to wave goodbye. he remembers having the feeling he used to have as a boy, where the thought of not being allowed to do something fueled his ambition to do it. mr. rwafa’s action causes tension in the air and ruins an otherwise peaceful celebration. rwafa senselessly beats up rondo without bothering to find out what the matter was during a confrontation with a neighbour over his mangoes. remembering his father’s tirade reminded rondo of this incident he had almost forgotten. rondo had helped himself to some ripe mangoes from a neighbours garden. he had seen nothing wrong with this. the neighbour had other ideas. he pulled him down by the leg and proceeded to give him a thorough thrashing using a green pitch switch. his mother was attracted by his howling and she came running out and lifting her skirt in the man's face. she called him a child murderer. the man shouted “whore” and called rondo ‘woman’s child’. rwafa then came to the neighbor’s yard and proceeded to thrash rondo with his thick elephant-hide belts without bothering to find out what the issue was. what gives rondo a very uncomfortable feeling even after all these years is the sight of his mother dragging herself on her knees from one man to another, back and forth, clapping and begging them to spare her only child. rondo just did not want to remember this. he has never told anyone about it not even his wife. he was only eight. he felt powerless. his mother insisted that his father loved him but he did not know how to show it. when rondo confronts his father in his guestroom, rwafa ridicules him as usual. when he hands him a piece of paper, rwafa asks him whether he had asked one of his more intelligent friends to write that for him. rondo just stands there, unblinkingly, as his father had not ask him to sit down. rwafa laughs harshly saying he couldn’t have believed that rondo had it in him. when rondo brandishes a gun and offers it to him, a great flood of sadness washes through his face. when he checks the gun and points it at his head, rondo wishes that his father would shoot him. he feels like a rogue, not out of courage, but out of numbness host of he wished his father would shoot him and take care of things as he had always done. he tells him that he had never used a gun before and he thought his father would do it better than him. eventually, a soft muffled plop is heard from rwafa’s room after he orders rondo and selina out. when parents treat their children badly, the children suffer as was in the case of rwafa and his son rondo.  , in some communities, marriage is regarded as a valued custom. making reference to abioseh nicol’s the truly married woman , write an essay in support of this statement . in most societies , marriage is considered to be important and beneficial. the society in the truly married woman cherishes marriage as seen in the story of ayo and ajayi. a married woman is proud and is respected more than a mistress.  marriage is an important tradition in this community. ayo is optimistic that one day she will be married to ajayi. they have lived together for twelve years and have three children together and a fourth child on the way but they are not yet married. ajayi has always meant to marry ayo. he truly meant to marry her as soon as she had their first child but he had never found time to do it. somehow, the right moment never came. ayo went to live with ajayi despite her parents protests. in this community, marriage is a valued custom. in their first year together, ayo would talk to ajayi in detail about her friends' marriages looking at him with hopeful eyes for. she hopes to get married like her friends since marriage is an important right in the community. the marriage ceremonies cost a fortune and ajayi would attack ayo's friends' wild spending. all in all, the community values marriage and that’s why ayo hopes to get married one day. the fact that the priest insists that unmarried couples should not live together is an indication that the community values marriage. he would speak out violently against unmarried couples living together. ajayi and ayo have lived together for twelve years. ayo is a good mistress. she has given ajayi three children and is now pregnant with another. she is a patient, beautiful woman with honest eyes. despite these, their union is seen as illegitimate in the eyes of the church leadership. during their regular church visits, the priest would sound off against their kind of union, two or three times a year. their friends would sympathize with them and the men would opine that the church should stay out of people’s private lives. ajayi would skip church for a few weeks but would go back after a while since apart from his proclivity for singing, he secretly knows the priest is right. the community cherishes marriage. ayo's father had his own special wishes about his daughter’s marriage. ayo left their home to go and live with ajayi against her parents' wishes. she loved ajayi. she cooks his meals and has borne him children. her father had hoped that she would marry a high school teacher at least. ayo had chosen a government clerk instead. when ayo’s father learns about ajayi's plan to marry ayo, he makes her move out of ajayi's house with everything she owns back to his house. he sends the kids to ayo's married sister.   when ajayi's uncle and other kinsmen visit ayo’s father to ask her to marry ajayi, the father hands her over to them with tears in his eyes. this is proof that marriage is a valued custom in this community. when missionaries from wgca visits ajayi’s home, ayo goes out of her way to give an impression of a truly married woman. she sends oju to buy fruit drinks. she also takes down the calendars with pictures of lightly clothed women and replaces them with family pictures instead. she removes magazines and puts out religious books. she also hides wine glasses under the sofa. before the visitors arrive, she changes into her sunday dress and borrows her wedding ring from her neighbour. the clerk is surprised by the change in the room, ayo’s dress and the ring. the children are also neatly dressed. olsen, one of the missionaries, is so delighted that he takes pictures of the “god-loving and happy african family”. after serving them drinks, ayo leaves to let the men discuss serious matters. ajayi is pleased greatly and decides to finally marry ayo. surely, marriage is a revered tradition in this community. since marriage is a valued custom, ajayi and ayo make elaborate plans for their marriage ceremony. they discuss the wedding that night. ajayi wants ayo to have a traditional white wedding dress, with a veil and flowers. ayo decides sadly that a mother of three should not wear white at her wedding. they agree on grey. ayo wants a corset. ajayi agrees. they also decide to forgo a holiday after the wedding since they could not afford one. they also agree on a church wedding. when ayo’s father hears about the upcoming nuptials, he makes her leave ajayi’s house with everything she owns back to his house. the children are sent to her married sister. marriage is really valued in this community. a married woman is more important in the family than one who is not married. although most of ajayi's family members welcome the idea of ajayi and ayo's marriage, his sister has reservations. she is worried that if ajayi marries her, ayo would become more important in the family than she was. she even advises him to seek the insight of a soothsayer to look into the future. when ayo gets word of this from the women at the market, she beats ajayi's sister at her own game by going to the soothsayer first to fix things. she really wants to get married. when ajayi and his sister visit the soothsayer, he predicts a happy marriage. ajayi's sister capitulates and accepts defeat. marriage is such an important custom that omo, ayo’s friend is jealous when she gets wind of her friends upcoming wedding. when ayo wasn’t married, omo would not hesitate to lend her her wedding ring whenever she needed it. when ayo shows her her wedding dress, she turns cold. she is filled with both anger and jealousy. she makes critical, disparaging remarks about ayo's see-through dress. she says in case ayo has an accident the doctors will see through everything. she pushes the dress angrily back to ayo. ayo laughs it off saying she does not have to hide anything from her husband when they are married. marriage is indeed a valued tradition in this community. marriage is a cherished custom that involves elaborate negotiations between relatives of the bride and those of the groom. the day before the wedding, ajayi's uncle and other relations take a bible and a pin to ayo's father. they also take with them two young girls carrying large gourds containing things like pins, small coins, fruits and nuts. these customary gifts are necessary lest ayo says during future arguments that ajayi was so terrible that he had given her neither a pin or a coin since they got married. the party deliberately walks past ayo’s father’s home then returned to it. when ajayi’s uncle knocks the door several times, ayo's relatives ask for his name, his family and the reason for coming. later, they argue and discuss for half an hour. ayo's father opens the door after clearly demonstrating that his family is proud, difficult and above ordinary. he asks why they had gone there. ajayi's uncle answers that they had gone to pick a lovely rose. after much haggling, they are finally allowed in the house. they are served drinks and gifts are exchanged. for about thirty minutes, they talk about everything but the wedding. ajayi's uncle asks for ayo as a wife for ajayi. ayo's father brings out a short sister, then a fat cousin and asks if that’s whom they wanted. they decline. ten different women are brought out but none is right. finally, he brings out ayo with tears in his eyes. he also kisses her. after a successful negotiation, everyone shouts and dances around ayo. this rigorous negotiation process shows how marriage is revered as a beneficial rite in this community. a marriage is a cherished tradition and emotions run high when ayo finally gets married. although she is a woman in her mid thirties with slightly grey hair, she cries with joy and her unborn child moves inside her for the first time. this is after her father, with tears in his eyes, calls her out from the bedroom, kisses her and shows her over to ajayi's family. the   next morning   the women of her family help her to wash and dress. her father gives her away in a quiet church wedding attended by about sixty people. they then go to ayo's family home for a meal. an aunt gives them water and some wise counsel. she tells ayo not to be too friendly with other women lest they steal her husband. she advises them not to sleep before resolving their disputes and to ajayi, she asks him not to use violence against his wife - their daughter. ayo’s mother tearfully acknowledges ayo as an enthusiast of the true work of an african woman - having children. ayo and her parents are overcome with emotions when she gets married. they value marriage. since marriage is an important aspect of culture in most societies, a wife is valued more than a mistress. after the wedding, ayo seems different in ajayi’s eyes. he notices her proud head, her long neck and her handsome shoulders. the next morning, after the alarm goes off, he notices that his normal cup of tea is not there. he sits up and quickly looks around. he listens for ayo’s footsteps outside in the kitchen. when he notices her sleeping next to him, he assumes she is ill after the excitement of the wedding. he asks ayo if she was ill. still lying down, she turns slowly and looks at him. she gets even more snuggly under the cotton bed cover. she is terribly calm. she asks ajayi if there is anything wrong with his feet. he thinks she is a little crazy. for twelve years, she has woken up at five o'clock and prepared tea for her husband who was then her lover. she informs ajayi that now she is a truly married woman and asks him to behave with some respect towards her. he is her husband and not her lover. she tells him to get up and make himself the cup of tea. surely, marriage is indeed a valued custom in this society. in conclusion, marriage is surely regarded as a cherished and important practice., people suffering from mental illness need a close, loving bond from family members. making reference to december and september in december by filemon liyambo, write an essay to validate this statement. it is important to maintain sincere, meaningful relationships with loved ones who are suffering from mental illness in order to provide the support that they need. september loves and cares for his sister who suffers from a mental illness. first, despite the mean treatment by the kfc waitress, september is determined to get his sister a meal she enjoys. the waitress is impudent. she eyes september with a deathly stare and the furrowed brow and rudely asks him if he was ordering anything. when he orders chips, she sneers at him. this reminds him of how his grandfather ezekiel looked at him over his glasses whenever he sensed “traces of idiotism” or absent-mindedness(p84). september endures the nonchalance for the sake of his sick sister. like most namibian towns where everyone knew each other, there was an indifference to those who did not reside there. strangers had to wait until jesus returned for decent customer service. the rude waitress hands september his chips and scoffs at the idiocy. she wonders who comes to kfc to order chips. september samples the chips and they are soft just like his sister preferred them. he even asks for an extra sachet of tomato sauce(p85). when he visits december in hospital and gives her the chips, she acknowledges that they are nice. september adds that they are soft, just how she liked them. a further display of affection is evident when he rubs the tomato sauce off her lips gently(p89). it is important to maintain such a loving bond with our family members who suffer from mental illness. despite the cold reception at the hospital and his lateness, september is adamant that he must see his sick sister. when he greets the nurse sorting paperwork at her desk, she shouts rudely: “what do you want” to which he replies that he was there to visit his sister. her curved eyebrows point him to a chart on the wall. he is thirty minutes late according to the wall chart for visiting hours and the clock. determined to see his sister, he tries sincerity and charm by flashing a smile. his courteousness does not spare him the indifference. rolling her eyes, the nurse insists” “kamatyona, you’re late.” the nurse call security on him. he is not moved by the two giants and the smaller man. he sits on the grey waiting benches, hoping to see his sister. luckily, the head of security is tshuuveni, september’s childhood friend. he was one of the several boys who pursued december when she was young. he was the reason why september acquired a puppy named kali, which hound tshuuveni whenever he came near the homestead. the rude nurse learns that it was december shikongo, his sister, that september wanted to see so badly(p87). due to his resolution, she finally capitulates and allows september to see his sister for twenty minutes. september’s persistence is born out of the loving bond between him and december. september maintains a loving bond with his sister despite her challenge of mental illness. december affectionately refers to september as ka brother, little brother.   this is her favorite greeting. december and september have always shared a loving relationship since they were children. when they were too small to join their siblings working in the mahangu (pearl millet) field, december tended to her mother’s vegetable garden, together with september. september, four at the time, liked hiding. when the sister was digging with a hoe, he sprang up when she was in mid swing. the impact made a small but deep gush on the head. december shows sincere affection for her brother when she rips off her t-shirt to stem the bleeding. she also nurses him back to health when he returns from the hospital(p85). at the hospital, september notices that december’s hair was scattered like patchy kaokoveld dress. her eyes shine. she is gaunt. her lips are swollen. she had probably walked into a wall again. she looks thin – like that time her grandfather had taken her to a healer and she returned looking skeletal, as if the healer had tried starving the voices out of her head. september sympathizes with his sister, and can only manage a weak: “how are you”. this notwithstanding, they engage in a warm conversation. they talk about school. they both laugh and share a smile(p88). when it is time to go, december has to be pried out of her brother’s arms. the nurse comforts her saying that tomorrow is also another day. it is important to maintain such a loving relationship with relatives suffering from mental illness. when september visits, he often brings his sister food and thoughtful gifts. he had visited the hospital a few times before so he did not need directions to the psychiatric ward. he even knew a shortcut: a narrow path between pediatrics and the pharmacy. he was so familiar with the hospital that he notices that it had been renovated twice since the last time he had been there. the turquoise and green paint was still fresh.   he also notices that the bars on the windows of the ward had been reinforced(p86). the ward had a small garden outside, made-up of three beds of irises. that is where he used to sit with his sister when she was first admitted. he would bring her food – beef or mutton – and ask her how she was. she always responded: “fine”. she would plead with him: “onda vulwa mo mu” she wanted to go home because she was tired either of her mind or the hospital. he cared for her and could not promise something he could not fulfill(p86). september brings his sister some thoughtful gifts. he gives her a jersey – a grey hoodie. she thanks him saying the place is always cold(p89). he also gives her a pen and a book full of puzzles. then a t-shirt: simple, navy blue, with the union jack on it. a replica of the one december ripped to stem september’s bleeding. she shows the indifferent nurse the gifts her brother had brought her. lastly, he hands her chips: soft, just how she liked them. september displays loving affection for his sister when he visits her regularly and brings her food and gifts(p89). lastly, september has to be there for his sister december since he is the only relative in a position to do this. he tries to inquire from his grandfather why december is forbidden from eating chicken but his grandfather never clearly explains. he simply says: “that’s how things are.” he was hiding something(p85). september did not understand how december unraveled the way a thread comes loose: in parts then all at once. she went from having problems with her classmates, catfights and name-calling, to walking half-naked through the streets talking to herself. he believes people did not go crazy overnight, there had to be a plausible explanation. september is angered by his grandfather ezekiel’s insistence that december was bewitched. ezekiel’s brother josef was also mentally ill. the illness also afflicted september’s father, silas shikongo, who passed away. december's descent from being a stellar student to a psychiatric patient was too abrupt and inexplicable. the grandfather felt there were other forces behind it(p86). besides their grandfather’s superstitious beliefs, their mother's heart was broken and her daughter’s sickness had aged her faster than her husband’s untimely demise. september is also hurt that december was left on pause, while life moved on. he cannot also inform december that their grandfather had passed on. he keeps this information to protect her feelings. september has no choice but to maintain a loving bond with his sister who has no one else to turn to. in conclusion, it is important to maintain a loving relationship with family members suffering from mental illness..

War adversely affects families and communities. Making reference to Boyi by Gloria Mwaniga, write an essay to support this statement. 

When conflict thrives, it destroys family ties and communal bonds. Family members are affected when they are separated from one another, some are traumatized and others killed as a result of the crisis. In Gloria Mwaniga's  Boyi, the militia meant to protect community land from strangers turns out to be the enemy within, wreaking untold havoc on the same community they had vowed to protect.

First, Mama is adversely affected when her son is separated from the rest of the family. Madness enters Mama's eyes when Baba gives Boyi away to the militia leader as collateral until he finds 40,000 land protection tax. As if fire ants had invaded her body, Mama stands up abruptly. She tears off her kitenge headscarf and start shouting. Mama says that Baba must be sick in the head to think Boyi would return. He must be deaf if he has not heard tales of neighbours whose sons had been recruited by the militia. A child was not a mat that could be folded and returned to the owner or a dress that one can borrow from a neighbour. Baba is enraged but he just sits there. In a metallic whisper, he asks Mama what she wanted him to do. He justifies his action by saying he did it to protect his family from the militia’s cruel actions of chopping off heads of whole families, carrying off fresh heads like trophies and hanging them on trees or eating them like Idi Amin. They also tortured victims by chopping off their ears and feeding them worm-filled earth. Mama does not buy this explanation. Hives break out on her skin. Her eyes are deathly white like the eyes of one who did not know her own mind. The narrator feels queasy as if someone had pulled her insides out through her nostrils. War indeed has a devastating effect on loved ones. (P91-92)

Apart from that, Boyi's family is gripped with fear, desperation and anxiety. When reproached by Mama, Baba holds his rage firmly with his hands. He pulls in his lips to a narrow thread, like a line drawn on his dark face by a ruler.   His voice sinks to a metallic whisper and he asks Mama what she wanted him to do. He tells her that the militia was chopping off heads of whole families if one did not give them money. They carry off fresh heads like trophies and hang them on trees or eat them like Idi Amin. They torture their victims by slowly chopping off their ears and feeding them worm-filled earth. Boyi's sister feels queasy as if someone had pulled her insides out through her nostrils. The family knew that the militia would come to their house. Chesober, Baba's friend who taught at Chepkukur Primary School, had them that the militia had a long list of people who aided the government exercise to subdivide their land and give some of it to the strangers. Baba had lent a panga and ‘makonge’ ropes to the government surveyors. When news breaks out that they had begun attacking government representatives, Mama desperately starts blocking the sitting room door with sacks of maize and beans. Out of fear or denial, the narrator and Boyi laughed at the thought of the militia attacking them, their own kin. That is the night Matwa Kei knocks at their door and demands to be given 10,000 land protection tax and 30,000 betrayal tax, failure to which they would be shown “smoke without fire”. That is when he pushes Boyi forward and tells Matwa Kei to hold onto him. Surely, war causes fear within families or communities. (P92)

The war also causes devastation that pushes Mama to the brink of insanity and disconnection from reality. Boyi’s sister finds her mother seated alone on a kitimoto in the kitchen. She neither looks up nor responds to greetings. She screams at the girl to leave some tea for her brother who will return from the caves hungry. The screaming goes on for weeks. “Stupid girl, you want to finish tea and your brother will come from the caves hungry,” she bawls. She would sit stunned gazing at the whitewashed wall, declaring in a quiet voice that she was seeing a vision of a dazzling white dove. God of Israel was showing her that her son was returning home after escaping from the snare of the militia. After her monologues, she would sit sadly and silently. When her madness takes a walk, they would brew tea together with a girl and she would nostalgically reminisce stories about Boyi; about how he saved her marriage, his shiny ebony skin and eloquence in English which was too good for a fifteen- year-old like him. This is a clear testament of a mother’s agony, anguish and disconnection from reality. War really causes devastation to families. (P92-93)

The war drives Baba, a Christian, to partake in a strange cultural practice to escort Boyi’s spirit away. Together with his cousin Kimutai, he digs a shallow grave and buries a banana stem wrapped in a green cotton sheet. He asks death to take that body and never bother his family again. They do this after Saulo brings news that a troop of two hundred Armed Forces men had been dispatched in green lorries to carry out an undertaking dubbed ‘Operation Okoa Maisha’. They were coming to flush out the militia. The war had gone on for too long and it is them themselves who had forced the mighty arm of the government. Boyi’s sister is taken aback that her pious father had turned his back on religion. Her mother refuses to play a part in the mock burial. She only follows Baba's movements with her eyes. Mama’s voice bears manic vibrancy when she declares that she would not participate in escorting her son’s spirit away. She has lost touch with reality and lives in denial. This is as a result of the pointless conflict.(P93-94)

In her anguish, Mama is too despondent to eat. She sits muttering to herself without touching her food. The ugali would remain untouched until a crusty brown film formed and the food had to be thrown away to the chicken coop. Boyi's sister would catch the twist of her mouth when she would sit and talk to herself for hours on end lamenting about her suffering. She asks God to tie a rope around her stomach - to help her bear the anguish of losing her son to the ruthless militia. She asks Boyi’s sister if she remembers his perfect teeth. After weeks of watching Mama, Boyi's sister gets tired and starts going out with the rest of the children to the chief’s camp in Cheptap-burbur where the army had pitched their green tents. War really causes suffering of family members. (P94)

Boyi's sister helplessly wishes that rituals would protect her brother. After getting tired of watching Mama, she goes with the rest of the children to the chiefs camp in Cheptap-burbur where the army had pitched their tents. They spend hours peeping through the Cypress fence eavesdropping the soldiers’ conversations and making up fabulous tales from them. The very black officer called Sah-gent defeated Idi Amin in Uganda. He told the   others that Matwa Kei had more magic than Idi Amin. The man is a real djinni. Boyi’s sister pictures Matwa-kei's favourite Chicago Bulls red cap absorbing Sah-gent’s bullets. These stories make her think of the tales Boyi was telling her about the militia. How they drank magic potions from Orkoiyot so that their bodies, like the Luo legend Lwanda Magere, would become stone and enemies’ spears would slide off them. Their bodies were embalmed in bloody cow dung to make them invisible for successful raiding missions. When they marched through dry lands, clouds of red dust would rise up to the heavens like a swarm of locusts because the earth god Yeyiin went with them. She held on to these stories tightly. Willing them to be true. Willing Boyi to be more powerful than the soldiers.   (P94-95)

Boyi's sister recounts horrific tales of the militia’s cruelty. That December the farmers do not clear their shambas for the second planting of maize. The militia steals young crops from the fields and goats from the pens. Instead of working, men and women sit under mtaragwa trees and exchange dreadful tales of the horrendous cruelty of the militia. The militia cuts up people and throw their bloodied bodies in rivers, pit latrines and wells. They recruit boys as young as ten who are forced to kill their own relatives. Instead of protecting the land from being given to lazy strangers, the militia goes on an indiscriminate killing spree, and their kin are victims of the aggression instead of beneficiaries. Koros, their neighbour, informs Baba that the recruited members of the militia had to first go home and kill a close relative so that their hearts were strong to kill others. Baba replies solemnly: “Puoot, war is a maggot that nibbles and nibbles at the heart of men.” Boyi’s sister has a terrible dream that her brother, whose eyes were the colour of Coca-Cola, attacks her and chops her into “small-small” pieces so that his heart would become strong to kill. The thought is traumatizing. She wakes up feeling like an anchorless red balloon was floating in her stomach. (P95)

The chilling tales of war causes fear and trauma. There is a mass exodus to Bungoma and Uganda as families try to escape. The family of the narrator’s friend, Chemtai, moves away to Chwele. The villages of Kopsiro, Saromet, Chepyuk and Chelebei are engulfed in a thick yellow fog of fear. They did not understand the militia’s motive anymore. The thugs take away girls to cook for them. They decapitate people and throw their heads in Cheptap-burbur river which was scarlet with fresh human blood from the floating human heads. They also rape their own relatives. The abused women and girls end up giving birth to transparent “plastic bag” babies. The narrator imagines the horror of seeing Boyi’s “plastic bag” baby playing Tinker-tailor-soldier-sailor with boats that fell from the flame tree. Since school is disrupted by the war, such thoughts haunt the young girl as she spends her idle days under a flame tree at home.

Boyi’s family members are devastated when they hear the news of how Boyi goes from a pious boy to a marked man. Boyi's sister wonders if it is Mama's mourning that courted misfortune or Baba's total refusal to talk about Boyi that made their ancestors forget to protect him. It is raining and the narrator is standing at the kitchen window staring at the silver droplets when she sees Chesaina, an old friend of Baba, who works as a watchman in a grain depot in far away Chwele market. She is surprised to see him visit. Chesaina tells Baba and Mama that he got word from a trader, who got it from the mouth of a big government man, that boy was now a marked man. Because of the war, innocent children turn into savages. Apart from the boys who were forced to murder or rape their own kinsmen, Boyi has also gone from a God-fearing young man to a wanted criminal. Chesaina says: “This war has taken with it the mind of your son.”   Boyi's sister hides behind the kitchen door watching Mama. Mama says in her old voice that she must not be told such rubbish about her son. She tells Chesaina that if he wanted Omo to wash his dirty mouth he should just say so. Her eyes are flooded with tears. She puts both hands on her head. She asks: “Matwa kei what did I ever do to you? Tell me Matwa kei, tell me now so that I repent.” Her voice chokes. The narrator wanted to tell Chesaina to shut up but her tongue is clammy and it sticks to the roof of her mouth. Baba tries to calm Mama down. He tells her that Boyi was a good son who used to recite his responsorial psalm earnestly. The distressing news crashes Boyi’s parents and reduces both of them to tears. They cannot wrap their heads around the fact that their good son is now Matwa Kei's right hand man and an enemy of the state. Mama keeps crying so Chesaina walks out in the rain. That day Boyi's sister sees Baba's tears for the first time: Two silver streams rolling down polished porcelain. War really devastates families. (P96)

War causes sad memories as family members think about the broken bonds. Boyi's sister sleeps on Boyi’s bed for the first time. His blue bed sheets, with prints of chicks coming out of yellow egg shells, enfold her with deathly coolness. They smell much of him; of his boyish laughter which shone like toffees wrapped in silver foil; of brown butterscotch sweets which appeared as though by magic from his sticky pockets. She fondly remembers how he used to hoard items Baba declared illegal for example jawbreakers and sticks of Big G. She presses her sore stone-breasts on the sheets willing the pain her brother felt in the cold caves on herself. She imagines him staring with shiny eyes as she tells him about the soldiers, especially Sah-gent, whose adventures she knew Boyi would love the most. She also imagines them playing Ninja soldier as they had done as children. Boyi is wearing his checkered school shirt while she is in a T-shirt. She remembers when their mother caught them playing that game once, and scolded them for courting misfortune and calling death by its name. War affects families and communities adversely. (P96)

Lastly, Boyi’s family is devastated by the news of his killing. Boyi's sister knows it was a bad omen the night thunderstruck and a bolt of lightning shattered the huge Nandi flame tree at the front of their house. Mama jubilantly declares that the evil which was to come to their house had been struck down and swallowed by the Nandi flame. She then sits next to Boyi’s sister on the animal print sofa and listens to the tatatata as the splinters of tree fall on the mabati roof and shake the whole house. Early the next morning, Simoni dashes into their compound and hands her a copy of the Nation newspaper whose headline screams coldly, “Ragtag Militia Leaders Killed by Army Forces.” Something throbs with both fists at her chest as she runs like a mad woman and bangs on her parents bedroom door.   She does not stir when Baba crumples like an old coat due to shock after reading the article. She does not frown when Mama’s ribbon laughter pierces the early morning. She does not weep when neighbours start streaming into their house pouring consolations for war has robbed them of their kin in the prime of his youth. Mama does not fall on the ground as Simoni describes how Boyi had been captured in the sacred cave. She does not weep when he describes how Boyi was murdered brutally by Sah-gent who threw him out of an aircraft which was mid-air, without a parachute. There was no body to bury or for Mama to slap for that matter. She looks at Baba with unclouded innocent eyes of lunacy. With death in her voice, she tells him that the government Sah-gent had thrown Boyi down “without a parachute, imagine”. Her voice is neither bitter nor sad. It is flat. It cracks a little like dry firewood when fire eats it. Mama does not fling words at Baba when he takes his Sony transistor radio and the Nation newspaper and throws them in the almost full pit latrine outside. She is truly devastated. She speaks Boyi’s name softly as though the syllables were made of tin. She sits on Boyi’s bed together with her daughter who weeps uncontrollably, her tears soaking her blue silk blouse and purple boob top. Boyi’s sister does not tell her mother that she had felt life leaving Boyi's body. War indeed affects families adversely. (P97)

In summary, it is evident that conflict or crisis has no positive outcome. They instead destroy families and communities.  

People living on the streets apply wisdom in order to survive the difficult conditions. Write an essay to qualify this statement citing illustrations from Rem'y Ngamije’s The Neighbourhood Watch.

