1

LESSON 1: GOING TO WORK

Bola; Bola’s mother; Maboudi (Bola’s friend).

Bola lives in Lagos. He’s a nurse in a big hospital. He usually gets up at

six o’clock and goes to work by bus.
Last Sunday Bola went to bed very late, and on Monday morning he
didn’t wake up at six o’clock. When his mother woke up, she looked at
the clock.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mother: Wake up, Bola! It’s half past six. It’s time to get up.
Bola: What? Oh dear, Monday morning again!
Mother: Come on! You’ll be late for work. Hurry up and get dressed.
Bola: Oh my head! Why did I drink all that beer last night?
Mother: Quick! I can hear the bus.
Bola: Gosh, you’re right. There’s the bus at the bus-stop now.
Where are my trousers, Mum?
Mother: Here they are. Now it’s wet this morning, Bola, so be careful.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bola got dressed quickly and ran to the bus-stop. But the bus started
moving. He shouted, but the people in the bus couldn’t hear him. When
he tried to get on the bus, he slipped in a big puddle and fell down.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Bola (standing up): Aaaah! Look at my clothes! Now what am I going to

do? I’m going to be late for work again.
Maboudi (On a scooter): Hey, Bola! What are you doing there?
Why are your clothes wet?
Bola: Oh, stop asking silly questions. Can you give me a lift to the
hospital?
Maboudi: Of course. Get on.
Bola: No, wait a minute. I must go and change my clothes first.
Maboudi: Alright, but hurry up or you’ll be.

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 2

LESSON 2 AT THE HOSPITAL

Bola; Dr. Akuabi; a young man; an old man; Mrs. Bello.

Bola got off Maboudi’s scooter outside the hospital. He ran quickly to Dr.
Akuabi’s room.
Dr. Akuabi (speaking angrily): Bola! You’re late again! You’re late every
Monday morning. You must get here on time.
Bola: It wasn’t my fault this time, Doctor. I slipped and fell into a
puddle, and I missed the bus.
Dr. Akuabi: Well, hurry up. There was a bad accident on the main road
an hour ago, and there’s the ambulance now.
Bola: I must go and see what’s happening.
Dr. Akuabi: No! You must go and see the patients who are waiting for me.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Bola put on his white coat and went outside. There were a lot of patients
sitting on the benches.
Bola: Alright. Who’s first?
Young man: Me. I must see the doctor right now, because I’m going to
school in a minute.
Old man: No, wait a minute. I arrived here at six o’clock. You came ten
minutes ago. I’m first.
Bola: Well, what’s wrong with you?
Old man: My arm hurts. I fell off my bicycle two days ago.
Bola: Let me see. Oh yes. Well, take this form and give it to that
nurse over there. He’ll give you an X-ray.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Young man: What about me? I fell ill. I’ve got a headache.
Bola: Well, you don’t look very ill. Go into that room. I’ll take
your temperature in a minute.
Now, Mrs. Bello, what’s wrong with your baby?
Mrs. Bello: He’s got a bad cold. This is the form the clinic gave me.
I can’t read it.
Bola: Let me see. Your baby needs an injection every
morning. If you go into that room, I’ll give him the first
one now.
Young man: But about me?
Bola: Sit down and keep quiet. This baby’s injection is more
important than your headache.

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 3

LESSON 3“THERE’S A GOOD FILM ON THIS EVENING”

Bola; Maboudi; Bosede and Elizabeth, friends of Bola and Maboudi.

Bosede: Hello Maboudi. Where’s Bola?
Maboudi: I don’t know. He asked me to meet him here.
Elizabeth: He told us to be here at half past eight.
Maboudi: Perhaps he’s got a lot of work at the hospital.
Yesterday he had to stay there until nine o’clock.
Elizabeth: Well, if he doesn’t come soon, we’ll have to go in
without him.
Bosede: Yes, there’s a good film on this evening. We mustn’t miss
the beginning.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Maboudi: Oh good, there he is. He’s getting off that bus over there.
Elizabeth: Come on, Bola! We’re waiting for you.
Bola: Hello, everybody. I’m sorry to be late. I had to wait for the
doctor.
Maboudi: It doesn’t matter. Come on. Let’s go and get the tickets.
Bola: What’s on this evening?
Elizabeth: I don’t know. It’s a western, I think.
Bosede: It’s a very good film. My brother saw it two weeks ago.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Maboudi: It was very exciting. Did you enjoy it?
Elizabeth: I liked the music, but the fight at the end was horrible.
Bola: What? The fight between the cowboys and the thieves?
Elizabeth: Yes, I had to shut my eyes. I couldn’t look.
Maboudi: We’ll have to go and see a nice love film next time, Elizabeth.
Bosede: Yes, and next time, Bola, You’ll have to come on time.
We missed the cartoon this morning.
Bola: But the film we saw is more interesting than the cartoon.
Bosede: Oh, by the way, Bola, you asked us to come to your house
next week. Is that right?
Bola: Yes, of course. On Saturday afternoon. It’s the naming
ceremony for my cousin’s first baby. Don’t forget. Come early!
Elizabeth: We’ll be there next week, then. Good night!

