|
READ THIS
An elderly man in his retirement has been offered the role of Chief in his tribe. Because he is not well-off,
however, he must devise a clever plan to raise the money so that he can bribe people in high places.
READ THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE:
Presently a dark matronly woman sauntered into the room, smiled coyly as she fastidiously tied and retied
her lapa, and finally knelt down on one knee at Fasasi's feet.
"Abike, my love, I am in a great fix. I need your help."
Abike heaved a sigh -- she knew what was coming.
"You know I am being offered the title of Asunpewa."
"You are? My lord has not told me about this great honour. You certainly deserve it." Of course she had
heard it -- she had a counter at the elubo market, and these last few days the market had talked
of nothing else. How thankful she now felt that she had had enough foresight to gather all her savings into
safety -- her husband would be needing some money, no doubt."
Have you looked at the questions
in the right column?
|
TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer
the following questions:
A hidden agenda is a plan which is hidden behind another plan.
- What was the "hidden agenda" in this story? (4)
[Need help?]
There are two possible answers here.
- The old man is supposedly putting forward his daughters for marriage, whereas in fact he is looking
for money which will enable him to acquire the title he so desperately wants;
- The woman (his wife) is supposedly looking for ways to help her husband whereas she is actually
looking for ways to preserve her own nest-egg.
|
No setting is ever given in this story, but we do have evidence of where the story takes place.
- Identify where this story is probably set. Explain how you know. (4)
[Need help?]
The story is set somewhere in Africa -- probably West Africa in Nigeria or Ghana.
- the use of West African words like ayo, Bale, Asunpewa, lapa, elobu-yam;
- the fact that the people have a Chief;
- the system of bride-price.
|
Why was Fasasi a popular man? Justify you answer. (4)
[Need help?]
Fasasi was a messenger prior to retirement, and therefore probably knew a great many people.
Furthermore, he was very knowledgeable and the people of his area looked up to him.
|
What proof do we have that Fasasi was not a wealthy man? (2)
[Need help?]
Fasasi was unable to take up the position offered him because he could not afford to. He also had four
daughters whom he was educating.
|
Why was there a sudden need for Fasasi to lay his hands on some money? (2)
[Need help?]
The Bale had offered him the position of chief or Asunpewa. In order to get the title, bribes had to be paid
to the right people.
|
Abike was aware of what was going on.
- How had she heard about it? (2)
[Need help?]
Abike had a table at the market. The fact that Fasasi had turned down the offer had been the talk of the
market place.
|
Abike had to come up with a plan in order to protect the little bit of money she had.
- What was her plan? Was it successful? (4)
[Need help?]
Abike's plan was that the four daughters of Fasasi should be brought home and then it would be known
that they were "available" for marriage -- naturally at the right price!
The plan was in fact most successful. Within a few days Fasasi's home was once more filled with people.
When the crowd left, three stayed behind because they had an important matter to discuss with him:
namely to negotiate with him the price in order to have one of his daughters for a wife!
|
Fasasi was an "authority on practically all subjects".
- Explain what is meant by this statement. (2)
[Need help?]
Fasasi knew a lot about many different things.
|
We are told of the "credulous" listeners.
- What does "credulous" mean? (2)
[Need help?]
"Creduluous" means that the people were very trusting.
The Latin word "credo" means "I believe" and credulous therefore means that the people
were prepared to believe anything that he told them because they trusted him so much.
|
Comment on the relationship that existed between Abike and her husband. (4)
[Need help?]
Abike was never fully open with her husband. She had stored up a little nest-egg of money which she kept
a secret from him.
Nevertheless she was willing to help her husband whenever she could, and was even prepared to give
him this nest-egg if it was really necessary.
|
|
