Abide or go against 4

WHAT IT TALKS ABOUT:

Is of beliefs in the community which people hold on to, passed from one generation to another and that people are forbidden to go against. People are supposed to abide by them whether they feel comfortable with them or no because failure to do so will lead to dare consequences. Those who go against them are regarded as out cast's who are always seen as bad women in the community. They are always seen as the blame of the catastrophe which occurs in the community and this makes everyone pull the blame on them.

There reaches a point where some people feel frustrated by some of the customs but they are ready, willing and committed to abide by others which they feel favors them. They want to abide with the beliefs which they feel comfortable with but they want to go against those they feel uncomfortable with. Hence the title of the play Abide or go against. They are geared to go against those which they feel do not suit them but the dared Consequences demotivates them, at the same time they are willing to abide by those they feel comfortable with but they feel somehow disadvantaged if they do not turn the tables for the best of themselves, community As a whole and the future generation that is to come. This lead's into a state of confusion such that they feel torn between two either to abide or go against and it leaves them in a state of dilemma.

CHARACTERS SIR FODE: Main character who is a father of three and a respected member in the community. He is described as an easily high tempered man who is always curious to know.

MADAM FODE: Wife to sir fode, who is a very hardworking woman, polite, obedient and a good wife to sir fode.

FODE: Son to sir fode. He is described as defensive and playerful.

OBI: Brother to fode who is younger than the rest and is a bit shy to strangers and cunning.

LEVI: A neighborhood friend to obi his classmate and fode.

LEED: Sir fode only daughter who is as tall as a giraffe, with a long hair that is well kept an attractive figure and one who is ease to love at a glance. She is also described as welcoming to all including Stanger’s.

ELMESH: A friend to the family.

ABSTRUCT: A close friend to the queen of the house. Who is described as brave, ready to speak her mind no matter what and she is as well a peace mist.

LIBBERTY: A friend to the whole family.

ACT 1.

(The house is well decorated on the outside with precious stones. The decoration makes it appealing to view it by the naked eye.It looks like an ancient decoration purely original and this helps to illustrate that the decorator must have been an expert who lived in between 16th and 18th century AD. The roof is of clay stones decorated With a reddish colour which is as reddish as blood. While it’s raining cats and dogs its impossible to hear the rain Drop’s while you are inside the house for the roof top hinders you from hearing the rain drops and you feel secure And well protected as well. The house door's, window's and even the outside floor are decorated each with its own colour. The doors are as black as coal, The window as green as grass, and the floor seems somehow coffee berry brown.

Viewing from the open window in the back of the house madam fode can be seen in the Kitchen busy trying to fix some meal. She looks a bit in a state of confusion for how she scratches her head continuously express or like someone who is running out of time, out of time to put everything in place before the arrival of the guest's. Viewing from the open door on the front side of the house Abstruct a beautiful lady who Is as short as a dwarf, with a smooth skin as smooth as floor

and a well figured body can be seen in the sitting room which is a well furnished room sitting on the small couch will a glass in her hand as clear as crystal sipping a drink slowly. Three of madam kid's can as well be seen in the sitting room sited on the large couch in order of age starting from right to left, beginning from the oldest and ending with the youngest. They can be seen playing a sirry game alternating their sitting position's throwing some round objects as round as a circle to each other and this make's the well furnished room to look a bit untidy.

Abstruct can be seen standing standing trying to control them, at first they appear to be a bit out of control but the loud voice of their mother from the kitchen, launder enough to a waken the dead brings them back to their sitting position's.

After the hard to move mountain is moved, Abstruct can be seen trying to rearrange the untidy room back in order. She tells them to stand from their sit's for a while, replaces the sit's cover with clean ones and warn them with a finger which represent a warning'' watch your table's manners or your manner's will watch you".

After a while the kid's are well settled and the room is quiet and as silent as a grave, it even appears smarter and more tidy than it was ever before. From a distance it look's appealing to the eye such that a stranger would wish to be invited as a guest, a honorable guest. The three kind's after the warning appear to be well settled and their behavior appear to be as well in order and an observer who had seen them previously if he or she show them now would not believe it's them.

After a while madam fode who is as busy as a bee in the kitchen call's out Abstruct, Abstruct. Abstruct obey the command stand's up firm without tilting and first majestically walks towards the open door leading to the sitting room and shut the entry before she can report to madam fode. As she finally reaches’ the sitting room she utters " at your service madam". Madam fode stare's at her without blinking and out of curiosity , curiosity which Killed a cat for curiosity killed a cat ask her bitterly, What took you so long?. I was, I was, I was just busy trying to rearrange the sitting room she respond's. Is that what took you so long?, Well then help me carry this food to the table room madam fode respond's. No problem, Abstruct respond lifting up the dish and madam fode holding the other one following her straight to the table room. As soon as they arrive in the table room a knock is hard Sounding like kooo,kooo,kooo in the front door leading to the sitting room and then to the table room. Do you expect someone?, Abstruct asks. Is that a question? Madam fode respond sending one of her kid to open the door.)

FODE: ( Rush to open the door, before he open's) Who is it?

MADAM FODE: ( There is some silence and it's like the knock has died, madam fode come's swiftly towards the Sitting room) Don't be a hyena just open the door will you? (He finally utters pointing his son with anguish) FODE: ( Cough's for a little while hutchie, hutchie and then opens the door) Father is it you?, Welcome, welcome and feel at home ( Fode welcomes his father

warm get's inside drugging himself and looking as if he's dizzy and full of fatigue) MADAM FODE: ( She rush towards her husband trying to embrace him looking as if she is in a state of disbelief) My husband, the only breath of my life is it really you?

SIR FODE: ( Meets her to embrace her on his way to the sitting room, looking as if someone who feels as if she has come in an hour list expected) Did you expect someone?, Did you expect someone else? (She asks holding her tightly) MADAM FODE: (She respond's trying to tune the subject) My breath, East or west home is the best, make yourself comfortable and feel at home ( She walk's as if returning back to the kitchen) SIR FODE: Hold your horses right there, you have not answered my question or have you? (He asks curiously demanding for an immediate answer).

MADAM FODE: But, but my breath, abstruct is waiting for me in the table room please excuse me for a minute will you? (She asks tring to bend a little bit down words to beg the head of the house to approve his request) SIR FODE: You either let us do it the hard way or the easy way. First answer my question, my question which is to you is simple and clear. It is as easy as easy A,b,c,d winking and after that you can join your friend in the table room as long as you like darling.

MADAM FODE:( Trying to somehow ignore the subject) No, i am not expecting anyone.( She tries to walk towards the table room again, but before she can make a move .....)

SIR FODE: ( Take's off his long black woolen sweater meaning now things are serious) Hold your horses right there sweet heart. Do you that pretender's are worse than murder's? ( He wakes up from the place he was sited and goes towards her saying) You either talk or i will make you talk.

FODE: ( Talk's tring to defend his mother out of sympathy) father mother is telling the gospel truth, She is bringing the truth to light to separate it from darkness.

SIR FODE: (Goes towards his son catches him by his shoulders lifting him up in the air and slapping him continuously his mother watcher’s this from a distance weeping for his son bitterly without knowing what to do but she keep's a distance to avoid landing in trouble herself) Have i not always told you that this big mouth of yours will land you in trouble? ( He put's him down after the hostile punishment saying) Go and sit in the couch like your brother and sister and be as silent as a grave will you? or else you will be in hot soup for this is nothing, nothing compared to what i will do to you "hooligan".( They boy rushes crying bitterly as he takes his position on the cauch).

MADAM FODE: ( Still cannot beable to control her tears after seeing the punishment the boy received because of her) Why did you hit you son like that?, Was all that necessary?

SIR FODE: Tell me some where our custom's forbids us from disciplining our kid's?, It even always encourage us to discipline our women as often as possible.

Do you know that when we us men discipline our wife’s we earn respect in the community?, This is what make's women to honor us, honor us such that they can't interrupt us when we are speaking, but will instead wait for us to finish speaking so that they can have their turn to speak you see?

ABSTRUCT: (Comes out of the table room and head straight to the sitting room after hearing their conversation) No, no, no but that is dem wrong. Why discipline a woman while she has done nothing wrong?, And if she does everybody makes mistakes, makes a mistake and the best thing to do is sit down and talk. Remember that nobody is perfect and practice practice makes perfect so give her some time.

MADAM FODE: (Tries to raise her shoulders a little bit in order to have some comfort and a good posture) Very good, Very good of you my dear friend. Your are absolutely right.

SIR FODE: (Gaze at them without glancing as they grate each other hey five and he seems angered by this for he looks like a person who thinks they are making fun of him and he somewhere feels taken like a fool) Can you stop that nonsense right now?

ABSTRUCT: (Asks madam fode in amusement) which nonsense is he talking about? (They once again grate each other a big hey five in the air such that a sound is produced twaaa, This angers the king of the house who is always an easily high

tempered man but he tries to control his temper because of her fiancé friend).

SIR FODE: Who are you to advice me about marriage or family life? Are you the clergy man who conducted our matrimony when we were tying the knot? (He asks pointing abstruct with the thumb of his finger), Do you know how many decades we have lived together ever since the day we tied the knot? It has been as long as since generations first came to existence.

Madam fode: (Tries to defend her friend) But… (Pause), But abstruct is only trying to be a peace mist.

SIR FODE: (Responds angrily) A peace mist, who told her we are in a conflict?.

Or did you?.No wander you are always together in the table room gossiping I should have known. Is that why you were asking me for permission to join her in the table room? Now you gossipers you did not know that your days are numbered like the days of a thief now tell me the new gossip that is currently trending on the mainstream.

ABSTRUCT: (Responds angrily for she is deeply hart by sir fode remarks) what a man speaketh he is you know? Because what he speak comes from the heart and like begets like just as iron sharpen iron.(She laughs and after a while madam fode joins her in the laughter haaa, haaa, haaa).

SIR FODE: (Full of anguish) Stop testing the water will you?

ABSTRUCT: (Responds bravely and this symbolizes that she’s full of confidence)

we will if only you agree to come to a compromise with us.

SIR FODE: What do you mean with us? (He asks out of curiosity).

MADAM FODE: (Tries to elaborate her friends statement to make it crystal clear) She means that we will if only you agree to come to compromise with what we are saying.

SIR FODE: (Begins to act vindictive in order to repay them for all the fun they made of him and made him look like a full) Haaa,haaa, haaa don’t tell me you have become her spokesman or can we say woman?

ABSTRUCT: (Tries to ignore the laugher and the fun sir fode is making to avoid flying of the handle) Two wrongs cannot make a right or can they? In marriage unity is always strength and when you are joined together you become one. If either of the party makes a mistake you need to relax sit down and talk like noble people and this will help both of you to come to a compromise. I don’t see any need of fighting or yelling at each other for in a fight there is always a winner and a looser and this will bring more harm than good for there will be hurting and divisions which will be caused by the quarrels. Compromise will mature your love and cause it to flurries it will even bring unity and keep in mind that unity is strength and united we stand but divided we fall apart like a building without a good foundation or structure.

MADAM FODE: (Honors abstruct for her good remarks) Bravo, bravo my friend,

Kudos, Kudos my pearl.

SIR FODE: (Responds to abstruct) I can see that you know more about marriage than me. Remember that the wise say it’s not too late to do good, you can still go back to school and study more about marriage and counseling. I tell you that you will be the best marriage adviser both in and out of town. I can see people coming from all walks of life to gain more insight about marriage from you, I can also see a huge drop in the rate of divorce and as well as a drop in the rate of teenage pregnancy for people will take heed of your advice and abstain by saying no to sex until marriage. I can see people flocking like a flock of sheep’s in your offices to hear your life transforming advice. ( Haaa, haaa, haaa he continues to cackle annoyingly) MADAM FODE: Do you always have to take everything you are told as a bluff (She asks trying to tell him with body language to behave) ABSTRUCT: Where is this conversation taking us?

SIR FODE: (Responds ironically) you tell us Mrs. adviser or are you out of words to say? I f you want I can give you some.

ABSTRUCT: No, but thanks any way for your generosity and kindness. You are always good, very good and that’s why they call you my breathe meaning the best husband in the entire universe (Abstruct and mrs fode breaks into a big laughter at ones grating each other hey five continuously) SIR FODE: (Responds full of anguish) If you don’t want to test the waters this

nonsense must come to a stop immediately.

MADAM FODE: (With irony) talking of water can you bring me a glass I feel as if am about to die due to thirst.

ABSTRUCT: Me too, my throat is as dry as Kalahari desert bring me a glass as well to cure my thirst, For a glass of water to my throat is always the best medicine (They proceed with their laughter).

SIR FODE: If you want some water you know the way to the kitchen or don’t you?. If you don’t don’t worry for you still know the way to the river and there you can have as much water as you want and bring me some to cure my thirst too will you?