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 4

LESSON 4BOLA’S GRANDFATHER IN LAGOS

Bola’s grandfather lives in a small village near Lagos. One day Bola wrote him a long
letter. He asked him to come to the naming-ceremony for his cousin’s first baby.
Bola’s grandfather, who is the oldest man in his family, didn’t want to go to Lagos.
His family told him not to be afraid of the long journey and the noisy traffic, so he
decided to go.
His village wasn’t on the main road, so he had to leave home very early one morning.
He walked to a bigger village, where there was a lorry-park. At the lorry-park he
found a mammy-wagon for Lagos very quickly, but he had to wait until it was full. It
didn’t leave for Lagos until 10:30.
…………………………………………………………………………………………

Five hours later Bola’s grandfather arrived at the busiest lorry-park in Lagos.
Grandfather: Oh dear, this is a noisy place! Where’s Bola?
I can’t see him anywhere.
Taxi-driver: Taxi! Taxi! Do you want a taxi, old man?
Grandfather: Well, I don’t know… Yes, perhaps… Can you take me to Bola’s house?
Taxi-driver: Who’s Bola? Where does he live?
Grandfather: He’s my grandson, my oldest grandson. He lives …
Oh dear, I don’t know … no, wait a minute, I’ve got his
address somewhere. Look, can you read that?
Taxi-driver: 4, Ibadan street, Surulere. Alright, get on. I’ll take you
there.
…………………………………………………………………………………………
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at Ibadan Street. Surulere is a suburb of Lagos.
Taxi-driver: I think that’s your grandson’s house over there. Iddo to Surulere,
that costs five Naira.
Grandfather: What? Five Naira? This must be the most expensive taxi
in Nigeria. I can’t give you Five Naira!
Taxi-driver: Look, old man, this isn’t a small village. It’s a big town.
Things aren’t cheap here.
Grandfather: Well, I’ll give you four Naira… hey! Where’s my purse?
I can’t see it anywhere.
Taxi-driver: Come on, where’s my money?
Grandfather: Thieves, thieves, you’re all thieves here! Nobody steals
anything in my village. This is the most horrible place
I know! Why didn’t I stay at home?

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 5

LESSON 5THE NAMING-CEREMONY

Next day Bola’s grandfather went to see Bola’s cousin, Ademola.
Grandfather: In our family, my son, we always choose the name of an ancestor for a
new baby.
Ademola: Yes, I know, grandfather. Did you go and see the Ifa priest in our village?
Grandfather: Of course. We always have to see him about important Ceremonies.
Ademola: What did he say about the baby?
Grandfather: your baby’s name will be “Rissi”, and he must never eat salt
Ademola: What did you have to give to the priest?
I know he often asks for a lot of money.
Grandfather: he doesn’t usually ask me for money. I had to give him some kola-nuts
and some of my best yams.
Ademola: That was very good of you, grandfather.
Grandfather: By the way, I hope you’ll have enough rice and meat for all the guests.
I sometimes go to ceremonies where there isn’t enough food.
Ademola: Don’t worry, grandfather. That will never happen in my house.
There’s always enough food for the guests.
Grandfather: I’m pleased to hear it. Do your guests always come on time?
Ademola: They don’t usually come on time, but I hope they will this afternoon.

Later that afternoon Ademola’s friends and relatives came to his compound for the
naming-ceremony. They all wore their most expensive and most beautiful clothes.
Some of the relatives who brought presents for the baby’s parents gave her a name.
The most important person at the naming-ceremony was Bola’s grandfather. At about
half past four he stood up. When he held up his walking-stick, everybody stopped
talking and looked at him.

He started telling them about his family and all his ancestors. He liked making
speeches, but this time he didn’t go on talking very long. At the end of the speech, he
told them the baby’s name and everybody clapped.
Then the old man invited the guests to begin eating and drinking. The drummers sang
a song about grandfather and his ancestors. The guests enjoyed the dancing and
listening to the music. Some of them put coins on the heads of those who danced well.

