Creative Writing News For Literature Lovers: Poetry Contest Shortlist

Creative Writing News For Literature Lovers: Poetry Contest Shortlist

Cont........DRAMA:WAR AGAINST INDISCIPLINE

Scene 2 {Inside the school hall, the parents and teachers are seated on two sides with an aisle in between; though, some teachers arestanding with one of them at the entrance of thehall. On a raised platform is the high table with some parents seated and the principal of Honey Bells International Secondary school seated at the centre. A male teacher walks to the podium and speaks through the microphone.} MR. SEYE: Good afternoon, our fathers and mothers. It’s a pleasure to have another parent-teacher association meeting today. But before the meeting commences, let’s say a little prayer… {At the school gate, a jeepcruises into the school compound. It’s now raining. After a while, a woman alights from the car, dressed very gorgeously in a lady’s suit, short skirt and a black hat. She holds out her umbrella…} {At the school hall, Mr. Seye rounds up the prayersession and invites the principal to the podium following a round of applause.} PRINCIPAL: {smiles} Well, I’m very happy that the Lord Almighty has spared our lives to witness the second PTA meeting of thisterm. It has been… {The woman in black walksbriskly towards the entrance of the school hall holding a young boy. She gets to the entrance.} MR. DEJI: Em, you are welcome, ma. Children are not allowed in the PTA meeting. It’s strictly between parents and… MRS. PEPPLE: Get lost! {Sheshoves him aside and he falls down flat! She barges into the school hall holding her child with attention now drawn to her. The principal notices her presence.} PRINCIPAL: Em, Mrs. Pepple,it’s nice to have you here… {She ignores the principal’s welcome remarkand walks up to the raisedplatform with her child and snatches the microphone from the principal.} PRINCIPAL: Em… MRS. PEPPLE: Oh, Mr. Principal, let me. You’ve been talking for ages. {Faces the parents and teachers} Sorry for the unavoidable interruption. It’s a pity that a citadel of learning of such honourable calibre would still allow herbivores to pass knowledge to innocent children. {The parents start to murmur. The Principal is confused,} MRS. PEPPLE: Or which human being would slap a young child like this?! {Gesticulates with her child’s face} Can’t you all see the marks of the filthy thing that laid his or her hand on my child?! Can’t you see? Parents, we have to wage war against child abuse and unnecessary disciplinary measures… PRINCIPAL: Em, Madam Pepple, why can’t we discuss this after the meeting? MRS. PEPPLE: Sir, I don’t have time for backdoor nonsense. {Faces the parents} We can’t just open our eyes and watch our children being treated like second class citizens after paying over five times of minimum wage as school fees… {A woman stands up, interrupting her.} MRS. ADETAYO: Madam, would you rather speak for yourself? And please, don’t blame anybody for passingacross a message you refused as a parent… MRS. PEPPLE: Excuse me? Eh, I don’t know who paid you to speak those unkind words to me but why don’t you just shut your silly ass before I treat you like the trash you are… {Some parents gasp in aweof the name-callings.} MRS. ADETAYO: What did you just call me? Ehn? I don’t blame you but when motherly duties are too burdensome for you to discharge; you should be ready to bear the consequences. {Mrs. Kuforiji pulls her to her seat.} MRS. ADETAYO: Salawu, leave me alone and let me face her. MRS. KUFORIJI: Take am easy. I dey here for you. I dey put her suffer for cooler. MRS. PEPPLE: Mr. Principal, I’m really amazed that psychos have started to grace our PTA meetings. {To her son} Who is that useless teacher that slapped you? DAVID: Em, Miss. Evelyn… MRS. PEPPLE: {shouts} whois Mrs. Evelyn?! PRINCIPAL: It’s ‘Miss’… MRS. PEPPLE: Who cares? Mrs. Evelyn?! MISS EVELYN: {gently raises her hand} I’m here, ma. MRS. PEPPLE: {notices her} Oh, there you are, trollop. MRS. MOTUNRAYO: {whispers to the parent seated beside her} Seems like she has a name for everyone… MRS. PEPPLE: ‘Miss. Evelynch’, you had the guts to slap my boy… MISS EVELYN: Em, I’m quite sorry ma but your son literally beat up a junior to the extent of knocking out the child’s tooth! {The parents murmur and Mrs. Pepple eyes them.} MISS EVELYN: I admit I slapped your son out of anger but I feel the parent of the boy whose tooth was knocked out should bethe one… flaring up… MRS. PEPPLE: {Chuckles} I’m flaring up? Hm? What a good explanation to vindicate evil. Are you so uncivilized that you couldn’t call me that my son did such a thing and I would reprimand him as I wish?...............TO GET THE FULL DRAMA PIECE,CONTACT THE WRITER OLUSOLA OLADESU AT,oladesuolusola@yahoo.com....THE WRITER SEEKS FOR PUBLIFICATION