ABSTRUCT: (Tries to tune the subject after realizing that the conversation is heading in the wrong direction) Where were we fellows?

SIR FODE: Abstruct, Abstruct you are always absent minded isn’t it? that’s why you always came, came number one from the last in your class from the first to the eighth grade.

MADAM FODE: That is not funny.

SIR FODE:I never said it is or did you?

ABSTRUCT: (Tries to bring some understanding among them) Stop arguing again( This time she manages to get the attention of both parties just like she wanted and she does not want this chance to slip bye before she laments what she wanted in order to bring full understanding) What were you arguing about while I

was in the table room?

SIR FODE: (Responds politely) I just asked her if she was expecting someone else.

ABSTRUCT: Then?

MADAM FODE: I responded by saying no.

ABSTRUCT: Then?

SIR FODE: I was not fully convinced with her response.

MADAM FODE: Why? SIR FODE: (Responds by describing his wife’s character) Because when you are telling the truth you are always firm, confident, you do not blink your eyes instead you stare without glancing and you are always quick to respond without scratching your head as if someone who is trying to ngesh something.

MADAM FODE: What if I am telling a lie?

SIR FODE: You are always too quick to change the subject, pretending you are somehow busy, you always make up stories and excuses, You do not stare but glance more than, more than a million times and your are always not too quick, not in a haste to respond for you have to scratch your head trying to think of something.

ABSTRUCT: (Responds with a jovial face) ha, ha, ha so you know each other very well?

SIR AND MADAM FODE: (Responds together) living for almost two decades together is not joke.It has always been a tough and a rough road you know?. But

thanks be to God for we have always overcome challenges. Despite the strong wave it has not been able to carry us and despite the wide mouth of troubles surrounding us they not been able to swallow us for we have always been more than, more than conquerors.

ABSTRUCT: A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. I know marriage is not an easy road.

SIR AND MADAM FODE: (Responds jokingly) Now we understand why you are not married.

ABSTRUCT: Hurry hurry has no blessings you know? I don’t want to rush for it and end up with the wrong partner and this means a broken heart. I believe that my time has not yet come Tell me what else I can do other than wait? And I will continue to be patient knowing that patience always pays.

SIR AND MADAM FODE: (As they hold each other on their shoulders) that’s true our sister.(She joins them as they embrace each other) ABSTRUCT: Now I know you absolutely know how to read each other’s character (looks at the queen of the house and asks her) what is the hidden agenda? Do you know I was also curious to know?

SIR FODE: (Trying to back up abstruct statement) By the way tell us the truth, the naked truth and a shame the devil will you?

MADAM FODE: You want to hear the truth do you? And nothing else but the gospel truth? My parents called me yesterday and told me they will be coming

today. (After this the kids come rushing with jovial faces embracing their parents and abstruct and a company them to the table room where they all go to wait for the guest) ACT 2 ( It is in the middle of the afternoon. Outside the wind is blowing heavily from east to west and the trees outside can be seen shaking due to the strong current of the wind which makes the tree leaves to fall hence making the compound look a bit untidy. The kids can be seen playing outside with the leaves together with levi one of their neighborhood friend. The trees height is high as a mountain or a huge tower such that for a single leaf to reach the ground it takes a decade if not a century. Soon the kids hear the voice of their mother who is calling them from the table room repeatedly in order of their name Fode, Obi, Leed where are you?

Instead of responding directly they pretend as if trying to make the environment clean by picking the leaves on a long brown sisal suck holding the suck each on one each of it, such that the four edges match the four kids who are holding each on one edge. They go to and fro picking the leaves and throwing the t the dust bin.

Madam fode comes out of the house and from a distance she can be seen smiling as she observes her kids who are as busy as bees working tirelessly as ants to make the untidy surrounding tidy. She can be seen clapping her hands and shouting hurray, hurray as a sign of congratulating them and telling the m well done.

Abstruct who have been alarmed by the sound of the clapping comes out too and after observing what the kids are doing joins madam fode in congratulating them and utters bravo, bravo keep it up and continue with the same spirit. Madam fode utters now that’s more than enough come to the table room please there is something that anti and I have fixed for you. The kid looks as if they like to be outside more than inside for they do not want to let go of what they are doing. But before they can decide leed asks curiously What is it ma? What is it anti? The rest repeat after her together and at once what is it ma? What is it anti?. After these they all stare at each other in amazement because that came unintentional and to them it seems to be a big surprise which can be best described as a puzzle. There is a little moment of silence but after a while madam and abstruct break the silence by responding at once it’s a surprise. After this they as well stare at in amazement for that was not intentional either. After this they kids are fully convinced and they drop the suck and rush toward madam and abstruct who ushers them into the table room.

The table rooms looks tidy with two tables a longer and a shorter one respectively. The longer one almost covers the whole room only leaving a small amount of space. From an observers point of view he or she could suggest that it is impossible for one to stretch him or herself properly while in the room and thus makes it uncomfortable for a person to feel well relaxed but that’s not the case.

This room is one of the most comfortable place with a good atmosphere which give one some comfort and everyone who wish to have some comfort would wish to be there. On the large table sits are arranged in order such that while all sits are occupied people tend to face each other face to face or eye t o eye. On the small table are food dishes on top of it with all varieties of food stuffs.

At the edge of the four corners of the table are candles held by candle holders which when lit makes the whole place looks glamorous. The corner of the house is well decorated with an ancient painting which rhymes with that of the roof. Also there is a circular object on the wall which when it revolves makes a person who was about to faint feel alive and kicking for it makes the air fresh.

On the floor is a carpet which is well spread from one edge of the room to the other. In general the whole room looks well vacuumed. Sir fode can be seen sitting on the big chair trying to count something with his fingers, Madam fode occupies a sit near him and abstruct sits next to to her. Kids sit on the smaller sits.

Abstruct looks like someone who is trying to recall something or full of deep thoughts for how she supports her head with her hand expresses. Soon the queen of the house tries to bring up a conversation which brings everybody including my breathe into full attention. Her tact is to make the kids forget what she promised them and this tact seems futile such that no one even dare ask what the big surprise is. They can be seen conversing and talks can be hard from a distance. As the conversation continues a knock can be hard from the front knock door. I think that is them madam speaks loudly as she stands from her sitting position rushing as fast as her legs can carry her to open the door. Before she can open she tries to look herself in the mirror in order to see if there is something wrong and correct the error but the second knock is so loud such that she drops the mirror and immediately stops what she is doing and rush to open the door assuming that everything is alright)

MADAM FODE: (Opens the door with a lot of expectations) Hallo ma and pa?( Holds her mouth as a sign she is completely puzzled by what she has seen) ELMESH: You always think that the only guest allowed to come here is only your ma and pa isn't it? (Responds furiously his appearance trying not to express) MADAM FODE: El is it really you, come in and make yourself at home ( utters trying to make the guest feel welcomed) ELMESH: In the school I was they taught me that honesty is the best policy you know?

MADAM FODE:( Out of curiosity) And which is that school? And which is that school you were that I don't know of? (with irony) Maybe I can join and be studding part time you know?

ELMESH:( Laughs for a while and then say's) of, of experience.

MADAM FODE: What do you mean by " Of experience''?

ELMESH: Would you really like to know?

MADAM FODE: Is that a question?

ELMESH: The school of experience, of my own experience.

MADAM FODE: That is very funny of you, you should have selected acting as a career it

suits you with your comic jokes you know? ( They both laugh for a while and el who is standing on the door post is fully welcomed in the house as he enters) ELMESH: Is this the same place or am I dreaming? This place has changed it has become more vanished and even looks well vacuumed or Have you recently moved to a new apartment? Dem! it's appealing, appealing to the eye just by a glance.

MADAM FODE: Don't judge a book by it's cover my friend.

Remember how the saying goes get the lead out. It may look as beautiful as the blue skies you see there but if it has no peace even a forest is a better place to be as long as you are safe for the danger of wild animals than been in a house full of strife you know?

ELMESH: (Ask curiously) What do you mean?

MADAM FODE: Never mind ( She respond's trying to cut the curious elmesh short) ELMESH: ( Tunes the subject after noting that his curiosity is not hitting the nail on the head) Don't tell me you designed and decorated this table cover all by your self? ( He peaks one

of the cover and stare at it without blinking as a sign of disbelief) Where did you learn to design and decorate this? Maybe you can teach the queen of my heart to do such a task can you? Remember charity always begins at home, It always begins with those around you including those you claim to be your friend's. If you cannot give charity to a friend how can you be charitable to a community that's like preaching water and taking wine.

MADAM FODE: ( Responds with excitement for she is excited to hear that EL appreciate her decoration) Experience is the best teacher you know?

ELMESH: I understand your point crystal clear my sister but will you mind elaborating?

MADAM FODE: What I mean my friend is that you learn from your surroundings, Do you know What is your surrounding? It is mostly comprised of those who surround you especially in a Community.

ELMESH: (As he walks around the sitting room to and fro continuously) Where do you want to tell me you learnt all of this from?, (pause and begins to respond ironically) Or did you learn from the trees outside the house or form stones or maybe it is from your large hector coffee

plantation is it?

MADAM FODE: ( She responds her face expressing a sign of rejecting el opinion adamantly) Can we change the topic before I fly of the handle and do something that am going to look back and regret in future for it will be too late to turn back time and un do it?

ELMESH: ( Continues) Maybe I will tell the surrounding to teach my wife to make such a gown.

I know trees will respond and say to me congratulation for choosing the best teacher who does not only talk but walk the talk for he believes in actions, action's which always speak louder than words. I will always be as happy as a queen to see my queen design my suits and her gowns for our festive season. Or what do suggest?

MADAM FODE: Nothing, nothing at all other than wish you all the best with that. Dream's do come true if you believe.

ELMESH: ( Starts to get serious for his stone face is a good expression) Just tell me where you learnt to do such a good work will you? or is it from what I have just mentioned?

MADAM FODE: No, it is really from non of the above my brother. I learned from my grand mother who I was named after you know what they say you always follow the footstep of the one you are named after.

ELMESH: Then she must have taught you very often, she must imparted you with a lot of skills to have the knowledge you have to become the expert you are today isn't it?

MADAM FODE: No, this is because my grand mother used to live in the hilly part of albinia. To walk there from our home was very tiresome for foot was the only means of transport and my parent's always restricted me as a girl child to walk on my own. Sometimes I would be lucky and we would meet one's in a blue moon but I always treasured the little time we met for I felt as if it were a decade, a whole decade because of the thing's I would learn from her. She would narrate to me stories, teach me traditional song's including warrior song's and how to prepare traditional food and store it using traditional means which made is lust for decades without going bad. She even foretold me the type of man I would get engaged even before I met my

husband by saying she will be an able bodied man with big muscles, with a smooth skin which neither too dark like coal nor too brown as a coffee berry, He will be as short as a dwarf and a man who is easily highly tempered. She gave me a ring to wear in my wedding saying this ring Symbolizes love, blessing and to ropes tied together which can never be untied and that means Your marriage. I know you and your husband may have challenges but you will overcome them and never go separate ways for neither will be perfect without the other.

They may set trap with the intention of wanting you to part ways but their traps will trap them for you will always triumph in challenging challenge's.

ELMESH: OH! What a fascinating story to listen too?, You must have learnt a lot from your grandmother about design.

MADAM FODE: As I have said earlier I never learnt a lot about design from her. Although I have to admit that she was the one who introduced me to design and thanks' to her for making me who I am today.

ELMESH: (Looking amazed for the way he acts expresses) Then did you attend art school?

MADAM FODE: You know me very well that I never attended any art school or don't you?

ELMESH: Then where did you learn all this if you never learnt it from art school?

MADAM FODE: From my school, my own school.

ELMESH: (Asks with dare need to know) Which is?

MADAM FODE: (Responds confidently) of practice, practice makes perfect.

ELMESH: I know that practice always makes perfect, but would you mind elaborating further?