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 6

Lesson 6: SHOWING GRANDFATHER ROUND LAGOS

Grandfather, Bola, Maboudi.

On Saturday morning Bola decided to show his grandfather round Lagos. They got
into a taxi and drove into Lagos. On the way they saw Iddo Railway station, some big
hotels and shops, and lots of other important buildings. Then they went across the new
bridge over the river. The streets were full of traders selling cloth.

Then they came to an important cross-roads. The traffic-lights were red, so they had
to stop. They were buses, cars, Lorries and motor-bikes everywhere. Soon there was a
traffic-jam. None of them could move. Then two police men arrived on their motor-
bikes. Both of them blew their whistles. One of the police directed the traffic, and the
other one shouted at the drivers. Five minutes later the traffic started moving again. In
the middle of the town Bola and his grandfather got out of the taxi in front of a big
shop.

Bola: Oh look! There’s Maboudi.

Maboudi: Hallo Bola, hallo grandfather.
Bola: Good morning, young man. I’ve seen you somewhere before, I think.
Maboudi: Yes, I was at Ademola’s naming-ceremony last week.
Bola: Why don’t you come round Lagos with us?
Maboudi: No, I can’t. You see, my boss has asked me to go the post office. He has
given me a parcel and a lot of letters to post.
Grandfather: Do you often have to work on Saturday’s, young man?
Maboudi: Sometimes. Not very often.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Bola: Where’s your scooter?
Maboudi: Oh, I’ve sold it.
Bola: Really! Have you bought a new one yet?
Maboudi: No, the man hasn’t given me the money for the other one yet.
But I’ve already seen the one I want to buy.
Grandfather: Are we going to stay here all morning? I’ve come to see the big shops.
Maboudi: Have you been to Lagos before?
Grandfather: No, I haven’t. And I don’t like it.
Bola: Oh, grandfather. You can’t say that. We’ve just got out of the taxi.
We haven’t been to Kingsway yet.
Grandfather: what’s Kingsway? I’ve never heard of Kingsway.
Bola: Look, grandfather! Here it is. It’s the biggest shop in Lagos.

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 7

Lesson 7: THE JOURNEY HOME

Bola, Grandfather, Adekunle, a driver, a young man.

Three weeks later Bola’s grandfather decided to go back to his village. Bola went to
see him off at the lorry-park.

Bola: We want a lorry which goes to Oshogbo.

Driver: You’ve just missed one. It only left ten minutes ago. There’s another one over
there. The one which is half empty. It’ll leave soon.
Bola: Well, good-bye, grandfather. Have a good journey. Don’t lose your purse again!
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Grandfather got into the lorry and sat down among the other passengers.
Grandfather: what! Adekunle! I thought you worked in Ibadan.
Adekunle: Oh no. I only go there once a month. I was there last week, but I’ve been
in Lagos all this week. But what are doing here?
Have you ever been to Lagos before?
Grandfather: Of course not! I’ve never left the village before.
Adekunle: What do you think of it?
Grandfather: It’s the most wonderful place I’ve ever seen.
………………………………………………………………………………………...
Two hours later the driver got in, and they left the lorry-park. The old lorry went
slowly and noisily along the main road towards Oshogbo. Soon most of the
passengers stopped talking, and some of them went to sleep. Suddenly there was a
loud bang, and the lorry stopped at the side of the road. The driver jumped out and
opened the bonnet.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Adekunle: Eh what! What’s happened?
Grandfather: Why have you we stopped?
Young Man: We’ve broken down. Look at the smoke coming out from the engine.
Adekunle: Where’s the driver?
Young Man: There he is. He is lying on the ground under the engine.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Driver: Come on all of you. Get out. There’s something wrong with the engine.
Adekunle: Can you repair it?
Driver: No. we’ll have to find a mechanic
Grandfather: This is the worst lorry I’ve ever been in.
Young Man: It’s broken twice times this week already.
Adekunle: Yes, and it broke down three times last week too.
Grandfather: I think I’ll go by train next time!

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 8

Lesson 8: A LETTER FROM SCOTLAND

Castle Hotel,
Edinburgh,
Scotland.

Tuesday, 5th July, 1974

Dear Bola,
I’m sorry I haven’t written to you very often this year. As you know, this is my last
year at London University, and I’ve had to work hard. We’ve already taken all our
exams, but we haven’t had the results yet.
We finished our exams on June 24th. Since then I’ve been on holiday with a student
from Ghana. A few days ago we both went to York. We met an old friend there who
gave us a lift to Edinburgh.