Scene 2 {Inside the school hall, the parents and teachers are seated on two sides with an aisle in between; though, some teachers arestanding with one of them at the entrance of thehall. On a raised platform is the high table with some parents seated and the principal of Honey Bells International Secondary school seated at the centre. A male teacher walks to the podium and speaks through the microphone.} MR. SEYE: Good afternoon, our fathers and mothers. It’s a pleasure to have another parent-teacher association meeting today. But before the meeting commences, let’s say a little prayer… {At the school gate, a jeepcruises into the school compound. It’s now raining. After a while, a woman alights from the car, dressed very gorgeously in a lady’s suit, short skirt and a black hat. She holds out her umbrella…} {At the school hall, Mr. Seye rounds up the prayersession and invites the principal to the podium following a round of applause.} PRINCIPAL: {smiles} Well, I’m very happy that the Lord Almighty has spared our lives to witness the second PTA meeting of thisterm. It has been… {The woman in black walksbriskly towards the entrance of the school hall holding a young boy. She gets to the entrance.} MR. DEJI: Em, you are welcome, ma. Children are not allowed in the PTA meeting. It’s strictly between parents and… MRS. PEPPLE: Get lost! {Sheshoves him aside and he falls down flat! She barges into the school hall holding her child with attention now drawn to her. The principal notices her presence.} PRINCIPAL: Em, Mrs. Pepple,it’s nice to have you here… {She ignores the principal’s welcome remarkand walks up to the raisedplatform with her child and snatches the microphone from the principal.} PRINCIPAL: Em… MRS. PEPPLE: Oh, Mr. Principal, let me. You’ve been talking for ages. {Faces the parents and teachers} Sorry for the unavoidable interruption. It’s a pity that a citadel of learning of such honourable calibre would still allow herbivores to pass knowledge to innocent children. {The parents start to murmur. The Principal is confused,} MRS. PEPPLE: Or which human being would slap a young child like this?! {Gesticulates with her child’s face} Can’t you all see the marks of the filthy thing that laid his or her hand on my child?! Can’t you see? Parents, we have to wage war against child abuse and unnecessary disciplinary measures… PRINCIPAL: Em, Madam Pepple, why can’t we discuss this after the meeting? MRS. PEPPLE: Sir, I don’t have time for backdoor nonsense. {Faces the parents} We can’t just open our eyes and watch our children being treated like second class citizens after paying over five times of minimum wage as school fees… {A woman stands up, interrupting her.} MRS. ADETAYO: Madam, would you rather speak for yourself? And please, don’t blame anybody for passingacross a message you refused as a parent… MRS. PEPPLE: Excuse me? Eh, I don’t know who paid you to speak those unkind words to me but why don’t you just shut your silly ass before I treat you like the trash you are… {Some parents gasp in aweof the name-callings.} MRS. ADETAYO: What did you just call me? Ehn? I don’t blame you but when motherly duties are too burdensome for you to discharge; you should be ready to bear the consequences. {Mrs. Kuforiji pulls her to her seat.} MRS. ADETAYO: Salawu, leave me alone and let me face her. MRS. KUFORIJI: Take am easy. I dey here for you. I dey put her suffer for cooler. MRS. PEPPLE: Mr. Principal, I’m really amazed that psychos have started to grace our PTA meetings. {To her son} Who is that useless teacher that slapped you? DAVID: Em, Miss. Evelyn… MRS. PEPPLE: {shouts} whois Mrs. Evelyn?! PRINCIPAL: It’s ‘Miss’… MRS. PEPPLE: Who cares? Mrs. Evelyn?! MISS EVELYN: {gently raises her hand} I’m here, ma. MRS. PEPPLE: {notices her} Oh, there you are, trollop. MRS. MOTUNRAYO: {whispers to the parent seated beside her} Seems like she has a name for everyone… MRS. PEPPLE: ‘Miss. Evelynch’, you had the guts to slap my boy… MISS EVELYN: Em, I’m quite sorry ma but your son literally beat up a junior to the extent of knocking out the child’s tooth! {The parents murmur and Mrs. Pepple eyes them.} MISS EVELYN: I admit I slapped your son out of anger but I feel the parent of the boy whose tooth was knocked out should bethe one… flaring up… MRS. PEPPLE: {Chuckles} I’m flaring up? Hm? What a good explanation to vindicate evil. Are you so uncivilized that you couldn’t call me that my son did such a thing and I would reprimand him as I wish?...............TO GET THE FULL DRAMA PIECE,CONTACT THE WRITER OLUSOLA OLADESU AT,oladesuolusola@yahoo.com....THE WRITER SEEKS FOR PUBLIFICATION