MADAM FODE: ( Tries to usher him to the table room where the rest are on their way) My grand mother taught me only one design including how to decorate it using only one type fabric. If I can Remember well I was knowing half a loaf is better than none helped me a lot. This brought Motivation in my life to always practice designing. At first I only used to practice designing using only one type of fabric that I had learned from my grand mother but as days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months and month to years I started practicing using different kinds of fabrics. At first it did not appear to be successful and people started

discouraging me saying that I was only wasting variable resources like fabrics for by then fabric was like a needle in a hay stack for it was rare as gold and very much expensive. I hard a heart to continue and I was determined to challenge challenges rather than let challenges challenge me and I did not throw the towel as many expected in fact this became a motivator for the wise say that when the journey get tough get tougher with the going. What augured well for my future was that a bad beginning makes a good ending every time I could remember this I became more and more motivated and this became like a consolation. It was like a scenario when everybody including those who never want to see you succeed think you are falling and yet you are rising all over a sudden they will be in surprise to see you make it isn’t that it interesting? It is known as fooling your enemies and they are going to be foolish as a hyena. When everybody thought I had completely fallen including myself I was rising, rising beyond measure or anyone expectations. It was not until I designed a wedding gown of a certain lady who had come with her husband john as tourists in this native land of ours. They had come in search of a venue for their upcoming wedding and I directed them to upper beach where the famous alba and Barbra had their wedding. After designing their attires I

did not have much expectation that they would even be appreciated, I thought to my self meee, now those who hate me will get the best of me for they will now have something to gossip about but I di not want to throw the towel after remembering the struggle I had gone through. This was like my biggest chance, my biggest chance to either make it and reveal my smartness or fail to make it hence revealing by this that I was the coward they used to call me What could I have done my brother?. But you never know the future until it unfold what happened came to me as a surprise, a big surprise I even remember closing my eyes and opening them trying to wash my face to make sure that I was not dreaming for what was happening was unbelievable to me. It was like a person known as a failure in school emerge number one do you think it would be easier for that person to believe?, He or she will be left in a dilemma without knowing whether to rejoice in a amazement or try for a split of a second to believe you see?. This is the same situation I was in after designing their attires it came as a surprise when everybody who attended the wedding appreciated the work made for fun as a tusk well done. I could see and hear even those who hated me making positive comments about the

attires. The ceremony had been attended by many people and it was a surprise to me how i had become popular among them. I was even more popular than the bride and gloom who were the main characters of the ceremony. Everybody could see the bride and gloom walk down the ail and all kudos were on me until I was left asking myself am I the master of the ceremony here?. Others could glance at each other a sign of appreciation to me me for a tusk well done, while others could shout hurray, hurray in appreciation as well. After the ceremony the bride and gloom had both good news and bad news to tell me and so they called me. At your service sir and madam I respondent as I approached them with a lot of respect.

They said we have both good and bad news for you which one do you want us to tell you first? They asked and I responded bad news for I thought that the good news which would fall would help me absorb the bad news. And they went a head and told me the bad news is that people a little bit misbehaved in front of guest trying to congratulate you and that was very much annoying especially to those who had come miles away. But don’t worry for even the guest appreciated your good work it’s not you who they were against but the hooligan who could not stop misbehaving do you get the point?. After this I had a sign of relief and so I responded thank you. But

they added that’s not all they are even interested in working with you in their overseas design company if you are ready start making preparation from now for next month you could be on your way. After this I was as happy as a queen but I had to turn down the offer just to be around my family watching my kid’s grow until they are mature enough to be responsible people in society and I believe I made the right decision did i?.

ELMESH: (Seemed shocked) That is very unselfish of you, even I have lucked word to say.

MADAM FODE: ( They reach at the table room and grating starts before they can end their grating of embracing to el) Have a sit and make yourself comfortable will you?

ELMESH: Thank you, thank you very much my sister.

SIR FODE: It has been a long time ever since I last show you, what have you been upto? ( Sir asks elmesh who is now bending downwards) ABSTRUCT: (To el) Don’t be shy my friend, like you am also a guest in this house.

MADAM FODE: (Trying to defend el) Who said he is shy? When a lion is sleeping that does not mean its dead you know? My friend here may

pretend to be shy but he is opposite of what you think he is. Don’t you know that he is sometimes as cunning as a hare?

LEED: (In defense of abstruct) Abstruct is absolutely right. The teacher always tells us that if a person bends his or her head know that that person is shy or ashamed of something awful he or she did and we all know that the teacher is always right or don’t we? So el don’t be a hypocrite open up and tell us something will you?

LEVI: (In defense of el) Give him a break please will you?

ELMESH: (Smiles As he thanks levi) Thanks a lot young man that is very noble of you.

LEVI: Welcome but that does not mean that you will not open up like my sister leed suggested. Just breath in, in again and out before you can open up and put the cards on the table now.

ABSTRUCT: ( To madam fode who is pointing on levi) Talk about cunning, he has jump from flying pan directly to fire.( They both laugh and the rest join in the laughter too even without knowing it’s root cause) ELMESH: (Break his silence) Curiosity killed the cat you know? And where the river is silent that’s the place where it’s deepest. I have a lot disturbing my mind.

SIR FODE: And what is that all about. We can all see you are a young man, energetic and who only recently got married. What about when that time comes when you have a dozen kid’s, let me try to imagine you will burst with tears and shout wooo, wooo due to challenges you will encounter will you?

MADAM FODE: (To elmesh with sympathy and putting herself in his shoe) Tell us what is distinguishing you will you?, maybe we can help you in one way or the other you never know or do you?. Take an example of me, I had a serious problem when I was pregnant with leed and I kept it to myself.

But the more I kept it to myself the more it became a problem to me. So I decided that enough was enough by opening up the matter to my husband and my close friend abstruct who help me all the step of the way until the problem became solved completely. I pray and one thing I never forget is to mention them in the word of prayer.

Imagine if I decided to keep the problem to myself it would have grown to be worse. Or who knows? I would have gone to the land of no return long a go. Remember this no man is an island and always consult others instead of caring the heavy burden all by yourself.

ELMESH:I don’t want to become a burden to you and your family with my

problems you see?

SIR FODE: Who told you you will be a burden?, Look at us all here do you see anyone who seem to have no problem?. Friends are there to help each other and catch one before he or she falls for a friend in need is a friend indeed. The only time you will know your real friends is when you have a problem, if you don’t have a problem you will eat, drink and cheer together but afterwards when all fall a parts you will say better a devil you know than an angel you have never met.

ABSTRUCT:(Tries to make sir fode point clear by her continuation) Good friends ( I beg your pardon) True friend will always be there to pick you up when you fall. They will even be together with you during hardship more than ever to help you get up.

MADAM FODE: ( Make a continuation of abstruct statement) And false friends will only always be with you when life to you seems to be smooth and everything seems to be falling in place. They will even honor you pretending to be holy like angels while they are completely worse than the devil. But by then you will be blinded and you will try to open your eyes wide but can’t see. You will try to wax your eyes but you won’t and you will

ask yourself oh! What a life?

LEED: ( Continues her mum statement) But when troubles comes to you suddenly they will run as fast as their legs can carry them all you will see is durst, They will run fast such that they will leave a deer one kilometer behind. You will search for friends but you won’t find, you wont find even a person to deceive others that he or she is your friend. You will be left all alone to die with your problems. Do you want that to happen to you?, If you don’t then take the advantage for you now have the chance, agood chance to do that. Also count yourself lucky for having true friends who care about you even if you don’t care about yourself.

OBI:( Summarizes the whole statement to make the point sound clear) This is how you will know true friends by their true colors , true colors for their motto is always “ A friend in need is a friend indeed”.

ELMESH: (After this word consolation he appear to be a bit jovial and suggests) My problem is that of dowry. My wife’s parents know that am a man who is always struggling to make ends meet. Sometime am lucky and I manage to hit the nail on the head but that is not very often. But they are pressuring me by demanding me for a very huge dowry, what’s worse is that even if we all managed to hit the nail on the head every until a century

is over and bring that money together believe me or not there is no way we could reach such target. Tell me what I will do? Or what you would do if you were in my shoes. Furthermore they are intimidating me by suggesting that if I don’t pay that dowry within a blue moon my marriage to their daughter will be over for good and they will come and pick her and I will never see her again. We love each other despite of poorverty for our love is based on true love and not material thing’s and I don’t want to end my marriage for I know I couldn’t find another queen in this world who I love like my wife.

Also they say that if I don’t manage to pay the dowry within the specified time it will not be accepted latter even if I pay twice or four times the amount. They also say that failure to take heed to their suggestion will lead to dare consequences to me giving me example of people who did not take heed like gambo who married the girl from kuche village. He became mud due to failure of paying dowry in the specified period he was given. Walk around the town and you will see him walking around motemo market picking up plastic bags. You will be surprised to see that dust bin is the main source of his food.

MADAM FODE: (With sympathy) But that, but that is very unfair isn’t it?,

Why does life always have to be like that?

LEED:This life is always full of problem, problems after problems you know?

ABSTRUCT: Do they know how many girls luck men to marry them and how many parent’s wish for their daughter to get married. I wish they could just look at the other side and see the good part of this which is love, true love instead of selfishly caring about their stomach. Thing’s must change and change must come from us because this is the reason which make most men fear to propose to women like us it even make most men disappear in the middle of the relationship. For I hear most of them always say if those are the challenges let us die single.

LEVI, OBI AND FODE: ( says together) We must demonstrate, demonstrate to stop this in humane act once and for all.

Sir fode: (Respond pointing to the three boys) Can you keep quiet and stop talking about demonstration. Do you know what that word means in the first place?

MADAM FODE:( Rubs her hand on the shoulders of his husband as a way of cooling his temper) Come down my breath they are just kids saying

something that they don’t mean. Come down for ones and give as a solution to the problem.

LEED: Yes papa, give us a solution to solve this problem once and for all.

We may go down to history and become famous for when such a problem will occur in future people will be told of how it is solved.

LEVI, OBI AND FODE: ( Says together) Solution, solution we want solution and not demonstration.

ABSTRUCT: Talk about nepotism, this is more compared to nepotism, tribalism or racism fellows.

ELMESH: ( To sir fode who seems to be disturbed searching for a solution to the problem) What am I going to do? What is the next step for me to take? Is there really a flicker of hope?

MADAM FODE: Never say die, just be optimistic and you will find out that there is light at the end of tunnel, Will you Mr. brave?

ABSTRUCT: Be as brave as a lion and you will move the heavy load.

LEED: And always keep in mind that the last minute can save a man for a believe it’s not too late to do good. It’s not too late to turn tables and change the situation.

ELMESH: ( He is now weeping) But, but I don’t want to say I wish I knew which comes after when it’s too late.

SIR FODE: ( Speaks confidently) And I don’t want to tell you to abide or go against for I don’t want you to pull me the blame that I led you astray when all doesn’t go as expected. Just be a man and listen to what your heart tells you.

ELMESH:Even if it tells me to kill my self?, Incase it tells me that do you want me to still follow it?

ABSTRUCT: ( To el who look a bit emotional) See light at the end of the tunnel will you? Try to think about positive outcomes and stop being unoptimistic. Why do you always have to be unrealistic and hopeless?

SIR FODE: My friend do not count your chicks before they hatch. Just reason and try to fathom what am telling you like an intellect person. After you are set be ready to follow what your heart tell you is morally right and I assure you that you will no longer see this as a problem but a solution to future problems.

ACT 3 (There is a lot of conversation going on in the table room. The voices of those involved in the conversation can be hard by passer bye’s passing across the road for it is loud enough to a woken the dead in the nearby

commentary. It’s like they are arguing about something with two parties involved that of proposers and proposers. From hearing at their speech it is crystal clear to make a suggestion that that the two involved cannot come to good terms or mix like water and paraffin. One who do not know about them could think they are in a battle from just hearing their conversation.

The oposers seem to be more dominant, more dominant than proposers and this leads to a state of conflict from an observers point of view. But as they say something you are unaware of is like a night in darkness, for this people are best of friends who may have disagreements, ups and downs but despite all they will pick themselves up, dust themselves and continue with their journey after they have made up. Soon the voice of the queen of the house can be hard clearly for it is loud enough to pierce once ear drum like a sharp needle and in fact it sound crystal clear. She is telling every one to accompany her to the sitting room, and they all respond at once “ At your service” some calling her mum, some queen of the house, some aunt while some just calling her by her usual name madam fode but this is what they say from the tribe I come from “gutiri ritwaa ritakulagia mwana” which when translated means that there is no name which cannot make grow a child. She ushers them to the sitting room and on arrival gives them a warm

welcome such that they completely forget that they were in a state of conflict. She pull’s each and every persons sits each at a time in a polite manner and tells him or her to sit down bending down wards a little as a sign of showing respect and appreciation to all especially the guests.

Everybody now seem welcomed and at home for even their dull faces seems to be overwhelmed with a smile. After everyone is fully settled she goes pulls her sit for she is the only person left standing and bend down ward before she can sit. After everyone including her is well settled she orders everyone to bend his or her head and this is a sign that she wants to lead the congregation in a word of prayer. The rest are as silent as a grave but the voice of the queen of the house can be heard as she leads them in the word prayer. After a bout ten minutes, the voice of the rest can be hard as they shout Amen and this means that the prayer is over while others just nod their head upside down to represent the word amen which means let it be done. Others can be seen stretching their hands and this means that the prayer was long such that it make most feel tired leaving them in a state of

fatigue. Others can be seen yawning including abstruct and El. After a

while the situation is back to normal but things have turned from worse to good meaning that the holy ghost has intervened among them. By seeing how they are sited, judging from their smiles their appreciation for one another aperson could easily be duped to think that this were not the same, same people who were in a state of conflict. But we can summarize by saying that even good friends sometimes argue, fight and hate each other but in the end what always follows is that they make up for the end of something is better than the start and the end of one season is the beginning of another season.