We’ve been here since Wednesday and we’ve already seen most of the famous
places. The day before yesterday we went round Edinburgh Castle, and then yesterday
we saw some people playing the bagpipes.
The weather was very good last week, but it has rained every day since Sunday. I
hope we’ll be able to climb a few mountains before the end of our holiday. But the
biggest mountains are in the North of Scotland. We won’t be able to go there because
we’ve only a little money left.
The day after tomorrow we’re both going back to Lagos by train. We’ll probably get
our exam results next week. If I pass all my exams, I’ll be able to fly back to Lagos
before the end of July.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all again. Have you seen our friends Maboudi
and Bosede recently? When did you last see Hajo, my girl-friend? I haven’t had a
letter from her since March. I hope she hasn’t been ill. Has Lagos changed much? I’ll
be very pleased to see Nigeria again. I haven’t had any good African food since 1975.

Best wishes to you and all the family.

See you soon.

Yours,
Sikiru.

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 9

Lesson 9: AT THE AIRPORT

Bola, Maboudi, Sikiru, Hajo, Taxi-driver.

Bola: Taxi! Taxi! Oh no, that one is full too.

Maboudi: It’s no good waiting here, Bola. We’ve been standing here for
half an hour already.
Bola: Oh dear! We’re going to be late. I’m always late.
Maboudi: Let’s walk to the cross-roads. There are always a few empty taxis
waiting there.
Driver: Are you looking for a taxi?
Bola: Ah! At last. The first empty taxi we’ve seen this morning.
Maboudi: Get in, Bola. Take us to the airport, please.
………………………………………………………………………………………
Bola: Can’t you go faster? We’re going to be late.
Driver: Listen young man, I’ve been driving taxis in Lagos for ten years.
I often take people to the airport, and they’re never late.
Maboudi: But it’s six-fifteen already. The plane arrives at twenty past Six.
Driver: Planes are never on time. Any-way, we’re only a few miles from the airport.
Can’t you see that jet taking off over there?
………………………………………………………………………………………..
(At the airport)
Bola: Hallo Hajo! We haven’t seen you for a long time.
Hajo: I’ve been very busy recently.
Maboudi: Has Sikiru’s plane landed yet?
Hajo: No, it’s going to be forty-five minutes late.
Bola: How long have you been here?
Hajo: I’ve been here for half an hour? Come on. Let’s go and have a drink.
…………………………………………………………………………………………..
Two hours later Sikiru’s plane landed on the runway. It stopped in front of the airport
building, and the passengers got of Sikiru came and greeted his friends.
Sikiru: Hallo, everybody. Hallo Bola. Hallo Maboudi.
Bola: welcome home, Sikiru.
Hajo: We’re all going to a big party at Ademola’s.
Sikiru: Wonderful! I’ve been looking forward to some good African food
for three years.

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 10

Lesson 10: SIKIRU QUARRELS WITH HAJO

Head of department, Sikiru, Hajo.

The following Monday Sikiru went to the department of agriculture for a job. The
head of the department was a tall, well-dressed man of about fifty. They shook hands.
i
Head: Good morning. You’re Sikiru, aren’t you? Please sit down. Now let me see.
You were at London University, weren’t you?
Sikiru: That’s right. I’ve got a degree in agriculture.
Head: I see. I suppose you want to work either in Lagos or Ibadan.
Sikiru: No, I don’t know. I want to work in the North.
Head: Really! Well, there’s a job for you in Kano. There’s a car going up there
next week.

That evening Hajo wanted to go and hear a well-known band. Sikiru wasn’t keen on
dancing, but he agreed to take her. Hajo found a table near the band. The waiter came
up. They looked at the menu and ordered their meal.

Hajo: What a wonderful restaurant! It’s so popular.

Sikiru : I don’t like it. It’s so dark. I can’t see what I’m eating.
Hajo: I’ve never seen such smart waiters. It’s a wonderful band.
Listen, they’re playing a High-Life. Come on. Let’s dance.
Sikiru: I don’t want to. It’s so crowded.
Hajo: You don’t like anything tonight, do you? What’s the matter?
Sikiru: I can’t hear anything. The trumpeter’s blowing his trumpet in my ear.
Can’t we sit somewhere else?
Hajo: you are in a bad mood, aren’t you? What’s wrong?
Sikiru: I’ve got something to tell you. I’m going to Kano next week.

They sat down and looked at each other angrily.

Hajo: What? You aren’t going to work there, are you?

Sikiru: Yes, I am.
Hajo: But what about me? You never think about me. You always think about
yourself, don’t you?

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