...i read a story in The Punch about two women who were economically better than their husbands. The men’s families claimed said women cornered their husbands’ luck which, added to theirs, made them richer. The husbands became incapable of progress having been looted spiritually. 

 

A familiar story. In some families where one person is more successful than the rest, there have been charges of luck theft. To keep their luck safe, some people refuse rich men’s benevolence.

 

There was a fellow summoned to his village to defend himself against his brother’s accusation of luck poaching. The matter was to be judged by village people emptier than the accuser. He ignored them and, as far as they were concerned, his guilt was confirmed. *Being intelligent among lazy and ignorant people can be dangerous.*

 

Societies have their myths, but it is the job of culture entrepreneurs and change agents to drive intelligent civilization. Instead, Nollywood is feeding these insane narratives, deepening ignorance rather than removing it. Movies can be public relations. American exceptionalism was driven by that nation’s cinema culture. Movies can set a society’s sociopolitical agenda and shape the values it pursues. 

 

People still believe their destinies can be stolen. If there’s anything like destiny, it is a course of events—good and bad—beyond human control. Destiny would be both negative and positive. *The person stealing your destiny would have stolen your poverty, with it your pain and death.*

 

Way back in secondary school, a man was dragged into the premises to restore what he had plucked: a student’s manhood. I had thought the evil man scraped off the member leaving the accuser gender-neutral. *But no, the meat was still there, albeit shy like a young frog.* The boy denied his manhood saying the occupant between his legs was fake; that a diabolical barter had been executed. Fools that we were—teachers and students alike—we all believed, heckling the stranger to restore the missing proportions...

 

I think I will be late to work if I should continue. Let's conclude it when I return. Let me know if you wanna read it all... 


© Salem Ezeorah

We have the *"TIME-KEEPERS"* too, who always reminded the class on the time left for a boring teacher to leave in peace! "5 minutes more!" is a favorite chorus from this group of accurate time keepers. Most of them have functional wrist watches and may pretentiously act like they mistakenly left their watches on alarm tone when it's time to change periods. Thanks to them when the bell is wrung for break and dismissal!

We also have the *"JOLLY FELLOWS"*. They are the lively stars in each classroom, ready to turn the classroom into a night club or party hall. All learning is made fun when these people are around. Sad events can be given a facelift and converted to laughing shows or comedy series. They are quick to improvise with sitting desks/tables as drums or musical instruments. These folks have a perfect drumming or beats for any song raised coupled with matching dance steps. The jolly fellows are the future comedians and musicians from the class. 

The *"BOOKWORMS"* are the intelligent group who may be ahead of the lesson notes or at par with the teachers. They are active in classes and like to ask questions to throw off balance a "not-too-grounded" teachers. Some even show arrogance in class and intimidate others with their brilliance while we have the real genius that remains hidden and humble that you may not even notice their presence. They are always on the top in result sheets pasted on the notice boards and friends help them to check to confirm their positions in every exams. During examinations, some teachers will extract these few and space them evenly in a different hall/classroom to avoid them transferring answers to their friends who may have arranged a sitting formation for ease of doing business in the exam hall! These fellows can write, exhaust their scripts and still be shouting "extra scripts!", sending shivers down our spines when ours are sparingly filled. They are the scholars that mostly make the school proud in each external examinations. Every inter-school competitions record their presence an with academic excellence. 

We have the *"RELIGIOUS BRETHREN"* that are on fellowships every week. They kept the moral standards of the school high. They are pastoring the flock in need of salvation and will sacrifice their time in looking for lost souls. Everybody knows a fellow that belongs to this group. They live by example and are highly respected. Even the school authorities sometimes seek for their help in getting recalcitrant students back on track. They are blessed with intelligence despite not been seen "Jacking/Jerking" like the BOOKWORMS. This group produces our Evangelists, Imams, Alfas, Pastors and religious scholars!

We have the quiet/shy group. Also known as *"INTROVERTS"*. No matter how you try to draw them out, they keep humble disposition and shy away from extroverts. Most students came like this and with time, get recruited into the other groups mentioned earlier. Thanks to their friends who want to show them "what-they-have-been-missing" over the years. After "opening-their-eyes" , some went on to top in the league tables of any group they find themselves so that "them-no-go-carry-last". That's the beauty of socialization in the classroom. The introverts are intelligent too, while some are not too gifted like the BOOKWORMS. Many others are going through phases of hardship or psychological trauma at home and may not be able to share with others. These groups make a perfect blend of people and is what constitutes a great class. Special moments are shared and remembered because some people belonged to one or more of these groups. Everybody contributing his talent to make academic activities fun and complete. 

What other groups are left out of this piece? Please share with me for update in later editions.

 Thanks for your time.   

© *Offie FMC*