Everyone seem to be well settled and there is some strange silence, Instantly a knock is hard from the front door which brings everyone especially those who seemed to be absent minded back to their senses.

The queen of the house stands up and walk majestically to open the door.

Before she can open she peeps with her right eye on a small opening on the door and what she sees makes her to take a U turn behaving as if she is out of her senses as she screams huuui, huuui calling the rest. The rest rush as swift as a deer towards the door everyone’s face expressing a sign of curiosity to know what is going on. After the guest stand for a while on the door post without tilting, everyone on the inside is now ready to open

the door and welcome what the eye might be forbidden but yet want to see.

They all open the door together and afterwards what occurs is a state of confusion to some, a state of wander to others, a state of happiness to others and also a state of occasion to be together with loved ones to others. Madam fode seems to be more jovial than the rest to see her parents. Mr and mrs obi utters, Oh! OH! Lord is good all the time we have been separated for along time and yet has brought us together now I believe the saying that says only mountains do not meet. Everybody on the inside is as busy as a bee welcoming the guest warmly in the house they Embrace each other tightly until the attire feel pain and say no more. The guests are ushered to the sitting room with the rest carrying a piece of what the guest came with. They are welcomed to sits on honorable guest sits on the most prominent positions of the sitting room and this make’s them feel a sense of belonging).

MADAM FODE: ( As she continues to smile) Welcome, welcome and make yourself at home will you?

SIR FODE: Feel at home mother and father in law. Remember this is also

your house and you are always welcomed here and you can stay as long as you like ( He direct them where to sit)

MADAM FODE: ( As she pulls their sit’s and bend down in respect as they sit) That’s true mother, that’s true father you are always welcome here as long as you like.( She goes to take a sit in order to feel settled like the rest but looking towards his husband she is met by a menacing look from his husband which scares her a little and this expresses that his husband was not pleased at all with her statement but before she can sit …) We are happy, happy to see you here alive and kicking or what do you say my breath?

SIR FODE: Yes my wife is right, absolutely right and I cannot express how am happy to see you here or can you my queen? ( Again he stares her wife with a menacing look that suggest that he is furious but he breaks in a big laughter like haaa, haaa, haaa tring to let others not notice the hiden agenda)

MADAM FODE: ( Tries to introduce the new faces which are unknown to her parents) Hechio, Hechio ( She coughs as if clearing her throat) Hechio ( Coughs again this time saying I beg your pardon) Forgive me for my bad

manners please ( She points abstruct who is sited next to her and tries to direct her parents to his attention) This is abstruct who has always been a good friend to me and my family. She has always been loyal to us all and I hope you will learn his character too as time flies. Most people think we are related because of the way we are always seen tight. ( Her parents stand up for a little while, looks at abstruct to view her carefully, grates her with respect and then sits down. After this the queen of the house points at elmesh who is sited next to her but opposite to his husband) And this one here is elmesh best known as El a close friend of my breath. She is married to my childhood friend Ela from the clan of bubashi. He and her wife have always been good friend to our family and what we always do is strive to return the favor by been loyal to them too. (After the queen of the house is done speaking she gives her parents a chance to honor El by keeping quiet for a while but that does not happen as it did within abstruct. She tries to ignore the fact by assuming they are already aware of him having married a woman from their area. So she introduces the next boy who is as short as a dwarf, coffee berry brown and neither too fat like an elephant nor too thin like a needle.) And this here is my friend levi a friend to my kids. In addition

to been friends he is a classmate to my son obi, a school mate to fode and leed and as well a close neighbor to us. His parent’s leaves in the nearby apartments , the house near othaka road which faces obliton arcade. ( Before she can finish talking she is astonished at how her parents stands up and honor the little boy with respect. Everybody including el who did not receive honor from them is astonished too and he looks as if one who feels as if he doesn’t have any dignity. After they are done honoring they take out some gifts which they had with them and present them to the little boy as a form of a reward such that the boy looks more happier and feels a sense of belonging more than before) MR AND MRS OBI: ( To sir and madam fode who seems astonished) Thank you for welcoming us kindly. We feel more motivated, motivated by your treatment to even visit you more often. Are we welcomed?

SIR FODE: You should not be thanking us, instead it should be the other way round for we should be thanking you. An way any time you feel you want to pay us homage you know that our doors are open, wide open for you or don’t you?

MR AND MRS OBI: ( TO MADAM FODE) Where did you find such a generous man? You know that generous people nowadays are hard to find like pure gold or don’t you? ( To sir fode) That is very kind and generous of

you sir. After our retirement from the construction firm we might give you a chance to run the organization as a portion of your inheritance we will make you the next of king isn’t that wonderful?. You are such a kind man who is rare to find on this earth like gold. Have someone else ever told you that?

SIR FODE: (As he smiles with pride) I hear it from my wife and abstruct every day. If you don’t believe ask them here they are. ( He speaks adamantly pointing at them and their faces looks dull for they know him by his true colours)

MR OBI: ( To the ladies) Is it true?

MADAM FODE: ( shakes her head sideways) Well, well, well feel at home and don’t mind about my breath, for even the trees outside whistle of his generosity and kindness everyday like whiiii, whiii ( She stares at his husband with a menacing look and by this he knows what he means)

SIR FODE: Wax your ears, my wife said it for herself and not me. And we all know that wife’s are always right about their husbands or don’t we?

MR AND MRS OBI: ( Shaking their heads up side down) meee, meee that

is absolutely true.

SIR FODE: ( Invent another trickery tact) Aha! ( Pause) speaking about inheritance ( I beg your pardon) Or didn’t I just hear you mention about making me the next of kin?

MR AND MRS OBI: Meee, meee that’s exactly what we are talking about. we like people’ people who are always absent minded like you or don’t you?. Not people who refuse to abide by the customs or what they are told.

They neglect customs but wo on to them for disaster will fall on them suddenly.

ABSTRUCT: ( Out of curiosity) And who could that be?, I don’t think that such people exists on this face of the earth and if they do not in this community of ours or do you?

MR AND MRS OBI: ( Disagree by shaking their heads sideways) No, no those people are amongst us in our community but because they don’t have a lable or symbol of recognition it becomes hard to know them hard like trying to search for a needle in a hay stuck. Do you know that such people can influence others easily and manipulate them to join their peer

group?, they are like occult illuminati that people join even without knowing.

Show me your friends and I will tell you now face to face what type of a person you are. Assume that one person is like that a round here he or she should be regarded as an outcast who needs to be eliminate from the rest of community members as soon as possible before he or she can contaminate the rest . Remember that birds of the same feather flock in the same direction, so stay away from such a person for he or she can easily influence you or the whole community.

ABSTRUCT: I am confused, I am totally confused. Can you try To elaborate? ( She asks for she do not have an idea of what they guest are trying to imply) MADAM FODE: Am as totally confused as my friend here. Can you try to elaborate so that you point can be fathomed crystal clearly.

MRAND MRS OBI: You better be confused now rather than be confused latter in life when it is too late, when it is too late to change the situation for that will not augur well about your future. Look first at those who you walk around with and observe their behavior if it’s not morally acceptable change them before you can go to change the large segment which is the community for charity begins at home. Even a small child is not given

gatheri at the earlier stages of development or have you ever seen one newly borne child been given the staple food? If you have don’t keep it a secret but tell us and we will definitely know that we are wrong and we will reward you, reward you for been right.

SIR FODE: ( He seems to be completely lost than the rest) If it’s the issue of my inheritance you can stay here as long as you like.

MADAM FODE: ( With irony) It’s better that person you are talking about instead of some people who only care about themselves and no one else you know?

SIR FODE: (With anguish which he is trying to let it not been notice but all his attempts are in vain) Now I know the people you are talking of are gossipers moving from one room to another and always keeping themselves up to date with new gossips trending in town. For example they might be here in the sitting room but within a split of a second you will see them in the kitchen for they swift movement is just like a flash, a flash of lightening. They can always be found sometimes in the table room or kitchen gossiping without minding whether or not someone is eves dropping for they are as foolish as hyena. Look at them you will simply feel

sympathy for them. You will simply note that they are always quick to judge without first looking at themselves in order to correct their error but this is my advice to them “ Think before you talk you gossipers”.

MADAM AND ABSTRUCT: ( They look abit discouraged and challenged by that statement but they are ready to respond with courage) You can take a person from the village but you cannot take the village out of that person’s head or can you?. You cannot help a person if that person has not helped him or herself because of instead of doing good to him or her you do bad by helping him or her for your help only makes him or her lazy. Its like asking for a cattle to give you some milk when you are keeping it in solitude with neither water nor pasture. I tell you that you will not only get the milk you wanted but also you will get additional milk for exportation Or won’t you?

SIR FODE: ( Comments a sirry joke) When one door closes another one opens. You can still go to a chicken if you cattle does not give you or produce enough milk and I assure you that you will hit the nail on the head for you will absolutely get some. I tell you that it will taste as sweet as honey even the cup you will use will look cleaner than before, than before you used it and it will need no washing for your tongue will have already

played the role thus saving you some energy.

MADAM FODE AND ABSTRUCT: ( Says at once to sir fode) Think before you talk you hooligan will you? ( This angers sir who pretends that he is not in anguish but his facial expressions puts the truth to light) SIR FODE: (Talks ironically in order to fool Mr. and Mrs. obi that there is no an ongoing conflict) Bravo!, bravo! Ladies, unlike poles or can I say opposite poles? Do attract and you statement proves that you are of the same character and mind as me. You know that to appreciate you have always been my command for I always admire people who are like minded or don’t you? Ladies mark my words that your wish is my command.

MADAM FODE AND ABSTRUCT: ( Responds ironically) Thanks’ a lot my breath, you are such a kind man as kind as a kitten. Do you know that men like you are hard to find? That’s why most women stay single for not everybody is lucky.

MR AND MRS OBI: Speaking of kindness, we just want to make things crystal clear, as clear as a glass. The character we were talking about is of people, people who are always good at going against the customs and whose behavior is not morally acceptable. But such peoples conducts only proves that they are searching for trouble which they will definitely find for

you get what you ask for and they will reap what they sore. You cannot sore nothing and except to reap anything like this people want or what do you suggest fellows?

MADAM FODE AND ABSTRUCT: (Says to themselves with an inner voice) That must be my breath they are clearly describing of for asking for a stake in the inheritance. What type of a stupid man is he? Instead of keeping his mouth shut believing that patience pays all he wants is to keep on nagging them about the inheritance wanting to know the actual day he will get his share and how much it will be.

MR AND MRS OBI: We will describe what happens to such people. Most of the end up loosing their life’s, others meet disasters which actually comes as a punishment, others are chased from the community before they contaminate community members who are good in abiding with customs and are ready to do what is morally right, while others end up becoming crazy like those you see loitering here and there. Do you know what causes all this? Refusal to pay dowry in time.

MADAM, SIR FODE AND ABSTRUCT: (Now they mange get the point crystal clearly for this statement from Mr. and Mrs. obi becomes an eye

opener to them. They exchange words with signs some blinking, others staring while still other yawning trying to find a tact to help their friend who is now in a hot soup. El is about to cry but before tears can flow down his cheeks like a rolling water fall they manage to communicate to him using signs and this becomes a consolation that prevent tears from flowing) We pray hard every day that we will never make friends with such people or do as they do. And even if we do please forgive us for we will only listen to what they say but not do what they do for most of them do not practice what they preach.

MR AND MRS OBI: Do you pray to not come across such people? , well, well, well we see how your prayers are prevailing for everybody can see that all of us around this table are noble, noble without even a single blemish.

But listen to us for a moment will you? For you might be in trouble thinking you were safe for you are absolutely unaware of it. You might run from a safe placing and head towards a disaster but because you are the one who deeped your finger on fire don’t blame anyone when you get burnt for if there is anyone to blame, it’s definitely you.

SIR FODE: (Tries to tune the subject to protect his friend who seem to be having a hard time trying to cope with the situation) About the in heritance.

MR AND MRS OBI: (They seem to have completely forgotten about what sir is talking about and this only proves that they are in anguish) What inheritance?

SIR FODE: The one, the one (Before he can finish he blinks his left eye to his friend El who due to his intelligence is aware of what that means ‘’ time to go’’) The one we were talking of previously don’t you remember.

Don’t tell me you have such a short memory unlike mine?