Living conditions on the streets are difficult. To survive, one needs not only determination and effort but also experience, knowledge and good judgment. Members of The Neighbourhood Watch apply wisdom to survive the arduous   conditions on the streets.

First, the crew is judicious enough to secure territory-a safe haven for sleeping or just to lay low when they weren’t out on a foraging mission. The bridge’s underside is precious real estate to the Neighbourhood Watch. It is an important shelter when it rains and during cold winter nights. The letters NW sprayed on the columns have the same effect as musty pee at the edge of a leopard’s territory. Other crews know better than to encroach it lest they face bloody retaliation. It is also a safe place to hide their stash so that they don’t have to lug their scant possessions everywhere they go. More luggage would slow them down as they rummage their neighbourhoods for food and other essentials. Elias calls their territory headquarters. In the morning, he wakes up the rest of the crew and they share a can of water for washing their faces. To a street family a safe territory is indispensable.

Secondly, they are wise enough to rise early to go searching for food. Elias, Lazarus and Omagano set out before the light of day is full born. They leave early so that they can score the real prizes-that is the overflowing bins behind restaurants. In the early morning one can get edible semi-fresh morsels. In the late morning, the food starts rotting. The neighborhood watch knows: “the early bird does not catch the worms”. In order to get there in good time Elias, Lazarus and Omagano lengthen they are strides. They know that time is of the essence on the streets.

The crew knows that they have to maintain a good bond with other people in order to survive. Elias has a good rapport with most of the kitchen staff in the city. They refer to him by the monikers ‘Soldier’ or ‘Captain’. Sometimes, they leave out almost decaying produce for him and his group. Because of the good relationship, Elias would sometimes be lucky to get potatoes with broken skins, rotting mangoes, and wrinkled carrots. The staff would be generous enough to give them smushed leftovers from the previous night for instance half eaten burgers, chips drowning in sauce or salads. Most of the kitchen staff are poor and many a time they would need to take the leftovers to their own families. It is amazing that Elias manages to get some food from them.

The Neighbourhood Watch crew is so astute that they have organized themselves into specialised units. Elias, Lazarus and Omagano are always on full duty whereas Silas and Martin are tasked with searching for other essentials. Before, Elias was in on his own so when he met Lazarus he suggested that they form an alliance because it was taxing to rummage for food and other paraphernalia necessary for survival in the streets. At first, Lazarus was resistant. Cold winter nights forced him to comply. It worked for them since two people could cover more ground. One searches for food and the other for other essentials and thus they could do more in a day. Now, they know that children and women are valuable recruits. Some obstinate guards demand for a 10 or 20 dollar bribe to let them scavenge through fenced off bins. Elias usually pays them but when he has no money Omagano goes behind the dumpster with a guard and does what needs to be done. The valuables crew on the other hand provide discarded blankets, mattresses, clothing, reusable shoes, trolleys etc. Trolleys are useful but they can also be traded for better necessities. The two teams work separately and meet in the late afternoon. They share the food that is bread, mashed potatoes, grapes and water. The valuables crew brings newspapers, plastic piping and poorboy caps.

The Neighbourhood Watch also understands the city and its neighbourhoods. Elias asks the crew to sleep since they plan to go foraging in Ausblick tonight. It is too hot to be on the streets now. Night is better and more lucrative for the Neighbourhood Watch. The crew knows that if they hit the bins early, they may score some good things in Ausblick for instance broken toasters, blenders, water bottles, teflon pots or pans, flat screen TV cardboard boxes and even some food. People in Ausblick still know how to throw away things. Elias, Lazarus and Silas will scout ahead rummaging for valuables while Martin and Omagano push the trolley. They know that soon Ausblick will be overcrowded like Olympia and Suiderhof. Pionierspark used to be worthwhile but not anymore. Now, the Neighbourhood Watch are deterred by peeking heads, barking dogs and patrolling vehicles with angry shouting men. They know that the earlier they get to Ausblick the better.

The Neighborhood Watch understands that in order to survive on the streets one must focus on the present, not the past or the future. Everyone brings a past to the streets. Lazarus’s tattoos are evidence of his prison stint. Elias is not scared of him since he faced gunfire against the South African Defence Forces. Because of hunger or need for food on the streets, they have no time to think about the past. Elias shares some street smartness with Lazarus. He says the streets has no future, there is only today. “Today you need food. Today you need shelter. Today you need to take care of today”. On Fridays and Saturdays, the crew avoids the streets and retreats safely to Headquarters. They do this to avoid clashing with patrolling police. Silas wants to leave but is forbidden from taking Martin with him. Elias and Lazarus mock the fools who sit on the roadside in Klein Windhoek and Eros waiting to paint a room, fix a window, install a sink or lay some tiles because they are too proud to forage for food. They end up going home hungry. Martin thinks that sometimes those “fools” can get a job and maybe things will be better. Elias insists that “maybe is tomorrow” and there is only today. On the street one needs to focus on the present to survive. “Every day is today.”

Elias and Lazarus share what they have learned on the streets with the rest of the crew including how they decided to change tack. The crew learned that you cannot survive by being around people trying to survive. When foraging in the poor neighbourhoods, you only get what they don’t need to survive. The Neighbourhood Watch realise that poor people only throw away garbage which is disgusting and babies which are useless. In the poor neighborhoods you had to be ready to find shit: old food, used condoms, women’s things with blood, and broken things. When looking for newspapers to light a fire once, Elias and Lazarus was shocked when they found a dead baby. They knew it was time to upgrade. They only went there because they needed to survive. To survive you go everywhere and do everything. You cannot be picky. But now they know that they should upgrade and go to places where people have enough to throw away. Neighbourhoods with white people and black people trying to be white people have such people. They finally get smart and decide to move away from poor people who have nothing to throw away by themselves.

Lastly the Neighbourhood Watch is wise enough to know that there are some neighbourhoods you have to avoid. They avoid Khomsadal which is overcrowded and people drink too much there. They lost their friend Amos there due to his pride end alcohol. He used to curse people, use ugly swear words and always refused to apologize. He was then stabbed to death. The Neighbourhood Watch knows that on the streets dead bodies are bad. Police would roughly demand explanations from witnesses. They used baton bashes, frustrating paperwork and throwing innocent people in holding cells. When Amos died, everyone including Elias and Lazarus knew they had to run away. They were also wise enough to stick to the initial story that they had nothing to do with the murder when the police caught up with them. They were beaten, bruised, bleeding, with swollen eyes broken ribs and injured limbs but that was better than losing life. They are smart enough to completely avoid Khomsadal.

In conclusion, difficult experiences make people wise enough to cope and survive. Acuity is essential for survival.

Failure to listen to wise advice can result in conflict. Write an essay to support this assertion based on Stanley Gazemba’s Talking Money .

No one is perfect. We all have some flaws. If unchecked, our individual shortcomings such failure to listen and heed good advice can result in misunderstanding. Mukidanyi’s irritability and obstinacy result in his disagreements with his brothers, his wife and Mr. Galo.

Mukidanyi disagrees with his brothers over the sale of his land. When his elder brothers Ngoseywe and Agoya try to advise him against selling his land, they fall out bitterly and their wrangles almost come to blows. Mukidanyi throws both of them out of his compound, his eyes flaming red. Shouting at them, he declares that he does not need their help. He does not need anyone’s help. He will run his household however he deems fit. Ngoseywe tells him that he will need them one day. Today, his head has swollen like that of an expectant toad in the field. He insults them and adds that he will do what he pleases with his land. In that terrible fit of rage, the neighbours can only watch helplessly from a distance as he clicks loudly, spits angrily on the ground and dashes a water pot against the wall. Mukidanyi's fury leads to a bitter disagreement between him and his elder brothers.

Mukidanyi also falls out with his wife Ronika over the sale of his land. Ronika joins Mukidanyi   who is warming himself in the main room. She persuades him to listen to what his brothers are telling him. He also advises him to consider leasing the land instead of selling it off. In her plea, she posits that Ngoseywe and Agoya have a point. She tells Mukidanyi that no one could stop him from selling his land, but he should listen to other people’s advice. Mukidanyi   ignores his wife's words of wisdom and resorts to violence instead. He grabs his hippo-hide whip and gives Ronika a thorough lashing leaving her screaming and whimpering till the small hours. Mukidanyi’s obstinacy ends in a conflict between him and his wife Ronika.

Thirdly, Mukidanyi   ignores Ronika’s entreaty when she asks him to be wary of the Galos. She asks him if he knows the Galos. She reminds him that hardly anyone in the village does business with the Galos. Their money is not good, she says. No one knows where they get it from. Ronika beseeches Mukidanyi   not to turn a deaf ear to what everyone tells him. These pleas leads to a conflict because Mukidanyi   is apt to ignore wise counsel. He assaults his wife Ronika using a hippo-hide whip and she screams in pain and her whimpering only dies that morning. Mukidanyi’s stubborn nature leads to bitter disagreement between him and his wife Ronika.

Mukidanyi   refuses to listen to Ronika and easily trusts Galo. When Mukidanyi   springs his price out of the blue. Mukidanyi   expected a haggle. When receiving the money, 500,000 shillings in cash, Mukidanyi   does not count it. He easily trusts Mr. Galo. He says that he trusts him since he does not expect a friend to lie to a clansman. Galo offers to take Mukidanyi   to Kakamega for transfer of the title deed at the surveyor's office.   Mukidanyi   ignores Ronika’s warning and accepts Galo's money without batting an eyelid. This causes conflict between them when the money starts talking later that night. Ronika furiously throws Mukidanyi   out of the house and tells him to go and return the “devil” money. She finds the courage to mock and ridicule Mukidanyi , a big man who is hard of hearing. The row is as a result of Mukidanyi stubbornly disregarding wise advice.

There is a disagreement between Mukidanyi   and his wife the night he sells his land to Mr. Galo despite her objection. That night he wakes up twice and lights the lamp to ascertain that the briefcase was still there, chained to the bedpost of their termite-infested wooden bed. He calls Ronika and asks her what time it was, since he is too anxious to sleep. His wife, angry from the lashing she received earlier that day, nonchalantly asks him how he expects her to know the time at that hour. Mukidanyi is eager for the daybreak so that he can go and take the money to the bank in Mbale. Ronika is bemused at being woken up in the middle of the night, the hour for witches unless Mukidanyi is a witch himself. She refuses to engage in Mukidanyi’s midnight chitchat and returns to her soft snoring. Mukidanyi is a disturbed man. He cannot sleep. He has to squeeze his eyes shut and try to force himself to sleep. He is forced to awaken with a start when he hears the voices. Again, he wakes up an audibly irritated Ronika. Playfully like a couple of school going children, the money under the bed was talking. The money Ronika had warned him about is the cause of their conflict and Mukidanyi's regret.

Mukidanyi   is mocked by his wife because of Galo's money. She had warned him about. When the money starts talking Mukidanyi freezes stiff, his whole body covered in sweat. His wife is also frightened, her bony hand clasped on his wrist, her bosom heaving. The silence in their hut is morbid. Ronika commands Mukidanyi to light the lamp. She speaks in a shrill voice and scolding tone when she says that the house had been invaded by the ‘viganda’ spirits. Her breath whistles in the tense darkness. Mukidanyi’s hands shake as he gropes in the darkness for a matchbox. Ronika’s face is slick with sweats when she tells Mukidanyi   that he will now   listen to people. They fight because of the strange money. Had Mukidanyi listened to her advice this could have been avoided.

The fallout escalates when Mukidanyi   is thrown out of his house because of the evil money. With a note of hysteria in her voice, Ronika commands Mukidanyi   to take his money. She reminds him that she had warned him about Galo's money. His elder brothers Ngoseywe and Agoya did too. But Mukidanyi   is hard of hearing. Ronika's lined face is an indication that she dies to wrest him to the floor. She refers to him contemptuously as a big man who is hard of hearing. Mukidanyi   is scared of touching the briefcase, about the voices or the viganda spirits. Her eyes glowing angrily, Ronika laughs at Mukidanyi   hysterically when the money talks again. She tells him that today, after dipping his hand in the wound to ascertain, he will learn about the people of the world. Today, he will know. She forces him to unlock the padlock after physically dragging him to do it. Then, she throws the briefcase out and sends her hapless husband after it. The children are bewildered for they had never seen their mother that angry or their father that frightened.  

Lastly, Mukidanyi changes his mind about selling the land and finally returns the money to Mr. Galo. He had been warned by Ronika but due to his stubbornness he did not heed. The journey is long and harrowing. The couple hundred yards to Mr. Galo's home seems like a mile. The briefcase gets heavier and heavier with each step. He is haunted by unseen night creatures swimming all around him, taunting him with their octopus arms. Sometimes he trips, slick blood-sucking tendrils would then grip his arm. He fights the demons when he feels the hold tighten and the razor edge biting into his flesh, but without drawing blood. The moment is scary. He is, however, determined to return the case despite the hurdles. When he finally gets to Mr. Galo's house and meets him, he says he has changed his mind about selling the land. He returns the money then dashes away. He hits himself on the low-hanging branches and outcropping roots as he returns from Mr. Galo's house. Surely, obstinacy results in regret and conflict.   

In conclusion, one’s weakness can end up causing disagreements.

One can cope with the misery of unfair treatment by forgiving his oppressors. Write a composition to validate this statement basing your illustrations on Leo Tolstoy’s God Sees the Truth, but Waits .

You should not do harm to a person who has done harm to you, even if you think that person deserves it. We can deal with the pain of injustice by forgiving those who wrong us, instead of seeking vengeance. Aksionov finds peace and solace during his misery when he chooses to forgive those who wronged him.

Aksionov is treated unfairly by the police when they arrest him for a crime he did not commit. When the police arrest Aksionov for allegedly killing a merchant, he crosses himself and weeps painfully. The police officer orders the soldiers to bind him and put him in the cart. They tie his feet together and fling him into the cart. His money and goods are taken away from him. He is then locked up in the nearest town. The police investigate about his past and find out that Aksionov is a good man but he was predisposed to drinking and wasting time during his younger days. The truth is Aksionov met the merchant and they put up together that night in the same inn. Aksionov paid his bill and left before dawn. When he had travelled for about 25 miles and was resting, he is accosted by an official and two soldiers who crisscross him as if he were a thief or a robber. Oblivious of the fate that awaited him, he even offers the officer a cup of tea. When they search his bag, they find a blood-stained knife and accuse him of killing the merchant. Aksionov is frightened. The policeman says his face and manner betrays his guilt. They demand to know how he killed him and how much money he stole.   When the trial comes, he is wrongly charged with murdering the merchant and stealing his money. He gives up all hope and only prays to God. He accepts his fate and expects mercy only from God. He does not blame the police for his predicament.

Aksionov faces further injustice when he is wrongly charged with murdering the merchant from Ryazan and robbing him of 20,000 rubles. He is locked up with thieves and criminals. This is after a blood-stained knife is found in his possession. At the time of his arrest, Aksionov only had eight thousand rubles of his own. He swears that the knife is not his. Although Aksionov is innocent, he is wrongly convicted and charged for murder. He tries to appeal but his petition to Czar is declined. His wife reminds him about her dream about his hair turning grey and beseeches him to tell her the truth if he indeed killed the merchant. Aksionov begins to weep hiding his face in his hands. He is dejected by the thought of his wife suspecting him too. Only God can know the truth. Instead of begrudging and fighting the justice system, he let's go and decides to appeal for mercy from God alone.

Aksionov is treated unfairly when he is torn away from his family at a prime age, and locked up for a crime he did not commit. His wife is in despair when Aksionov is charged with murder and she does not know what to believe. Her children are small and one is still breastfeeding. She takes them all with her when she visits her husband in jail. She is refused from seeing him at first but after ceaseless entreaties she obtains permission from the official and gets the chance to see him. She collapses and does not come to her senses for a long time when she sees her husband in prison-dress and in chains, shut up with thieves and criminals. She had tried to dissuade him from going to the Nizhny Fair. She had had a bad dream about him. In her dream, he returned from the town when his hair was quite grey. Aksionov laughs it off and promises to bring her some presents from the fair. That was the last time she saw him as a free man. Aksionov tells her that they must petition the Czar and not let an innocent man perish. His wife informs him that the petition she had sent had been declined. While serving his lengthy jail time, no news reaches him about his family.   He remains in the dark concerning the well-being of his wife and children. When a fresh gang of convicts comes to the prison, Aksionov asks one of them about his family:   the merchants of Aksionov of Vladimir. He tells him that they are rich though their father is in Siberia; a sinner like themselves. In his gloom, he nostalgically remembers the image of his wife when he parted from her to go to the fair. Her face and her eyes rise before him. He hears her speak in love. Then he sees the image of his children quite little as they were at the time. One with a little cloak on, another at his mother’s breast. Nonetheless, he forgives Makar Semyonich, the man responsible for his anguish. His heart grows light and the longing for home leaves him.

Aksionov suffers more injustice when he is condemned to be flogged and sent to the mines. He is flogged with a knot and when the wounds made by the knot are healed he is driven to Siberia with other convicts. Aksionov lives in Siberia as a convict for 26 years. His hair turns white as snow and his beard grows long, thin and grey. All his mirth goes, he stoops, he walks slowly, speaks little and never laughs, but he often prays. He becomes a pale shadow of his former self: a handsome, fair-haired, curly headed fellow, who was full of fun and loved singing. He learns to make boots and earns a little money with which he uses to buy ‘The Lives of the Saints'. He reads the book in prison and on Sundays in the prison-church, and sings in the choir. Despite his predicament, Aksionov is likeable since he is meek. The prison authorities like him and his fellow prisoners respect him. They call him ‘Grandfather’ and ‘The Saint’. He acts as an arbitrator and puts things rights whenever there are quarrels among prisoners, and he also acts as the prisoners’ spokesman. His contentment helps him to cope with his agony. Instead of holding a bitter grudge, he remains patient, restrained and affable.

It is unfair that Aksionov suffers for the sins of Makar Semyonich, who gets arrested for less serious crime of stealing a horse. When Aksionov asks Semyonich if he had had about the affair of the murder of the merchant, Semyonich’s response makes him feel sure that he had killed the merchant. That night he could not get any sleep. He felt so unhappy. He remembers the image of his wife when he parted from her to go to the fair. Her face and her eyes rise before him. He hears her speak in love. Then, he sees the image of his children quite little as they were at the time. One with a little cloak on, another at his mother’s breast. He also remembers how he used to be himself, young and merry. He remembers the day of his arrest while he was seated in the porch playing the guitar. He bitterly remembers the flogging, the executioner and the people who were standing around him. He remembers the chains, the convicts and all the 26 years of his prison life, and his premature old age. These thoughts make him so wretched that he contemplates suicide. His anger against Makar Semyonich is so great that he longs for revenge even if it would mean perishing for it. He repeats his prayers all night but he does not get peace. During the day he avoids going near Makar Semyonich and avoids even glancing at him. For two weeks, Aksionov cannot sleep at night and he's so miserable and does not know what to do considering the fact that the man who was responsible for his imprisonment was right there but he had been locked up for a less serious crime. Despite this, he does not seek revenge. He had accepted his fate. He says for his sins, he had been in prison for those 26 years. He did not like to speak of his misfortune. He says that he must have deserved the punishment. This attitude helps him to cope with the misery of the injustice the state had meted upon him.

Even when he gets a chance to avenge against Semyonich, Aksionov chooses to spare him the pain and retribution instead. Aksionov catches Semyonich digging a hole under the wall with a view of escaping from prison. Makar Semyonich threatens Aksionov and tells him to keep it a secret or else he would kill him. Aksionov trembles with anger looking at his enemy. He tells Makar Semyonich that he had no need to kill him for he killed him long ago. He adds that he will do as God shall direct. When the prison officials find out about the hole and they question the prisoners about it, all of them deny it. Those who knew would not betray Makar Semyonich, for they knew he would be flogged almost to death. The governor at last turns to Aksionov, a just man, and says: “Tell me before God who dug the hole?” Makar Semyonich ruined Aksionov’s life and he contemplates letting the cat out of the bag so that Makar Semyonich can pay for what he had suffered. However, he knows that if he opens his mouth, the officers would flog the life out of Semyonich. Maybe he suspects him wrongly. Also he stands to gain nothing. He surrenders in the hands of the Governor but refuses to tell him the truth, when he says that it is not God's will that He should tell. He knows that two wrongs don’t make a right. He keeps his mouth shut and spares his arch nemesis potential thorough flogging. The liberation of forgiveness is more fulfilling than the temporary delight of revenge.

Semyonich is unjust to Aksionov when he chooses to confess his sins long after Aksionov had endured untold retribution for a sin he did not commit. Nevertheless, Aksionov forgives Makar Semyonich even after he confesses to killing the merchant and framing Aksionov. He confesses that he meant to kill him too but fled when he heard a noise outside. Semyonich kneels on the ground and cries asking Aksionov to forgive him. He promises to confess to the authorities that he killed the merchant so that Aksionov could be released. Aksionov has suffered for 26 years. He has nowhere to go. His wife is probably dead and his children may have forgotten him by now. He has nowhere to go even if he is released. Makar Semyonich beats his head on the floor and begs Aksionov to forgive him. The guilt in his heart is unbearable. He remembers that Aksionov had screened him concerning the hole he was digging trying to escape. He sobs bitterly. When Aksionov hears him sobbing he begins to weep too. He says, “God will forgive you”. He also says that he may be a hundred times worse than Makar Semyonich. His heart grows lighter and he does not long to go home anymore. He has no desires to leave the prison and only hopes for his last hour to come. Forgiveness is liberating. It supersedes freedom. Semyonich confesses, and an order for Aksionov’s release comes: too little too late. He was already dead.

The fact that someone has done something unjust does not justify revenge. When we forgive our oppressors, we are contented and we can bear the anguish of the oppression.

Read more: A Silent Song and Other Stories Analyses

• A Man of Awesome Power
• Incident in the Park
• A Silent Song
• Ivory Bangles
• The Sins of the Fathers
• The Truly Married Woman  
• Talking Money
• God Sees the Truth, but Waits
• The Neighbourhood Watch
• December  
• Cheque Mate 

MORE ESSAY QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

• Fathers of Nations Essay  Questions & Answers
• Parliament of Owls  Essay  Questions & Answers
• An Artist of the Floating World Essay  Questions & Answers
• The Samaritan Essay Questions & Answers  

104 comments:

Good job wase omwami

Thanks for the feedback sir

magnificent

Good kcse questions

Thank you for the feedback

Will I get themes from a silent song and other stories?

You will get lots of questions and analyses. You don't need themes for paper 3. Thank you.

Thank you sir

Thanks for your comment

Góôd wôrk keep it Updated

Thanks for the feedback.

Thanks for the feedback

Very good job.infact I know I'll do good at my KCSE next year,,,,be blessed

I appreciate the feedback.

Thanks wekati

thanks so much u've helped me a lot may God bless you a lot

NICE WORK thank alot

Hello, I would like to request for Cheque Mate summary for A Silent Song

Coming soon. Thanks for the feedback.

i would like to get silent song and other stories summary

The summary is available on the blog. Thanks for the feedback.

Good work sir

Asante sana. I appreciate the feedback.

Good job. Kindly upload more essays from other stories in the anthology. Thanks

Thank you. I will.

Thanks for this.Could you please the question and answers for the remaining stories

Good Job Sir.Kindly send the question and answers for the remaining stories.

Thank you. I will update the content in due course.

Very good analysis.Could you please send the question and answers for the rest of the stories

Sure. Thanks for the feedback.

Good job, my friend and colleague.👏👏

Thank you for the feedback.

How can I get samples of essay on silent song and other

They're posted here. Thanks.

What about the samaritan? Could you please upload some essay questions

I have done an article on The Samaritan essays. Available on this blog. Thank you.

Good job Wekati

Can you send a copy to this email [email protected] . Otherwise good job.

Very good jobb

Thanks allot kindly send the other possible essays in this years KCSE

Noted. I value the feedback.

Perfect essay written.which story has a higher probability to be tested in kcse 2023?

Thanks plz add for other stories too

Essays for all the stories are available. Updating soon. Gratitude.

Urban centers are ridled with frequent conflicts with innocent citizens.essay from incident at the park .I would like this essay plz

thanks am now good to go

You're welcome.

Am so grateful about this essay they have been well illustrated and explained,100% perfect essay.we love you 💓💓.

Thank you so much for your delightful feedback. I sincerely appreciate.

Am glad at your work bravo

Thanks for the essay

I value your feedback

Thanks alot for the good work

How can I download please?

Thanks alot, I'll do mah best

How can one download this document

Nice one... thanks

I would like to have this essay ,most at times ,many people are authors of their own misfortunes.based on cheque mate

Thanks alot

Thanks Teacher may the holy lord Bless u

Excellent work

Nice work sir.

The essays are very helpful but how can i

Good job sir we really appreciate but is it possible to get them in pdf form?

Please update on ivory bangles about human-wildlife conflict

good job sir i apreciate it but is it possible to get in pdf form

i apreciate can we get as a pdf

Very helpful sir but can we get them as PDF

So good can I get cheque mate essay

Can I get predicted questions about silent song and other stories

How Can I save to pdf

Plz if you can note me of any predicted question,it will be better and plz

A nice one l appreciate alot.

Good job, thanks for sharing this with us.

I appreciate your concern to candidates good work

You're welcome. Thanks for the feedback.

I enjoy learning with u may jah bless you all

That's nice work plz add more essays that you predict might be in next year's kcse

Thanks so much for the questions they are easy to understand

Silent song a nd other stories questions and answers.

Can I get pdf of the essay samples? Thank you.

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KCSE Setbooks Guides

A silent song and other stories guide.

SYNOPSIS OF SILENT SONG AND OTHER STORIES

A Man of Awesome Power is an intriguing story about Tayyib al-Mahdi, who lives comfortable life after retiring from many years of service abroad. His current life is peaceful and uneventful. He spends time watching television, reading newspapers or listening to the radio in the comfort of his apartment that he shares with his wife since his daughters are already married. The story captures how an individual who is empowered when least expected utilizes the power given to him. His illusions of desire for a better country lead to his dream of power acquisition. 

One night, Tayyib dreams of a visitation by a man of radiant appearance who speaks to him in a kind tone, informing him that God had willed him the power to order things to be and they would be. Although he dismisses the dreamlike any other dream, its frequent recurrence makes him give it more thought. Tayyib confirms its reality when he orders his television to switch channels, and it happens. Endowed With the newly acquired power, he sets out to reform his country and the entire planet as he had often wished. 

He utilizes his power both for good and bad intentions. He starts by hitting back taxi driver who ignores him by wishing him an accident. He also causes a man who had physically attacked a woman in a bus to suffer stomach cramps. We seem engaging in meritorious deeds such as filing a gaping pothole, locking an electric box and removing a pile of rubbish that he trips on. 

The media does not escape his wrath as he causes one radio announcer to suffer massive sneezes after making an announcement that gave false hopes. As the story progresses, Sulayman Bey al-Hamalawi, a political leader who had evaded tax, isordered by Tayyib to go and pay the tax that he had been avoiding for a longtime. 

An unfortunate incident occurs when Tayyib is busy planning to effectively utilise spower for the good of all sectors in the country. He notices a beautiful woman at the entrance of the tea garden and uses his ability to satisfy his desires for her. Their intimacy costs him his incredible power. He pays this price for misusing the power that God had freely given him. The story ends with his sad realization that he no longer has power. His attempts to order the television channels to change do not bear fruits. He experiences a tremendous sadness that will haunt him for the rest of his life. 

CHARACTERS  

He is the main character in the story, and the story revolves around the awesome power that he miraculously acquires sometime after his retirement.  He does not reveal to his wife that he had been bestowed with such power. 

His initial intention is to use the ability to change his country and the entire planet like he had always wished. 

He is portrayed as religious, ambitious yet emotional and vengeful. 

EPISODIC ANALYSIS OF KEY ISSUES 

Man of Awesome Power' is founded on several pillars determined by the various episodes: 

1. Tayyib's dream — pg 1-2 

2. Utilizing the awesome power -pg 2-4 

3. Losing the awesome power- pg 5 

Nide to a silent son and other stories 

Some key issues arise from the episodes: 

Acquisition of power 

How Tayyib acquires his power teaches several things: 

One can gain power at any stage of life. 