Cont.....DRAMA:WAR AGAINST INDISCIPLINE

MRS. KUFORIJI: {notices a young boy eating in the car} that’s your son? MRS. ADETAYO: Exactly. {Pointing at Dare} And I guess the little brat beside you is your son too… MRS. KUFORIJI: Exactly. {ToDare} Dobale jare. Se oo riagbalagba ni? {Dare prostrates reluctantly.} MRS. ADETAYO: He really looks like you… MRS. KUFORIJI: Baba re lo jo. You are now fat oh…you are not the toothpick we know before before… MRS. ADETAYO: {forms a smile} Hm-hm, I assume that’s a compliment… MRS. KUFORIJI: One can ‘nefa’ imagine what childbirth can do to a lady… MRS. ADETAYO: Em, how is Silifa? I never heard from her after we left secondary school… MRS. KUFORIJI: Silifa? Em… {Sighs} MRS. ADETAYO: I was told both of you attended the same polytechnic. MRS. KUFORIJI: Yes. Em, Silifa is dead. MRS. ADETAYO: What?! Are you serious? Silifa ti ku? MRS. KUFORIJI: She dead in our 300 level in accident. Itis so much pain. O dun mi gan. MRS. ADETAYO: Jesus! Silifais dead? Ah, so that was the last time I would see her….ah… MRS. KUFORIJI: That’s why we should be doing good people…this may be the last time I will see you… MRS. ADETAYO: Em, no, no…I mean…that’s not possible. I have a family that…that needs me. Ah, but I really pity Silifa. She was the prettiest girl in our class then. MRS. KUFORIJI: The most annoying thing was after she dead, we carry candle procession for am… {A group of students in black carry lit candles chanting a song. Then, they drop the candles in front of a building.} ESU president: It’s a pity we’ve lost one of our own.We pray her soul rests in perfect peace. We pray that God grants her parents the fortitude to bear the loss… STUDENTS: Amen… SALAWU: {to a male studentstanding beside her} what’s ‘fortirude’? {The male student ignores her, shaking his head.} ESU president: We will all die one day…but we pray we are not denied long life by the creator… STUDENTS: Amen oo! {The students take their leave. Salawu looks back and notices two ladies carryingbooks and trying to pick some of the candles.} LADY 1: Light no dey for school, that be the time wey some people dey waste ‘cando’ for here… LADY 2: Dem don do ‘cando’ procession for dia eyes be that… LADY 1: {Bends down and picks three candles, blows the flame off and puts them in her bags} I get book wey I wan jack; I no go turn ‘mugu’ go buy ‘cando’ when plenty dey here. LADY 2: Abi o. Make personno come ‘yafun’ money when fuel subsidy they stare at us like my grandma pikin wey get rash inside im anus. {Salawu angrily walks up to them.} SALAWU: {eyes them} E pele oh. LADY 2: {Packs four candles into her bag} Evening. LADY 1: Hope no wahala? Abi how we may take help you? SALAWU: I no talk say I need your help, greedy thieves. LADY 1: Hello…? SALAWU: My friend ‘peme’ the day wey come before yesterday…you dey thief candle here wey we light for am, abi? You dey thief dead person property, shey? {The two ladies stare at each other and burst into laughter.} MRS. ADETAYO: So, what happened next? MRS. KUFORIJI: Na that day I sabi say he no good to fight for dead person. The two girls beat me so tey… MRS. ADETAYO: Really? MRS. KUFORIJI: Dem beat mewell well. After that, dem carry plenty candle as if im be dia papa property. MRS. ADETAYO: That’s hilarious. {Looks around} Em, where is your car? MRS. KUFORIJI: Car? Em, myhusband and I dey look God eye for one oh. Na okada we get. MRS. ADETAYO: Really? And…you are sending yourchild to a private school? MRS. KUFORIJI: I know it is somehow but me and my husband believe say education na the best policy… MRS. ADETAYO: {cuts in} It’s legacy…not policy. MRS. KUFORIJI: Anyhow. But my son know book very well; he is on scholarship. MRS. ADETAYO: I see. That’s nice. MRS. KUFORIJI: {Notices hercar} don’t tell me this is your car. MRS. ADETAYO: Well, one of my cars… MRS. KUFORIJI: Are you true? It can’t be. Congrats oh. {She touches the car and her friend stylishly removes her hand.} MRS. ADETAYO: Em, my car is skin-sensitive. MRS. KUFORIJI: Hm-hm? O ga o. Dis one wey motor they detect light and dark skin colour…A ti rogo… MRS. ADETAYO: I said it is skin-sensitive…not that it detects skin complexion. {A bell rings periodically.} I think it’s time for PTA meeting. MRS. KUFORIJI: Ehn-ehn? Let my son stay with your own. MRS. ADETAYO: No problem.{To the children} Boys, stay safe and enjoy. {Dare smiles.}