ELMESH: (Manages to stand firm mr and mrs obi are busy talking with sir and at ones he alters)It was nice, very nice meeting you for now if you excuse me i have a meeting to attend of our membership group. (abstruct and madam follows her to the door and they exchange some words after that they wave their hands in the air as a sign of good bye as el heads out)

MR AND MRS OBI: (looks unhappy due to unexpected depart of el for they wanted to teach him a lesson they say this to each other whispering in

order for the others not to hear but sir fode who is an intellect man can understand what they are saying by the reading their lips) Out cast, out cast, out cast ( Soon abstruct and madam who had accompanied el to the door now returns and mr and mrs obi speaks loudly after seeing them to break the silence) You either abide or go against but remember if you make the wrong decision there are some consequences, dare consequences.

Ones mans meat is another mans poison here such a saying does not apply and I know you understand what am trying to imply. For is either our Meat as a whole or our poison, our poison as a whole. And so ours goes Like this all mans meat is all mans meat and all mans poison is all mans Poison. Tell us then where you stand now will you? And don’t be doubled sided for you can either abide or go against.

ACT 4 ( It’s in the afternoon and the house that was once noisy full of noise has regained its silence for now every seem to be quiet and calm. Everyone is in the table room but nobody’s voice can be hard coming from the room. An observer could think from his point of view that this place is deserted for how the place looks like reveal it, reveals it all cleary.It looks as no longer inhabited and if it was those who used to live in this place migrated along

time ago in search of greener pastures elsewhere. But a keen observer who is keen to observe with caution will be pulled in two directions, One to believe firmly that these place is still in habited and may be those who own it happened to go for a long journey without notice or two to hold firmly in believing that the place is inhabited and if it was those who used to live either died a long time ago or deserted it judging from it quietness and how it looks. But the sound produced by utensils like kwaa, kwaa, kwaa suggesting that some people are enjoying their meals diverse a keen observers view and suggestions about the place. He or she can observe that no one is talking for everyone’s concentration is on the big mountain of food placed in front of him or her and we can conclude that everyone’s aim is to gamble the food and nothing else.

After this huge sound like kuuu, kuuu, kuuu produced by utensils can be hard crystal clearly followed by the voice of those in the table room and this helps confirm that after all the observer was right in conducting his or her observation and deserve to be appraised with kudos. It also suggest the end of something and we can be assured that the observer is right because those in the table room have just finished taking their delicious

meal. What make us prove that the observer is right is the fact that madam fode and abstruct can be hard directing the rest to the sitting room. As soon as they are about to arrive at the sitting room a knock is hard from the front entry leading to the sitting room .like ko, (and again) ko, ko, ko. And madam fode who is ready to go and open the door is given a hand by her friend abstruct who instead tells him politely “ let me do it�. She rush a swift as a deer to open the door meaning that she is full of curiosity to know who it is) ABSTRUCT: (She is amazed and feverish at the same time because of what she has seen) Is it really you my friend? Who thought you could visit at this hour? What a big surprise? Come in.

LIBERTY: ( As he enters staring at the place cause it looks glamorous) Thank you. ( He stares from one corner of the room to the other including the ceiling and then asks) Is the man and the queen of the house in?

ABSTRUCT:( Respond trying to direct him in the sitting room with her hand where all friends and family members are sited conversing) Just come and see for yourself (She utters ushering him to the room on the way) Do you know one thing? What you have seen for yourself is easier, easier to believe than what you have been told without getting to see the real image

or isn’t it?

LIBERTY:( Nods his head to a point of almost breaking it as he follows her cautiously) I completely agree without objection. And do you know why?

This is because what you have seen depends on facts, facts of which if you are questioned upon you can be able to prove even in a court of law. But what you have not seen is like a makeup story which has no base at all and you are tone between two whether to believe it or not. But what can we say fellow? Some of us are duped to believe just because we have no other option, for example assume that you are told a story by your grandparents or great grand parents of a certain warrior who lived before you were born will you begin to object when you know that you were not there by then? It will be foolish of you to do that and that will be a curse, a curse that will follow you. But you will find the wise saying meee, meee meaning they will be agreeing without objections.

But some people are duped to a greater extent of believing everything they hear even without searching for prove. This people are described as naĂŻve whose work is to wax their ears to rumor mongering.

ABSTRUCT:Is that so? If people are like that then I want to assure you that

am no longer such type of a person or are you?

LIBERTY: (Tries hard to tune the subject for he no longer wants the conversation to head where its heading) I may not be such type of a person but that does not mean that such people do not excist.However all we can do is pray for them to be transformed or what do you suggest?

ABSTRUCT: Lord helps those who help themselves. Even if we pray for them it’s all in vain and we could only be acting as if we are empty debes and you know what they say about empty debes do you?, they make the loudest noise and I don’t think am one of them.

In fact I have no time to waste on useless matters for they say that time wasted can never be recovered. Let observe them and see I assure you that they will definitely reap what they sore. (They both reach the the sitting room and liberty cannot help himself but stare the room continuously as if he is a lost stranger. Before they can sit down everyone wakes up to honor them such that the guest feel warmly welcomed) SIR FODE: ( To liberty) Brother welcome, welcome and make yourself at home. Remember that east or west home is best.

MADAM FODE: ( Direct the guest by showing him where to sit in such a polite manner that shows respect) Make yourself at home family friend.

ABSTRUCT: ( Tries to welcome the guest again for a second time to make him feel more comfortable) For east or west ( Before she can finish the kids interrupt her and then summarize by saying) KIDS: Home is best ( After this the laugh for a while and sir fode who does not like their behavior blink at them with his left eye and they immediately stop what they are doing for they definitely know what that means).

MR OBI: ( To liberty who is now smiling after receiving much appreciation as a guest, Shows the rest as a demonstration) Breath in like uuuu! And then out like aaa! And make your self at home son. (He puts his hand on a tiny blue bag and remove something like a box) This is my generous gift to you my friend please accept it.

LIBERTY:( He stand to hold the box well with both hands) Thank you, Thank you very much sir this is very charitable of you.

MRS OBI:( To liberty.) Remember that charity always begins at home.

From the look of your face you seem to be a good man who totally deserve that gift.

ABSTRUCT: ( Trying to support his future husband) He is, he is actually one of the best man I have ever met and you can can on me.

SIR FODE: ( Who is somehow expressing a feeling of jealousy because he

has not been praised) What about me? What about me abstruct?

MADAM FODE: (Break her silence by trying to describe his husband’s character indirectly) He is actually one of the noblest man who is rare to find like gold on this universe and he is unlike other’s who only think about themselves, themselves and no one else.

SIR FODE: (He really knows that her wife is describing him and he tells it to himself inside his heart) Thanks a lot my wife well, well, well I can see now that your eyes are wide open and you are no longer in darkness as you were previously. Who would have thought this? That a day would come like this when my wife finally says at least something good about me, is it not good?. To me am really puzzled.

MADAM FODE: (She laughs for a while because she sees the way her husband is behaving foolishly in front of the guest funny and then says) Forgive me for my manners pamo ( Another ways of calling your parents where pa stands for father and mo stands for mother and then point and liberty of whom she wants to introduce) I forgot to introduce this man here, I know that he may be a new face to you but to us he is not for he is a long time friend to our family. His name is liberty which means liberation.

MR AND MRS OBI: (After hearing that they get up from their sits and rush

to embrace him with commemoration honoring him more than anyone else, everyone in the room appear to be astonished including madam fode) young man, only mountain do not meet and we count our self lucky and very fortunate to meet you or don’t you? Tell us more, more about yourself will you?

LIBERTY: (Seems astonished by the appreciation he has received too and even his appearance expresses) I don’t have a lot to say for a lot has

already been said. ( Coughs for awhile in order to clear his throat and make his point appear a bit clearer) I am just a young man who does not have a long history but I wish I had.

Mr and Mrs. obi: (out of curiosity) How old are you?

LIBERTY: You really want to know? Do you?, am above two decades for I am two and a half decade old which is slightly below three decades. But age, age is just a number you know?

MR AND MRS OBI: Are you married young man? And if yes who is the lucky girl and how many kids do you have?

MADAM FODE: (Tries to prevent her parents from asking any more

questions)Pamo, pamo that is enough. The guest have already answered all your question and I think we should call enough is enough.

SIR FODE: (To her wife)My queen let them continue liberty himself does not have a problem with that and that is why he isn’t nagging. (To liberty) or do you?

LIBERTY: (Responds confidently) No, not at all you can ask as many questions as you like and you will definitely get an answer to each and every question. I feel as if that is the list I can do to repay you for the kindness and appreciation you have shown me. Just continue with the question please and feel comfortable to ask as much question as you can and I will be committed to answer each and every question for am at your

service, am all yours. Remember what they always say knowledge is power so continue asking for the more question you ask the more wisdom you will gain and remember wisdom is strength.

MADAM FODE: (To liberty who looks as if challenged by too much questions)Do you actually meaning what you are saying? Or are you saying that to make them feel happy?

LIBERTY: (Respond to madam fode proudly) you know me very well don’t you? You know am a man of his own words, a man who mean what he says. I always do not speak the talk but as well I walk the talk for I believe that actions are stronger than words. (After hearing this madam fode remains silent and continues to concentrate on the ongoing conversation her focus directed towards the main speaker) MR AND MRS OBI: Young man you have not answered our question and we think we are both running out of patience. Remember delay, delay and you will get that the kid is not yours.

LIBERTY: (Now responds as if one who is not confident with his response) No am not married.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Appearing to be a bit surprised) How comes you are not married? Or don’t you know how to approach a woman?. There are a lot of beautiful ladies out there have you not found your match yet?

LIBERTY: A lot of beautiful ladies you say? Do not judge a book by its cover for a woman to qualify to be a capable wife beauty must go hand in hand with behavior for if it doesn’t then her beauty becomes all useless.

Others may have a beautiful appearance for example a well formed body,

attractive face as brown a coffee berry or as black as coal in the case of a black beauty, sexy eyes which are as round as a sphere, an attractive voice which can get a snake out of its habitant and attractive breasts but beware for they might be hyenas dressed in sheep’s clothing for when the deal is too good think twice.

MR AND MRS OBI: (As they nod for a while) Well, well, well our prediction were right after all and that is why they always call us Mr. and Mrs. right.

But in case you are looking forward to get married we have a daughter, a daughter of both beauty which go hand in hand with character and behavior which is morally acceptable. But in case you are serious in getting married we will connect you as earlier as possible for they say that the earlier is always the better so that you can set the ball rolling in preparation of your upcoming matrimony. Who knows we may be coming to your matrimony next weekend?

LIBERTY: (Bends his head downwards for a while as if trying to recall

something long forgotten so that he can speak it out) I appreciate your generosity for you have already done more than enough for me. I am afraid for I have to turn the offer down and don’t take it the wrong way.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Appear both angered and in disbelief of liberty’s response) Tell as you are just bluffing are you? Why comes you have to turn the offer down too soon? Or have we done something wrong?

LIBERTY: (Pointing at madam fode) Ask your daughter here will you?, You know what they always say, the truth always comes from the horse’s mouth you know?

MR AND MRS OBI: (To their daughter who appears to be concentrated for liberty’s statement have brought about her full concentration to her mind which seemed to be far away) Start speaking will you? We have waxed our ears to hear what you have to say so by now you should be talking.

MADAM FODE: (Looks as if somehow abscent minded but all over a sudden she appears to have come back to her senses) See, its like this the reason why she can’t marry my sister is because he is already booked, packed and ready for exportation meaning that his heart is already taken, taken by someone else.

MR AND MRS OBI: (To liberty who looks puzzled as they point at him) Why didn’t you say that for once?

LIBERTY: (Trying to defend himself) See? its like this.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Asks loudly and angrily meaning that they feel frustrated) Like what? Like what you foolish man?

LIBERTY: (Tries to pull himself together as a way of preparing for self defense) You never asked me that, how could I have answered you.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Tries to object him) But we asked countless times and if you did hear us that proves that you were absent minded?

LIBERTY: (Tries to challenge them in order to save himself) You asked me whether married didn’t you? You never asked me whether my heart is taken or did you?

MR AND MRS OBI: (Gives a warning liberty with anguish) Stop fooling around with us young man and if you will not do it willingly you will do it forcefully after you land yourself in a hot soup. Do you know that old is gold. What is the difference asking you whether you are married or your heart is taken?

ABSTRUCT: (Tries to bring understanding among them) Come down, come down please will you? Try to ask yourself what image you will try to create in the minds of this kids if you behave this way. (They appear to be calm for a while but silence is broken after some time)

MR AND MRS OBI: (They both cackle trying to mock liberty) So your heart is taken, already taken but you still have it or are you using your lungs to pump blood? Young man you appear to be in a state of confusion aren’t you?. Because that is like saying you are dead but infact you are alive and kicking and you cannot be dead and alive at the same time or can you?.