Tayyib believed that he had completed his mission in the world. Before acquiring power, he lives a peaceful life as he enjoys the fruits of retirement. The writer notes

that 'He had generous insurance and more than adequate pension' pg 1 which do not prevent him from being given power by God. 

Power is God- given. 

Tayyib's power is bestowed on him by God. As seen from his words, "All praisetoGod, Lord of the Worlds' ', and listening to radio channels devoted to the Quran(pg1), his religious nature is one reason God willed to grant him power. The man who visits him in the dream tells him that starting that moment and as long as Godwilled, he had been bestowed with the power to order things to be and they would be. (pgl)

Utilization of Power 

Tayyib utilizes the power given to him in different incidents: 

✓ Encounter with the taxi driver (pg 2) 

✓ In the bus, to deal with the conflict between a man and a woman (pg3). ✓ Performing memorable services along his way to the cafe (pg 3). ✓ The radio announcer (pg 3). 

✓ Tayyib's wrath on Sulayman Bey al-Hamalawi (pg 3-4). ✓The beautiful woman in the Tea Garden (pg 4). 

Good utilization of power 

The episode shows how a person bestowed with power should utilize it. Tayyib Soliloquy during his encounter with the taxi driver captures the need to use power for the well-being of others and to make things better. 'Whoever is granted with power like mine, must utilize it only for good.' (pg 2) 

He uses the power to do several good deeds. Some of the outstanding servicesthat Tayyib performs include filling a gaping pothole, locking an electric box that was open and hanging dangerously, removing a pile of trash and draining sewer water that was flooding an alley. Many people in the neighborhood appreciate these services. (p 3). 

He also does a good deed of making Sulayman, who has been evading tax, gotothetaxi authorities and pay them millions of pounds he owed them. (pg3). 

Misuse of power 

Tayyib utilizes the power given to him for vengeance- The act of causing the tireburst of the taxi since the driver had ignored him is vengeful. Tayyib ignores the noble voice that reminds him not to use power for wrong purposes and lets his anger get the best of him. (pg 2) 

Tayyib causes harm/pain and suffering to the man who had slapped a woman public bus. Severe cramps strike the man, following Tayyib's anger focusedontheman's stomach. (pg3) 

He uses power to satisfy his lustful desires when he sees a beautiful womanand

makes her notice him, making them surrender to fate. (pg 4) Role of the Media 

The media is seen to fail in its role. It dwells more on giving false promises/hope instead of telling what had already been achieved. When Tayyib gets into thecafé, he listens to a radio announcer expounding on promising developments expected in future (pg 3). Tayyib's fury is directed at the announcer, causing him to suffer massive sneezing, forcing him to end the announcement and play a song. The Song- 'Walk Around and See' is ironically used to satirize the media for highlighting and emphasising what is yet to be seen (prophesies) instead of dwelling on the reality that can be seen. 

Immorality 

Sexual immorality is seen when Tayyib utilises his power to make the beautiful woman he notices in the Tea Garden fall for his advances. The woman barely noticesTayyib when she gets to the garden, but Tayyib shifts her attention to himself through the power he has. He forgets his faith and his life (Lack of self control) and surrender to fate. 

Tax evasion is another immorality that is seen in the story. Many leaders use their powerful positions to evade paying their taxes, such as Sulayman Bey al- Hamalawi. When Tayyib notices him, he commands, "Sulayman Bey, go straight to the tax prosecutor's office to repent and say you are sorry up the millions of pounds you owe." (pg 3) 

Loss of Power 

If power is not utilized for 'good', it will be lost. Tayyib loses his awesome power when he comes back to his senses and realizes that he had made some mistake. Although he had been secretive about his power, his wife Haniya keenly observed that he was not in his usual mood that evening. Tayyib's deceitful/ dishonest nature is depicted when he easily lies to his wife that he had a cold. Unfortunately, for Tayyib, he loses his power due to his mistakes. 'The miracle was gone —like a dream.' (pg 5) 

Change 

Tayyib confirms that he has been bestowed with power by ordering television channels to change. Changing the television channel from a religious one toaforeign one foreshadows the changes that happen to Tayyib once he acquires power. 

He is initially described as 'A good man; his sins were forgivable, he was a lover of virtue.. ...' (pg 2). However, power changes him. He becomes vengeful, lustful, deceitful and inhumane. He forgets his faith and life and lets passion and lust control him, which had never happened since he married Haniya. (pg 4) 

Power also helps change the risky living condition of the people gaping potholes

dangerously hanging an open electric box, Sewer flooding on alleys and piles of rubbish on the way. All these are rectified through Tayyib power (pg 3) 

INCIDENT IN THE PARK: Meja Mwangi 

Episodes / sub- episodes 

l. The description of the city park in August afternoon. (p6 - 7). 2. Two idlers' dialogue at the pond. - 10). 

3. An ambush by two city constables in the park ending in violence. 4. The fruit merchant condemned unheard. (p 12). 

SYNOPSIS 

The incident in the park, by Meja Mwangi, is a contemporary episode set in the city park and its environs were most citizens, hustlers and workers, spend most of their time as an Outdoor recreation center. We know it is the popular Uhuru Park inNairobi through its vivid description.

Metaphorically described, the park is seriously affected by the drought in August. There is a dirty lake at its base, and to the west, up the hill, a cathedral, modern fortresses and ministerial Offices overlooking the park below, and across it is the city itself. A highway, Uhuru highway, separates the park from the city, and onit, there is heavy traffic. In the east, parliament and two city clocks are seen. 

Therefore, the park provides a relaxing haven (chilling point) and a source of solace for the misplaced, lost Or frustrated masses flocking the city daily. This has attracted many people. including peddlers trying to make ends meet and idlers killing time here. The city's hungry office workers also buy cheap snacks during the lunch hour and return to their stations. Others rush down to River Road to buy chips and roast meat as the loiterers watch the Spectre in a jiffy. 

Soon, the park is left With a few idlers and peddlers. Under the slightest shadeliemen sheltering from the scorching sun. Watchers watch rowers paddling, reacting to the maxim that spectating is the next best thing to participating. A loafer keeps dropping debris to the fish pond despite the warning inscription on a board. Another man joins him, and a dialogue ensues, and they share a cigarette. 

An incident erupts when two city constables demand to see the license Of the icecream man and a fruit seller. The Old man helplessly searches and realizes he doesn't have it. Worse. he has no identity card, so he offers the five shillings he has, for he fears the judge and going to jail. He begs for forgiveness, offering all the fruits in vain. On seeing they are unimpressed, he flees to find refuge in the crowded city, and the cops chase him. He is nabbed by a man on the highway and eventually falls into a ditch. There, the poor man is condemned unheard of for being a 'thief'. 

Title of the story 

What is the significance Of the title Incident in the park? What is ironic about the two constables' behavior at the park? How else do the people spend time at the park? 

Thematic concerns 

With evidence from the text, discuss the urban problem that leads to the destitution of the masses. 

How does the city's jobless population escape their wretchedness? Compare and contrast the city workers and the jobless masses. What are the harsh realities of city life and the illusion of a better, promising life?How does the rural-urban influx affect people's lives? 

What does the presence of butts, used matches and stubs at the park tell you? How does the lack of identity cards and licenses affect peddlers?

Juxtapose the kind of identification the police demand from the fruit vendor and that awaits him at the mortuary. 

Referring closely to the fruit-seller shows how the mob and the legal system administer justice. 

Why does the merchant resort to flight and fight for his life instead of overcoming his fight for the justice system? 

Who is to blame for the death of the fruit-seller, the constables, the public, or the vendor himself? 

What lessons can be taken from the incident at the city park? 

What does the fruit seller's mention of the 'tyrant judge' tell us about the justice system? 

Problems of urbanization 

Urban population growth, driven by migration and searching for jobs, has become significant issue in cities like Nairobi. 

However, the masses end up frustrated due to a skills mismatch in the labor market, dwindling economy and poor governance. But every now and then, displaced person rose with a start... (p7). 

In a few seconds, the thousand or so strong swarm had been swallowed up by the yawning concrete jungle... (p7). 

Urban poverty is also witnessed as many remain loitering and idling reminding the park loungers just how many hours they had wasted lying idle.' (p7). 'A shaggy thin man sat under a shrub...' (p7). ' hairy loafer' (p8). ' The idler seated on the bank...' (p8)torn trouser legs.' (p8) 

'horny toes. (p9L 

There is also evidence of poor hygiene. The park is littered with debris, cigarette ends and butts. (p8,9). The two gentlemen share puffs on the cigarette. One offers a full cigarette, and smoking in this zone could be a form of escapism from their poverty. (p10). 

• The fruit seller has only ten shillings which he offers to the constables to sparehim. He cannot afford to pay for the license, or even the fine has on another case. (pl 1).

• Conflicts between city authority and street hawkers 

When the two constables accost and demand licenses from the ice cream anand the fruit peddler, they tell the merchant that he will only explain to the judge. 

• The fruit seller already has a case and is trying to sell to afford a fine. (pl 1). The Fruit seller pleads with the constables, who say nothing. 7he fruit seller cursed them and their wives and children... (PI 1). 

•Mob justice / Social injustice 

• The fruit seller is lynched unknowingly by the park people. By the time the constable ran up, the fruit-peddler lay like a broken and twisted ragdoll at the bottom of the ditch. (p12) 

• He cries and pleads for mercy in vain. . had drawn thick red blood over the sparsely bearded face. Dead' was his verdict (p12) 

• The word 'thief' hovered over the assembled crowd. the mob universally condemned him, and it is impossible to tell from which mouth the condemnation is issued. (p12) 

• Ironically the mob had had what was right. Justice fairly quickly and completely administered ... (PI 2). 

CHARACTERS The fruit seller 

• He is a poor old man who sells fruits at the park. He has no license or identity card. (pl l) 

• He is a responsible man as he remembers he has a family which depends on when accosted. I have a wife and children and... (PI 1). 

• He is hardworking because he sells fruits (two baskets) to earn his living despite being unable to afford a license. (PI l) 

• He is afraid and fearful that he will be fined or be castrated by the tyrant judge. (pl l)• Style and language use 

1. What figures of speech does the writer use to describe the park and events tinthepark? 

2. Why is it ironic for the fruit peddler to flee from the constables and lose his life?A comprehensive and detailed guide to a silent song and other stories 3. Explore the use of dialogue in Meja Mwangi's Incident in the Park. 

1. Urban centers are riddled with frequent conflicts with innocent Citizens. Discuss The truth of this assertion based on Meja Mwangi’s Incident in the Park. (20 marks).

CINEMA -Vrenika Pather- South Africa 

About the Author Vrenika Pather 

Vrenika Pather is mainly known for her acting prowess since she started her career as an actress at the age of eighteen. The Indian lady of South African originals written a few short stories, one of them being Ninema. Her stories mainly tell the life that many Indian ladies live and their everyday's encounters. 

Points to guide interpretation 

1. Tough life of a market vendor: 

• Rising early 

• Poor meals 

• Poor/lack of proper grooming • Dealing with different customers 2. Caste and relationships. 

3. Sexual harassment/immorality. 

4. Need to remain principled and focused. CHARACTERS a. Cinema She is one of the market gardeners who serves as the main character in the story. 

She is focused, ambitious, organized and strong-willed. Her admirable trait isseeninhow fond the other ladies are of her 

A comprehensive and detailed guide to a silent song and other stories and how many of her customers remain loyal. b. Mr Chinran He is a white man who is a loyal customer of Ninema. 

He admires Ninema, but both know that their relationship is prohibited since they're from different castes. While Mr Chinran is a wealthy lawyer from a Brahmincaste, Cinema is a poor girl from a low caste. 

He supports Ninema's business by buying more than enough herbs from her. c. Mrs Singh 

She is a wealthy older woman who is a loyal customer. 

She is known for haggling over prices, thus being difficult and troublesome. Shespends time negotiating with Ninema as a way of passing the time. d. The strange man 

He is the man who accosts Cinema on her way from the market. He is immoral, vulgar and lascivious.

Vrenika Father's story Cinema', is about the harsh life of market gardeners as represented by Ninema and the other ladies. The story explores the hustles that Ninema goes through on a typical market day, starting from rising at the wee hours of the morning to closing time which is late in the evening. Her home life is simple, suggesting the poor living conditions of such vendors. She has to prepare before going to the Indian market where she makes her sales. She only washes her face and feet with cold water from an outside tap since she cannot afford running hot water. This affects her grooming as she takes a bath once a week. She puts on her Chum Pal, symbolizing the poor condition and the only source of protection for her feet while on the way to and from the market. 

Cinema remains focused and does not let her beauty and attention from both men and women control her. Once in the market, Cinema organizes her herbs appetizingly to attract customers. 

The market condition is challenging as the weather is not favorable. It is hot, andNinema sweats until her Sari clings to her firm skin. 

She handles different customers who buy her herbs with wisdom and respect. Her focus in business enables her not to get carried away by Mr Chinran's attraction towards her. She does not encourage his infatuation with her but treats him like any other customer. with respect and appreciation. 

She firmly handles the troublesome and difficult Mrs Singh. Many customers who visit her stall are served well and are satisfied as she takes a personal interest in them. Her doctor, Dr Seedat, visits too, and she takes time talking to him about her mother's ailment. 

Having served her last customer,Ninema closes her stall after taking stock of the unsold herbs and her profit for the day. The rot in society is seen when a strangeman sexually assaults Ninema on her way home. He pinches her erect nippleandlaughs loudly before extending some invitation for Ninema to follow him. Ninema does not take this abuse lying down. She utilizes the only weapon she has —her chumpal, that protects the soles of her feet and her whole self. She hits the man repeatedly with her sandals as the other women cheer her on. The man is too shocked to react and thus ends up being beaten by Ninema until he whimpers. 

Feeling satisfied, Cinema continues with her journey home. She goes back to the poor condition she left in the morning. She safely keeps her sandals under the kitchen table before washing her face and feet with cold water, just like she had done in the morning. She takes a rest that leads her to a dream of a better tomorrow. 

The story ends with hopeful/optimistic Cinema, who dreams of having a home for herself, hot water and a kitchen inside the house. 

QUESTIONS 

1. Compare and contrast Ninema and other lady marketers 

2. What is ironic about Mrs Singh's behavior?

3. Cinema is a likable and admirable character. Do you agree? Give evidence from the story. 

4. How effectively has Vrenika Pather used description in the story? EPISODIC ANALYSIS OF KEY ISSUES 

I. Living conditions of Cinema - Pg13 and 16 

Il. Cinema's skill of trade - Pg 14-15 

Ill. Journey home - Pg 16 

Several issues are addressed in these episodes: 

The harsh life of a market gardener 

• As a market gardener, Cinema faces a tough life that calls for her principled, hardened(iron-willed), focused, firm, hardworking and determined. 

• She has to wake up very early to reap the herbs from herb garden - 'Four o'clockonMonday morning'. Page 13 

• Signs of acceptance always accompany her work — she faces many challenges and is winning. Page 13 

Nine lives a poor life - she cannot afford running hot water. She only washes her face and feet with cold water from an outside tap Page 13. 

• She has to carry the basket containing the herbs on her head as she walks the long journey to the Indian market 'It is a long walk' Page 14 

• She only wears her sandals when going to the market. The kind of meals shetakespoints to the poor life she takes a few sips of tea she brought with her Page14

(breakfast) 

• Some sandwiches that she packed from home are her only meal for lunchPage15. 

Time is limited for her — she only affords a weekly shower on Saturday after boiling water on the open fire Page Dealing with different kinds of customers 

Mr Chinran admires her and can almost be said to be in love with her. 'The lady teased her, saying he was in love with her. The writer also tells us that NinemamadeMr Children's day. He is almost always the first customer. Ninema handles him wisely and does not let this attraction control her. She does not encourage his infatuation but treats him with respect and appreciation like she does all her loyal customers. (pg14) 

She also has to handle demanding customers such as Mrs Singh, who though rich, will always bargain to lower the prices. Cinema shows her masterful skills by firmly and respectively handling her. (pg14)

She serves many affluent customers at lunch hour who are steadily flowing to get herbs for their evening meals. She pays personal interest to each as she has an ambition of living a better life just like most of these customers. (pg15) 

• Time limitation allows her to consult with her doctor - Dr Seedat, only when he comes to buy herbs from her. The two talk about Ninema's mother's illness showing that Ninema is equally concerned about her mother. 

• She can entice a new customer by offering an extra bunch of mint for free. (pg15) This generosity makes the customer happy, thus promising to always shopwith her. 

Class discrimination 

The Indian society that Ninema hails from has a strong belief in the castle where those from the high caste — Brahmin Caste, are not allowed to intermarry with those from the lower caste. This is seen in her association with Mr Chinran. 'As muchasNinema dismisses the teasing of the ladies that Mr Chinran is in love with her, she's also aware that a rich lawyer from a Brahmin caste cannot be interested in someone like her — a poor girl from a low caste (pg14). Mr Chinran himself knows it too, and thus their relation can never go beyond early morning herb buys.He further understands that his mother will soon arrange a marriage for him, most probably a person from his caste. 

Hard Work/focus/determination 

The writer emphasizes the importance of hard work, focus and determinationinanindividual's life. Through the main character Ninema, the benefits of the three traits are depicted. 

Ninema's hard work is seen in how she rises early — four o'clock Monday morning, and goes to her garden to reap herbs. Her hard work in the garden has borne fruits since her crops are described as being healthy (pg13). Her hardworking nature also seen in how she ably attends to the many wealthy customers who flock other stall, especially during lunchtime. Even though the stall is busy and Ninema is quite busy, she ably attends to all customers and takes a personal interest (pg15). 

Ninema's hard work does not go unrewarded. She has several loyal customers who visit her stall daily. She has a steady flow of customers and feels she will need to sow more seeds to keep up with the rising demand (pg15). 

She does not let anything distract her from her business. She remains focused, which essentially aids to success in her business. The writer points out Ninema's beauty that makes heads turn when she walks through vivid descriptions. 'She is a beautiful woman... her hips sway from side to side as she moves... .Her thin, chiffon sari drapes effortlessly around her perfect body as if kept in place by her high, firm breasts. Long, toned arms and a cinched waist cause men to stop and stare' (pg13). 

Despite receiving this attention, Ninema keeps calm and focuses on her business.

'Ninema does not take the attention she gets to the heart. Her concern is with earning a living' (Pg14). 

Her focus is further seen where while other lady hawkers chat amiably with each other as they work, Cinema rarely talks back since she has no time to waste (pg14). 

Sexual assault/harassment 

The writer points out the sexual harassment faced by many women in society. Theencounter between Ninema and the stranger on her way home shows howwomensuffer sexual abuse even in public places. The man approaching Cinema grins lasciviously at her before extending his arm to pinch her erect nipple. As if this is not enough, he extends an invitation to Ninema — "If you liked that follow me." (Pg16). episode satirises men who assume women are sex objects to be mishandled. 

Ninema's reaction to the abuse is unexpected. The man is shocked when Ninemafollows him and hits him repeatedly with her Chumpal. She gives him a few extra hits on behalf of all the women.' (Pg 6) This shows that many women have beenvictims of sexual abuse but end up not fighting back. Cinema thus portrays a courageous personality as she fights for herself and even for the helpless women who had been or would-be victims of such abuse. 

The story "Ninema' is a story of hope. Ninema has hope that her life will change at some point. As the story ends, Ninema dreams of the home that will be hers someday soon: The house will have hot water too, and the kitchen will be on the inside. She will also have her large garden to grow herbs and some fruits for herself (pg16). 

1. To succeed in business, one must have the necessary skills to handle customers. Using Ninema in Veronika's Pather's 'Ninema' supports this. 2. "Hard work and determination pays", Using illustrations fromNinemashowthe validity of this statement. 

3. Women traders experience challenges in their lives. Show howNinemadealswith these challenges. 

4. Ninema is an admirable character. Support from the story Ninema.

Leonard Kibera - Kenya About 

the author: 

Leonard Kibera is a Kenyan novelist and short story writer. Kibera was born inKabete, Kenya, attended high school at Embu and studied at the University of California and Stanford University. He taught at the University of Zambia and at Kenyatta University, Kenya, from 1976 until his death. His first publication was book of short stories, Potent Ash (1968), which he wrote with his brother, Samuel Kahiga. The book explores the guilt, betrayal, and failure of the Mau Mau. Several of the stories have been anthologized, especially The Spider's Web, which points an accusing finger at Kenya's elite for the state of Kenya since independence. Hisonlynovel, Voices in the Dark (1970), uses dark humor to question why most MauMausoldiers who fought for independence were forgotten and left to beg and die along the roadside. Kibera has also written several articles of literary criticism. EPISODES

1. Mbane's life of misery in the streets as a lame, blind beggar. (p17 - 19). 2. Mbanes's lonely self versus the bubbly world around him. (p18 - 19). 3. Mbane's nostalgia. (p18). 

4. Mbane's brother, Ezekiel, rescues him. (p19 20). 

A Silent Song by Leonard Kibera is a story about Mbane, a young, paralyzed, blindcat street beggar. He lives in destitution, begging from the passers-by while seething with pain and discomfort. His brother, a wealthy preacher, 'rescues' him from the barbaric city unto the 'light of God' after neglecting him for a long time. 

Mbane painfully reminisces his street life with nostalgia at his brother's lonely hut. He is not as happy though he is now in a more serene environment. He remembersthe bright weather, lovely morning and beautiful sunset as the city dwellers, pedestrians, dull and gay people during the day talk. At night, the good men and women turned drunk, pimps and whore galore had their turn to smile. He begs day and night for a living.

He is nursed by Sarah, his brother's wife, who administers bitter fluid down his throat. He swallows it painfully, and she assures him of being well. His religious brother, Ezekiel, preaches to him about Christ, the saved ones and sinners. He asks him whether he knows where sinners go when they die and whether he accepts Jesus, and Mbane says he doesn't know. Before he saves him, Mbane's strength wanes, the pain goes, his head jerks down to the bed, and he is gone. 

1. Discuss the relevance of the title of the story, A Silent Song. 2. Brainstorm about the paradox in the title, A Silent Song. 

THEMATIC CONCERNS 

1. Explore the following themes as brought out in the story, A Silent Song. 

a) Pain and misery of physical handicap 

b) Religious hypocrisy 

c) Prostitution and sexual slavery 

d) Alcoholism and escapism 

Pain and misery of Physical handicap 

• In a sense, A Silent Song, an oxymoron, paradoxically echoes the moments of soul searching and reflections that mbane has had over the period he stays on the street. This creates a more vivid picture of his life and a cathartic emotional impact. 

• The miserable life on the street as a crippled, blind beggar seems less painful than in his brother's desolate hut, where he is lonely and suffering. (p18). • He has been speaking to himself in his thoughts and for a long time on the street except for his mechanical plea of 'Yes?', he has no one else to address but himself. (p19). 

• Mbanes undergoes much pain, agony, and suffering on the streets because of his life circumstances. Being blind and lame has impaired his ability to live everyday life. 'Sharp pangs', 'savage fury', pain tore his stomach'. (PI 7- 19). 

• He crawled on his knees and elbows... suddenly sharp pangs from his navel tore... He was paralyzed. Then the pain disappeared... but he knew it had only recoiled for another attack. (PI 7). 

• He has heard noises, songs, and sounds of different people, but he retires to solitude, and thoughts start going through his mind at the end of the day. It's Like a dream, a song of hope, and he sings his happy song silently to himself, secretly. (p20). 

• Mbane ponders the meaning of light to him... light means to a blind man... (p19). 

• At the point of death, as his brother urges him to get saved, with reticence, he ponders on God's place and meaning in his life. 

• People despise him on the streets. Good Christian men and women would once again curse and call him able-bodied, only crippled more every day by the idleness of leisurely begging. (p19). 

• He sits there (street back lane) and waits for his journey's end. His body smells of sweat, unwashed except in the rain, which he could but feel. (p20). • There is a wide gap between his beliefs and his brother's. His tortured body is already separated from his free soul when he dies. (p20). 

• The soul has already communicated in his silent song, smiling, at peace with his hosts, himself and everyone. (p20). 

Religious hypocrisy/Pretentious piety 

• Mbane's brother, Ezekiel, is so devoted to God a preacher but neglects him fora long time till he realizes Mbane is nearing his death. 

• He picks him up and brings him to his hut, claiming it is rescuing only for Mbane to feel lonelier and more miserable. "I rescued you from that barbaric city so that you can see the light of God. (p18). 

• The desolate hut is not a habitable place for him. It has a flea-ridden floor. (PI 7). 

• He could tell that there was meaning in his brother's silence of late... (p18). • Asked whether he knows a man called Jesus, he says "Yes' ', but whether he believes and accepts him, Mbane says, "1 don't know," and his brother saysMbane is worse than a Judas. This portrays hypocrisy, and Christians wouldn't talk like this. 

• It is ironical and hypocritical for Ezekiel to tell Mbane, "Mbane —I want Christ to save you..." (p20) as though he has already judged him as a sinner and that "Christ" will come down from heaven to do the good to him while his brother watches. 

• There is a pretense in the way good Christian men and women curse and call him names instead of bringing the 

• excellent knowledge of Christ to him. '... able-bodied, only crippled more everyday by the idleness of leisurely begging'. (p19). 

• He could only yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and lameness. At times, self-pity overcame him. (p18 - 19). 

• The God of the Gospel and religion are comforts beyond the reach of a wretched cripple. His God is his only hope of 

• deliverance from pain, destitution and despair. (p18 - 20). Prostitution and sexual slavery 

• There is evidence of such sexual evils as commercial sex and promiscuity. (p18). 

• The blind man knows, sees, and recalls City Street with nostalgia. Thenoises, drum beating and rhythms which Mbane calls the voices of good men and women turned drunk in the refuge of the night brothels, pimps and whoresgalore. (p18).

Alcoholism and escapism 

• The street, especially the back lane, had taught Mbane a lot 

..good men and women turned drunk in the refuge of the night brothels, pimps and whores galore. (PI 8). 

CHARACTERS 

l. Cite evidence from the text on the existence of the following character traits portrayed in A Silent Song. 

a) Mbane: observant, patient, skeptical, enduring... 

b) Ezekiel: selfish, cruel, hypocritical. .. 

c) Sarah: reserved, 

2. How can you tell that Mbane 'sees' and knows a lot in the city street despitebeingblind? 

STYLE AND LANGUAGE USE 

1. Why is it ironic for Ezekiel to claim to rescue his brother Mbane from a barbaric city? 

2. Why is Mbane reluctant to accept Christ? 

IVORY BANGLES 

By Eric Ng'maryo - Tanzania 

About the Author- Ng'maryo. 

Eric Ng'maryo is a published poet who has written poems such as Escape andTheJourney of Us. Although he is a practicing advocate in Tanzania, he is also respected for his creative writings which include the short story 'Ivory Bangles' 

Points to guide interpretation of the story 

 The pebble's message to the old man. 

 The tradition that demands wife battering. What happens to the old man

when he fails to carry out the ritual beating? 

 Polygamy and its value — The view of the old man regarding polygamy. ➢

The relationship between the old man and his wife ➢The conflict that exists between humans and wildlife. 

 Effects of failing to heed the advice given to an individual. THE TITLE

'IVORY BANGLES' 

The title captures the bangles that the wife wears- Twenty-four ivory bangles that were gifted to her by the old man on the day their firstborn and now only son is named. 

The Ivory bangles thus are a symbol of love that the wife enjoys from the oldman. 

The title also signifies the human-wildlife conflict that exists. For the old man to carve the bangles for his wife, he had to shoot an elephant with a poisoned arrow to get the ivory he used. 

CHARACTERS a. The old man 

He is the chief's councilor, a respected elder who is also a woodcarver and a brave warrior. 

He is married to only one wife. This causes some concern since it is unheard of for a chief to be monogamous. It portrays him as an alienated person who fails to follow the ways of his people. 

He is expected to beat his wife to avert her death, as the seer's pebbles dictated but is hesitant to do so b. The wife 

She is an attractive woman who the old man loves very much. 

She treats him with affection, making him return the favor by not molesting her until old age. 