Cont......DRAMA:WAR AGAINST DISCIPLINE

actually beating up a junior! MRS. ADETAYO: A what?! {Faces her son} You bullied a junior? BAYO: {stands up} No, I didn’t bully any child… MRS. ADETAYO: Oh, your teacher is lying? Ehn? {She dashes him a slap!} MISS EUNICE: Telling lies is one of the things I personally detest… BAYO: {holds his cheek tightly} Mummy, it is not true… MRS. ADETAYO: Shut up. And you’re still lying? {Pulls his ears painfully} In my presence? If you refuse to heed to words, you would heed to beating… {She hits him hardly on theback and hits his head.} MISS EUNICE: Em…ma, he wouldn’t do such again… MRS. ADETAYO: {furiously} Imagine him lying to my face after I’ve spared the rod….and…and… MISS EUNICE: {cuts in}…and spoilt the child; hm-hm, I agree, your child is quite spoilt. Just don’t hand-beat him, a cudgel could be of good use… MRS. ADETAYO: My hands would perform wonders this time. {She starts beating him hardly and Miss Eunicegently leaves the scene unnoticed.} BAYO: {trying to fight back tears} I didn’t beat anybody, mummy. She is lying… MRS. ADETAYO: Really? Why would she lie on you, hm? Tell me! I will take back all the fried rice, chicken and salad I’ve brought you after attending the PTA meeting! BAYO: I don’t like salad… MRS. ADETAYO: Shut up. Was this how I brought you up? I will ensure your father hears this… {Miss Eunice quickly walks up to her.} MISS EUNICE: Em…hello, ma… MRS. ADETAYO: Yes? Any problem? Did he beat up another junior? MISS EUNICE: Em. No ma…I’mnot sure but maybe…okay…em, your sonis David Akintayo Pepple, right? MRS. ADETAYO: He is Adetayo, not Akintayo. I amMrs. Adetayo. What about that? MISS EUNICE: Seems like there is a mix-up somewhere… MRS. ADETAYO: Pardon? MISS EUNICE: Em, from the name I have in this file, it is David Akintayo. I think…I mean it wasn’t yourson that…that did it. It is the boy over there… {Points towards a boy whois being chastised by Miss Evelyn.} MRS. ADETAYO: What? It’s not my son? After I’ve beaten him black and blue?! MISS EUNICE: {Forges a smile} Well, I’m sorry for that. But we all make mistakes; that’s why we are human beings… MRS. ADETAYO: But some mistakes are better not made! MISS EUNICE: I’m sorry about that. {Bayo eyes his teacher and hisses.} At least, he is not complaining. {She tries to leave.