You say your heart is taken but we all can see that you are not married why can give yourself a title to what you are not entitled. This is my advice to you don’t count your chicks before they hatch and do not put all your eggs in the same basket.

LIBERTY: (Pretends as if he does not completely know what they mean and asks as if one full of curiosity) What do you mean?

MR AND MRS OBI: (Tries to elaborate to liberty to make the point sound crystal clear) This is what we mean you fool do not put your hope or expectation in one place try your lack here and there cause you never know where your dream may finally land and come true or do you?.

Remember that a bird in hand is better, better than two in the bush.

LIBERTY: (Utters confidently) And mine is just right in my hand for I always don’t let it out of sight.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Appears a little confused by his statement) What do you mean?

MADAM FODE: (Tries to summarize liberty’s statement but before she can finish she is interrupted) What she means is this, she means ….(bra, bra, bra) MR AND MRS OBI: (Cut their daughter short) Keep quiet doesn’t he have a mouth to speak for himself?(Madam fode keeps quiet, in the process liberty is struggling to get up from his sit and he finally manages but before he can make a step they both point at him) Remain still and don’t you move a muscle (So they both play a trick with madam fode of switching sits to prove that he did not want to disappear) LIBERTY: I mean (pause) what I mean in simple terms is that my bird is just right next to me.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Asks looking somehow astonished) Don’t tell me you mean this bitch? Do you? (They ask pointing at abstruct who is glancing here and there trying to search for an entry to penetrate and escape for she knows she is now in trouble) ABSTRUCT: (Tries to posture herself well and after she has gained the comfort she wanted she responds bravely) Yes he means exactly me? Is

there a problem?

MR AND MRS OBI: You count yourself charmed life I see while you are living a dogs lifestyle. How comes up to now you have not invited us for your matrimony or we are of a lower rank I see?

LIBERTY: It’s a long story.

MR AND MRS OBI: What do you mean by saying it’s a long story?

Everything that has a beginning must have an end and every journey must have a destination.

LIBERTY: (After hearing this he is motivated to speak and he begins to explain) Me and my future wife here had planned for our matrimony some years ago and upper beach was supposed to be the venue for everyone love the atmosphere of that place. But unfortunately our matrimony was a dream that never came true because of some few obstacles.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Out of curiosity) Then what happened?

ABSTRUCT: (Tries to back up his future husband) We decided to visit our parents with hope of receiving blessing upon our upcoming matrimony, but what we received came as a surprise, a big surprise for it was opposite of what we expected for instead they hardly rejected by saying that we were only looking for trouble. Things jump from bad to worse when rumor spread within a split of a second all over like fire and everyone who is always up to

date with gossips was gossiping about it in this village of ours saying the type of out casts we were and this was the gossip in fashion for it was always the main topic of the day to almost everyone. To as life was as hard as a rock for we knew that the topic was unchangeable in people minds and so we felt as if life was against us for everything that was happening was there to demotivate rather than motivate.

MR AND MRS OBI: So your customs forbidden you to be together I knew it

all along but I only wanted you to clarify. And bravo, bravo to those who rejected the matrimony, How can a person from a bunyaka marry or get married to a person from upper hill? Do you know that our customs, rituals we conduct and oaths we take are different completely different. Even we have different names for our creator its like the teso who call they God KATODA and kikuyu who call theirs NGAI Do you now see the difference?.

Getting in a matrimony could mean trouble, trouble not only for you but to the whole community. They say that prevention is better than cure you better prevent now before you land yourself in trouble. Assume that you get children will they be called children from abunyaka or upper hill or will they be in between like confused people tone in between two. And when it

comes to narrating stories which gland parents are always good in will they be narrated abunyaka or upper hills stories. You cannot serve two masters and by this you will find that they will deviate from one culture and honor another therefore causing more and more down fall wherever they go. Do you know how dangerous that is?

ABSTRUCT AND LIBERTY: (As they begin to get emotional) But we love each other very, very much. How do we expect us to live our life’s without each other if for a moment we cannot breathe without one another?

MR AND MRS OBI: Do you only care about what you feel cause if you do this means you only care for yourself don’t you. Does society mean anything to you? Does it not even come across your mind for a moment?.

Try to ask yourself this what will bring more happiness? is it when a girl and a woman who pretend to be in love just because of how they feel conduct their forbidden matrimony and cause destruction in the whole community? Or when they put an end to that matrimony of theirs or so called relationship in sake of saving the community because of the love they have towards it and its members?. For by so doing this is what we call an act of heroism for a hero is a person who puts the requirements of a

community above his own.

Do not be naïve when it comes to yourself but instead be naïve to issues concerning the community as a whole and abide with what is considered to be morally right cause if you go against you know what will happen and I don’t have to warn you twice for a wise son hear the secrets.

ACT 5 ( It is early in the morning and madam fode who is always fond of waking up at the first cock craw can be seen walking majestically to the kitchen. It has always been her rhythm to first prepare a breakfast, a beckoning breakfast which awake the dead from their sleeping graves due to its fragrant smell. After the preparation of the breakfast meal is over and the breakfast is ready it has always been her rhythm to wake up her three kids and prepare them before they can take the well prepared meal which make them have vigor to set ball rolling and go to school. But today table seems to have turned for things are completely different, different compared to other days. The kids can be seen well gloomed with their school attires and the only thing remaining is to take the breakfast then set the ball rolling to go to school. Their mother seems to be puzzled by this and at the same time she feels feverish knowing that it has always been like a hard rock to

move to get them up in the morning for it has always been through much straggle but now she is as happy as a queen for things seems to be different in her favor for they have made his tusk easier and as well saved her time and energy which could have been wasted in screaming wooo, wooo, wooo and also in yelling like yeeee!. Her mother has just finished preparing the meal and she can be seen going to the table room caring two circular shaped large white dishes and she looks burdened. Leed can be seen walking swiftly from the table room heading towards her mother who is coming to the room. She approaches her on her way to the table room and gives her a hand in carrying the dish and now the burden which was once heavy is now lightened. Her mother who was previously as slow as a tortoise now begins to increase her pace and she can be seen walking haste fully as fast as her legs can carry her following her daughter to the table room where the rest seem to be running out of patient waiting for the meal.

On arrival, everyone seems to be well settled such that all sits in the table room appear to be all occupied except a few which are empty and this only means that the occupant of the sits have not yet woken up. The way

they appear to be well settled means that they are well mannered for non among them can be seen misbehaving. The two ladies place the dishes on the table and the atmosphere of the room suddenly changes due to the fragrant smell that replaces the ordure. They serve everyone around the table including themselves with a token of the breakfast and after they are through serving they squeeze themselves on the empty sits)

MADAM FODE: (To the kids as they posture themselves well on their sits in order to take the meal but before they can take a bite) You appear to be up early today than usual? What is the reason for all this sudden change of behavior? Or is you teacher nowadays starting to get strict on you? Or you did not do your assignment yesterday and you want to go earlier and finish it at school is it?, I know that is it for as I can remember that is the trick I always used when I was about you age and it always worked, always worked very well.

FODE: (Responds proudly) You know as mother don’t you? You know we are always like this, always like this waking up at the first cock craw for we know that the early is always the better.

MADAM FODE: I doubt for that is one of the purest lie I have ever heard in my life time which is easier for one to believe especially if it comes from a person like you who is always fond of telling lies without blinking or glancing and this easily dupe a person in believing you are telling the gospel truth.

FODE: (Responds with a smile for he has been trapped by his own trap thinking he was setting it for someone else) You can’t be easily deceived can you?

MADAM FODE: So you were telling lies after all were you? Now that you have smiled I know that my accusations are right.

FODE: I am not good when it comes to lying but tell me what else I could have thought of after been pressured with too much questioning?

MADAM FODE: If there is someone I know who is good in lying is none other than you. And what make you an expert is the fact that when you are telling either a truth or a lie you appear to be behaving in the same manner putting on a stone face to justify your point and if a person cannot easily fall on this trick he or she will not resist to fall on the next one for how you bite your finger as a sign of swearing helps ones agree to you point before you can finish without knowing that he or she is getting in a trap which had

already been bated. Whom did you take after in this family?

OBI: (To her mum talking with much confidence) Mother, mother pay attention for a moment will you? (She tries to bring her to attention for she seems to be concentrating on other things) We recently found out that the early bird always catches the fattest warmth you know?, That’s why we are turning a new life and who knows we might catch ours one of this fine days if we continue with the same spirit and never throw the towel.

MADAM FODE: (To obi) Another small liar aren’t you? (To fode) Don’t tell me you have influenced your young brother to be a liar like you? So we have another Mr. liar I should have named you masters of deceit brothers instead of obi and fode. But now you will get it from me if you don’t turn a new leaf for I really love disciplining you know am good at it don’t you?

LEED: (To her mother who seems to be completely disappointed by her kids) Mother birds of the same feathers flock in the same direction don’t you know? It just like father used to tell us show me your friends and I will tell you what type of a person you are for if you walk with the blameless you are likely to be blameless, when you walk with the wise you are likely to be wise and when you walk with cynic you are likely to become a cynic, What if you walk with liars?

MADAM FODE: (Appear to be more disappointed than before) Oh! Oh! Oh! Do you want to mean that you are amongst them? Even you a daughter named after my mother? Tell me whom you take after for my ma is no longer like that?

LEED: (Appear nervous) Asi! Asi! Asi! Don’t count me in their category, no way am not amongst them. You know my dream have always been a desire to be a woman of integrity just like you or my grandmother or don’t you?. You know to become such a woman it all starts in the early stages, early stages of development and then to maturity the fruits of it can be visually observed and orally narrated. That’s why I chose a different path and began telling the truth since I was below a decade so that when am old my dream to be a woman of integrity will unfold for the fruits of my labor will be seen by everybody who is a keen or reasonable observer and all will be an onlooker. I know practice practice makes perfect and by then I believe I will by far be better than I am now.

SIR FODE: (Clapping and whistling upon hearing her daughters statement) Kudos, kudos to you my daughter. You will definitely become as you wish for if your thoughts are good what is good will always befall you. Thanks a lot for making your father as proud as a peacock and if you are in need any

assistance you know that I will always be there for you. Just tell me and your problem will no longer be a problem but a solution to future problem for it shall be like a stepping stone. I shall deal with it fairy until it disappear away yelling and screaming and it will no longer be a challenge again.

Leed: (To her father smiling) Thank you very much sir fode (I begg your pardon) Thank you very much father. You are the best mentor and father in this universe and I count myself lucky to be your daughter and have you as a father.

MADAM FODE: (Full of anguish towards the two boys) And you two when are you gone learn to tell the truth?, when are you going to make your mother proud by a noble act that will abolish her grief? (Directing them straight towards the front entry leading out as if chasing them) Out, out, out go to school now before my temper rises and I do something that am goner regret.

FODE AND OBI: (They are drugged by their mother towards the front entry but they tend to make it difficult for their mother to drug them so she is forced to hit them so that they can obey her command) Ma, ma but we have not even taken a bite of the breakfast. (They cry bitterly as they are drugged by her ma who is saying out “ni jaa�)

MADAM FODE: ( Madam fode who is furious and she utters as she drugg

them outside) Till the day you learn to tell the truth you will not have a single break fast meal in this house, Do you get my point? Cause if you ate and someone came and asked you whether you took you break fast you will still lie by suggesting you didn’t and that will tarnish my name as a mother. Do you know what they will say when I pass bye? They will point they finger at me saying look at the mother who never gives some break fast to her kids and then they will mock me. Do you know how that will make me feel? I suggest you don’t cause one never know the other has a problem until he is caught by a problem then it will be easier for him or her to understand. Even a rich man never knows the poorverty that people in the lower class experiences until he gambles and all the money is gone then it will be easier for him or her to understand without need for further explanation. Even a sinner do not know the need for living a righteous life and doing good until he or she die and go to hell then it become easier for him or her to understand that there is heaven and hell which he or she used to oppose but no problem everyone will be paid according to his or her tusk those who do good the payment will be according to they goodness and those who do bad the payment will be according to their

badness for you actually reap what you sow.

Its better now that you have not taken your meal cause if someone asked you whether you took some meal or not you will still say yes for you are always fode of lying and that will not tarnish my name as a mother and that of the family. Instead it will keep the reputation, legacy and image of the family as a whole alive. (Warns them with a finger as she pulls them out) Can you get out before I do something bad will you?

FODE AND OBI: ( As they get out crying without waving their hands in the air as they are used too and these proves they are angry, As they walk out they speak ironically) Thanks a lot mother that was very good of you. (They get out carrying their bags and her mother shut the door and return back to the table room without watching them disappear as she is used to)

MR AND MRS OBI: ( They are washing their face and head to the table room with no idea of what is going on) What was that argument all about? ( Asks madam fode whom they meet on the way to the table room) MADAM FODE: (Acts as if she is unaware of what they are talking about) Which argument?