Her cunning attempt to evade catastrophe as prophesied by the seer leads to her death. 

'Ivory bangles' by Eric Ng'maryo portrays a society rooted in some traditional practices that whoever departs from them ends up suffering some calamity. The Story begins with a troubled old man moving towards his house. Although his body moves, his thoughts are disturbed by the seer's words. 

The old man had consulted the seer after noticing traces of blood in the goat's liver that he had slaughtered. The people believed that such an occurrence was abdomen, so the old man consulted the tribal seer. 

The seer discloses that pebbles demand that he has to give his wife the ritual beating. However, the old man is hesitant to beat his wife, whom he much loves, asis seen from the fact that he had gifted her with twenty-four Ivory bangles that sheadorns throughout. 

We learn of the old man's life with his wife in the past through several flashbacks. We learn of his refusal to marry another wife even after he is made the chief'scouncillor, and the chief advises him to do so. The chief appreciates her attractiveness in another flashback as she is adorned in twenty-four ivory bangles. 

The old man tells the chief that he carved the ivory bangles for herself using the ivory he shot from the elephant using a poisoned arrow. 

When he gets home, his wife warmly receives him and his attempts to disclosetheseer's message do not succeed until much later in the night. The wife asks him to have his meal first, and after the two enjoy an intimate moment. When he later discloses the pebbles' message to his wife, she comes up with a scheme on how to cheat the pebbles. 

The following day, the old man goes to work while the wife goes to the market, where he hears people talking about a herd of elephants approaching the plains. Shestrategizes on the things she would do before faking her beating and going back to her brother's home. On her way home, she hears cries from scouts who warn people to beware of the approaching herd of six elephants led by a giant bull. 

After getting home, the wife prepares a meal for her husband and decides to till a piece of the grove that the husband had said was weedy. Unfortunately, she is killed by the bull elephant that catches her unaware. The people find her in a shallow grave after being crushed by the elephant. Her ivory bangles are also shattered. Her foreshadowed death is a lesson that failing to heed wise advice can lead to disastrous outcomes. 

EPISODIC ANALYSIS OF KEY ISSUES Episodes 

• A visit to the seer and pebbles demand - pg 21-22 • Shared moments between the old man and his wife —pg 22- 23. • The naming ceremony of the old man's son -pg 23 • The scheme —pg 24 

• A visit to the marketplace -pg 24-25 

• The wife's death- pg 25 

The following are some issues that arise from the episodes: TRADITIONS Believe in the seer 

The old man visits the seer, considered a priest of the people (Pg. 21). 

He goes to the seer because of his superstitious nature. He had to consult these since he had noted blood specks on the liver of a goat that he had slaughtered(pg. 21). 

Ritual beating/molesting of wife 

When the old man visits the seer, the pebbles disclose that the spirits were jealousof a happy wife, a woman unmolested by the husband until old age (pg. 21). It is not acceptable for a wife to enjoy a comfortable life with her husband in this community. 

The husband is thus expected to molest his wife to ensure that she doesn't enjoy happiness. Failure to do so would lead to a disastrous outcome as the pebbles foretell the wife's death.

The pebbles demand that the old man give his wife a thorough beating (ritual beating)and then send her back to her parents (pg. 22). Although the man tries to seek an alternative way to appease the spirits, like offering several goats, the pebbles insist that he must give a wife thorough beating and send her to her parents after the beating. 

The tradition of wife-beating/molestation is further seen through the old man's son. Unlike his father, the son had embraced the culture of wife battering, something that bothers his mother moments before her death. She is weeding the weed- infested grove when she remembers they had weeded the same patch only three weeks before, together with her daughter-in- law Leveri. She reminisces how her son had beaten Leveri to 'a fingernail's distance to her grave' (pg. 25). This shows the violent nature of her son and how traditional he was since he embraced wifebeating. 

Naming of children 

The naming of children is seen as an essential practice. We learn that the twentyfour ivory bangles that the wife wears were gifted to her when their only son was given name (pg. 23). 

The value of child naming is also seen because the old man's grandson is named after him. The writer refers to the young boy as her 'husband' (pg. 23). 

Polygamy and its effects 

The tradition of polygamy and its value comes out during the moments shared by the old man and his wife. After serving him his evening meal, the wife patronises the old man by calling him the son of a chief. The writer explains the position held by the old man — the chief's councilor (pg. 22). This position makes hima respected man. It, however, raises some debate as people talk much about him since he is monogamous. This is seen where the writer says, 'He still was the chief's councilor, much respected, but also much talked about because he had only one wife.. ..' (Pg.22). 

His monogamous status was a concern for the aging chief, who told him to get another wife (pg.23). This shows that the old man's society values the tradition of polygamy, and one who does not engage in it is considered a failure. 

The old man, however, holds a differing opinion about polygamy. His response to the chief via a riddle shows his view of polygamy: 

A woman went to the riverside 

Tie woman wanted to fetch water 

The woman had one water pot 

The woman arrived at the water point 

The woman found another water pot

The woman came back with a pot 

The woman brought a water pot with potsherds, not water (Pg. 23 The chief's interpretation of the riddle: 

"A wife, a co-wife, witchcraft and death" (Pg.23) explains that the old man considers having more than one wife as witchcraft 

The moments shared between the old man and his wife (pg. 22-23) point to their love. The kind of reception the old man receives when he gets home shows how much the wife loves and cares for him. 'His wife come unstrapped his leather sandals and led him behind the house to the lean-to, bathed him and rubbed him with sharp smelling unguent' (pg. 22). Her loving care is further seen when she asks him to have his meal first before they can talk about what the husband had heard that day (pg. 22). 

How the husband addresses the wife also shows that he loves her. Despite her old age, the husband calls her "girl" (pg. 22), a form of endearment. He also appreciates the meal she has cooked for him. "You cook, woman," he thanked, stretching himself and yawning (pg. 22). 

Their love is also seen from the intimacy they share once the wife joins the old man where he lay. rlhe old man tries to talk to her about the demands of the seer, but she ignites his past leading to an intimate moment. 'He unsprung slowly, when it came, it was like an intricate tattoo on a drum, coming unexpectedly and stopping suddenly, leaving the air quiet and pure.'(Pg. 23). 

Tie twenty-four ivory bangles that the old man gifted his wife on the day of naming their son also show how much he loved her. Specifically, the eight bangles she wore on either hand were etched with mnemonic marks for a long love poem(pg. 23). 

HUMAN - WILDLIFE CONFLICT 

The flashback of the naming ceremony of the old man's wife 'As she moved twenty-four ivory bangles she wore clanked like many castanets' (pg. 23). Elephants Had to be killed to obtain the ivory used to make the bangles. 

The truthfulness of this observation is seen when the chief also noted how attractive the old man's wife looked in the many ivory bangles she wore. The old man proudly explains to the chief that he made the bangles himself from the ivory he got when he shot an elephant using a poisoned arrow (pg. 23). 

Towards the end of the story, people in the marketplace talk about the herd of elephants approaching the plains. They fear the destruction that the herd will cause. They hope that those who know how to use poisoned arrows will save the situation(pg. 24). 

The ultimate sign of the conflict is the death of the old man's wife, who a wounded bull elephant kills. In an ironic turn of events, the old man's wife, whose husband had killed an elephant and used its ivory to make bangles for the wife as a sign of love, ends up killed by a wounded elephant. 'After bashing her on trees and banana plants, the wounded bull elephant put her on the ground and repeatedly stamped on her. They found her thus in a shallow grave: a mass of flesh and blood and shattered ivory bangles.'(pg. 25). The love is shattered by the same creatures whose ivory was used to make symbols of love. 

FAILURE TO HEED ADVICE AND ITS CONSEQUENCES 

The seer's advice to the old man who consulted him is that the pebbles demanded ritual beating of his wife to avert the death of wife. old man is hesitant and offers to give some goats, but the pebbles insist on the beating and send her off to her parents after beating. Instead of heeding the seer's advice, the old man andhiswife develop a scheme on how to cheat the pebbles. The wife proposes putting up show by pretending to have been beaten. 

Their failure to follow the demands of the pebbles results in what the seer had foretold-The death of the wife who the wounded bull elephant kills as she is weeding. 

Although the wife's death is closely linked to the seer's warning, it can also be seen to be due to the wife's recklessness and failure to heed the warnings of the scouts. The wife heard the scout's warning when they noted the elephants were approaching. 'As she slowly made her way home, she heard the cries. They came from scouts who were perched on trees, observing elephants and warning people of the beasts' movement... 'Beware! People Of Mtorobo's homestead! The five she elephants are now in your banana grove! The bull is on the path coming from the stream' (pg. 24- 25). 

The wife chooses to weed at the groove instead of heeding the warning and staying home. NB: The writer has extensively used flashbacks to help us understand past life of the old man and his wife. 

QUESTIONS ON STYLES 

1) What is the effectiveness of flashbacks in this story? 2) What is ironic about the following? 

a) The wife being called "girl" by the husband? 

b) How does the wife die? 

3) What has the writer achieved by extensive use of dialogue? 4) Using an oral literature device in the story communicates

THE SINS OF THE FATHERS Charles 

Mungoshi -s Zimbabwe About the 

author: 

Charles Mungoshi was born in 1947 and raised in a farming family in the Chivhu Area Of Zimbabwe. After leaving school, he worked with the Forestry Commission Before Joining Textbook Sales. From 1975 to 1981, he worked at the Literature Bureau Asan Editor and at Zimbabwe Publishing House for the next five years. In 1985-87hewasWriter in Residence at the University of Zimbabwe, and since then, he has worked as freelance writer, scriptwriter and editor. Charles Mungoshi has written novels short stories in both Shona and English and two collections of children's stories, Stories from a Shona Childhood and One Day Long Ago (Baobab Books, 1989 and 1991); the former won him the Noma Award. 

He has also continued to write poetry and has one published collection: The Milkmandoesn't only deliver Milk (Baobab Books, 1998). He has won the CommonwealthWriters Prize (Africa region) twice, in 1988 and 1998, for two collections of short stories: The Setting Sun and The Rolling World (Heinemann, 1987) and WalkingStill (Baobab Books, 1997). Two of his novels: Waiting for the Rain (Heinemann 1975) and Ndiko kupindana Kwa mazuva (Mambo Press, 1975), received International PENawards. 

1) lRondo's family in bereavement. (p26 - 31). 

2) Rondos confusion about his personality and purpose. (p28 34). 3) Political tension/rivalry between Rwafa and Mzamane. (p31 - 36). 4) The story of the white farmer. (p38). 

5) Rwafa's harangue and end. (p39 — 41). 

The Sins of the Fathers, by Charles Mungoshi, is a post-colonial story set in rural Zimbabwe. It takes place between Borrowdale and Bulawayo. 

Rondo is the antagonistic character whose revenge world opens at the story's very beginning. Rondo's father, Rwafa, is an ex- minister but still influential in the political world of Zimbabwe. This is evident from how a fraction of mourners just came to take pictures with him, for such photos would soon 'open doors for them. 

Rondo has a wife, Selina, daughter of Basil Mzamane, who is also into politicsasanM.P. and a businessman. In fact, he's a political rival of Rondo's father, Rwafa. Rondo's two children, both daughters (Yuna and Rhoda), are in an accident as they are driving home from a birthday party with their grandfather, Basil Mzamane, where, Rwafa takes to the podium to condemn his son for marrying from his enemy Basil. This has all along created bad blood between him and his son that this accident makes Rondo believe that his father has a hand in it. In their many stories, revelation of what his friend, Gaston, alludes to: "Have you ever wondered about theSecond Street accidents?" 

On their way to the birthday party, the trio - Rondo, Rwafa and Basil Mzamane- meets a group of youths (Chimurenga) chanting political songs. At a point, they meet a white woman whose car has broken down, and they charge to attack beforeBasil intervenes. Rwafa disappears, and Rondo remains confused about what is actually going on. 

Rwafa's speech leaves people surprised and shocked. They start going one after the other. This is where Rondo decides to send the children back with their grandfather as he remains with Selina. The two children and Basil, their grandfather, finally die in

a crash. People are here to mourn. Then with utter suspense, Rondo and Selinacome to finish Rwafa, who directs them out of the room, then a soft muffled plopis heard from Rwafa's room.

Questions for reflection on "Title of the story" and themes 

1 ) Discuss the role and significance of the title The Sins of the Fathers. 2 ) Which sins do you think the father commits in the story? 3 ) "Because I'd like you to watch some 'duck-shooting today'... ." What does this statement from Rwafa refer to? 

4 ) Make inferences from the following: 

a) "Do you know what your father does?" (p33) 

b) "Rondo had not been used to living his life from deductive or logical thinking but now, the accumulation of events and the history behind had made him so numb, he was almost a zombie." (p33). 

5 ) Brainstorm about 'Second Street accidents'. 

6 ) What is the role of the family unit during bereavement and children's growth?7 ) How are youths used to execute the selfish desires of the political elite?8 ) Why are power and prejudice significant in the ex-minister's life ? 9 ) How Does greed for material power affect the human character? 

Thematic Concerns 

The points of discussion and analysis include: Identity Crisis 

• Rondo suffers low self-esteem through the way his father treats him. Rwafaloathes and persistently frustrates his son. His first disappointment is when his father breaks his guitar and throws it into the fire when he is only four. (p30- 31). 

• Rwafa does not approve of or even attend his son's wedding. He purportedly

leaves town on state business for two weeks. (p34). 

• Through flashbacks, Rwafa thrashes his son, Rondo, when he is only eight, for stealing a neighbor's mangoes'. This memory gives him an uncomfortable feeling and effects his self-esteem. He must have understood what powerlessness meant (p40). 

• This grows into his adulthood when his father refers to him as an effeminate son who wants to demean his family by marrying into an ignominious muDzvitifamily. (p31 

• While Rondo admires and thinks his father is the greatest, his father, Rwafa, writes him off. Rwafa always gives Rondo "a little sad laugh" and labelshim"Slob". (p28, 31, 32). 

• His colleagues laugh at him at work, and Rondo doubts his mother and wife. He feels defenseless and resigns to accept being a fool. "Well, if you seemeas a fool, I'll be one." (p28). 

• Rondo has developed a stammer that makes him barely answer any of hisfather's questions. (p32). 

• His wife Selina tells him she could do better in his pants, and his friendandcolleague, Gaston, scolds him, "You can't be a child forever, Rondo". (p33). • Later, Rondo's father disparages him. With contempt, he enquires whether oneof Rondo's more intelligent friends has written for him the piece of paper hehands him. (p41). 

• Both Rondo and Rwafa have psychological problem that needs psychosocial support. (p26 — 41). Vengeance 

• The author expresses the theme of vengeance in the story's beginningthrough the flash-forward as Rondo comes to his father with a gun. (p26, 41). From the death ofhis two children and how his father has been treatinghim, he believes that he has a hand in the deaths, and therefore, he's here torevenge. (p29,33,34, 41). 

• Rwafa causes the accident as a form of revenge against the "traitors" or enemies. Furthermore, Rondo is not happy with what his father says about hismarrying Basil - his enemy. (p31, 39). 

• In his speech, Rwafa calls his son a 'traitor'. This is another reason for revenge. (p38). 

Political Bigotry and machinations 

• Politics run the story from the beginning to the end of this story. Basil Mzamane - Rondo's father-in-law-a businessman and an M.P. and Rwafa - Rondo'sfather, are great political rivals that don't see eye to eye. There is always tensionbetween the two. (p34) 

This is the greatest reason behind the crash that kills Basil and the two childrenof Rondo to settle political scores. This is what he tells his son that he will thankhimfor happening now and not later. (p28).  

• Rwafa loves himself so much that he prepared to destroy his son in hisendeavour to have an heir. (p32). 

• The existence of Chimurenga and the Second street accidents are evidenceofmachinations. (p34, 36, 38,39). 

• Rwafa calls his enemies, looters and cattle thieves personal enemies andswears that .. no son of the Rwafa family would ever play second fiddle to anyone'slead..." (p39). 

Racism/ colonial hatred 

• On their way to the birthday party, the trio meets a white woman whoneedshelp. Ihe political youths want to descend on her because she's white. (p36). • On the other hand, the white woman is already armed with a gun to shoot theblacks. (p36). 

• Again, from Mzamane's story about the white who lives in the Manhizemountains, we find out that he sends away the blacks who live there andtakes their ancestral land because they are helpless. (p38). 

• Having alienated the lands from the blacks, the whites are the source of thehatred and envy that fills the Rwafa clan, and Rwafa has his eyes on thewhitefarm in the Ruwa area. (p34). 

• Consequently, his youth obey him and have an unashamed rawlust for blood. (p36). 

Parental resentment /child discontentment 

• Rondo has never been close to his father as his memories of his past himmakehim cry. (p31, 40). 

At four, his father destroys his guitar, and at eight, he thrashes himwithout findingout what he has done. Rondo always feels more space with his father-in-lawandwould choose him as his father. (p34). 

• He carries many scars that thinking of his father as none other than a shadowhehas to live in becomes impossible. Rondo cannot think independently, andthisreduces him to an object of laughter and ridicule among his friends. (p28). 

Rwafa has no sympathy for his son as he despises him vehemently. He does not bother to answer when asked a question by his son. (p36). 

• His mother describes her husband as 'one bombed-out battlefield of scars' whosedeepest scar is that he can't forgive not only his enemies but anyone. This clearlyshows a rift in the family. (p30, 31). 

• At the party, Rondo and Selina feel relaxed with their parents. (p39). • Rondo could not look at his father. (p40).

Love and Friendship 

• She takes her head during the mourning night and puts it on her lap. She callshera great woman. (p29). 

• Friendship is also evident between the two women, Selina and her mother-inlaw(Rondo's wife and his mother). (p29,30) 

• Selina, the daughter ofMzamane, stays with Rondo even though Rwafa disapproves of their marriage. He says that his son became a 'traitor' by marryingSelina, from Basil Mzamane's clan - his sworn political enemies. (p29, 30) 

• However, Selina sticks with her husband, Rondo, until the end of the story. Shealso has a gun from the mother- in-law. (p41). 

• He lets his head rest against her belly, his skull nudging the underside of her breast. She makes him breakfast. She accompanies her husband to serverevenge. This is love. (P41) 

Ethnic tension / negative ethnicity 

 Rwafa believes in maintaining rigid boundaries in establishing social andpolitical relations. (p34). 

 In his tirade, he laments that he is hurt by the effeminate spineless sons of thefamily who marry into families of their enemies, poisoning the pure bloodof theRwafa clan. 9p34 - 39). 

 There has always been tension between Rwafa and Mzamane, a quarrel, a

misunderstanding, but the episode at the party renders it dramatic. Their speeches turn sour. The two old men are crystal clearly, political nemeses. (p34).  Rwafa cannot forgive and forget the effects of the war, once the Ndebele

attacked them, and the pain of the scars remained in him more than the relief of healing. (p30 - 32). 

 These adversaries contrast each other in character and demeanour. The former is the villain in his very nature, and the latter is a gentleman. 

 He belongs to the political elite who must fan clannism and ensure they remainat

the top. (p39, 40). 

 Primitive accumulation There is evident greed in the arch-nemesis, Rwafa, for he

strives to maintain the status quo by acquiring material power through underhanddeals. He leaves in the morning and returns in the evenings. (p33).  He is disappointed and bitter when Mzamane rescues the white womanfrom

irate Chimurenga warriors. He disappears and reappears froma bush twominutes after the white woman has driven off. (p34 - 37).  This shows that he plans to have her lynched so he can proceed to acquirethe

property. (p36) 

 Rwafa is preoccupied with the sudden beauty of the land they are drivingthrough. 

The land provides a breath- taking view of its immensity. (p36)  Affluence, material power and lavish extravagance are explicit in the family asthey flock around him. He gains recognition from his generosity by squanderingthe accumulated wealth in the form of favours, money, advances. (p31, 32)

  Many use his name to get something from legal firms, financial houses, or credit stores at month-ends. (p32). Rwafa desperately needs a grandson fromRondotowhom he can leave all his cars, houses and money. (p31). Death 

 The fear of death also hangs/lingers in Selina's mind. She fears losing Rondoaswell. (p30) 

 Mysterious deaths rock the family, and according to Gaston, Rondo's colleague, 

we know that a political hand is involved. (p33). 

 He asks Rondo, "Do you know what your father does?" (p33). 

 Selina's mother had died, and Mzamane marries again, but to the detriment of his

daughter, she alludes to the invitation to her father. (p34). 

 Assassinations could be the ex-minister's trade as he happens to control the

political group dubbed 

 Chimurenga, which also narrowly spares the life of Mrs 

 The old man had rambles (flashback) (p40). smoked out, flushed out, blastedout.. ." 

Rwafa, Rondo, Selina, Mzamane, Gaston and Mrs Quayle a. Mzamane 

• Selina's father and Rondo's father-in-law. A peace- maker and crusader of tolerance. He takes a low profile, although he has the opportunity and abilitytoshow off. This shows he is peaceful and humble. 

• According to Rondo, nothing in his demeanour shows he is a man of opulenceasa successful businessman and the M.P. of a constituency in northern Matebeleland. 

• He is so liberal that even with his differences with Rwafa, he declares he isfreetothink as he likes. (p38). 

• His friendly and affable nature makes Rondo feel free around him. He is ahelpful man as he gives a hand to the white woman whose car is stuck. (p37). • He is tolerant, for he rescues her from being lynched by the angry youth. Hetellsthem, .. Today is cancelled. Go home.. ." he tells Rondo to grow up and seepeople as individuals. (p37). 

• Being rational makes him an embodiment of the voice of reason. b. Rwafa

• The ostentatious antagonist, so to speak. He is the arch- nemesis of Basil Mzamane and his son, Rondo. The 

• villain in the story is a ruthless, intolerant influential former minister whocannot forgive anybody. (p31, 34, 35, 39, 40). 

• He is contemptuous as he vilifies his son vehemently, affecting his self-esteem. (p28). 

• The snobbish father is so selfish for none of the words he uses to addressRondohave any respect, and he loves himself so much (selfish) that he is prepared to destroy his son. (p32). 

• He is proud, ssertive and aggressive as he talks of his prowess and declares, "Noson of the Rwafa family would ever play second fiddle to anyone's lead." (p39). Rwafa is bitter and vengeful, for his son terribly hurts him for poisoning thepureblood of the Rwafa clan. (p39). 

• As they drive to Quayle's farm, Rwafa remains sullen and sucking as he can't laugh while having a robust dialogue. "He is a man who laughs little." This shows that he is sadistic in nature. (p35). 

c. Rondo 

• A calm and modest son of Rwafa and husband to Selina. He is loving andcaringfor loves his mother, his wife and his father-in-law. (p29 — 32). • He is also apologetic for his father's wrongdoings which he perceives partlyresponsible. (p30). 

• He is respectful as he reveres and honours his father. 

• He is a gentle and friendly chap who has good relations with his colleaguesat work. Helpful for he could be called to help colleagues. (p33). Questions for reflection on characters 

1) Compare and contrast Rwafa and Mzamane as antagonistic charactersinthestory, The Sins of the Fathers. 

2) How does Rondos mother manage the psychological problems of bothher husband and her son at home? 

3) What do you think could have happened if Rwafa had told his only son, "Youare an intelligent son". 

4) Suppose Rwafa had had another son; could his attitude be different? THE TRULY MARRIED WOMAN 

Abioseh Nical- Sierra Leone 

The Truly Married Woman by Abioseh Nicol- Sierra Leone Abioseh Nicol was a Sierra Leone writer, poet and diplomat with a specialty in medicine as a physician. He died in the year 1994 having made great contribution to Sierra Leone literature. He was a writer of short stories, poems, academic literature as well as music. His works include Two African Tales (his first published work) and Creative Women(hislast published work). 

1) The difference between being together and being married. 2) Some factors that hinder people from getting married. 3) What parents want for their children compared to what they want. 4) Parenting styles and conflicts that can arise from them. 5) Missionary work — Is it a good thing or a bad thing? 6) Religious hypocrisy. Why Ayo takes time to put up a show by reorganising their house and even borrowing a wedding ring when the missionaries visit. 7) Ajayi's change regarding marriage. 

8) How marriage changes Ayo. (What is the value ofa marriage ceremony?) 9) Traditional practices before marriage, negotiation, giving of gifts to the bride. TITLE The truly Married Woman' 

What is the meaning of the title? 

A woman can live for long with a man (cohabit) and never be considered married—Ayo is not married, yet she has lived with Ajayi for twelve years. There must be a marriage ceremony (Church marriage) to be genuinely married. 

A truly married woman changes in behaviour. She seizes to be dutiful and demands more respect. Ayo refuses to prepare her husband's morning tea after she is married. 

CHARACTERS a. Ajayi 

• He is a government clerk who has lived with Ayo for over twelve years. • He meant to marry her in church, but he procrastinated until Ayo gaveuponthe dream of getting appropriately married. 

• He is cautious about his health and takes various precautions to ensureheremains healthy. 

• He is too strict and brutal as he beats his elder son Oju too much as afather. b. Ayo 

• She is a woman in her mid-thirties who has lived with her husband Ajayi for twelve years, yet she is not married to him. 

• She is thus considered a mistress to Ajayi. She loves himand even movesinwith him against her parents' wishes. She has hope of getting married, but thehusband's attack of the spending involved during marriage discouragesher. 

• She is seen as a good mistress who is dutiful, loving and kind to Ajayi. Her entrepreneur skills are noted because she does little buying and sellingwhenshe has free time. She is seen to live an ordinary life. 

• She is modernised. She attends women's meetings and also speaks tothemissionaries in English. 

• Ayo is seen to be calculative/ cunning, where she visits the soothsayer beforeher husband and the sister did to try and fix things. c. Oju 

He is the eldest son of Ajayi and Ayo. He is ten years old and is frequently beatenbyhis father for wetting his sleeping mat. The beating does not help but insteadworsens the situation. d. Ayo's father 

He is seen as a father who wanted the best for his daughter, Ayo since he hadhopedthat she would marry a high school teacher. 

He is authoritative as he made Ayo move everything she owned to his houseoncehelearned the planned marriage. He cautiously follows the traditional marriagepreparations rites to ensure that his daughter is safe in her new home.

Abioseh Nical's story, 'The Truly Married Woman,' is a contemporary story that merges both traditional aspects of marriage and modern marriage practices. storyemphasises the importance of valid marriage as compared to cohabiting. 

Through this emphasis, the writer, however, satirises marriage as it is not only economically draining but fails to provide happiness that should come with it. 

In the beginning, Ajayi and Ayo live together even though Ayo had always wantedtobe married properly. While Ayo tries to coarse Ajayi to marry her indeed, Ajayi ishesitant as he feels that marriage involves some wild spending and the ceremonyisunnecessarily costly. This view frustrates Ayo until she admits that it wouldnever happen; thus, she stops talking him into it. 

Their time together appears relatively amicable as Ayo performs her wifely dutiesfaithfully. They enjoy an everyday family life punctuated with minor conflicts suchasthe one that arises over Ajayi's beating of their son Oju. This conflict surprises

Ajayi as Ayo rarely ever disagreed with him. At this point, Ayo's modernisedtrait isrevealed as she discloses that she has been attending women's meetings wherethey learn modern ideas of oversea doctors. 

Ajayi spends his day in the office thinking about this revelation which makes himadmire Ayo the more. As the closing hours approach, Ajayi receives an unexpectedguest — missionaries from World Gospel Crusading Alliance (WGCA). 

He remembers that he had contacted them with the hope of getting free bibles, religious pictures and maybe some magazines. However, the missionaries areset on enrolling him as one of them, but the chief clerk saves himby explainingthat it was prohibited for government workers. 

He invites the team with the chief to his home, where the wife reorganises thehouseafter learning that guests are on their way. She even borrows a wedding ringfromaneighbour. After the missionaries' visit, Ajayi tells Ayo that he plans to marry her. 

Although she is shocked, Ayo welcomes the marriage and thus starts preparingfor it. Ironically, she turns down his sexual advances that evening, arguing that it wouldbeincorrect. She moves back to her parental home, where the traditional marriagepreparation practices are carried out. Soon, the church wedding ceremony takesplace. Ayo chooses to dress in a grey dress instead of the traditional white oneasAyaji had wished. The grey dress is symbolic of her impurity since she is alreadyamother of three. She also wanted a corset to ensure she did not look too massive. After the church wedding, a European ceremony is also conducted where a weddingcake is cut. 