} MRS. ADETAYO: Eh, hold it there, Mrs. Frog eye… MISS EUNICE: Excuse me? What did you just call me? MRS. ADETAYO: I know you can hear well. Let me feed you with some words before you take your pathetic self out of here… MISS EUNICE: Ma, you shouldn’t blame me for treating your son like a delinquent juvenile; you never even believed in your son for a second, not even a benefit of doubt… MRS. ADETAYO: It’s my fault? MISS EUNICE: I’m sure it’s not mine. You should know what your son can or cannot do by now. He is in JSS 3 for crying out loud. MRS. ADETAYO: You’ve really got the gift of blame-shifting… MISS EUNICE: I took after my mother I never met in that wise; meet you at the PTA meeting. {She leaves.} MRS. ADETAYO: Is this woman alright? {To her son} Bayo, I’m so sorry. BAYO: Sorry ko… {He sits back in the car angrily, cleaning his face.} {A bike stops by the school gate and a woman in Ankara alights and paysthe ‘okada’ rider. She then walks into the school compound carrying a polybag. She runs into a student.} MRS. KUFORIJI: Eh, em, iwo omo yii. JAPHET: Good afternoon, ma. MRS. KUFORIJI: {reties her wrapper) Please, you knowany boy called Dare? JAPHET: Dare? MRS. KUFORIJI: Ehn-ehn oh.I think he is in JSS 2. JAPHET: I know him very well; he is my classmate… MRS. KUFORIJI: Please, call him for me. I am his mother. JAPHET: Okay ma. {He walks away briskly. Mrs. Kuforiji looks around and sees Mrs. Adetayo, her secondary school friend!} MRS KUFORIJI: {smiles broadly} eh, eh, eh. Se ki n se Funke ree? {Sights Mrs. Adetayo very well.} Oun naa nii; it is her. {Her son hugs her tightly.} DARE: I have missed you very much. MRS. KUFORIJI: Ah, Dare omo mi, bawo ni? Bawo ni eko? DARE: It’s fine, mummy. MRS. KUFORIJI: Ewo ni eebo too n so jare… DARE: Awon akeko wa ti kilo fun wa pe ki a ma so ‘vernacular’… MRS. KUFORIJI: Ver…ki re ni? Woo, eyin le mo. Yoruba is your ‘modern’ tongue.{notices a gap in his teeth} Ki lo se eyin e?! DARE: Em…senior kan lo na mi ti o kan mi leyin… MRS. KUFORIJI: Senior oriibuwo niyen. Ehn?! DARE: Senior David. MRS. KUFORIJI: Maa ri teacher e ti n ba lo. Awon senior yin se buru bayii? Je ki n lo ki Funke, ore mi timotimo laye ijo yen. DARE: Nnkan ti e ba mi gbe wa da? MRS. KUFORIJI: {pulls him} Tele mi ka lo. {She walks up to Mrs. Adetayo with her son.} MRS. KUFORIJI: Funke, ore mi… MRS. ADETAYO: Hello? {Tries to remember her face} Em…em…is this Salawu? MRS. KUFORIJI: Of ‘cross’. {They both hug each otherhappily.} MRS. ADETAYO: You’ve really changed oh. I couldn’t even recognise you again. MRS. KUFORIJI: That’s me. ‘Awayu’? MRS. ADETAYO: I’m awesome. MRS. KUFORIJI: Em, sorry about that but I’m good. MRS. ADETAYO: {startled} Excuse me?