MR AND MRS OBI: ( Refrain the statement to make it crystal clear) We think we heard some noise hear or didn’t we?

MADAM FODE: (Tries to fool them) This is a sign that you were arguing and a sign also that you are beginning to lose your memory slowly by slowly. Who knows? How first old age catches a person unaware. But you know what they say old is gold.

MR AND MRS OBI: (As they arrive at the table room and occupy their sitting position) Stop fooling us, we know you since you were born do you think we are not aware of cunning behavior?

MADAM FODE: ( Looks and acts as if one experiencing a sign of defeat but she is tactful and come up with another trick) Pamo maybe you hard a dream, maybe you were just dreaming.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Laughs for a while) Ha, ha, ha that is very funny of you, How comes we were dreaming the same dream? Have you ever heard a person who dreamt the same dream as the other? (Continues with their laughter as they exchange their shoulders) Maybe we will be the one to go down history (They lift up their hands as a sign of winning)

SIR FODE: (Tries to defend her wife) My wife is telling you the truth believe her will you? You said it to me that telling the truth was always her character ever since she was young or don’t you remember?

MR AND MRS OBI: Did we? Even if we did you know people change gradually in the cause of time or don’t you? Today a person maybe good or holy come tomorrow you will not believe what your eyes will see for he or she will have turned to be bad. Come the next day after tomorrow and you will be surprised to see the same, same person even more worse.

LEED: (To her grand parents) Thank you.

SIR FODE: (To mr and mrs obi) My daughter have been raised up by good parents who have imparted her with good morals which in this community are accepted for they morally abide with what community requires and they are judged acceptable. I believe she will never forsake or go against them for she is used in practicing them as a habit and remember a habit is a disease. (Points at leed asking her whether she will ever go against them) Will you go against?

LEED: (She is silent for a while and the …) No (pause) No father.

SIR AND MADAM FODE: (Utters together) That’s our daughter.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Looks here and there and then realize that there are two empty sits and some uneaten breakfast meal on top of the table that smell delicious) Talking of your daughter why are this two sits empty? And who are the owners of this uneaten meal which looks as fresh as a dairy?

MADAM FODE: (Looks more nervous because of the question and as if one who have been caught by her own trap and then alters what comes directly from her mind) Its yours please welcome and enjoy your meal.

MR AND MRS OBI: (As they stand and walk to sit on the empty sit where the breakfast meal is) Thanks a lot our daughter we cannot wait to taste this beckoning meal of yours (They take a bite and the‌ ) It taste as sweet as honey (As they try to sit comfortably on the chairs but they cannot have a good posture for their mind is on the meal on the table and remember how they saying goes you cannot serve two masters) But why do this sits appear to be small? (Immediately madam fode with the help of her daughter stands up from their sitting position and rush to replace their sits with other comfortable and large ones. They return to their sitting positions but before they can sit mr and mrs obi alters) Wao, This sits appear to be more comfortable. And talking (They realize that two of their grandsons are missing and asks) Where are my two grandson obi and fode? Have they woken up already? Please don’t tell me that they are still sleeping.

SIR FODE: No they went to school.They have turned to new life for they

have been responsible after understanding that education is they key.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Appear more jovial than ever before) Oh! those grandsons of ours. I knew a time would come like this one when they will finally make us proud and by their action today they have just hit the nail on its head. At list we have something to be proud of before we go to the land of no return and this can be attributed to them. (They observe and note that leed has not finished her breakfast yet, to the girl who is sited in a lining posture busy trying to empty her full plate) And you why haven’t you gone to school yet? Don’t you want to make you parents proud like your brothers? (leed bend downwards as a way of trying to ignore the questions) MADAM FODE: (Tries to defend her daughter) Pamo she will still reach school in time, but perhaps she is late remember what they say its better late than never. Remember also that the last minute can save a man.

SIR FODE: (Pretends as if he is giving leed some advice without smiling) Make sure you are in school before the bell rings kring, kring, kring or else you will been in hot soup.

LEED: (Responds politely) I will father.

MADAM FODE: (As leeds takes her last bite of the meal meaning she has

finished her mother stands up and alters) Its time to go (She picks her bag and escorts her to the front door. As leed get out to meet levi who always comes to call them she waves her hand to her mother as they depart) MR AND MRS OBI: (Inside the table room trying to advice sir fode) You need to tell your daughter follow her brothers footstep. You should tell her to mimic them if she only want to make it in life. If she continue with this behavior of hers I see trouble from a distance. They say that a habit is a disease I see her taking this habit to work and she will end up being fired and end up jobless. After this she will always depend on you for she will have no other source of income do you want it to be like that? imagine you are mature person and not a bread winner I think that is a life that everybody know is hard to bear or don’t you?. I think life becomes sweet more than honey when someone who is mature enough is able to bear his or her own burden. It become more sweeter when one is able to carry his or her own cross for he or she can now even be able to help the less fortunate in the community. But assume someone has not helped him or herself to help others is like trying to such for a needle in a hay stuck. (After hearing the advice sir fode nods upside down as madam fode arrives) MADAM FODE: (She observe that sir is nodding and out of curiosity asks)

What are you discussing about you three?

MR AND MRS OBI: (Respond at ones) never mind.

ACT 6 ( Takes place outside sir fodes house. It is in the evening and madam ] fode together with her friends including abstruct can be seen arranging the sits or benches. The clouds look pregnant but the weather seem favorable for its neither too chilly nor too hot the weather is neutral. ELMESH, LIBERTY AND SIR FODE can be seen slaughtering a large white merino sheep and a feathery huge black bull. The bull is as fat as an elephant, black as coal and its out skin looks somehow feathery. It has two large horns almost as twice as large than those of a zebu cattle which are as sharp as a needle at the tip. Madam fode can be seen trying to give a hand where necessary, and after that they go and settle for they can now be seen well settled relaxing at the front sit. The kids can be seen busy playing foot ball on the outside field, looking very jovial despite the fatigue. One of the boy accidentally hit the ball on the air as the game continues such that it bursts as it ascends downwards. What follows is weeping as the other pull the blame on one of the boy who is responsible for this. They can be seen dragging him as if beating him to teach him a lesson such that the boy

appear helpless as he continue to weep more than those who are affected.

The boy try to rush in order to save her life but it’s all in vain for the angry mob threaten him by saying you can run but you can’t hide or can you? He can be seen trying to apologize but this seem to be all in vain as well to the rest of the kids determined to teach him a lesson. His name is obi a neighbor hood friend to the kids. As the argument continues madam fode and abstruct who are both unaware of what is going on tries to observe the kids carefully. At first they eyes blind them and they assume that everything is alright but as they try to focus carefully they find out that something somewhere is not going well. They view that something is not going well and they decide to go nearer to solve the matter ones and for all. The nearer they get the more the scene becomes clear and clear. Soon the kids note that their aunt and mother are approaching and they pretend that there is nothing going on, The argument which was loud enough to a woken the dead cool down at once as the two ladies arrive at the scene.

Abstruct tries to convince madam fode to take a U turn for they have other tasks awaiting them after realizing that there was no misunderstanding but madam fode refuses adamantly for she can observe something hidden on

the faces of those kids which she is determined to know and for this reason abstruct have nothing else to do than abide. They attempt to ask the kids what is going on but they efforts are all unfertile for no kid is willing to talk.

They keep as silent as the deaf including the boy who was in trouble.

After a while the boy who was in trouble begins to talk and share his side of the story after realizing the kindness the two ladies have shown him by coming to his rescue. They listen to both parties carefully and hatch a plan on how to solve the problem once and for all and the tactic which is eventful prove to be successful. Finally the kids can be seen exchanging hands meaning that the problem is fully solved. Due to lack of foot ball they switch to catch me if you can game which they seem to enjoy more than even football for they believe that there are many ways to kill a rat.

(After a while they are called by their mother to join the rest in the cocktail party and they go rushing as fast as their legs can carry them for they have now enjoyed playing to the fullest) ELMESH:( Holding a plate of flied meat. After taking a bite) Meee, the meat is delicious ( He takes another bite and then says) It does not only smell good but taste delicious as well. Oh! What a good meal to have in such a period of hunger like this?

LIBERTY: (As he takes no stop bites) The stew taste as sweet as honey have you tasted it? Oh! How I wish I had such a meal everyday but you know we only come across such a meal during an occasion. Do you know how long I have lived without tasting such a meal?

ELMESH: (Tries to imagine as he count with his fingers to make his Imagination correct and then he responds) Three weeks isn’t it?

LIBERTY: (Refuse adamantly as a sign of rejection) You are wrong, very wrong. It has been more than a century.

SIR FODE: (Appears to be astonished by liberty’s statement) Do you mean what you are saying or are you adding humor to invigorate the less fortunate. It’s unbelievable tell me who is wise a fool to be duped to believe such a thing.

ELMESH: (Whose full concentration has been drawn to her dish) Meee, both the stew and the meat taste good and it’s hard to say which one tastes better than the other. Where did these ladies learn to cook so well?

ABSTRUCT: (As she comes where the gentle men are and have sit. She then point at liberty and elmesh who are eating their meal in a haste) You two watch your table manners will you? (pause) at slowly or else you will bite your tongue.

MADAM FODE: (She follows abstruct and as she gets nearer alters from a

distance) And it might fall on the ground such that you will be left with no tongue. Try to imagine what you will look like with no tongue, you will always look as angry as an ogre and even the soft food staff will be difficult for you to swallow leave alone mutton, poke or beef which require proper chewing. You will only observe your favorite meal when it is presented to you and even if you will have apatite to eat it you will have no ability to taste it and you will die slowly of starvation not because of lack of food but greediness is all to blame. So am telling you these so you can turn a new life and prevent that earlier before these gets out of control for prevention is better than cure or keep in mind that hurry hurry has no blessings.

LIBERTY AND ELMESH: ( They love for a while for they find the ladies advice as comic) Ha, ha, ha very funny of you, just let us enjoy the cock tail will you?

ABSTRUCT AND MADAM FODE: (Responds at once) We are just trying to help you, help you by giving you good advice so take heed and wax your ears will you?

SIR FODE: (To the two men) Just listen to what these ladies are telling you will you? A fool gets angry when he or she is collected but a wise son hears the secrets don’t you know?

LIBERTY AND ELMESH: (To sir fode) Do you want to mean you are on their side?

SIRFODE: (Responds confidently) You know what they say ladies first. Its better to say the truth always and a shame the devil.

ABSTRUCT AND MADAM FODE: (They both raise their hands up as sign of winning) Hurray, hurray we won, we won and you definitely lost.

SIR FODE: (Tries to control the ladies who are now shouting on top of their voices making the noise unbearable) Ladies, ladies come down please will you? Just look at yourself and see how you are behaving is this really noble?

ELMESH AND LIBERTY: (Responds as they grate each other and break into a laughter) Empty debes make the loudest voice and from the way we are all behaving even a fool can tell who the empty debes are. (They continue to laugh for they now feel a sign of relief) ABSTRUCT AND MADAM FODE: (Appear to be jovial despite of everything that has happened and has been said and then says to sir fode)Look at them, can you see how they are behaving? (They point at the two men who are continuing to make fun) Can you please warn them or we will take matters into our own hands.

SIR FODE: (Responds somehow in favor of the two men)You know that in our community it’s a taboo that men are superior than women or don’t you?

Women are regarded as inferior and they are seen as uncapable to take leadership roles. We have chief abasuba a man, chief abusuka a man also and chief katurn who is a man as well tell me where you have heard a chief who is a lady in our community? Have you ever hard a lady holding a senior position? You will find that women are always under men control for they must be led in order to move otherwise if there is no men to lead them they will stick in the same position like a building or a mountain which cannot move despite what. Try to imagine what the world would look like if there are no men to lead women I tell you that ladies would look miserable you know? So ladies have to thank their men always and stop nagging them for when they are nagging its like they are trying to complain to Lord who is blessing them and that prove that they are cynic. You will bear me witness that even ladies themselves admit that behind any successful man is a woman and this translated in our community means that men are in front of women and women are behind men so they should follow men in the direction they are led without nagging or boasting for boasters never

succeed.

ELMESH AND LIBERTY: (They look as if peoples experiencing a sign of winning) Bravo, bravo sir now you are talking. (They continue to mock they too ladies with they laughter) Run for a senate and we will definitely vote you in the coming general election.

ABSTRUCT AND MADAM FODE: (They look as if experiencing a sign of defeat, To sir) But that is gender in equality. Why do life have to be so unfair when it comes to women?