Ajayi notices that Ayo had been transformed after the wedding. He sawher proudhead for the first time, and true to his observation, the following day, Ayo doesnot wake up early to prepare his morning tea like she always did. The story ends with

Ayo's declaration to Ajayi that she was now a genuinely married woman whoneededa little more respect and thus would not arise to prepare a cup of tea for the husband. 

Plot related Questions 

1) Describe early morning activities of Ajayi before he goes to work 2) Compare and contrast Ayo's behaviour before marriage and after marriage. 3)What does Ajayi's beating of Oju for wetting his sleeping mat reveals about Ajayi? 

4) What preparations does Ayo make as she waits for the guests? What doesthis reveal about her? 

5) Explain Ayo)s reaction when Ajayi tells her that he plans to marry her? 6) What does Omo's reaction to Ayo's disclosure about the planned marriagereveal about her? 

7) Briefly describe the traditional marriage practices that take place beforeAyo'smarriage. 

8) What is Ayo's old aunts' advice to the newly married? EPISODIC ANALYSIS OF KEY ISSUES Episodes 

• Life before marriage — pg. 42-45 

• Preparations for marriage — pg. 46-47 

The marriage ceremony — pg. 48 

• Life after marriage — pg. 48 

Several issues arise from these episodes: 

Cohabiting vs marriage 

Despite living together for twelve years and having three children already, AyoandAjayi are not considered married. The writer tells us that 'Ajayi and Ayo have beentogether for twelve years. They are not married. Ajayi had meant to marry Ayo, but the right moment never came. (pg.42). 

It is no wonder that while explaining to his friends who Ayo is, Ajayi refers toher asnot a wife but a mistress (pg. 43). 

Ayo is seen to have hoped that Ajayi would indeed marry her. During their first year ofmarriage, she kept telling Ajayi about their friends' weddings, hoping that he wouldget interested and marry her. She, however, ends up frustrated when insteadof showing an interest, he criticises the friends' spending due to the considerablecost of the ceremony (pg. 43). 

The priest emphasises the importance of people getting married through his sermon. The writer observes that the priest would speak out violently against unmarriedcouples who lived together about two or three times in a year (pg. 43). Thesesermons would make friends of Ajayi and Ayo look at them sympathetically, leadingto Ajayi keeping off from the church for a few weeks.

Despite not being married, Ajayi and Ayo enjoy some peaceful ambience in their marriage. Ayo performs her wifely roles dutifully. She would wake up at five toprepare his breakfast (pg. 48). 

Ajayi would wake at six-fifteen and find his cup of tea ready just as he likedit —'weak and sugary, without milk' (pg. 42). 

Ironically, after Ayo is married, things seem to change. Instead of continuingwithherwifely duty or making them better, Ayo is reluctant to serve her husband as sheusedit. The morning after the wedding finds Ayo comfortably beside her husbandwhenhis alarm goes off. Unlike other previous mornings, there is no tea ready for Ajayi. Heis initially alarmed as he thinks she is ill. Still, her shocking reply confirms her deliberately intention not to do it — "Ajayi, my husband,.. .for twelve years I havegot up every morning at five to make tea for you and breakfast. Now I ama truly marriedwoman; you must behave towards me with some respect. You are nowmy husbandand not a lover. Get up and make yourself a cup of tea" (pg. 48). This strangeturnofevents raises concern over whether valid marriage helps improve the home environment or destroys the home. Conflict due to parenting styles 

Different parents adopt different parenting styles. Some parents are very strict withtheir children to the extent that they use excessive force to ensure their childrenbehave as they wish. A good example is Ajayi, who beats his eldest son Ojufor having wet his sleeping mat (pg.43). 

On her part, Ayo feels that this is not right, and in one of the rare occurrences, shedisagrees with Ajayi about it. She tells him, "Ajayi, you beat Oju too much. ..hehasnot stopped wetting although you beat him everytime he does. Infact, he is doingit more and more now. Perhaps if you stopped beating him, he would get better." (pg.43). 

Through their disagreement, we learn of Ayo's modernised and informed traitsasshe discloses that she has been attending women's meetings where they aretaught modern ideas (pg.44). 

These traits are one of the triggers that make Ajayi marry Ayo after realisingthat sheis a woman to be proud of. 

We also see some conflict over what parents want for their children in relationtowhat the children want for themselves. 

Ayo's living with Ajayi had not been accepted by her parents — 'When she first cameto him-against her parents' wishes.. .' (pg. 43). 

The writer further tells us what Ayo's father had hoped that she would marry ahighschool teacher. However, Ayo fell in love with Ajayi, a government clerk, andmovedin with him (pg. 43). Hypocrisy 

There is a lot of pretence among people in society to portray a particular image. Ajayi wrote to World Gospel Crusading Alliance, pretending to be interestedinsomeinformation from them after a friend gave him a magazine that contained aninvitation to join the missionary Alliance. However, his true intention was not to work with them, but he hoped to get free items such as bibles and large religiouspictures that he would sell, give away, or use as wall pictures (pg.44). The depthof his hypocrisy is seen when he appears relieved that the chief clerk saved himfromalife as a missionary when he told the visitors that the government prohibitedhisworkers from working as missionaries. So appreciative is Ajayi of the chief clerkthat he presents a carefully wrapped bottle of beer to the chief clerk as a present for having saved him (pg.45). 

He hypocritically extends an invitation of the missionaries to his home. He liestothem that the roads are not suitable to prevent them from using a taxi. He intendstogive time to his wife to reorganise their home into an appropriate environment tohost the missionaries. Ayo also portrays high levels of hypocrisy. She changestheappearance of their home when she receives a message fromAjayi that he will be bringing white men to their home in half an hour. Ayo tookdownthe calendars with pictures of lightly clothed women and replaced themwithfamilyphotographs. She also replaced the magazines with religious books and hidthewineglasses under the sofa. In efforts to portray an actual spiritual image, she goesahead to borrow a wedding ring from her neighbour before putting on her Sundaydress (pg. 45). 

The missionaries are impressed by the show that she put up. The writer usesthisactto symbolise Ayo's hypocrisy even in her marriage. Ayo has been pretendingtobeadutiful wife for the twelve years before her marriage as she shows her true coloursafter the wedding. She refuses to prepare morning tea and breakfast for Ajayi (pg48). 

Her hypocrisy is further seen when she turns down Ajayi's advances on the eveninghe disclosed to her that he intended to marry her. She shyly says 'No' (pg. 45) andpushes him away, asking him to wait until after marriage. She argues that it wouldnot be correct. This is ironic since the two have lived together for twelve years, andtheir intimacy has borne three children. 

l. What is the importance of tile traditional marriage preparation practices thaQrecarried out before Ayo's marriage? 

2. The institution of marriage should be treated with respect as it is of great value. ShowhOw Ayo fails to do so after she is truly married. 

3. Marriage is satirised in the story The Truly Married Woman„ Support thisassertion. 

TALKING MONEY 

Stanley Gazemba - Kenya About 

Stanley Gazemba was born in 1974 in Vihiga, Kenya. Stanley Gazemba has publishedthree novels: The Stone Hills of

Maragoli (Kwani?, winner of the 2003 Jomo Kenyatta Prize for fiction, publishedinthe U.S. as Forbidden Fruit), Khama (DigitalBackBooks), and Callused Hands (Nsemia). He has also published eight children's books, of which A Scare intheVillage (Oxford Univ. Press) won the 2015 Jomo Kenyatta Prize for children'sfiction. Gazemba's fiction has appeared in 'A' is for Ancestors, a collection of short storiesfrom the Caine Prize (Jacana); Africa39: New Writing From Africa South of theSahara (Bloomsbury); Ihe Literary Review (Fairleigh Dickinson Univ.); Man of theHouse and Other New Short Stories from Kenya (CCC Press); Crossing Bordersonline magazine; among other publications. 

As a journalist, Gazemba has written for The New York Times, The East African, Msanii magazine, Sunday Nation, and Saturday Nation. Gazemba was the International Fellow at the Bread Loaf Writers' Conference in 2007. GazembalivesinNairobi, where he is the editor of Ketebul Music. 

Episodes 

1. Mukidanyi dismisses his elder brothers. (p49 - 50). 

A colli rchensive and dctailcd uidc to a silent son and other stories 2. The arrival of Galo and his lawyer for negotiation. (p50 52). 3. The disturbing night of evil spirits. (p53 56). 

Talking money is a story about Mukidanyi, a furious young man and a cattle trader who ignores his elder brothers' warning against selling his land. The story is set inthe vast rural expanse of Kakamega, Kenya. Mukidanyi's brothers NgoseyweandAgoya give up on him and leave. Obsessed with money in his mind, he refusestoheed his wife's counsel and instead flogs her. 

When his clients arrive, he receives them warmly, showing themthe fertile landandoffers to help where necessary. They then negotiate without a tussle, for they accept his first offer without haggling. He takes the huge amount of money without counting it and signs the papers with his thumbprint, for he had played truant andnaughty when his father, Kizungu, tried to take him to school. 

Enthusiastic and excited about the money, he cannot sleep until he is attackedbyvoices at night, which his wife tells him are evil spirits. He almost runs madashiswife laughs at him. Overwhelmed by nervousness and fear of the demons, hereturnsall the money to the Galos and flees back to his house. 

Questions for reflection on 'Title' of the story and themes. 

1. How relevant is the title of the story, Talking moneym 

2. Why do you think the money given to Mukidanyi "talks' only at night while inhiscustody?

3. Do you think the Galos are responsible for the talking ofthe money? 4. Explore and discuss the existence of the following themes in Talking Money. 

a ) Ethnocentric beliefs in spirits. 

b ) Primitive superstition on sources of wealth. 

c ) Obsession with money and the power of guilt. 

d ) Importance of consultation on family property. 

Ethnocentric beliefs in spirits. 

The concept of social superstition rooted in people's culture is linked with belief ingood and bad luck as a context-derived concept affects the people of that cultureinvarious aspects. 

Although the concept of superstition is common, many of its features and aspectsare still unclear. Some questions about these beliefs remain baffling and unanswered. Engulfed with immense doubt, Mukidanyi decides to obey his wife'swords and beliefs about the Galos. (p50). 

• At night, the hour of witches, viganda haunt Mukidanyi. He hears voicesspeaking, and he believes they are not dreaming voices. (p54). 

• Then his wife Ronika scoldingly tells him those are certainly viganda spiritsspeaking. (p54). 

Ronika takes advantage of her husband's extreme fear and makes more funof him. She reassures him that the Galos' money is speaking in the briefcase under thebed. (p54). 

• Confident and sure that he is terrified, she shouts and scoffs at himtotakethe money out. "Go with your devil money this very minute and find somewhereelseto keep it but not in this house, you hear?" (p55). 

Obsession with money and the power of guilt 

• The tough speaking and abusive man is now humbled and reduced toawhispering weakling. 

• Definitely, the warnings are ricochetting in his mind because of his guilt andfailure to consult before beginning the process of selling his land. 

• Scared by the unseen demons, Mukidanyi flees back to the Galos, returningall the money. (p55, 56). 

• He changes his mind. He is only left with his wife to trust, and his houseistheonly refuge at this 'hour of witches'. 

1. Using evidence from the text, describe the character traits of the following

characters. 

a) Mukidanyi 

b) Ronika 

c) Ngoseywe 

d) Galo 

Style and Language use 

1. How is sarcasm employed in Stanley Gazemba's Talking Money? 2. Examine the use of dialogue and native dialect in Talking Money. GHOSTS 

Chimamanda Adichie - Nigeria 

About the Author- Chimamanda Adichie. 

Chimamanda Adichie Ngozi is an established Nigerian writer. She has writtenseveral novels, short stories and nonfictional works. Her major works include PurpleHibiscus, Americanah, 

The Thing Around Your Neck and Half of a Yellow Sun among others. Her story'Ghost' was published in The Thing Around Your Neck a collection of her short stories that was published in 2009. 

 Suffering of retirees as they follow up on their pension. 

 Corruption in government institutions. 

 The University. 

 How people deal with ghosts of the past to survive at present. 

 War and its effects. 

 Counterfeit, drugs and their effects. 

Title 'Ghosts' 

The topic is metaphorically used to represent several things: The terrible memoriesthat most people are living with or haunted by. Most people have memories of horrible previous experiences that disturb them. For instance, Ikenna struggleswiththe loss of his family and his failure to succeed in the Biafran Civil War. Prof Jamesstruggles with the loss of his daughter, the destruction of property, the loss of theUniversity's glory, and the loss of his wife. 

Some people were thought dead but turned up alive such as Ikenna. The truly deadbut whose spirits visit their loved ones — Ebere -they offer consolation to thebereaved.

CHARACTERS a. Pro James Nwoye 

He is a seventy-one-year-old retired professor of Mathematics. 

He is the protagonist in the story, and the story is told through his voice. He isthenarrator of the story. 

He escaped Nsukka when the civil war broke in 1967 and fled to America. 

He loses his daughter Zik in the war but gets another daughter (Nkiru) while still inAmerica when he was a lecturer at Berkeley. 

He is currently following up on his pension, which is not forthcoming due tothecorruption in the University. 

He is constantly visited by the ghost of his late wife and has not disclosed thistohisdaughter Nkiru. 

b. Ikenna Okoro 

He is a man who was thought to have died in the 1967 Biafran war. During hisuniversity lecturing days in the sociology department, he was a renowned activist. 

He escaped the Biafran civil war on a Red Cross plane and went to Sweden, wherehehas lived since 1967. 

He lost all his family in the war and never remarried. He returns to Nsukka years later to see how things are. c. 

Vincent 

He is the former driver of Prof James. 

He served Prof. James in the eighties when he was the faculty dean. He is now retired and is following up on his pension, just like Prof and other retirees. 

He currently works as a cobbler near the university hostels. Although he is younger than Prof (In his late sixties), he looks much older. 

He is seen as a concerned and caring person who always minded about the welfareof Prof.James' daughter. d. Ebere 

She is the dead wife of Prof. James Nwoye, who appears to himas a ghost. Duringher time, she portrays some generosity as she would give her daughters oldclothesto Vincent for his children. (Satire - giving old clothes) 

She has been a caring wife who encouraged James to care for his lovely skin. Her death is said to have been caused by counterfeit drugs. 

Like the title suggests, Chimamanda's story "Ghost" mainly dwells on how people face and deal with past ghosts, thus informing their present and future. Professor James Nwoye currently lives in a corrupt part of Nigeria where the medical fieldprovides people with counterfeit drugs. 

When the story opens, the seventy-one-year-old Professor of mathematics is walkingthe grounds of the University Bursary, where he is following up on his pension, whichhe does not get. 

The many other retirees that he meets are equally frustrated. 

They associate the failure to get their retirement benefits to the corruption of theeducation minister or the University's vice- chancellor. 

Prof James chats for a while with his former driver Vincent who is to survivetheharsh times serving as a cobbler around the university hostel. Vincent inquiresabout Nkiru (Prof. James' daughter who lives in America), and James informs himthat sheis well. The suffering of the people is highlighted in their appearance and hunger. One of the men gathered under a tree requests Prof to buy thembananas as hunger was killing them. Even as he buys them bananas, Prof ironically observes that what they needed was some moisturiser to soften their skin. After leaving the group, Prof. James meets with Ikenna Okoro; a man thought to be long dead. rlhe encounter shocked Prof as he believed that Ikenna, a former colleague and a renownedactivist, had died in the Biafran civil war on July 6 1967. When he initially sawhim, hethought of throwing sand at him, which was what people do to ghosts. However, his education and the fact that he was walking on concrete grounds prevent himfromdoing it. The encounter between the two drives Prof down memory lane. He remembers their days at the University where Ikena rebelled when asked toput onties. 

He further remembers how Ikenna acted as an activist fighting for non-academicstaff to have better conditions. a flashback, Prof recalls their evacuation fromNsukka on July 6, 1967, when the civil war began. On that day, Ikenna, whostubbornly insisted on going back to the University to get his manuscript, wassaidtohave died. 

Ikenna discloses that he escaped Biafra that day on a Red Cross plane that tookhimto Sweden. He painfully explains that he saw no need to return after the war sinceall his family was killed when Orlu was bombed. 

On his part, Prof James went to America with his wife Ebere but came back in1970when the civil war ended. However, they were devastated to find everythingintheir home destroyed, and their piano was missing. They thus returned to Americaandonly returned to Nsukka in 1976. When Ikenna inquires about their daughter Zik, Profpainfully answers in Igbo that the war took her. He, however, tells himthat theygot another daughter after the war—the two talk about life during and after the war, witheach mentioning their worst moments. 

Ikenna asks Prof James about his wife Ebere, and James replies that she died three years ago. He tells him that she visits him. Ikenna appears surprised at the disclosure, so James corrects himself and says that Ebere visited America quiteoften since their daughter works there as a doctor. Knowing that Ikenna is educatedjust like him, James knows that Ikenna does not believe in ghosts. He, too, never believed in them until his wife visited him three weeks after the burial. 

The two talk about the situation ever since the war ended and how things havesignificantly changed. They point out at the rot in the University —where insteadof teaching, people are playing politics and instead of reading and working hard; students are buying grades either with money or their bodies. 

The corruption in the university offices does not escape them. James reportshowone Josephat Udeana, a vice chancellor for six years, ran the University like hisfather's chicken coop leading to the disappearance of money and favouritisminpromoting workers. James notes that the current vice-chancellor is not any different, thus why he is yet to get his retirement benefits. 

He further explains how people are bribing to have their years before retirement added since nobody wants to retire. Ikenna raises the sensitive topic about fakedrugs. It triggers painful memories in James since his wife Ebere is thought tohavedied because of counterfeit drugs. James dismissively says that counterfeit drugsare horrible in efforts to avoid this topic. 

He parts ways with Ikenna after telling him how he has been 'resting' ever sinceheretired. He extends an invitation to Ikenna to join him in his home, but Ikennaturnsit down. 

Once in his home, Prof. James turns on the TV and remembers howa man accusedofimporting fake drugs had justified this act through a TV interviewon NTA. Theman had explained that his drugs do not kill people but only fail to cure their illness. He wonders why news about Ikenna being alive never came up, yet there werevarious other stories of the 'living ghosts'- people thought to be dead but turnedupalive. The tale ends with Prof. James in his study hoping that his daughter Nkiruwill call to tell him about their grandson, and if she does not, he will go to bed andawait the visit of Ebere. 

EPISODIC ANALYSIS OF ISSUES Episodes 

• Prof James Nwoye's visit to the University Bursary -pg. 57-59 • Encounter with Ikenna Okoro- pg. 59-65 

• Talk about the civil war on July 6 1967- pg. 60 

• Talk about fake drugs -pg. 65 

• Prof James back home-pg 66-67 

Various issues arise from these episodes: 

The retirees suffer frustration due to being denied their retirement benefits. Whenthe story opens, Prof James is at the University Bursary to ask about his pension, which he has been following up for some time.-"l was there to ask about my pension, yet again." (pg.57) He is, however, frustrated when the clerk tells himthe moneyhasnot yet come. 

Prof is not alone. Several other retirees are clustered under the flame tree, filledwithsimilar frustration. Out of frustration, they curse the vice-chancellor who is saidtohave stolen the money meant for their pension: "His Children will not have childrenHe will die of diarrhoea." (pg.58). 

We also see that these people suffer from poverty. The encounter between Prof andhis former driver, Vincent, points to the poor living condition of the people. Vincent has been forced to work as a cobbler to earn a living. He complains about thefailureof the students in the hostels to pay him on time for mending their shoes (pg. 58). 

The description of Vincent's current physical appearance also shows that hehaslived through tough times. Although he was younger than Prof, he looked older withonly a little hair left pg 58. 

The plea of one of the men to Prof to buy them bananas shows the sufferingthat thepeople have gone through. The man tells Prof, "Hunger is killing us" (pg.58). 

These people cannot afford decent meals for themselves. Ironically, Prof observesthat they need more moisturiser since their faces and arms look like ash (pg. 58). 

The civil war also causes the suffering of many. Many people suffer trauma (ghostsof the past) due to the war. Prof James lost his daughter Zik to the war (pg. 61). 

The people's suffering is further captured when Prof James wonders why hehadnot heard about Ikenna not having died. He notes that people evaded the topic of war and memories of what they had gone through during the war. "But we hardly talkedabout the war When we did, it was with an implacable vagueness, as if what mattered were not that we had crouched in muddy bunkers during air raids after which we buried corpses with bits of pink on their charred skin, not that we hadeaten cassava peels and watched our children's bellies swell frommalnutrition, but we had survived" pg. 66 

Corruption 

The explanation why Prof James and other retirees have not received their pensionis due to corruption. Ihe men clustered under the flame tree say, "The EducationMinister has stolen the pension money... it was the vice-chancellor who haddeposited the money in high interest personal accounts." ( pg.58). 

In the University, corruption is further seen where James tells Ikenna about Josephat Udeana, the great dancer, who, once chosen as vice-chancellor, perpetuatedcorruption at the University's high office. "Josephat was vice chancellor for sixyearsand ran this University like his father's chicken Money disappeared, and thenwewould see new cars coop stamped with the names of foreign foundations that didnot exist." (pg.64)He also dictated who would be promoted and who would not. The situation didnot change after Josephat left since even the current vice-chancellor is also saidtofollow the corrupt route faithfully. 

corruption is also reported in the Personnel Services Department, where lecturerswho do not want to retire bribe, someone, to have some years added to them(pg. 64). 

Further, corruption is seen among university students. Prof tells Ikenna that insteadof reading and working hard to earn fair grades, the university students havebought grades with money or their bodies (pg. 64). 

War and its effects 

The Biafran Civil war that the story highly relies on has significant negative implications on the people: 

Loss of loved ones 

Pro James Nwoye lost his daughter Zik to the war (pg. 61). Ikenna lost the wholeof his family to the war, thus the reason he has lived in Sweden ever since. He tellsProf, "My whole family was in Orlu when they bombed it. Nobody left, so there wasnoreason for me to come back." (pg. 61) 

A great genius - Chris Okigbo, also died in the war Nsukka lost a great mind- astar whose poetry moved everybody. His prowess is compared to that of a colossus; thus, a significant loss for the people page 62. 

• Displacement of people and separation of loved ones When the civil war startedonJuly 6, 1967, the people had to evacuate Nsukka in a hurry Prof James andhiswifeEbere moved to America while Ikenna moved to Sweden using Red Cross planes(pg. 61). 

Prof James and his daughter live separately due to the war. His American borndaughter Nkiru is a doctor in America while James lives in Nsukka. He feels that thewar has denied him an opportunity to teach his grandson the Igbo language andtheculture (pg. 67). 

Destruction/Loss of property 

After the civil war ended in 1970, Prof James and Ebere returned to Nsukka fromAmerica. They were, however, disappointed to find some of their properties havingbeen destroyed and others missing. "Our books were in a charred pile in the front garden. ...the lumps of calcified faeces in the bathtub were strewn with pagesof mymathematical annals, used as toilet paper, crusted smears blurring the formulasI had studied and taught Our piano - Ebere's piano was gone...our photographswereripped, their frames broken." (pg. 61) 

On their way home that day, Prof James and Ebere saw a landscape of ruins, blownout roofs and houses riddled with holes, injuries, and physical pain (pg. 62).

The day Prof James and Ebere drove back to Nsukka, Biafran soldiers stoppedthemand shoved a wounded soldier into their car, and his blood dripped onto the backseat of their vehicle (pg. 62). Counterfeit/fake drugs 

fie selling of expired medicine is the current plague in the country Ikenna tellsJamesthat he has been reading about fake drugs in the papers (pg. 65). 

The effect of fake drugs has been felt by James, whose wife Ebere's death islinkedto the counterfeit drug deal. Prof James thinks that Ikenna must have heardof 'HowEbere had lain in the hospital getting weaker and weaker, how her doctor hadbeenpuzzled that she was not recovering after her medication how none of us knewuntil it was too late that the drugs were useless' (pg. 65). 

In addition, Prof James bitterly remembers how he had watched some broadcast of an interview on NTA. Through the interview, a man accused of importing fakedrugs- typhoid fever drugs, had defended himself by claiming that his drugs do not kill people but only fail to cure illness (pg. 66). 

Dealing with past ghosts 

Prof James is presented as an individual struggling with ghosts fromhis past. Theillusion of his wife's return like a ghost is one of the mechanisms he adopts todeal with his terrible past. It is an attempt to deal with the absence of Ebere andthedevastating effects of war. The freshness of the memories of war is brought out through the many flashbacks used by the writer. One of the flashbacks capturestheday the civil war arose (pg. 60). Another shows the return to Prof and Ebere toNsukka in 1970 (pg. 61-62). By remembering these events, Prof James showsthat the memories of the war are still deeply etched in his thoughts. Essay Questions

1) Society today is filled with many evils that cause suffering to others. Support this from Chimamanda Adichie's 'Ghost' 

2) War has devastating effects and thus should be avoided at all cost Usingillustrations from 'Ghosts' by Chimamanda Adichie 

3) Many individuals struggle with ghosts from their past Show howtrue thisassertion is based on 'Ghosts' by Chimamanda Adichie. 

Questions on styles 

1. How effectively has the writer used flashbacks in the story 'Ghosts, 

2. The dialogue between Prof James and Ikenna carries the critical messagesinthe story. Is it true? 

3. The higher learning education sector is satirised in the story. Showhowthisisachieved.

GOD SEES THE TRUTH, BUT WAITS 

Leo Tolstoy Russia About 

Leo Tolstoy was born in 1928 in Tula Province, Russian. A master of realisticfictionand one of the world's greatest novelists, Tolstoy is best known for his finest novels: and Peace (1865 69) and Anna Karenina (1875 - 77). His shorter works includeEllieDeath of Ivan Ilyich, The Living Corpse and The Kingdom of God is within You, inhislast three decades, Tolstoy worked as a moral and religious teacher, an embodiment of nature and pure vitality. Though dead now, his soul lives as a living symbol of thesearch for life's meaning. 

1) Aksionov's excursion for a Trade Fair at Nizhny. (p68 - 69). 2) Aksionov's arrest and 26-year imprisonment. (p69 71). 3) The coincidental encounter with the real killer. (p71 - 72). 4) Makar's confession. (p73 74). 

God Sees the Truth but Waits is a parabolic story about Ivan Dmitritch Aksionov, ameek young merchant with two shops in Vladimir, Russia. 

Ivan bids his family and sets out on a Trade Fair in Nizhny despite his wife's premonition through a dream. Midway through the journey, he meets another merchant, and they put up at the same inn for the night. A rogue thug kills themerchant at night and flees, leaving his blood-stained knife in Aksionov's bag. Aksionov is arrested on suspicion and is sent to 'Siberia' for twenty-six years. Onenquiry about his character, Vladimir people say that Ivan is now good after hestopped drinking. 

However, even his wife now doubts him! Coincidentally, the rogue murderer, Makar Semyonich, is brought to prison for a minor offence, and Aksionov is severely disturbed by his presence that he feels like killing himself. 

Makar commits another offence in prison, and Aksionov finds him, but the manbegshim to keep quiet and not betray him, or he will kill him. Aksionov tells himhehadkilled him long ago, and he will do as God shall direct. 

When the Governor implores Aksionov to tell him the truth about the prison offence, for he trusts only him, Aksionov refuses and tells him he can do what he likeswithhim as he is in his hands. At night the killer, Makar, confesses and begs Aksionovtoforgive him. 

As Makar sobs, Aksionov weeps, for he has no desire to leave the prison. Whentheorder for his release comes, Aksionov is already dead.

a) How relevant is the title of the story, God Sees the Truth, but Waits? b) Why do you think Aksionov refuses to tell the truth about the prison incident?c) Do you think the Governor is to blame for Aksionov's prolonged imprisonment?Explain. 

d) What is the impact of Ivan Aksionov's faith in God on his life? e) Why is Ivan reticent to go back home? 

f) Explore and analyze the existence of the following themes in God Sees theTruth, but Waits. 

i. Mistaken identity. ii. 