WAR AGAINST INDISCIPLINE

NW CONTEST WINNING BY SHOLA SHOLAY PRODUCTIONS AND PRESENTATIONS PRESENTS A DRAMEDY ENTITLED:‘War against [in]discipline’ PLOT The plot opens with a disagreement that ensues at a Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting between two women who have sharply-contrasting views about ‘discipline’. Another parent present there who incidentally owns a talk show decides to air the two women and their husbands and children on the episode where ‘discipline’ would bethe topic of discussion. The show begins, everyone is readyto defend what he or she knows, and then the highest level of ignorance is displayed....and was later found out that the two women have more than‘discipline’ uncommon to each other! MAJOR CHARACTERS Mrs. Kuforiji- A vibrant, illiterate woman Mrs. Pepple- A proud, sharp-tongued, rich woman Mr. Pepple- Mrs. Pepple’s husband Mr. Kuforiji- Mrs. Kuforiji’s husband Motunrayo- A TV host Miss Evelyn Principal Kate Tommy Lara Rotimi David Tunde…and others Scene 1 {In a very large school compound, there are many cars packed within and outside the premises; it’s the visiting day/PTA meeting of Honey Bells International Secondary School. Beside one of the classrooms is a Peugeot 206 parked and a woman standing by the car and checking her wristwatch every two minutes. A young boy appears from a corner.} MRS. ADETAYO: {sees the boy and smiles} Bayo omo mi, oju e ree. {The boy smiles and hugs his mothertightly}. Ah, bawo ni gbogbo nnkan? BAYO: {sharply} O fine. MRS. ADETAYO: {looking at him all over} Pele. O ti ru o. Bawo ni studies? BAYO: O fine. A kan ti se awon test die gan… MRS. ADETAYO: Se won saawa okay? BAYO: Won fine. Especially mathematics yen, mo fo yonayona ni. Gbogbo nnkan ti mo ka ni won gbe jade. Won serve si mi lowo ni. MRS. ADETAYO: Mo trust e. Saa teju mo iwe e daadaa. Se ko si awon aso e ti o doti bayii? BAYO: Rara jare. {Opens the door to the backseat of the car and sits down looking around} Daddy nko? MRS. ADETAYO: Won travello Abuja last week; amo won fi owo ranse si e. Ki n to maa lo, ma fun e ni phone ki o ba won soro. Pele. {Looks around} O ye ki won ti ge gbogbo igbo ti mo n wo yii; ejo le farapamo sibe…o wa dangerous fun students. BAYO: Mummy, ebi n pami o.Ki le bami gbe wa? MRS. ADETAYO: Ebi n pa e?Mo diidi se fried rice ati salad fun e ni. BAYO: Mummy, e ti gbagbe pe mi o really like lati maa je salad; afi bii pe eeyan n je koriko pelu calamine lotion ni. MRS. ADETAYO: {jokingly} Ara oko, aba re lo kuku jo.{Tries to open the car booth from the driver’s seat and a female teacher walks up to her holding files and a pen.} MISS EUNICE: Hello, ma… MRS. ADETAYO: {notices the teacher} Ah, good afternoon ma. MISS EUNICE: Afternoon. MRS. ADETAYO: Hope no problem, ma? MISS EUNICE: -That’s why I’m here, so that one couldbe avoided… MRS. ADETAYO: Sorry? MISS EUNICE: I am an English teacher. Bayo is your son, right? MRS. ADETAYO: {anxiously}Of course… MISS EUNICE: Good. {Bayo looks at her swiftly.} The problem is that your son was involved in a fatalbrawl with another studentthat led to the knocking out the tooth of the other child… MRS. ADETAYO: What?! MISS EUNICE: My point- your son has been quite unruly and violent… MRS. ADETAYO: {stares at her son} how? In what way? BAYO: Mummy, I didn’t do anything… MRS. ADETAYO: {cuts in} Will you shut up and let your teacher talk?! MISS EUNICE: Em…ma, you have to take it easy with him…children of nowadays could be so annoying at times. As I was saying, youshould talk to your son so that he doesn’t repeat such wicked act. Imagine him actually beat

TITAN'S FALL-by Ikhalo Efose

We weep and grind in our day, in the floor of the creeks we lay, lurking around this place of dismay. At the top of the mountains we dwelt. Staring at the commoners who got drenched we smiled at our fortunes and walloped in wealth and thought the worst that could come was death. We fought the forrocious rain, the kings of the jungle we tamed. Our gusto could stop a moving train, who knew we would go down the drain? The titans swept by a stray wind. The luxury of caution we failed to wield. How anti-climatic is this deed. With the tweezers we have been trimmed like the weed.