SIR FODE: (To the ladies) Gender in equality did you say? (pardon) Let me make things clear to you will you? In our community there is nothing like gender in equality the issue of gender in equality is a history, a long gone history for it died and was buried a long time ago. It’s about time we give men what they deserve and women what they deserve and I think this is now what we are doing for we have reached that revolution so don’t confuse it with gender in equality but try to abide and accept the reality but even if you don’t they say that the truth hart and I can understand where you are coming from.

ELMESH AND LIBERTY: (congratulate sir fode for her statement) Bravo, bravo sir fode you are the man, continue with the same spirit and keep in

mind that the sky is the limit.

ABSTRUCT AND MADAM FODE: (To the two men) Listen at the empty debes, empty debes making the loudest noise (Dem) its loud enough to a wake the dead for it pierce ones ear like a sharp needle.

ELMESH AND LIBERTY: (They happiness all over a sudden turn to grief after the two ladies statement) Hiii, hiii, hiii (they weep asking) Why are you calling us empty debes?

ABSTRUCT AND MADAM FODE: (A sign of defeat turns to a sign of relief as they respond) Its because that is what you are. First look at how you are behaving what do you think an observer would suggest if he happens to observe your behavior? I think this is what he or she would say well done, well done try again another time or well done, well done liberty and elmesh keep it up. (They continue to shout laughter) SIR FODE: (To the ladies) Hold your tongue right there, will you? That tongue of yours was like poison to your mothers for it made them always receive blows from your fathers for they could not calm down their husbands temper when it rose but instead they spoke back hence pushing their husband to the wall and to teach them a lesson became the only option you see?

ELMESH AND LIBERTY: (Appear to regain their lost strength through weeping) Tell them our future senator, Tell them sir fode.

ABSTRUCT AND SIR FODE: (To the two men) Now look at how you are both carrying yourselves. Do you think that this is noble? you outward appearance or character tells a lot about you you know? It tells about who you are on the inside for character is what make a person for you action speaks louder, louder than words.

ELMESH AND LIBERTY: (Responds to the ladies) You don’t have to speak louder in order to be heard or do you? ( They all over sudden see madam fode parents approaching the place where they are all gathered and they alert the rest through gestures to keep them alarmed and the rest get the message for they are very intellect. They pretend that no argument is going on trying to tune the subject to a better topic) SIR,MADAM FODE,ABSTRUCT,LIBERTY AND ELMESH: (After seeing mr and mrs obi they speak in astonishment) Wow, wow, wow we are definitely in a hot soup aren’t we? (They seem somehow nervous for they now that things now will jump from flying pan directly to fire) MR AND MRS OBI: (They seem somehow cocky as they continue to dance with the rhythm of the song which is currently in play)How comes your are

not enjoying yourselves? Remember life is too short, too short to be wasted and every day you live should be eventful. (They try to give them some advice, but they are now bending they heads downwards and this is a sign that something is wrong) Come and let us join those who are in the dance floor will you? (They hold everyone’s hand and begin to pull him or her such that he or she is forced to move toward joining the rest in the on going celebrations. They all join the party and everybody begins to move his or her body according to his or her dancing expertise and according to the rhythm of the song. As they continue to celebrate the music gets louder and louder and even passerby’s who observe them as they continue with they journey forget where they are heading too and are they are attracted to join the ongoing celebration due to the songs melodies which attracts them from a distance. But they all feel charmed life for everybody is welcome to join the cock tail.)

ACT 7 (The celebration continues and more and more people begin to flock the household. The people who were once countable with just a thumb of a finger are now uncountable for they continue to continue to increase second after second and minute after minute. The venue is now filled to the

bream with people of different kinds some old, some young while others are of the middle age. They are as many as the grain or the sand of the sea saw. Some can be seen playing fast as they shake their bodies to keep in pace with the rhythm of the song , some can be seen enjoying their cocktail, while others can be seen enjoying some meal and yet others can be seen well relaxed as they watch the rest enjoy themselves. It seems that everyone is having fun and a good time doing as much as he or she can to have as much fun as possible for occasion like this do not occur very frequent. You can see others going near those who are sited trying to lift them up with their hands in order to force them to the dance floor.

After the cocktail others can be seen misbehaving trying to disturb peace. They can be hard throwing offensive names which make those who have little kids to close their kids ears for them not to hear. Others who hear can be hard asking “ What does that mean?� and their parents, guardian or relatives are torn between two to tell them the truth or deceive them for the kids are hard to be ignored. Others who are noble can be seen disciplining the offenders who lack good morals and after they are disciplined they start to behave morally while others become even worse or twice or thrice than before and influence others in the process. Sir fode

family can be seen sited on a bench a little bit far from the venue. They are together with madam fodes parents and their friends who seem to have already enjoyed the party to the fullest and now they look as if exhausted.)

MR OBI: (Notices that elmesh is sited in the bench and that he was amongst the guests of honor to be invited) Some people have eyes but cannot see, They have ears but can’t hear, What do you think should be done to such people?( He asks everyone sited on the bench) MRS OBI: (After seeing elmesh, abstruct and liberty she notices where his husband is heading too) I think we should set the ball rolling and teach them a lesson. Remember what they say once beaten twice shy.

MADAM FODE: (She is still unaware of what they are talking about because the way they are talking its not easy for one to grasp the point at once, for the statement is phrased in a way to confuse them rather than make them fathom) Pamo I think I can help you with that. Just tell me what you are up to will you?

Sir fode: I think that my wife has a point. You cannot solve something unless you know the problem or can you? First thing first just tell us and we will take it from there for we can’t take it from there unless you tell us.

LEED: Tell us grandee, please tell us. You have always advised us that something harts or can be harmful if kept a secret just release it and get relieved of the tension will you?.

MR AND MRS OBI: Pretenders are worse than murderers you know? Stop pretending that you don’t know what we are talking about. Do you think you can fool us? For your information let us remind you that we are not as foolish as a hyena.

FODE, OBI AND LEVI: (Seem to be surprised after hearing their grandparents statement) You tell us that charity always begin at home or don’t you? How comes now we hear you speak like this or Do you preach water but drink wine? With all due respect let us hear you practice what you preach.

MR AND MRS OBI: (Tries to console the kids in order to create a good image to them) Our grand children what we meant is opposite of what we spoke. Sometimes the tongue slides especially if you are of a reap old age and what comes out of your mouth is opposite of what you wanted to say.

But you will understand it better when you are of a reap old age like us or is that not true our daughter? (Asks madam fode)

MADAM FODE: (Tries to change the topic, to the curious kids) Go and play with you fellow kids will you? do you know that it is not morally right to listen or eves drop adults conversation? Go and play now or else I will force you by teaching you are lesson such that if you remember you will not repeat the same mistake again.

KIDS: There is no need of doing that. We are going now (They rush waving they hands in the air to join their fellow kids who seem to be having a good time in the nearby field).

MR AND MRS OBI: ( After seeing the kids disappear now they get the courage to speak out what is on their mind) What we were talking about is as simple as A,B, C, D winking (pause and then continue) (Pointing at the three friends of sir fode family) We are talking about this three hooligans who are an outcast to our community. Do you know the danger they can cause? Do you know the threat they can pose? Always keep in mind that they are a bad omen in our community.

SIR AND MADAM FODE: (The three appear somehow astonished they want to leave the venue but something is holding them back for sudden departure would mean that they are guilty of what they are accused of and it as well appears as a sign of defeat, but sir and madam have got they

back for they respond in their defense) Pamo we thought that issue ended a long time ago. Just bury the hatchet and leave the matter will you?

MR AND MRS OBI: (Appear angry than before) That is something that we will never do spare the rod and spoil the child that is what they say.( They stare at the three friends without blinking and the….) Something bad may happen any place and any minute but don’t tell us that we didn’t warn you for you already know who the bad omens and outcasts are even if you don’t want to admit. We are trying to help you by preventing the situation before it becomes worse remember what they say prevention is better than cure.

SIR AND MADAM FODE: Thanks a lot for your concern but we don’t think that this is the right time or place for resolving the issue. Look at the guests who are having a good time what do you think they will think of us? You will definitely spoil their good moment hence spoiling the cocktail. Their say that there is always time for everything or don’t they? i think that this is the time to have a good time and enjoy ourselves to forget all our stressful and fatigue moments. Time to resolve conflict and other dispute will come and we will all participate in doing that but for now let’s bury the hatchet and enjoy the party or else we will miss this opportunity in future like a missed

opportunity because we never utilized it to the fullest. You know what they say I wish I knew comes after lets go and throw our self and treasure this moment before its gone and we are left saying I wish I knew.

MR AND MRS OBI: You will either do it your way or our way ( They point at the three friends) They either leave this place or we leave make your choice of who to stay and who to leave and be fast cause I think we are running out of patience.

SIR AND MADAM FODE: Pamo we do not want either of you to leave nobody was invited here to be chased away. We all came here to enjoy our self and have a good time and as well be as happy as seeing rain in Kalahari and make this day a moment to remember. Isn’t that what we are telling everyone to abide with? Just forget about your problems and throw yourself to the dance flow as if you were seventy years younger.

MR AND MRS OBI: (They order the music to be stopped and it is stopped at once meaning that everyone present is in full concentration of what is going on for his or her eyes are drawn to the on going argument. They make a loud scream as they shout saying outcasts, out casts, out casts seeing that they are in trouble the three friends of fodes family tries to escape for safety for they know that this is just a matter of life or death.

They are caught at the house hold entry by the mob as they rush to save their lives and sir and madam fode come immediately to their rescue and try to defend them from the huge crowd surrounding them. Then mr and mrs obi who are full of anguish join them mob and encourage the mob by duping them to believe that this people are out cast) We told you that your days are numbered didn’t we? When we warned you and you never even waxed your ears to listen we told you to never say that we did not tell you so or dint we? You thought that you were safe and tactful but know you have come to know that there are many ways to kill a rat. We always told you that you can run but you can never hide but it seemed that all our warning to you was just empty talks but you will know today that those empty talks really meant something. First you have provoked us, secondly you have provoke this mob and thirdly you have gone to a point of provoking yourself but to worsen the situation us and this angry mob have flied of the handle and we are determined to teach you a lesson that you will always remember as long as you live or you are dead. Look at you who is there to save you the only people left to save you are only two and if they attempt to they will just be in trouble even more than you but if they want to

try they can go ahead and test the waters and they will know why a chicken has wings but cannot be able to fly. (Orders the huge crowd) Do what we do with bad omens and teach these traitors a lesson.

SIR FODE: (Before the huge crowd can throw stones, sticks they are holding and other things at them sir fode orders them) Stop and please come down for a moment please. I know almost all of you here do not know what this conflict is all a bout, how comes you are all concerned about things that do not involve you? I call that poking your nose at other people’s affair or poking your nose where it does not belong. (He angers the angry mob and things now jump from bad to worse for they are now determined to teach him a lesson to. They pull him among the outcasts and are ready to beat them but before they can do that a voice is heard from the crowd) MADAM FODE: Please stops will you? (Tries to talk calmly to calm the angry mob to prevent things from jumping from flying pan directly into fire) They say that a wise son hears the secrets and I can see that all of you are wise enough to listen to what am going to say. Will you give me a chance to speak my mind? (A voice is heard among the crowd of a lady) MAYER: Just say what you want to say and stop wasting our time or else you will be among them. (Another loud can be heard and this time it is of a

man) MAXSWELL: Stop listening to this woman will you? Can’t you all see that she is trying to fool us to get what she wants? Its better a devil you know than an angel you have never met and I tell you that this woman here pretending to an angel is the devil herself.

ARMREF: (Shaking his head) You are right this woman only wasting our time. Do to this people what we do with outcast who are a bad omen to our community.

ABEL: (Orders the huge crowd) Order, order Come down for a moment will you? Please give this woman a chance to speak what is on her I think everyone has right to express him or herself.

MAYER: Be quick then and stop wasting our time if you think we are bluffing you are surely setting your own trap.

MADAM FODE: (To abel) Thank you sir that is very kid of you.

ABEL: Welcome and please feel free to express yourself the floor is all yours and the ball is now on your side.

MADAM FODE: (With no hesitation he begins to speak to defend his friends) You all know that a friend in need is a friend indeed or don’t you? I

will not speak as this people’s friend but I will speak as a fellow community member to them and to you. This are noble community members who should be regarded as community heroes but it harts me to hear you call them outcast. How would you feel if people called you an outcast when you know you are not and regarded you as a bad omen? How would you feel if they accuse you for a crime you know you didn’t commit? I think you would go ahead and laugh about it, I think you will be as happy as if you have seen your dreams finally come true would you? I know that this people are noble without a blemish for their actions brings light in darkness and remember what they say action always speak louder than words. Do you want us to be a community where the innocent are convicted for crimes they never even committed and the guilty escape unpunished? My people we cannot speak of peace while we are at war but you are the one to decide. (The crowd is left in a mixed reaction and do not know what to do next after)