Crime and Confession 

iii. Wrongful conviction and imprisonment. iv. 

The concept and context of truth. 

v. Justice delayed is justice denied. vi. 

Betrayal and Tolerance 

vii. Coincidence 

Wrongful conviction and imprisonment. 

The values of honesty, truth and justice are tested through this story. 

• Aksionov comes out to question the essence of these values if he suffersinthe prison caves of Siberia under wrongful conviction and subsequent incarcerationfor twenty-six years. (p71). 

• Mistaken identity runs through this story. Ivan Dmitritch is arrested for spending a night with an acquaintance a fellow merchant at the inn who leavesbefore dawn. 

• This is because the merchant is killed during the night by a thug whohidestheknife in Ivan's bags. This is what makes the police officer arrest himon suspicion. (p69, 70). 

• At the story's beginning, Aksionov is characterized by dynamic character andsetting. He is lost in liquor but later starts a business and owns two shops. (p68). 

• He leaves and loses his home, family and his freedom. This story sendsthemessage that none of these things matters in the long run. 

• Aksionov learns the hard way that when the chips are down, nothing remainsexcept God at his side, who knows the truth. (p73). 

• Truth depends on context. It is true that the bloody knife is found in hisbagsand that he had slept close to a fellow merchant, but then it is not true that hekillshim. (p69).

• By the end of the story, Aksionov has an opportunity to be free and returnhome, but he no longer desires to leave the prison but only hopes for his last hour tocome. Ivan is a man who seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Heisunlucky, mentally strong, and religious. He is unfortunate because he is sentencedtoprison for 26 years for a murder that he did not commit. 

He is also mentally strong because he can endure many tragic events, suchaslosinghis home and business. 

Faith and devotion 

Finally, he displays a strong religious devotion by growing closer to God duringdifficult times. 

• However, at the story's end, he only seems to care about his faith andbeingclose to God. 

• Ivan relies on God as he is the only constant in his life. At the end of thestory, he has no desire to return home. His only wish is to be with God. 

At the story's beginning, Ivan and his wife don't have the best relationship as heleaves for Nizhny Fair even after his wife asks him to stay. Later, she doubts hisinnocence after he is convicted of murder. 

• Faith keeps Ivan going after losing everything, being charged with murder andsent to prison in Siberia. He could have completely given up, but he insteadleansonhis faith in God. 

l. Describe the character traits of the following characters. 

a) Aksionov 

b) Makar 

c) The Governor 

2. Focusing on their prominent character traits, compare and contrast theprotagonist, Ivan Aksionov, and the Makar. 

3. Citing evidence from the text, describe the character traits of the followingcharacters. 

a) The Governor 

b) Aksionov's wife 

1. How is symbolism employed in Leo Tolstoy's God Sees the Truth, but Waits?2. Examine the use of irony and paradox God Sees the Truth, but Waits.

3. What does Siberia represent in this story? 

Essay question 

1. The average human attribute is evile Discuss this assertion using illustrationsfrom Leo Tolstoy's God Sees the Truth, but Waits, (20 marks), 

THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH 

Rern'y Ngamije Rwanda And Namibia About 

the Author Rem'y Ngarnije. 

Reni'y Ngamije is a writer and a photographer who is of Namibian origin but wasbornin Rwanda. He founded an organization that supports literary works and is alsoachief editor of the first Namibian literary magazine- 'Doek'. His story NeighbourhoodWatch' is a contemporary story that was recently published in the Johannesburg Review of Books. Streetlife — Crime and violence in the streets

The secret struggles/suffering 

Harsh living conditions. 

Inequalities / Class difference — 

The rich vs poor 

Desperation — suffered by those living in the streets. 

Waste disposal — what is the ideal way to dispose of waste? TITLE 'The Neighbourhood watch' 

The title is a phrase used to refer to an organised group that engages in crimeandvandalism prevention in a particular neighbourhood. While deviating fromtheideal image of a neighbourhood watch that aims at reducing crime, Rem'y Ngamijeironically creates a haphazard group of five homeless people who scavenge androam around different neighbourhoods/suburbs in Windhoek. The crewengagesinminor criminal activities instead of working to curb crime in the neighbourhoods. 

a. Elias 

He is the oldest member of the Neighbourhood watch group and thus their leader. He mainly helps get food for the group by working with Lazarus and Omagana. 

Elias has had a tough past as he experienced the South African insurgency; thusisstrong and had suffered some loneliness in his first years in the streets. 

Memories of the war still haunt him, as often in his slumber. b. Lazarus 

He is Elias's Lieutenant.

He is the eyes of the group and the source of protection, as his presence in anyfight is believed to change the bookies' odds drastically. 

He is an ex-convict though he does not like disclosing this information. c. Omagano 

She is the only female member of the group. 

She works as a member of the food crew (Elias, Lazarus, omagana) that goesout looking for food for the group. d. Silas 

He is a member of the group who likes risks. 

He steals from people. 

Although Elias constantly warns him, he does not stop the stealing habit. e. Martin 

He is the newest and youngest member of the group. 

He mainly works with Silas to look for essentials such as discarded blankets, mattresses, useable shoes, broken crates, trolleys and toothpaste tubes. 

He faithfully follows Silas around, trying to learn a few tricks fromhim. f. Old Mrs Bezuidenhout 

She is an old generous and kind lady who lives in the wealthy neighbourhoodof Eros. 

She is considered as one of the pillars of the Neighbourhood Watch as she givesdifferent gifts such as canned food, old clothes or blankets, old books and rosariesthat they use to pray at night. 

Set in the suburbs of Windhoek, Namibia, 'The Neighbourhood Watch' is a modernstory of a street group made up of Elias Lazarus, Silas, Omagano and Martin. Thestory explores the daily life of this group, their struggles, crimes and desperationtosurvive in the harsh conditions that street life presents. 

The story opens in the morning, where Elias wakes up the family members toprepare for the day's activity. The harsh living conditions in the streets are evident from the lack of breakfast and the single can of water that the group shares tocleantheir faces. Their "home" - below the bridge- which the author sarcastically callsprecious real estate is their territory that is marked and safely guarded. 

The group sets out early to the CBD, where the food crew (Elias, Lazarus andOmagano) go looking for food while the valuable crew (Silas and Martin) lookfor other essentials. They reunite later, and the food crew produces half a loaf of brownbread, some salt mashed potatoes, soft grapes and some water which the groupshares for lunch. The valuable crew has brought a stack of newspapers, plastic piping and two battered, floppy poor boy caps, which Elias and Lazarus pick. 

Elias orders the group to rest as they would be heading to Auasblick that night. Ausiblick is one of the nice suburbs as the bins there provide some bounty harvest as the people there still know how to throw things away. This is unlike OlympiaandSuiderhof, which are already crowded. 

The writer compares these neighbourhoods to old neighbourhoods that the crewused to scavenge. Through a flashback, the past life ofElias and Lazarus is brought out. In their earlier days, the two were not choosy on areas to frequent. They visitedthe poor neighbourhoods such as Katutura, Hakahana, Goreangab, WanahedaandOkuryangava on Tuesdays and Fridays. While scavenging these neighbourhoods, thetwo found a baby, thus deciding to prepare a timetable and stop going to poor people's places. 

Another flashback takes us to the way the crew used to visit Khomasdal onWednesdays. On one Friday's visit to Khomasdal, Amos, a former crewmember withElias and Lazarus, gets killed. He fails to control his tongue and guts after gettingdrunk thus is stubbed by someone he insults. 

Elias and Lazarus escape the scene of death just like everybody else for fear of beingquestioned and harassed by police. However, they are caught and are badly beatenand injured before they are set free. They thus decide never to return to Khomasdal. 

The crew spends their Friday and Saturday at the Headquarters. They consider it safe since those are the days that police patrols drive around looking for mischief. Silas, however, chooses to roam around, thus leaving the other four crewmemberstalking about people who idle around waiting to get some specific jobs that arerarelyforthcoming. Martin talks of the hope of getting a job for these people in thefuture. This raises the debate that leads to the crew's slogan that there is only today andthat every day is today. 

Sunday is the best day for the crew since they visit the affluent suburbs suchasAvis, Klein, Windhoek and Eros. These suburbs are associated with the rich and arecloseto the crew's home — Headquarters. One of the good things about Eros is thegenerous old Mrs Bezuidenhout who waits for the crew and gives themgifts suchascanned food, books and old clothes. 

The story comes to an end with the crew worried of the day that Mrs Bezuidenhout will no longer be around to give those gifts, yet they will still want to take andhavesomething to help them survive the harsh street life. 

1. At the headquarters- pg 75-78 

2. The past; poor suburbs -pg 78-80 

3. Death of Amos-pg. 80-81

4. The wealthy suburbs —pg. 82-83 

Street life And Its Challenges 

Living in the streets is shown to have several challenges: 

Crime and violence 

The neighbourhood watch must safely hide their valuable items at the headquartersto prevent theft. hidden stash is considered safe since they are a feared group—they have a fierce reputation (pg. 76). 

Lazarus is considered the Lieutenant of the group and one of its pillars due tohisviolence (pg. 83) shows that life in the streets involves some violent acts. Violenceisseen to be a necessary survival skill in the street. 

The death of Amos after knife stabs also shows the level of violence facedinthestreets 'The knife flashed quickly In, out, in, out and then slashed across..... ..Amosfell.' (pg. 80-81). 

Silas, one of the crew members, engages in some crime. He is said to have hadahabit of discovering things that have had previous owners. 'Silas steals' ( pg. 77). If he gets caught while stealing, he might be beaten or arrested. 

Secret struggles 

The Neighbourhood Watch has to struggle to ensure that the valuables are safelyhidden to prevent theft. After splashing water on their faces, the empty can isstashed away with other valuables in a hook under the concrete abutment of thebridge (pg. 75-76). 

They also have to protect their territory — The bridge underside precious real estate. To achieve this, the abbreviations NW are sprayed onto the bridge's columns whichcommunicate that it is marked territory (pg. 76). 

The group must struggle to camouflage and appear like any ordinary personwhileroaming the streets to evade police. They have to look presentable, thus why Omagano struggles to straighten her kinky hair using her fingers. They alsohavetowear their best clothes. One of their greatest challenges is how to disguise their foul smell. The writer notes, "But smelling bad is something they try to avoid as muchaspossible since a smelly man is despised everywhere." (Pg. 76). 

Struggle to get food 

The crew relies on waste food and leftovers to survive. It is said that 'Elias knowsmost city hotel's kitchen staff who leave the group some decaying produce or someleftovers when they feel kind from the previous night' (pg 76). 

The struggle to get food forces them to use dubious means such as havingOmagano satisfy the sexual needs of guards who deny them access to bins that might contain high yields (pg. 77). 

The lunch that the group shares show that getting enough food for a meal is areal struggle for them 'The food crew shares the lunch: Half a loaf of brown bread, somesalty mashed potatoes, soft grapes and some water' (pg.78). 

The group heavily relies on Mrs Bezuidenhout's generosity as she gives themcannedfood such as beans and peas, fruits and other valuable items (pg. 83). 

Struggle with poor health conditions 

Elias has a racking cough that worsens each day. It is so severe that, 'Sometimesthere is blood in the gunk from his chest, but he waves everyone's concerns away' (pg. 76). 

Inequalities/Class Difference 

By splitting the city of Windhoek geographically into different neighbourhoods, Ngamije is able to use place as a marker of inequalities and class differencesthat exist among the people. 

The content of rubbish bins in the different neighbourhoods shows the differencesbetween the rich and the poor. The first suburb to be visited by the crewis Auasblick. It is described as a nice place since the people there still know howto throwawaythings The Neighbourhood Watch is assured Of scoring good things such as 'brokentoasters, blenders, kettles water bottles, Teflon pots or pans scrubbed rawscreentelevision cardboard boxes, and maybe some food' (pg.78) This shows that thepeople who live here are well up and live comfortable lives. 

The suburbs of the poor such as Katutura, Hakahana, Goreangab, WanahedaandOkuryangava, are also described. 

Using the flashback of the crew's Tuesday and 'Thursday visits to these poor suburbs, Ngaminje brings out the living conditions of the poor based on the content of their bins. One day, Elias and Lazarus found a baby wrapped in some newspapersthrown into a big bin. Ihis encounter made them smart and move away frompoor people. They decided that on Tuesday and Thursday nights, they would stopgoingtopoor people's places because poor people had nothing left to throwaway but themselves (pg. 80) 

Khomasdal is closely related to the poor people's suburbs. It is, however, a drinkingden. The neighbourhood watch never enters Khomasdal since it is crowdedwithother starving, roving cliques (pg. 80). It is also in the same neighbourhoodwhereAmos was killed. 

These lowly suburbs are contrasted to the suburbs ofthe wealthy such as Avis, Klein, Windhoek and Eros. Avis has complex apartments that bring a fresh crop of binstothe interlocked pavements. lhough made up of rich people, 

Klein Windhoek portrays some meanness as they only put up their bins at thecrack of dawn to dissuade the dustbin divers from perambulating through their streets(pg. 83). Eros is the best suburb for The Neighbourhood Watch due to the presenceof Mrs Bezuidenhout, who waits for the crew and gives them some gifts. This shows

the wealthy nature of the old lady, the people living in this neighbourhood, andMrsBezuidenhout's generosity. 

Desperation 

Life in the streets is filled with moments of desperation. When Elias and Lazarusmet, they would desperately flick through every bin they could find in every suburbtheycould reach. As the writer tells us, they had no room to be choosy as the writer tellsus, 'They were indiscriminate and desperate and always hungry.' (pg.78) 

Elias shares these experiences with the other crew members and tells them, "Whenwe started when you have to we weren't picky. We had to survive survive, youdon't get to choose what you have to do." (pg.79). 

We further see that the crew's desperation to get food and survive makes themuseany possible means. Omagano is a precious survival tool for the group in suchdesperate times. This especially happens where the bins in some areas are fencedoff and guarded by guards who threaten to beat the crew if they trespass. Theguards have to be bribed to let the crew scavenge in these bins. When the crewhasmoney, Elias pays the guards. 

However, when the crew has no money and needs to get food, Omagano is their onlyway out. She goes behind a dumpster with a guard and does what needs tobedone(pg. 77). 

Waste disposal 

Ngamije shows the actual situation around waste disposal in many urban neighbourhoods. The Neighbourhood Watch crew solely depends on the disposedwaste for their survival. By describing the kind of waste found in different neighbourhoods, the writer communicates the need to ensure that waste is appropriately disposed off. The crew's appreciation of high-end suburbs suchasEros, Windhoek, and Eros emphasises the need to recycle and separate different waste products. These suburbs have people who recycle. Different bins containingdifferent wastes are also seen- 'The paper cardboard, plastic bottles, tins, cansandaluminum foil are sorted in separate plastic bags. Some people even wash thetrashbefore they throw it away. Everything else that is of no use goes in the big greenbins' (pg. 82). 

This serves as an advantage to the crew as it saves time and prevents disappointment. The writer subtly advocates for waste separation and recyclingtoensure proper waste management. Other lowly suburbs such as Katutura, Hakakana, Goreangab, Wanaheda and Okuryangava display poor waste disposal where all sortsof waste are put in the same bin. The writer communicates the inappropriatenessofthis waste disposal approach through the grave voice adopted by Elias as heshares their past experiences with the crew. 

"Usually in a bin you have to be ready to find shit Old food, used condoms, womenthings with blood on them, broken things." (pg.79) 

This waste disposal method is not just disgusting, but it makes proper wastemanagement difficult and ultimately impossible. Similar waste disposal methodsareseen in Ausblick, where everything — including electronic gadgets such as brokentoasters, blenders and kettles- is disposed of together with water bottles, cardboardboxes, and even food wastes. 

Questions 

1. Proper waste disposal makes it easy for waste to be appropriately managed. Using illustrations from Rem'y Ngamije's "The Neighbourhood Watch" showhowthismessage is communicated. 

2. Street life is not for the faint-hearted Show the truthfulness of this statement based on the story "The Neighbourhoodd Watch." 

3. In every society, some inequalities exist that affect people's way of life. Usingillustrations from Rem'y Ngamije's "The Neighbourhood Watch" support this assertion. 

DECEMBER 

Filemon Liyambo - Namibia About 

Filemon Liyambo is a Namibian writer and former newspaper columnist for theNamibian Sun Newspaper. He has also contributed social commentary articlesfor the New Era Newspaper. A qualified geologist, he is now an educator. His workwasincluded in Erotic Africa, an anthology of short stories published by Brittle Paper inDecember 2018. He is currently working on a novel. 

1. September's arrival from the U.K. (p84 — 86). 2. December's psychiatric condition. (p86 - 88). 

3. Ezekiel Shikongo's dreams and taboos. (p85 - 90). 

December is a story about a girl named December, unconventionally, by her father, Silas Shikongo. The story is set in a town in Namibia. 

December has a younger brother named September. According to their grandfather,

Ezekiel, there are traces of idiotism in September, his grandson, for he takes after hisyoungest brother, Josef. 

December nurses September when he is young, but there is a mishap in whichsheinjures the boy accidentally with hoe, and the boy bleeds. Flhe old man thenforbidsher to eat chicken, saying that is how things are. September suspects that hisgrandfather is hiding something because he cannot explain the reason clearly. However, the two siblings are academic geniuses. 

Suddenly, just before joining a Teachers Training College, December developsapsychiatric condition and her grandfather, Ezekiel, insists that she is bewitchedandthere are dark forces behind it. He takes her to the hospital and dumps her there. September, who now studies in the U.K., visits his sister at the hospital, but thenurseintercepts him for being late. However, Tshuuveni, a supervisor, and a familiar faceappears and begins talking with him. This light chat makes the nurse calm, andtheguards are sent away to allow him some time. The nurse softens when she learnsthat September is December's brother who studies abroad. 

September finds his sister in a horrible condition, but they have a warmmoment, andhe hands her the gifts: a jersey, a pen and a book full of puzzles, a t-shirt, andyummychips from KFC. 

Meanwhile, Tatekulu, their grandfather Ezekiel, has dreamed of a pond whereleopards drink and Josef is seated on the edge, eating. A search party is sent, andJosef is found at the exact place in Ezekiel's dream. 

The next day, September buries his grandfather, with his secret, next to his father inthe village graveyard. 

Questions for reflection on 'Title' of the story and themes 

1) How relevant is the title of the story, December? 

2) Does the Naming convention of Silas Shikongo affect his children? 3) Why do you think Ezekiel refuses to tell why he forbids his granddaughter toeat chicken? 

4) Do you think Josef gets lost? Explain. 

5) What does the Union jack symbolize in the story, December? 6) Explore and analyze the following themes in December. 

i. Mental illness and child neglect 

ii. Superstitious beliefs and taboos 

iii. Healthy living, eating iv. Hope/optimism Thematic concerns 

+ Consequences of superstition on mental illness o December, the story's title, isalso the central character's name. The name is given to her by her father against his own father's wishes, who calls it idiotism. Conventional or not, thisnaming creates confusion and distortion of facts simultaneously. (p85- 86).

o The story itself is mixed with a patched-up plot which renders the storylineunclear. The plot is not linear. Like in most Namibian, there was indifferencetowards those who didn't reside there. Sticking out was a serious crime: (p84- 90). 

o When Ezekiel Shikongo faces death and illness, anxiety, fear, and despair creep in, engendering adherence to delusions that have no logical or scientificexplanation and lead to superstitious behaviours caused by a false notionof the causes. (p84 - 90). 

o It is rooted in human ignorance and significantly affects people's cultureandhealth, prevents them from beginning restoration, and harms individualsand society. The mundane illogical beliefs derived fromignorance cannot beproven objectively and scientifically. Ezekiel forbids December to eat chickendue to the mishap. (p85 89). 

o The extended family of Ezekiel grapples with hereditary ill patients (Josef andDecember), and the old man blames their mental illness on superstitiousthoughts such as "evil eye" or "dark forces." 

o This pandemonium is created by Silas, December's father, to showhisdivergent opinion and disbelief in his father's taboos. (p85). 

o Their disagreement, therefore, gets complicated when December is borninSeptember and September in July. Then when September returns fromabroad, his grandfather dies in October. (p86). 

o Ezekiel refers to the naming as 'idiotism', and indeed his younger brother Josef exhibits traces of the problem when he starts to lose track of timeinhisteens; days of the week are a blur to him. The fact that September is absent- minded at times complicates the matter more. (p84 - 86). 

o Ezekiel's superstitious belief could be premised on an archaic generational and cultural illusion that other forces cause problems. (p86). o Josef eventually loses himself. He is lost for a month. In his dreams, Ezekiel tellswhere exactly to find him but does not say what he is eating until he exitsthelife stage. Ezekiel's death signifies the end of the old traditions and thebeginning of civilization. (p89). 

o When September breaks the news to his grandfather that he will study abroadtwo and a half years earlier, Ezekiel is happy. September had cried. "My sister..." (p88). 

o The old man reassured him. "I will take care of her." "She's been at thehospital for six months. (p88). 

o Superstition makes him believe that mental illness is caused by other forcesnot normal or conventional in nature. He takes her to a traditional healer, andshe comes back looking skeletal as if the healer had tried starving out thevoices in her head. (p88). o Ezekiel represents intensely superstitious Africanpeople who turn to indigenous treatments such as charms and witchdoctorsto treat their illnesses. Modern technologies have not been able to reducetheir superstitious tendencies. (p88) 

o "There is no brother listed in her file," the nurse said. "Only a grandfather." This is child neglect. (p88). 

o Superstitious thinking becomes harmful when it enters the health domain, affects people's well-being, and becomes part of the family's health beliefs. The values that society believes affect the quality of life and treatment choiceduring illness. Ezekiel's beliefs affect all family members. (p84 - 90). 

Hope/optimism 

• Their life of hope begins when September arrives at the hospital fromtheU.K. December, who is at the hospital probably being discharged to start her life freeof her grandfather's superstitious interference. (p87). 

Remember when September comes from Europe, he brings December a T-shirt withan imprint of the Union Jack, representing modernity or a formof enlightenment. But still, this is confusion on ideologies: between colonialism and civilization. 

• The T-shirt is precisely the same as the one December had ripped upall thoseyears before to stem September's bleeding. This implies that her ordinary lifeisrestored by her brother's hope and concern for her well-being. (p89). 

• The two reminisce their puberty days when September got himself a puppynamed Kali to keep off boys who pursued December when she was younger. Tshuuveni enquires whether September is bringing home an oshitenya fromoverseas, but he says he still hasn't found the right girl. (p87). 

Professional medical practice should be relied on to guarantee the quality of life, control and treatment of diseases, and complications is not a secret to anyone. 

The medical fraternity should fight these superstitious thoughts to lower their adverse consequences. will bring hope. Hope is also symbolized when it rainsafter Ezekiel Shikongo's burial. Then Josef is also found. (p89, 90). 

1. Citing evidence from the text, describe the character traits of the following characters. a) December 

b) September 

c) Ezekiel Shikongo 

d) Silas Shikongo 

1. What does the coming of September from Europe and the dying of Ezekiel inOctober symbolize? 

2. How is sarcasm employed in Filemon Liyambo's December? 3. Examine the use of irony and paradox December.

Gloria Mwaninga- Kenya 

Gloria Mwaninga is a fictional writer from Kenya. Her story 'Boyi' captures the occurrences of the 2005 land war in Mt. Elgon. 

points to guide interpretation 

a) Land war and its effects: 

b) Demand for land protection fee 

c) Recruitment of young men into the militia 

d) Murder/ killing of people- consider how the militia kills e) people while the government forces the killing of militia members. f) People are forced to flee their homes/ Displacement of people g) Betrayal h) The pain and suffering that the people face due to war and the rise of themilitia. 

i) Traditions 

Title 

The title of the story- 'Boyi' is borrowed from the main character's name, whoisthebrother to the narrator. Boyi is recruited into a militia group and ends up deadwhenthe Armed Forces troops come to flash out members of the militia. CHARACTERS

a. Boyi 

He is the brother of the narrator- A fifteen-year-old boy recruited into a militiagroupwhen his parents are unable to pay the land protection fee and the betray feethat theleader of the militia demands. 

He grows and rises in rank to become the right-hand man of Matwa Kei, the militia'sleader. 

He is presented as a jovial, sociable, and outgoing person who always engagedingames and played tricks with his sister. 

He is reportedly killed by Armed Forces troops sent by the government to flashout the militia to end the war. b. The Narrator 

Boyi's sister, through whom the story is told, is keen and observant as she cannotethe things that happen in her family and even outside the family and report theminthe story. She had a close relationship with Boyi thus is greatly affected by hisrecruitment to the militia and devastated once she learns of his death. 

She senses Boyi's death when the huge Nandi flame tree at the front of their housefalls.

c. Baba 

He is the father to Boyi and the narrator. He aided the government representative, who gave land to strangers by giving him a panga and makonge ropes, thus beingconsidered a traitor by the militia. 

He hands over his fifteen-year-old son- Boyi, to the militia group leader whenheisunable to raise the 40,000 fees demanded from him. d. Mama she is the mother to Boyi and the narrator, and the wife to Baba. She is deeply affected when Boni ishanded over to the militia by Baba. 

she remains hopeful that Boyi will escape the militia and come back home. e. Matwa Kei 

He is the leader of the militia group. He is presented as a ruthless, vengeful andbrutal person who demands that Baba should pay 10,000 land protection tax and30,000 betrayal tax failure to which the militia would show Baba smoke without fire. 

f. Chesober 

He is Baba's friend who taught at Chepkurkur Primary School. 

He delivers news that the militia had a long list of people who had aided the government exercise to divide the people's land to strangers. g. Chesaina 

He is an old friend of Baba who works as a watchman in a grain depot, far awayinChwele market. He brings news to Baba,s family that Boyi was nowa markedmansince he was Matwa Kei's, right-hand man. h. Simoni 

He delivers a copy of the Nation newspaper, which contains news about Boyi'sdeath. SYNOPSIS 

Gloria Mwaninga's story, 'Boyi', is a contemporary story about forming a militiagroupto revolt against land allocation to strangers. The story heavily alludes to theMt. Elgon land war in Kenya that began in 2005. The Sabaot Land Defence Forcemilitiagroup was formed to protect the land of the Sabaots from being invaded by strangers. Still, the militia ended up causing harm and suffering to its people. real group was led by Wycliffe Matakwei hence the name of the militia leader in thestory- Matwa Kei. 

Told in the first-person narration voice, the story 'Boyi' opens with the narrator remembering how their Baba pushed Boyi to the Matwa Kei when the militialeader came to demand 40,000 land protection tax and betrayal tax which he couldnot raise. 

Matwa Kei is the leader of a militia group formed to protect the people's landwhenthe government decides to divide the peoples' land and give some of it to strangers. Baba, the writer's father, is considered a traitor by the militia since he lends the

government's surveyor apanga and makonge ropes. 

News breaks out that the militia has begun attacking government representatives. The narrator's family lives in fear of this attack to the extent that they block thesitting-room door with sacks of maise and beans. The narrator and Boyi laughabout it as they feel that the militia would not harm them. However, the narrator recallshow the militia came to their home and demanded money. Baba offers to givethemeverything he owns; his savings, a hunting gun, Sony transistor radio and evenpromises to sell his bull to save his family. However, the militia group declines, forcing Baba to hand over his son, Boyi, to the militia. 

After Boyi is taken away, Mama starts behaving like a mad person. She, however, lives in the hope that Boyi would return by escaping from the militia. The narrator recalls how at first, neighbours would visit them often to console them, but later theystopped coming. 

Later, Saulo visits the family to inform them the government had launched "Operation okoa Maisha" and had dispatched a troop of two hundred armedforcesmen to flash out the militia. next day, Baba and his cousin Kimutai dig a shallowgrave at the back of the house to burry a banana stem wrapped in a green cottonsheet believing that his son is dead. Mama refuses to participate in escortingBoyi'sspirit away. 

Seasons passed as the brutality of the militia rose. They would cut up peopleandthrow the bloodied bodies in the rivers, pit latrines, and public wells. They wouldforcibly recruit boys as young as ten years and even started taking girls to goandcook for them. Cases of rape also increased. As a result, people lived in fear makingmany of them run away to Bungoma and Uganda. 

After the army troops arrive, Chesaina, an old friend of delivers news that Boyi hadbecome a marked man since he was Matwa Kei's, right-hand man. news further devastates Mama and the narrator, who spends the night in Boyi's bed. 

The following day, Simon visits the narrator's house. He delivers the Nation Newspaper, which bore the news "Ragtag militia leader killed by the Army forces" It now dawns on the narrator that her brother is no more. 

She rushes to the parents' bedroom and hands over the newspaper to Baba toread. Upon reading the news, Baba crumples to the floor while Mama's laughter is heardpiercing the morning dawn. Surprisingly, even after Simoni's description of howBoyi was thrown out of an aircraft by Sah-gent, Mama does not weep but speaks Boyi'sname softly as she sits on his bed while Boyi's sister lets tear roll down her face. Asthe story ends, the narrator explains how she sensed Boyi's death when the Nandi flame tree at the front of their house fell. 

Styles and Plot related questions 

1. How has the narrator used flashbacks in the story?

2. Briefly describe Mama's behaviour after: 

a) Boyi is handed over to Matwa Kei 

b) Baba and his cousin Kimutai dig a grave to bury a banana stemc) Chesaina's news that Boyi was a marked man 

d) News about Boyi's death. 

3. What is the implication of the dream used in the story? 

4. The narrator gives a detailed description of what happens when the long rainsfall (pg 94). Explain how symbolic the description is. 

5. Explain the use of irony in the story. 

l. The demand of the Militia- pg 91-92 ll. 

Life after Boyi left- pg 92-93 

Ill. Operation Okoa Maisha pg 93-96 

IV. Boyi's death pg 96- 97 

Thematic Concerns Traditions 

Belief in Djinnis- The community in the story believes in the presence of powerful evil spirits known as Djinni. This is seen when Mama talks to the visitors who frequent their home once Boyi is taken away. She tells them, 'How Boyi saved her marriagebyconfirming that Djinnis did not tie up her womb.' Pg 93. 

The people also practice the ritual of burying a banana stem to send death awaywhere a person disappears and their bodies are not found. The narrator reportshowBaba and his cousin Kimutai dug a shallow grave and buried a banana stemwrappedin a green cotton sheet. The father muttered, "Death, take this body. .. Take it, anddonot bother my home with your visits again." Pg. 93 This ritual is performed after Saulo's story that the government has launched Operation Okoa Maisha, wherearmed Forces troops are sent to flush out militia members. It shows the fear of thepeople that the operation will lead to more deaths. 

The people are also seen to hold on to some superstitions. The falling of thehugeNandi flame signifies something significant was bound to happen. The narrator seesthis as a bad omen while the mother thinks it means the end of evils for her family'I knew it was a bad omen even though Mama came out of her roomjubilantly declared that the evil which was to come to our house had been struck downandswallowed by the Nandi flame, pg 96. 

Land War And Its Effect 

The story is rooted in a revolt resulting from the government dividing land andgiving

it to strangers. Ihe revolt leads to forming a militia group to counter-attack thegovernments' decision and fight those who collaborate with the government. 

The militia has various effects: 

They demanded the land protection tax. They had chopped off the heads of thefamilies if one did not give them money (pg.92). 

The recruitment of young men to the militia. Boyi is recruited by force to the militiabecause Baba has given him out since he cannot afford to pay the money demanded: "Hold on to the boy until I find you forty thousand land protection tax, and thenI will have him back" (pg. 91). 

So many other young men had been recruited into the militia. Mama says, "Hadhisears not caught stones of neighbour's son recruited by the militia?" (pg.92). Themilitia goes from house to house, forcefully recruiting boys as young as tenyearspage 95. 

People living in fear- The villages of Kopsiro, Savomet, Chepkyuk all live in fear ..athick yellow fog of fear over them." (pg. 95) 

People fail to work 

Farmers did not clear their shambas for the second planting of the maize cropbecause the militia stole young crops from the fields and goats fromtheir pens(pg. 95). 

The narrator's friend, Chemutai, said that the narrator's breast grewtoo fast becauseshe had spent too much time outside ......... instead of working chap chap likeanormal musaa tree girl (pg.95) 

Murder/brutal killings 

The militia cut up people and threw their bloodied bodies in rivers, pits, latrines, andpublic wells (pg. 92). The people say that they even cut off their necks. 

The narrator overhears Baba being told that those recruited have to go back homeand kill a close relative so that their hearts are strong to kill others (pg. 95) Boyi iskilled for being part of the militia (pg. 96-97). 

Displacement of people from their land and homes 

"People flee from their homes since there is a mass exodus to Bungoma andUganda' page 95 

Lack of schooling 

The narrator says nobody went to school anymore because of the war. She spendsher days under the Nandi flame tree with half-closed eyes (pg. 95) 

Suffering 

The writer points out clearly how society goes through suffering as a result of the  

Mama experiences emotional suffering when Baba gives out Boyi to the militiatoberecruited since the family could not afford the forty thousand land protectionfee. The writer says that madness had entered 

Mama's eyes the day baba pushed Boyi to Mativa Kei. She tore off her kitengeandstarted shouting at Baba, telling him that he was sick in the head if he thought Boyi would return (pg. 91). 

Mama did not eat her food and starved in the days that followed, mutteringtoherself. Her ugali would remain untouched until a gusty brown film formed. The narrator hadto throw it away to the chicken coop. She also continued engaging herself inmonologues (pg. 94). 

The narrator also experiences pain and suffering. She felt queasy once Babainformed them that the militia would have killed them for not giving out the fortythousand land protection tax. The narrator felt as if someone had pulled her insidesout through her nostrils.' (pg. 92). 

When they were informed of Boyi's death, she cried bitterly. She let the tears roll down her face and soak her blue silk blouse and purple boob top (pg. 97) 

Baba suffers when forced to hand over his son Boyi to the militia. He experiencesagony when Mama questions him since he knew very well if he didn't, he riskedhisfamily being killed by the militia. 'He sat there and held his rage firmly with hishands. He pulled his lips to a narrow thread like a line drawn on his dark face by a ruler.' (pg. 92) 

When they are informed that Boyi is a marked man, Baba goes through someemotional torture. For the first time, the narrator saw her father crying "That dayI saw Baba's tears..." (pg. 96) 

The community undergoes suffering because of the war as some of the peoplearebrutally murdered the militia cut the people and threw their bloodied bodies inrivers, pit latrines and public wells' (pg. 96). 

Some of the militia are said to kill close relatives so that their hearts are strongtokill others. The militia forgets its initial objective of protecting the land. Instead, "Nowthey even cut off our necks" (pg. 95) 

The militia also rapes their blood relatives who give birth to babies (pg. Betrayal 

The writer points out how some people betray others in society. Baba betrayshiscommunity by assisting the government representative with a panga and makongeropes when the government divides the people's land and gives it to some strangers(pg. 92).

The militia betrays the community it was meant to fight for by meting out evil onthepeople whose land they are fighting. The narrator overhears their neighbour Korostelling her father 

"They forgot that they were to protect our land from being given to those lazy strangers. Now they even cut off our necks" (pg. 95) 

The government betrays its people by dividing their land and giving it to strangersleading to the formation of the militia. 

1. War leads to suffering. Using illustrations from the story show the validity of thisstatement. 

2. How effectively is Imagery used in the story? 

3. Describe the role of Baba inthe Story; 

CHEQUE MATE 

Kevin Baldeosingh - Trinidad About 

Kevin Baldeosingh was born in1963 in the Caribbean Island of Trinidad. He isanewspaper columnist, author, and Humanist involved in many controversial social issues. He has worked with the Trinidad Express, Newsday and the TrinidadGuardian. He worked for 25 years in the field of journalism. 

Episodes /sub- episodes 

1. At the bank, with the teller. 

2. Back to her apartment. 

3. At the company office, with Randall. 

Cheque Mate is a story about Sukiya (Ms Chansing), a poor damsel fromPenal, theCaribbean island of Trinidad, and her boss, Randall A Credo, of the Amerindiantribe. She is on the platinum credit cards queue and intends to deposit thirty milliondollars(five million U.S. dollars), but there is a mistake that throws her into panic anddilemma. 

Sukiya is an executive corporate secretary recently promoted, and her salary raisedtenfold. Fifty thousand dollars go into her savings account each month-end, but themoney does not show her actual income. She avoids the bank manager, for shehasaccumulated more and more, and her deposits are pretty frequent and high. Mr Randall makes these five million cheque payments for fear of cleaning by offshore accounts hacker’s syndicate. The teller advises her to open a U.S. savings account and return the following day. 

As she drives her posh car back to her apartment, she is Obsessed with the fivemillion dollars but pleased and relieved that she has successfully handled anawkward situation. She has to check her private records before seeing her boss, Randall. She weighs all possibilities of legal investigations, discovery and embarrassment but finally convinces and assures herself there is no cause for worry. She romanticizes what she could do with such vast sums of money, especially her residential abode. 

Randall has her as a corporate secretary who draws up contracts, studies conveyances and writes legal opinions. However, her critical role, for which sheishandsomely paid, is to create loopholes in such documents, including the saleof themethanol company to the Chinese government. Randall is also a major campaigncontributor. Thriving in such an environment, the poor girl suddenly turned prosperous, is delighted that she has accumulated a lot. 

After confirming that the sums and dates on the cheques are correct, she goestosee Randall for an explanation. Then the truth about the trick unfolds: the moneyisafee for keeping her mouth shut on the Chinese methanol deal which Sukiya undervalues the shares by 50 percent. At a time when technology can be usedtoconceal fraudulent secrets in cryptographical codes, it now dawns on Randall that it can also be used to reveal them. It is a fraud Sukiya has to deal with herself or together with her cheque mate, Randall, thanks to her cyberspace technology skills. 

1. How relevant is the title of the story, Cheque Mate 2. Who are the cheque mates in the story? 

3. Why are cheques preferred as their payment modes? 

4. How do the cheque mates exploit contracts' complexity and detailed naturetocommit fraud? 

5. Explore and analyze the existence of the following themes: 

a. Corruption / Fraud/ bribery 

b. Deceit and Betrayal 

c. Loyalty cheques 

Thematic Concerns Corruption / Fraud/ bribery 

The banks and government will surely unravel and nab the cartel's underhanddealsin cryptocurrency camouflaged in the cheque deposits and contracts. (p108). 

The first eyebrows are raised when the bank teller repeats the question, "Ms Chansing,? Do you want the 'thirty million dollars' deposited in your savings account

or would you prefer to open a U.S. dollar account?" (p98). 

The official deductible salary standard for top executives does not showin her actual income through platinum credit cards. 

Sukiya has accumulated over ten thousand dollars, an amount she deposits fivetimes every month. (p99). She avoids encounters with bank managers for a bankmanager might wonder how a fifty-thousand-a-month salary becomes sevenmilliondollars in savings within six years. He would know enough to make some educatedguesses. (p99). 

The bank teller reminds Ms Chansing that the cheque is for five million dollars, U.S. equivalent to 30,242,000 Trinidad and Tobago dollars. (p99). 

She is responsible for moving vast sums through various channels when theoil andgas boom starts and money flows into the company. Sukiya will need to providethesource of funds, of course. (p101). 

Randall had watched too many movies where unrealistically cunning criminalscleaned out businessmen's offshore accounts by hacking into them. (p100). 

Ironically, when Sukiya, a lawyer, is hired as a corporate secretary to detect andclosefinancial loopholes in documents, she gets paid the largest cheques for creatingsuch loopholes. (p103). 

The five million cheques she gets she assumes is her fee for having drawn upfor thesale of the methanol plant by Randall. It could be a surprise bonus. But now, according to Randall, it is her fee for keeping her mouth shut during that deal. (p101— 107). 

Then the truth about the trick unfolds: the money is a fee for keeping her mouthshut on the Chinese methanol deal which Sukiya undervalues the shares by 50 percent. (p107, 109). 

• It is a deal that the Chinese considered protocol even with the bribe. (p103). 

• It is clear that the frauds committed, both inadvertent and deliberate, are rewarding, but eventually, the perpetrators will have to pay dearly. 

She is almost at the point of betraying herself, insinuating in her mind her readinessto offer herself unto Randall, for he is a man. Sukiya wants every advantage if themeeting turns into a negotiation. (p105). 

Deceit and betrayal 

Eventually, Ms comes to terms with the reality that all this time she has workedfor the company under Mr Randall A Credo was a disguised syndicate for whichshewill face the force of the law. 

When investigations are done, she will have to defend herself as to howshe hasaccumulated all this wealth over a very short period since she started workingasa

poor young girl from Penal. Now she swims in opulence, affluence and prosperouslyapparently does not need money as millions of dollars accumulate in a desk drawer. (p104 - 105). 

When she examines the cheques, the sums and dates are all right, signed by Randall and countersigned by herself. (p105). 

She could put various clauses into contracts to achieve certain ends or prevent theother party from attaining certain ends. (p106). 

However, she has been duped and used as a conduit for Randall's fraudulent deals. Ihrough the valuation report, Sukiya signs the document without reading it properlyorbecause Randall tells her to do so. Further, Randall himself forges his signatureusing Sukiya's pen. This form of deceit and betrayal sharply undercuts her. (p107-- 108). 

Margaret, Randall's executive assistant, is paid more than most managers inthecompany's subsidiaries. She knows more about Randall's dealings than anyoneelsein the company, including Sukiya. (p106). 

Loyalty cheques 

It seems everything throughout the story is conducted in terms of cheques. Askedabout the cheques' amounts, the figure runs automatically through her head. (p101). 

Sukiya has to fly from Trinidad to Grand Cayman to deposit cheques to her account every two months. (p 104). She keeps both her Us and T. T. cheques in the samedrawer, which is how the mix-up occurs. (p105). 

Citing evidence from the text, describe the character traits of the following characters. 

a) Sukiya 

b) Randall 

l. How is sarcasm employed in Cheque Mate? 

2. How symbolic is the title, and how does the duo execute their corrupt syndicate?3. How is dialogue used to achieve revelation of the rotten ills of the cheque mates?4. Why should corruption be made unattractive to perpetrators? Sample answered essay Questions Question 1: 

Ninema is an admirable character. Support this from Vrenika Pather's 'Ninema' 20marks. 

Ninema is an outstanding character who is liked by many of the people she

associates with. We see many good traits that she portrays in the story "Ninema". 

To start with, Ninema is presented as a principled person. She does not let thebehaviours and traits of others change what she believes in. Her business manner isunique only to her, and she does not change it to fit or be like others. Althoughshewas one of the traders, something about her was different. 

She ran her business with an iron fist which made some people like her whileothersdisliked her, -Tie people's reactions do not affect her as she remains herself. 'Theladies in the stalls admire _her mainly because they had gotten compromisedat work and home. 

In addition, Ninema is admirable since she is organised. She plans her work earlyenough, making it easy to run her business. 

She wakes up early in the morning to reap the herbs that she takes to the market for the day. She organizes her herbs in an appetising way, which draws many customersto here She does not chat with other ladies aimlessly, which would waste her time. She plans to ensure the stall is organised before she takes her breakfast. Onceher stall is ready and only when ready, she takes sips ofthe tea she had brought. Her meals are packed early in the morning, which points to this organised personality. She packs tea and some sandwiches that she takes for lunch. 

Nlnemaås also admirable since she is skilful wise, She handles different customersmasterfully, thus making her earn their loyalty. She can handle Mr Chinran, infatuatedwith her, by treating him with respect and appreciation instead of encouraginghisinfatuation. She also handles Mrs Singh firmly but respectively, thus winningher even though Mrs Singh is difficult and troublesome. Ninema's ability to enticeanewcustomer by offering an extra bunch of mint for free shows that she is skilful inbusiness, thus making her admirable as a trader. 

Lastly, Ninema is seen to be courageous, making her admirable. When a mansexually harasses her, she does not let him go scot- free. She follows the manwhopinches her erect nipple and hits him with the only weapon at hand —her Chumpal, which makes the man too astounded to react. The other women hawker jeer andcheer as Ninema repeatedly hits the man. She even gives himextra hits on behalf ofall the women, thus depicting her as the fighter of her rights and those for others. Byfollowing the man and hitting him with her sandal, Ninema shows her courage. 

From the story, Ninema is genuinely seen to be admirable due to her courageous, skilful, organised and moral nature. 

Question 2 When one is given power, he/she should use it onlyforgood but moreoften than not people use it for wrongpurposes. Support this statement basingyourargument from Naguib Mahfouz's 'A Man of Awesome Power' 

Many people who are in powerful positions or who have been gifted with somesort of power tend to abuse it. Instead of utilizing it for improvement of the society at

large, they use it for their own selfish interests or to punish those that have wrongedthem. same scenario is seen in 'A Man of Awesome Power through a number of illustrations. 

We see Tayyib al- Mahdi utilizing the power given to him for revenge. This is not agood a way of power utilization as it causes harm to others. Tayyib realizes that hehas power to order things to be and he sets out to utilize the power to change' hiscountry. However, the first episode where he utilizes this power shows that heisutilizing it to hit back at a person who offends him. The driver of the taxi that hehailssuffers his wrath for refusing to stop. When Tayyib is on his way to the heart of thetown, he hails a taxi but the driver simply waves a hand at himin haughty refuses. Tayyib's irritation makes him stare at the rear wheels of the taxi and the twoexplodesuddenly. 

He ignores the voice that reminds him that he should only use his power for goodand lets his anger control him. This act of revenge was deliberate since as Tayyibbypasses the driver he feels that he has taught the man a lesson. By utilizinghispower to hit back at the taxi driver, Tayyib shows that people with power useit for wrong purposes. 

We further see wrong utilization of power where Tayyib causes the man in thebustosuffer stomach pains. Although the man had physically attacked a woman, causinghim to suffer stomach cramps not justified. Tayyib encounters a confrontationbetween the man and a woman in a public bus and the man ends up slappingthewoman. Just like the incident with the taxi driver, Tayyib lets his anger control himwhere he focused it on the man's stomach and immediately the man suffers severecramps that cause him to moan and scream in pain. The pain is so intense that anambulance had to be called to fetch him• 

Allowing his anger to control him and causing pain to the man who had slappedawoman is a vengeful act which is wrong thus showing how people with power useit for wrong purposes. 

Beside, Tayyib uses the power bestowed on him to interfere with the radio presentation by causing the presenter to start sneezing. While seated in the café, hehears a radio announcer expounding on the developments that were to be expectedin the future. Tayyib feels that the announcer should report on what has beenachieved yet instead of giving false hopes to the people. Tayyib thus decidestocause some sneezing to attack the announcer since it was the only way tostophim. 

Soon after, the announcer develops massive sneezes that prevent himfromcarryingon with the presentation. Tayyib feels happy and victorious after the unexpectedconclusion of the announcement. Although his desire is to purify the broadcastingsector, the approach of causing massive sneezing to the presenter is harmful andthus wrong. 

Lastly, Tayyib is seen to use the power given to him to satisfy his sexual passionand

desires. Tayyib utilizes the power to make a woman that he is attracted to noticehim. While he is seated at the tea garden planning how to effectively use his power, Tayyib notices a beautiful woman approaching the entrance of the garden. Thewoman does not notice him at first and Tayyib thinks of how through his powershecan cause her to be head -over-heels with him. He then sends her a hidden messageand she responds to him. He sees nothing wrong with satisfying his desires as away of repairing himself. He closes his note book and they surrender to fate, This isanimmoral act since Tayyib is married to Haniya whom he had remained faithful tothroughout their marriage. 

People gifted with power should strive to use it only for good purposes and not to cause pain and suffering to others or for immoral deeds like Tayyib did. 

Question 3 

Some cultural practices do not add value hence should be done away with. Show the truthfulness of this assertion basing on Eric Ng'maryo's 'Ivory Bangles'. (20 marks)  

Culture keeps people together and governs their way of life thus is important. However, there are some traditions that are of no benefit and in some cases suchtraditions cause harm to people who continue to embrace themas is the caseinIvory Bangles] 

For this reason, such traditions should be discarded. Polygamy is one such cultural practice that has continued to be embraced yet it has no value. We realize that thecommunity in the story holds in high esteem this practice. As such, a man whodoesnot ascribe to it is seen to be a topic of discussion: 

This comes out clear where the old man who is a respected Chief's councillor istalked about because he had only one wife. According to the story, it was unheardof for someone as powerful as the old man- a small chief, to have only one wife, 

However, this value is seen to have no value since the old man is happy in hismarriage and he really loves his wife to the extent that he gifted her twenty-four ivorybangle Besides, the riddle used by old man when responding to the Chief's demandthat he marries another wife shows that polygamy causes harm. The riddle's interpretation A wife, a co-wife, witchcraft and death points to the harmful effectsofthe practice. As such, polygamy should be abolished as it causes harmandaddsnovalue. Another cultural value that has no value is believe in the seer and the act of seeking his guidance. 

The old man goes to seek the advice of the seer after noticingsome blood specks in the live at he goat that he slaughtered, He does this sincehispeople, believed in him as their tribal seer and their priest. We also see howvaluedhe is when the old man's wife dismisses his demands. The old man harshly rebukesher telling her that the seer is the mouthpiece of their departed fathers, we however {see that this belief does not add value since some of the advices given are boundtocause harm. The advice given to the old man by the seer supports this as theseer

tells him ‘That the pebbles demand that he beats his wife and send her back toher father's home. According to the seer, the pebbles are jealous of a happy wife- awoman unmolested by her husband. This shows that this believe in the seer isof nobenefit but rather causes harm. 

The superstitious belief that having blood specks in a goat's liver is a sign of something bad about to happen does not add any value, Tris is not based onanyproven basis but is just a traditional belief. The old man goes to consult the seer 

since he had noted some blood specks in the liver of the goat he had slaughtered. The belief is so strong that the man does not agree with the wife's dismissal of theseer's demands. According to the wife, the seer was hitting back at her for turningdown his marriage proposal. This argument that had been used previously doesnot appear believable at this time as the old man reminds the wife that the seer didnot put blood specks on the goat's liver. 

Wife battering is another cultural practice that the people hold in esteemyet it causes more Karm than good. When the old man consults the Seer about thebloodspecks in the liver of the goat he had slaughtered, 'the seer's pebble disclosethat awife was going to die since the spirits were jealous of a happy wife, a womanunmolested by her husband until old age. This (Shows the value attached towifemolestation. To avert the death, the old man is asked to give his wife the 'ritual beating before sending her back to her parent's home. Although the old manoffersto give a number of goats to avert the catastrophes, the pebbles keep demandingforthe ritual beating forcing the old man and the wife to come up with a plan of trickingthe pebbles. The harmful effect of the ritual beating is seen through Leveri, thewifeto the old man's son. The wife remembers how her daughter-in-lawhad beenbeatento a fingernail's distance to her grave by the son. This shows that the ritual beatingcan almost cause death hence the reason it should be discarded. 

Although culture is a glue that holds people together, some of the outdatedpracticesshould be gotten rid of as the cause more harm than good. 

Question 4 

War causes a lot of harm and thus should be avoided at any cost. Validate this statement basing your illustrations from Chimamanda Adichie's'Ghosts' ( 20 Marks)  

Whenever parties engage in some form of fighting, there are grave implicationsthat follow as is seen in Ghosts' where the civil war that happened in July 6, 1967causesuffering and pain to the people. 

To start with, war is seen to cause displacement of several people. Many peopleareforced to run away from their country and their homes when the civil war broke. 

Prof. James and Ikenna's meeting takes James down the memory lane whereherecounts how they were forced to evacuate Nsukka in a hurry in July 6, 1967whenthe war began. Through their conversation, we learn that Ikenna has lived inSwedenever since the war began and has only come back to Nsukka recently. He discloses that he was flown out on Red Cross planes just like many other children hadbeenairlifted to Gabon. Prof. James did not escape the displacement since he andhiswife, Ebere had to move to America when the war broke out. Many people areseento have been forced to leave their motherland as a result of the civil war. 

secondly, we see that war leads to loss of lives. Several people had their livescut short due to the civil war that broke out. The return of Ikenna comes as a surprisetoProf, James since Ikenna was thought to have died in the war. It is no wonder that Prof initially thought of throwing a handful of sand at him just like his peopledidtoensure that it was not a ghost. Actual loss of life is seen through Ikenna's family. While explaining to prof the reason why he never returned to Nsukka after thewar, Ikenna tells him that his whole family was killed when Orlu was bombed duringthewar thus he had nobody to come back to. It is not just Ikenna who lost lovedonesbut Prof too. His first daughter Zik died in the war. He tells Ikenna that the war tookZik. It is no wonder they named their second daughter Nkiruka which means: what isahead is better. 

Thirdly, war is seen to cause massive destruction and loss of properties. WhenProf James and his wife first returned to Nsukka when the war ended in 1970, they noticemajor destructions that had occurred. Prof recounts how they found their houseanditems destroyed. His books were lying in front of the gate, his Mathematical Annalstorn and used as tissue paper, the bath tab used as toilet and their photos rippedandtheir frames broken. The massive destruction of their house was too much that theyhad to be assigned a different house in a different street to avoid seeing their oldhouse. In the process of their house being destroyed, they lose their Piano that belonged to Ebere. Prof also remembers the landscape of drove back to Nsukkaafter the war. The massive destruction a recounted by Prof shows howdestructivewar is. 

Lastly, war causes psychological and physical suffering o live with nightmaresthevictims. Those who experience war and sad memories of it. Prof James is seentohave lived with the memories of the war. He easily remembers every detail of thewaras he recounts it to Ikenna. Ikenna has suffered psychologically as is seen fromthefact that he lost all his family in Orlu hence the reason he does not return toNsukka. 

His psychological suffering is further seen from the fact that he never remarriesafterthe war took his wife. Further evidence o psychological pain is seen where Prof observes how his people avoided the topic of war and if they engaged in it, it waswith some vagueness. The naming of their second daughter Nkiruka- what isaheadis better, also shows the pain that Prof and Ebere: were trying to avoid. The peoplealso suffer physical pain. Prof.James remembers how a wounded soldier wasshoved in their car on the day they returned to Nsukka« 

War causes loss oflives, displacement ofpeoplej and destruction of propertiesamong other effects. People should thus strive to live in harmony and avoidit at all costs.

Question 5 

Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts. Justifythe validity of this statement using illustrations from Meja Mwangi's Incident inthepark. (20 marks) . 

Across the world, over centuries, the behaviour of some of the police officershascaused dire repercussions. Sometimes this happens due to excessive use of forceor simply wrongful application law and policies, but majoriy this occurs as aresult ofimpolite 

Incident in the Park shows how city dwellers, hawkers and loafers find themselvesinconflicts with the police over flimsy and petty reasons often ending unpleasantly. When the two constables accost the fruit peddler, he gets startled and confused. They demand for his licence and identity card which he obviously doesn't have. Thenhe offers five shillings which doesn't seem good enough as one constable shrugs. This means that at times if the offer were attractive, they would have acceptedit andleft him. 

The police refuse to listen to the fruit merchant and harshly shove himalongthestreet to the city telling him he will explain to the judge. This complicates matterseven more because the fruit- seller fears the judge more. It throws himintomorepanic as he has a case that is coming up the following week and the judge is a"tyrant". He explains further that he is selling this time so that he can affordof mebut all his entreaties fall on deaf ears. They remain unimpressed saying nothinguntil he breaks away and flees into the crowded city. 

The situation escalates when the constables chase the fleeing man shoutingfor helpfrom the passers-by. They actually betroth him unto the mob. A city man interceptshim and another man lunges for him as shouts increase. Tossed here and thereasasuspect, the desperate fruit peddler stumbles and falls into a ditch. No one seemstocare to find out what really is happening before taking action. No one listens ashepleads for mercy. 7his is where he meets his 'verdict' which is death. Accordingtothe crowd, 'justice' is administered. The mob universally condemn himwithout plausible evidence. 

By the time the police arrive at the scene, it is too late. Their action is irreversibleandfatal. Flie mob has already killed him for being a "thief". They who are supposedtoensure public safety an security have aided the killing o/a hardworking hawker bytheir silly mistake. This should not have happened if they had treated the manPolitely. An innocent life is so unnecessarily lost. This makes the public loseconfidence in the police. after investigations the truth will come out and it will behard to trust the police. 

In a nutshell, wanton conflicts and deaths of innocent citizen could be avertedif thepolice handled matters with courtesy and sobriety. 

74  | P a g e 

A Silent Song — Leonard Kibera. 

Action speaks louder than words. Discuss the truth of this saying using illustrationsfrom Leonard Kibera's A Silent Song. (20 marks)  

The character of an individual tells more than what they actually say. Mbane'sbrother, Ezekiel, preaches water and takes wine. He is so devoted to God as apreacher, but neglects Mbane, to agonize in the streets for a long time until healmost dies. 

When he brings Mbane to his hut claiming to rescue him fromthe barbaric city inorder that he can see the light of God, the blind beggar starts to feel more lonelyandmiserable in the desolate environment. lhe desolate hut is not a habitable placefor him as it has a flea-ridden floor. One wonders why he cannot live with his ownbrother in his own house! This action tells that the preacher does not love hisbrother. 

It ironical for Ezekiel to keep preaching to his blind brother about Christ andsalvationinstead of first saving him from the harsh street beggary. Ezekiel seems tohavealready judged him as a sinner and that "Christ" will come down fromheaventodothe good to him. Mbane dies miserably without much help fromhis brother. Thisisleast expected from a man of God who should Have preached to his brother throughactions of care and concern. 

Ezekiel portrays religious hypocrisy since Christians would not throwinsults andabuses to God's people when they don't agree with them on some issue, or whenthey do not show that they believe in Jesus Christ. When Mbane shows no interest inChrist, his brother tells him he is worse than a Judas. EIT1is lack of patiencefor aChristian, especially a preacher, is not morally acceptable. 

Another action that tells of the preacher's action is the meaning in his silencelater asMbane nears his death. Christians, good men and women on a Christmas morning, also display pretence in the way they curse and call him names instead of bringingthe good knowledge of Christ to him. They claim, in his hearing, that he is anable- bodied person, only crippled more daily by the idleness of leisurely begging. Hecouldonly yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and lameness. At times, self-pityovercomes him. To him, the God of the Gospel and religi

on are comforts beyondhisreach as a cripple. His God is his only hope of deliverance frompain, destitutionanddespair. The people's actions discourage him about Christianity which they professbut not practice. 

In conclusion, the true gospel is the action of an individual because it is morepractical than mere words. Actions work and satisfy the heart more than proclaimingthe word ofGod. 

Question 7 

Incident in the Park -- Meja Mwangi. 

1. Lack of courtesy between the police and civilians leads to lethal conflicts. Justify

the validity of this statement using illustrations from Meja Mwangi's Incident inthePark. (20 marks) . 

Across the world, over centuries, the behaviour of some of the police officershascaused dire repercussions. Sometimes this happens due to excessive use of forceor simply wrongful application of the law and policies, but majorly this occursasaresult of impolitel interactions between the two parties. 

The police refuse to listen to the fruit merchant and harshly shove himalongthestreet to the city telling him he will explain to the judge. This complicates matterseven more because the fruit- seller fears the judge more, It throws himintomorepanic as he has a case that is coming up the following week and the judge is a"tyrant". He explains further that he is selling this time so that he can affordafinebut all his entreaties fall on deaf ears They remain unimpressed saying nothinguntil he breaks away and flees into the crowded city. 

The situation escalates when the constables chase the fleeing man shoutingfor helpfrom the passers-by. They actually betroth him unto the mob. A city man interceptshim and anotherman lunges for him as shouts increase. Tossed here and thereasasuspect, the desperate fruit peddler stumbles and falls into a ditch, No one seemstocare to find out what really is happening before taking action. No one listens ashepleads for mercy, This is where he meets his Verdict' which is death. Accordingtothe crowd, 'justice' is administered. The mob universally condemn himwithout plausible evidence. 

By the time the police arrive at the scene, it is too late. Their action is irreversibleandfatal. The mob has already killed him for being a "thief". They who are supposedtoensure public safety and security have aided the killing of a hardworking hawker bytheir silly mistake. This should not have happened if they had treated the manpolitely. An innocent life is so unnecessarily lost. This makes the public lose confidence in the police. after investigations the truth will come out and it will behard to trust the police. 

In a nutshell, wanton conflicts and deaths of innocent citizens could be avertedif thepolice handled matters with courtesy and sobriety. 

Question 8 

A Silent Song — Leonard Kibera.

1. Action speaks louder than words. Discuss the truth of this saying usingillustrations from Leonard Kibera's A Silent Song. (20 marks)  

The character of an individual tells more than what they actually say. Mbane'sbrother, Ezekiel, preaches water and takes wine. He is so devoted to God as apreacher, but neglects Mbane, to agonize in the streets for a long time until healmost dies. When he brings Mbane to his hut claiming to rescue himfromthebarbaric city in order that he can see the light of God, the blind beggar starts tofeel more lonely and miserable in the desolate environment. The desolate hut is not ahabitable place for him as it has a flea-ridden floor. One wonders why he cannot livewith his own brother in his own house! This action tells that the preacher doesnot love his brother. 

It ironical for Ezekiel to keep preaching to his blind brother abou Christ and salvationinstead of first saving him from the harsh street beggary. Ezekiel seems tohavealready judged him as a sinner and that "Christ" will come down fromheaventodothgood to him. Mbane dies miserably without much help from his brother. Thisisleast expected from a man of God who should have preached to his brother throughactions of care and concern. 

Ezekiel portrays religious hypocrisy since Christians would not throwinsults andabuses to God's people when they don't agree with them on some issue, or whenthey do not show that they believe in Jesus Christ. When Mbane shows no interest inChrist, his brother tells him he is worse than a Judas. This lack of patience for aChristian, especially a preacher, is not morally acceptable. 

Another action that tells of the preacher's action is the meaning in his silencelater asMbane nears his death. Christians, good men and women on a Christmas morningalso display pretence in the way they curse and call him names instead of bringingthe good knowledge of Christ to him. They claim, in his hearing, that he is anable- bodied person, only crippled more daily by the idleness of leisurely begging. Hecouldonly yearn impotently beyond the reach of darkness and lameness. At times self-pityovercomes him. To him, the God of the Gospel and religion are comforts beyondhisreach as a cripple. His God is his only hope of deliverance frompain, destitutionanddespair. lie people's actions discourage him about Christianity which they professbut not practice. 

In conclusion, the true gospel is the action of an individual because it is morepractical than mere words. Actions work and satisfy the heart more than proclaimingthe word of God.

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December Analysis - A Silent Song and Other Stories Easy Elimu Study Guide

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About the Author

• The plot / synopsis

Key moments in the story

Characters and characterization, stylistic devices.

• Revision questions for December

Essay Questions

December by Filemon Liyambo

Filemon Liyambo is a Namibian writer and former newspaper columnist for the Namibian Sun Newspaper.

He has also contributed social commentary articles for the New Era Newspaper.

A qualified geologist, he is now an educator. His work was included in Erotic Africa, an anthology of short stories published by Brittle Paper in December 2018.

He is currently working on a novel.

The title "December" is appropriate for this story for several reasons.

Firstly, it is the name of the main character, September's sister.

The story follows September's visit to her in the psychiatric ward and his reflections on her condition and the past.

The story is mainly focused on the character of December and the impact that her illness has on September and his family.

Secondly, December is also a reference to the naming convention of September's family, where the children are named after the month they were conceived.

December, in particular, is significant as she was born in September, which is unusual and creates an interesting dynamic in the story.

Thirdly, December also represents the idea of change and the passing of time.

The story takes place over an unspecified period of time and covers several years, and December's illness progresses over time.

December's name is also a reminder of the passage of time and how it can change things.

Lastly, December is also a symbol of the story's themes of loss, family, and tradition.

December's illness is a loss for the family, and September's reflections on the past and the secrets that his grandfather took to the grave are also a reminder of loss.

The story also touches on the importance of family and tradition in their culture, with December's grandfather believing that she was bewitched and the naming convention of the children being a reference to tradition.

In conclusion, the title "December" is an appropriate choice for this story as it not only represents the main character but also captures the themes and motifs of the story through the symbolism of the passing of time and the ideas of loss, family, and tradition.

The Plot Summary

The story, "December," centers around the relationship between September, the narrator and protagonist, and his sister December.

December is a patient in a psychiatric ward, and September visits her after a long absence, during which he has been studying abroad.

The story explores the past and present of their family, and the impact of December's illness on September and the rest of the family.

The story starts with September visiting December in the psychiatric ward, where he is greeted with hostility from the nurse because he is late.

He soon runs into a former acquaintance, Tshuuveni, who is now a security guard at the hospital.

Tshuuveni and September catch up for a bit before Tshuuveni has to go back to work.

September then visits December, and they spend their time together catching up and reminiscing about the past.

Throughout the story, September reflects on how December's illness has affected their family and how it has changed her.

He also reflects on the past, particularly on the naming convention of his family, where the children are named after the month they were conceived.

September is particularly affected by the fact that December was born in September, which creates an interesting dynamic in the story.

The story also touches on themes of loss, family, and tradition.

In the conclusion of the story, September returns home to attend his grandfather's funeral and bury him next to his father in the village graveyard.

The story also implies that September has not been able to make it to visit December again and he is left with the guilt of not being able to fulfill his promise to her.

Ezekiel Shikongo, the grandfather, who had been taking care of December, has not been able to visit her in a while and it is suggested that he has passed away.

The story ends on a melancholic note as September is left to deal with the loss of both his sister and grandfather.

• September’s arrival from the U.K. (p84 — 86).
• December’s psychiatric condition (p86 – 88).
• Ezekiel Shikongo’s dreams and taboos. (p85 – 90).

Characters List

• September: The narrator and protagonist of the story, September is the brother of December and a student studying abroad. He returns home to visit his sister in the psychiatric ward and reflect on their past and the impact of her illness on their family.
• December: September's sister and a patient in a psychiatric ward. She has been struggling with mental health issues, which have caused her to be institutionalized. She is close to September and they share a strong bond.
• Ezekiel Shikongo: September and December's grandfather. He believes that December's illness is caused by witchcraft and is a strong believer in traditional practices and customs. He is also the one taking care of December before he passes away.
• The Nurse: A nurse working at the psychiatric ward. She is hostile towards September when he visits December and is skeptical of his claim to be her brother.
• Tshuuveni: A former acquaintance of September and a security guard at the psychiatric ward. He and September catch up for a bit before he has to return to work.
• Josef: September and December's uncle, who is described as having lost his mind in his teens, and is thought to have been bewitched by Ezekiel.
• September's sister: She is not named in the story but she is the older sister of September and December and takes care of them when they were young.
• Security guards: Two guards who work at the psychiatric ward, they are called by the nurse when September arrives and are dismissed by Tshuuveni.

Character Traits

• Caring: September cares deeply for his sister December, he goes to visit her in the psychiatric ward and brings her gifts, such as a jersey, a book of puzzles, and a t-shirt. He also shows concern for her well-being, asking how she is and trying to comfort her.
• Thoughtful: September is thoughtful of December's likes and dislikes, he brings her soft chips, as she prefers them, and a navy blue t-shirt with the Union Jack, which is the same as the one his sister ripped to stem his bleeding when he was four.
• Reflective: September reflects on the past and the impact of December's illness on their family. He is also reflective on his grandfather's and uncle's death and how it affected the family.
• Loyal: September is loyal to his sister, he keeps his promise to bring her gifts and is there for her when she needs him. He also seems to have a strong bond with his grandfather and uncle.
• Determined: September is determined to visit his sister, even when he is told that he is too late, and he is also determined to find a solution for her illness, even though he is not sure what it is.
• Respectful: September is respectful of the customs and traditions upheld by his grandfather and uncle, even when he does not fully understand them.
• Empathetic: September is empathetic towards his sister's situation, he is able to understand her plight and relate to her feelings.
• Generous: September shows generosity towards his sister by bringing her gifts and showing her attention and care.
• Reliable: September keeps his promise to visit his sister and is reliable in his support for her.
• Observant: September notices the changes in the hospital and how his sister's appearance has changed, indicating his ability to pay attention to detail.
• Patient: September is patient with his sister, despite her illness and her pleas to take her home. He does not rush to make promises he cannot keep and instead shows a sense of understanding and compassion towards her.
• Protective: September has a protective nature towards his sister, he has a dog named Kali that he got to protect her from a man who was pursuing her when she was younger, and he is always looking out for her well-being.
• Strong-willed: December is determined to overcome her illness and maintain a positive attitude, despite the challenges she faces.
• Independent: December is determined to be self-reliant and not rely on others to take care of her.
• Responsible: December takes on the responsibility of caring for her brother when they were young and is always concerned about her brother's well-being.
• Loyal: December is loyal to her family, particularly her brother and grandfather, and is always willing to support them.
• Caring: December shows a lot of care and concern for her brother, she is always asking about his well-being and is grateful for the gifts he brings her.
• Resilient: December is able to bounce back from difficult situations and maintain her positive attitude despite the challenges she faces with her illness.
• Supportive: December is supportive of her brother's decision to study abroad and is always encouraging him to follow his dreams.
• Creative: December is creative and enjoys solving puzzles, and is able to find enjoyment in the little things in life despite her condition.
• Generous: December is generous with her time and affection towards her brother, despite her struggles and limited visiting hours.
• Empathetic: December is able to understand and relate to her brother's struggles and concerns, showing empathy and compassion towards him.
• Humble: December does not let her illness define her and is humble about her condition, always focusing on the positive aspects of her life.
• Faithful: December is faithful to her family's traditions and customs, even if she does not fully understand the reasons for them.

Ezekiel Shikongo

• Traditional: Ezekiel holds strong beliefs in traditional customs and practices, and is resistant to change.
• Protective: Ezekiel is protective of his granddaughter, December, and believes that she is bewitched, taking her to healers in an attempt to cure her.
• Opinionated: Ezekiel has strong opinions and beliefs, and is not afraid to express them, even if they are not popular or accepted by others.
• Inflexible: Ezekiel is inflexible in his thinking, and is unwilling to consider alternative explanations or solutions for December's illness.
• Judgmental: Ezekiel judges his son, Silas, and his grandson, September, for their unconventional choices and believes that they are influenced by "idiotism".
• Secretive: Ezekiel keeps certain information and secrets to himself, such as the reason for December's dietary restrictions, and does not share them with others.
• Determined: Ezekiel is determined to find a cure for December's illness and will stop at nothing to achieve this goal.
• Strong-minded: Ezekiel is a very strong-minded person, he is not easily swayed by others and sticks to his traditional beliefs even when others disagree with him.
• Indifferent: The nurse is indifferent to September and his visit, she does not show any interest in him or his sister.
• Unsympathetic: The nurse is unsympathetic towards December's condition, she does not show any compassion or concern for her well-being.
• Rigid: The nurse is rigid in her approach, she strictly enforces the rules and regulations of the hospital, and does not make any exceptions.
• Short-tempered: The nurse is short-tempered and easily angered, as seen when she shouted at September when he first arrived.
• Skeptical: The nurse is skeptical of September's claim to be December's brother, she does not believe him until he provides evidence.
• Unapproachable: The nurse is unapproachable, she does not engage in friendly conversations or show any interest in getting to know people.
• Professional: The nurse is professional in her approach, she does her job efficiently and with a sense of duty.
• Inflexible: The nurse is inflexible in her approach, she does not allow any deviation from the set rules and regulations of the hospital.
• Friendly: Tshuuveni is friendly, as seen when he greets September warmly and embraces him.
• Ambitious: Tshuuveni is ambitious, as seen in his decision to pursue a career in private security as it pays more.
• Respectful: Tshuuveni is respectful, as seen in his interactions with September and the way he speaks about September's family.
• Loyal: Tshuuveni is loyal, as seen in his continued friendship with September despite their past differences.
• Amiable: Tshuuveni is amiable, as seen in the way he talks with September and fills him in on local gossip.
• Professional: Tshuuveni is professional, as seen in the way he carries out his duties as a security officer.
• Charismatic: Tshuuveni is charismatic, as seen in the way he commands the attention of the security guards and the nurse.
• Understanding: Tshuuveni is understanding, as seen in the way he accepts September's reason for the late visit.

Mental health

• The story highlights the theme of mental health and the negative impact it can have on individuals and their families.
• December's descent into mental illness is portrayed in the story and how it affected her family and her future.
• December, the story’s title, is also the central character’s name. The name is given to her by her father against his own father’s wishes, who calls it idiotism. Conventional or not, this naming creates confusion and distortion of facts simultaneously. (p85- 86).
• The story itself is mixed with a patched-up plot which renders the storyline The plot is not linear. Like in most Namibian, there was indifference towards those who didn’t reside there. Sticking out was a serious crime: (p84– 90).
• When Ezekiel Shikongo faces death and illness, anxiety, fear, and despair creep in, engendering adherence to delusions that have no logical or scientific explanation and lead to superstitious behaviours caused by a false notion of the (p84 – 90).
• It is rooted in human ignorance and significantly affects people’s culture and health, prevents them from beginning restoration, and harms individuals and society. The mundane illogical beliefs derived from ignorance cannot be proven objectively and scientifically. Ezekiel forbids December to eat chicken due to the mishap. (p85-89).
• The extended family of Ezekiel grapples with hereditary ill patients (Josef and December), and the old man blames their mental illness on superstitious thoughts such as “evil eye” or “dark “
• This pandemonium is created by Silas, December’s father, to show his divergent opinion and disbelief in his father’s taboos. (p85).
• Their disagreement, therefore, gets complicated when December is born in September and September in Then when September returns from abroad, his grandfather dies in October. (p86).
• Ezekiel refers to the naming as ‘idiotism’, and indeed his younger brother Josef exhibits traces of the problem when he starts to lose track of time in his teens; days of the week are a blur to The fact that September is absent-minded at times complicates the matter more. (p84 – 86).
• Ezekiel’s superstitious belief could be premised on an archaic generational and cultural illusion that other forces cause problems. (p86).
• Josef eventually loses He is lost for a month. In his dreams, Ezekiel tells where exactly to find him but does not say what he is eating until he exits the life stage. Ezekiel’s death signifies the end of the old traditions and the beginning of civilization. (p89).
• When September breaks the news to his grandfather that he will study abroad two and a half years earlier, Ezekiel is September had cried. “My sister…” (p88).
• The old man reassured “I will take care of her.” “She’s been at them hospital for six months. (p88).
• Superstition makes him believe that mental illness is caused by other forces not normal or conventional in nature. He takes her to a traditional healer, and she comes back looking skeletal as if the healer had tried starving out the voices in her (p88).
• Ezekiel represents intensely superstitious African people who turn to indigenous treatments such as charms and witchdoctors to treat their Modern technologies have not been able to reduce their superstitious tendencies. (p88)
• “There is no brother listed in her file,” the nurse “Only a grandfather.”
• This is child neglect. (p88).
• Superstitious thinking becomes harmful when it enters the health domain, affects people’s well-being, and becomes part of the family’s health The values that society believes affect the quality of life and treatment choice during illness. Ezekiel’s beliefs affect all family members. (p84 – 90).

Family dynamics

• The story explores the dynamics of the Shikongo family, particularly the relationship between September and December, and how their father's naming convention affected them. The story also explores the relationship between September and Ezekiel, and how his grandfather's beliefs about December's illness affected her.

Tradition vs. Modernity

• The story explores the theme of tradition vs. modernity, particularly in the context of mental health and the treatment of it.
• Ezekiel's belief that December was bewitched reflects traditional beliefs about mental illness, while September's desire to seek help from Western medicine represents a more modern approach.

Hope / Optimism

Their life of hope begins when September arrives at the hospital from the K. December, who is at the hospital probably being discharged to start her life free of her grandfather’s superstitious interference. (p87).

Remember when September comes from Europe, he brings December a T-shirt with an imprint of the Union Jack, representing modernity or a form of enlightenment.

But still, this is confusion on ideologies: between colonialism and civilization.

The T-shirt is precisely the same as the one December had ripped up all those years before to stem September’s This implies that her ordinary life is restored by her brother’s hope and concern for her well-being. (p89).

The two reminisce their puberty days when September got himself a puppy named Kali to keep off boys who pursued December when she was Tshuuveni enquires whether September is bringing home an oshitenya from overseas, but he says he still hasn’t found the right girl. (p87).

Professional medical practice should be relied on to guarantee the quality of life, control and treatment of diseases, and complications is not a secret to anyone.

The medical fraternity should fight these superstitious thoughts to lower their adverse consequences. will bring hope. Hope is also symbolized when it rains after Ezekiel Shikongo’s burial. Then Josef is also found. (p89, 90).

• The story touches on the theme of identity, particularly in relation to December's illness and how it affects her sense of self. It also explores how September's identity as December's brother is questioned by the nurse.
• The story explores the theme of loss, particularly in relation to the loss of December's mental health and how it affects her family.
• It also touches on the loss of Ezekiel and the impact it has on the family.
• The story touches on the theme of healing and the different forms it can take. Ezekiel's belief in traditional healing methods, while September's desire to seek help from Western medicine.
• The story explores the theme of time and how it affects the characters. December's condition which changed her life abruptly, Ezekiel's naming convention and the impact it had on his children.

Symbolism is the use of words or images to symbolize specific concepts, people, objects, or events.

The use of the Union Jack t-shirt as a symbol of September and December's bond and shared history.

Irony is a rhetorical device and literary technique that is incredibly useful when used correctly. Simply put, irony is when something that is said or done is in contrast to reality or to what is expected.

The use of the hospital's new glass doors and reinforced window bars as a representation of the modern changes in the hospital, while at the same time the sign in front of the casualty ward is missing letters, representing the continuity of certain problems.

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a literary device used to give an indication or hint of what is to come later in the story.

Foreshadowing is useful for creating suspense, a feeling of unease, a sense of curiosity, or a mark that things may not be as they seem.

The mention of Ezekiel's belief that December's affliction was caused by witchcraft, foreshadows the revelation that December was bewitched in the end.

Imagery is a literary device used in poetry, novels, and other writing that uses vivid description that appeals to a readers' senses to create an image or idea in their head.

Through language, imagery does not only paint a picture, but aims to portray the sensational and emotional experience within text.

The use of imagery of the patchy Kaokoveld grass to describe December's hair, evokes a sense of neglect and dishevelment.

Repeating words or phrases.

(There are actually many different types of repetition like anaphora and epiphora.)

The use of the phrase "Fine" by December when September asks her how she is, is repeated several times throughout the story, highlighting her emotional distance from her current reality.

Personification

When an idea or animal is given human characteristics. “The sky weeps.”

The use of personification when describing the clock and chart for times, as having a voice and attitude, adds a sense of authority and power to the time constraints placed on September's visit.

Revision questions for  December

• Do you think Ezekiel's beliefs had anything to do with the illness?
• How relevant is the title of the story, December?
• Does the Naming convention of Silas Shikongo affect his children?
• Why do you think Ezekiel refuses to tell why he forbids his granddaughter to eat chicken?
• Do you think Josef gets lost?
• What does the Union jack symbolize in the story, December?
• Mental illness and child neglect
• Superstitious beliefs and taboos
• Healthy living and eating
• Hope / optimism
• What does the coming of September from Europe and the dying of Ezekiel inOctober symbolize?
• How is sarcasm employed in Filemon Liyambo’s December?
• Examine the use of irony and paradox
• What are the consequences of superstition on mental illness. Base your answer on the short story December by  Filemon Liyambo

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Highschool Kenya Revision Material: 2023 Notes, Free Exams with Marking Schemes

Kcse Revision Papers and Predictions Free Download

TALKING MONEY-A Study Guide To A Silent Song And Other Stories

By Dean of Studies

Guide to the story silent song, talking money by stanley gazemba – kenya.

About the author:

Stanley Gazemba was born in 1974 in Vihiga, Kenya. Stanley Gazemba has published three novels: The Stone Hills of Maragoli (Kwani, winner of the 2003 Jomo Kenyatta Prize for fiction, published in the U.S. as Forbidden Fruit), Khama (DigitalBackBooks), and Callused Hands (Nsemia). He has also published eight children’s books, of which A Scare in the Village (Oxford Univ. Press) won the 2015 Jomo Kenyatta Prize for children’s fiction. Gazemba’s fiction has appeared in ‘A’ is for Ancestors, a collection of short stories from the Caine Prize (Jacana); Africa39: New Writing From Africa South of the Sahara (Bloomsbury); Ihe Literary Review (Fairleigh Dickinson Univ.); Man of the

House and Other New Short Stories from Kenya (CCC Press); Crossing Borders online magazine; among other publications.

As a journalist, Gazemba has written for The New York Times, The East African,

Msanii magazine, Sunday Nation, and Saturday Nation. Gazemba was the International Fellow at the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference in 2007. Gazemba lives in Nairobi, where he is the editor of Ketebul Music.

1. Mukidanyi dismisses his elder brothers. (p49 – 50).

A colli rchensive and dctailcd uidc to a silent son and other stories

• The arrival of Galo and his lawyer for negotiation. (p50 52).
• The disturbing night of evil spirits. (p53 56).

Talking money is a story about Mukidanyi, a furious young man and a cattle trader who ignores his elder brothers’ warning against selling his land. The story is set in the vast rural expanse of Kakamega, Kenya. Mukidanyi’s brothers Ngoseywe and

Agoya give up on him and leave. Obsessed with money in his mind, he refuses to heed his wife’s counsel and instead flogs her.

When his clients arrive, he receives them warmly, showing them the fertile land and offers to help where necessary. They then negotiate without a tussle, for they accept his first offer without haggling. He takes the huge amount of money without counting it and signs the papers with his thumbprint, for he had played truant and naughty when his father, Kizungu, tried to take him to school.

Enthusiastic and excited about the money, he cannot sleep until he is attacked by voices at night, which his wife tells him are evil spirits. He almost runs mad as his wife laughs at him. Overwhelmed by nervousness and fear of the demons, he returns all the money to the Galos and flees back to his house.

Questions for reflection on ‘Title’ of the story and themes.

• How relevant is the title of the story, Talking moneym
• Why do you think the money given to Mukidanyi “talks’ only at night while in his custody?
• Do you think the Galos are responsible for the talking of the money?
• Primitive superstition on sources of wealth.
• Obsession with money and the power of guilt.
• Importance of consultation on family property.

THEMATIC CONCERNS

Ethnocentric beliefs in spirits.

The concept of social superstition rooted in people’s culture is linked with belief in good and bad luck as a context-derived concept affects the people of that culture in various aspects.

Although the concept of superstition is common, many of its features and aspects are still unclear. Some questions about these beliefs remain baffling and unanswered. Engulfed with immense doubt, Mukidanyi decides to obey his wife’s words and beliefs about the Galos. (p50).

• At night, the hour of witches, viganda haunt Mukidanyi. He hears voices speaking, and he believes they are not dreaming voices. (p54).
• Then his wife Ronika scoldingly tells him those are certainly viganda spirits speaking. (p54).

Ronika takes advantage of her husband’s extreme fear and makes more fun of him. She reassures him that the Galos’ money is speaking in the briefcase under the bed. (p54).

• Confident and sure that he is terrified, she shouts and scoffs at him to take the money out. “Go with your devil money this very minute and find somewhere else to keep it but not in this house, you hear?” (p55).

Obsession with money and the power of guilt

• The tough speaking and abusive man is now humbled and reduced to a whispering weakling.
• Definitely, the warnings are ricocheting in his mind because of his guilt and failure to consult before beginning the process of selling his land.
• Scared by the unseen demons, Mukidanyi flees back to the Galos, returning all the money. (p55, 56).
• He changes his mind. He is only left with his wife to trust, and his house is the only refuge at this ‘hour of witches’.

1. Using evidence from the text, describe the character traits of the following characters.

Style and Language use

• How is sarcasm employed in Stanley Gazemba’s Talking Money?
• Examine the use of dialogue and native dialect in Talking Money.

KCSE 2022 DEC PAPERS WITH MARKING SCHEMES-Free Downloads

Characterization in an artist of the floating world by kazuo ishiguro, download more revision questions and answers in pdf:.

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