Tag: magic bicycle

Amin had a lot of exciting things to tell his sister Amira and his mum about his visit to Lagos. He was particularly impressed with the Eyo masquerades and he wanted his mum to tell him about the festivals in Hausa land. On Wednesday that week, Amin and Amira accompanied their mum for last minute shopping in the central market before the Ramadan fast was to begin. They bought grains for different gruels and pap, fruits for breaking the fast and a lot of dates.

When they got home, Abba was home before them, Amin was surprised to see Abba’s car.Abba had brought home bowl of ice-cream and suya.” I am giving Amin a treat because he will be observing Ramadan for the first time,” their dad said as the children settled down to devour the goodies. Amin didn’t stop untill he saw ‘made in Nigeria’ under the ice-cream bowl. “Mama, you havent told us about the festivals in Hausa land!” Amira reminded their mum.

Their mother began, “the most popular festival in Hausa land is the annual durbar. A Durbar festival is an annual festival celebrated in several cities of Nigeria. It is celebrated at the culmination of Muslim festvals Eid-al-fitr and Eid al-Adha. It begins with prayers, followed by a parade of the Emir and his entourage on horses, accompanied by music players, and ending at the Emirs’s palace.” She was still talking when there was a knock at the door.

“Asalaam aleikum!” a female voice answered. Amin’s mum asked him to get the door, it was Hjiya Dije their mother’s friend.” Aleikum salaam,” Amin anwered her as he showed her in. the children retreated to their room as Hajiya and their mother conversed on the dinning table.

Amira knew why Hajiya Dije had come; her daughter Rabi had been Amira’s classmate before she was withdrawn from school and married off as a 3rd wife at the age of 13 and now….

Can you predict what Hajiya Dije had to discuss with Amin’s mum?

AMIN knew he was in for a great time in the city of Lagos! His cousin Dr, Kassim took him to Tafawa Balewa Square popularly known as TBS (Tafawa Balewa Square), there was an Eyo show going on. He was scared when he saw a lot of masquerades like tall ghosts with brimmed hats carrying wooden sticks.” Su mai kenan?(what are those things)?” Amin asked his cousin. Kassim laughed, “those are Eyo masquerades. These masquerades are peculiar to Lagos especially the area called Lagos Island. Eyo masquerades come out only for special occasions like the coronation of a new king or upon the death of a king or to mark the Eyo festval.” Kassim said. Amin was admiring the statues of the gargantuan horses “Wow! Wow! How did they put those horses up there?”

He had barely finished speaking when a little boy came close to them and drew Amin’s hands speaking Yoruba: “sare, sare eyo mbo” (run, run Eyo is coming)dragging Amin’s hand. Kassim came to the rescue as he snatched back Amin’s hands/ wondering what his cousin had done. The little boy then explained that bicycles were prohibited where Eyo masquerades are. Amin was already shaken though and he was glad as they walked away from the square.

Seeing that Amin was still unsettled, Dr Kassim took him to the nearby mall for some chicken and chips, which Amin ate with much relish. As they came out of the Mall, Amin saw the sign board of the National Museum and begged his cousin to take him there. It was a very affective experience for Amin as the museum guide them through different historical artifacts depicting the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria and Lagos.

The most striking was the preserved Mercedes Benz car in which a former head of state (Gen Muritala Mohammed) was assassinated. Amin was so happy! Gone was the fear of the Eyo masquerade. He told Kassim he had to go home, “I will miss you.” Dr Kassim told Amin as he waved good bye to his cousin. “What a day!” he thought to himself as he mounted his magic bicycle.

AMIN had always heard about Lagos but had never been there. Since he was born he had lived in Bauchi, except for a few visits at Sallah to Zaria. Both he and his parents had not yet made up their minds about the secondary school he will attend, so he decided to travel a bit.

“Magic bicycle take me to Lagos” Amin commanded the bicycle that morning and within an instant, he was standing in front of  the biggest and  most beautiful building he had ever seen. It had hundreds of people going in and coming out and so many vehicles too, the only time he had ever seen so many people was when he had attended a durbar in Bauchi. Amin was amazed! “What kind of place is this?” he thought to himself just as he read the lighted sign above him “THE PALMS”

He was still trying to make sense of where he was when he heard someone call his name. He thought he was dreaming,until he saw his cousin Kassim. Kassim had just been posted to serve in Lagos after finishing from university of Maiduguri where he studied Medicine, and they were both so glad to see each other.

After exchanging pleasantries, Dr.Kassim took Amin into the shopping mall and Amin’s mouth kept hanging as he saw the most beautiful sights of shops, marts and people of different Nationalities. He had a million questions to ask, and his cousin was also in a very cheerful mood to fill him in.

My name is Segun Timothy and I am in JSS2”, the boy told Amin. Timothy asked Amin to leave his bicycle by the flower bed and he dragged Amin off to the Chapel. Amin didn’t know what to expect as he had never been inside a church before.

They sat at the back of hundreds of boys in white shirts and trousers and girls in white dresses. The songs were already over and the guest was introduced as an alumnus who had graduated in 1973. He was now a chief Judge.

“When I was in Titcombe College, I didn’t know that any other world existed outside school, I came to this school on a scholarship and I had to work real hard because I had no parents. Our teachers would always tell us,” do your best and leave the rest to God.”I still hold on to that now because I want to leave a good legacy for you our future leaders, I do nothing less than the best,” Professor Kenny said a lot of things about his school days and he also told them of his plans for the school and the students all cheered.

As the students filed out of the Chapel by noon, they all proceeded to the dining hall. Amin told Timothy he had to leave. He waved his new friend Bye! And as he walked towards his bicycle he resolved to study really hard towards his Common Entrance Exams,” maybe I can even get a scholarship,” he thought to himself as he mounted his bicycle to return home.

Amira was exhausted but still managed to answer some of Amin’s questions before she slept off.

When Amin woke up the next day,he was full of thoughts of the boarding SCHOOL that Amira told him about.”Abba, I want to go to a boarding school next term” he declared to his father as he ate his breakfast of koko(millet pap) and kose(fried bean cakes).Amin’s father  smiled because he knew his son was always eager to try new things.” Why not ask your magic bicycle to take you to a boarding school and see what goes on there! “his father told him.

Amin barely finished his breakfast before he jumped on his bicycle and said “Magic bicycle take me to a boarding school!”In an instant he was standing inside a big school. Boys were everywhere all dressed in white shirts and white trousers. They were of different age, size and look. He saw a signboard before him it read TITCOMBE COLLEGE EGBE, KOGI STATE. Established 1962.”Wow! What an old school” Amin thought to himself.

A student that looked about his age came to him “hello! Are you a student of this school?”Amin didn’t know what to say.” Come along its chapel time, today is Sunday and we have a member of alumni coming to see us” the boy said.” What is an alumni?”Amin asked him. An alumni is a former student of a school or institution. What’s your name?”The boy asked “Amin! And you?” Amin asked “ my name is Segun Timothy and I am in JSS2!”

Amin tried to copy Xi Lao to eat rice with chopsticks but he could not pick even a grain of rice! Mrs. Lao laughed gently and handed him a spoon. Amin ate hungrily.

After the meal, Amin asked Xi Lao to show him around the city of Beijing. Xi Lao first look him to Tiananmen Square, a very large square. “This is the largest public square in the world,” he told Amin.

Amin could not read anything on the bill boards. As they cycled along, everything was written in Chinese characters.

Xi Lao took Amin to see the Forbidden City which is the largest palace in the world with 9, 999 rooms, it was really magnificent!

“Why are there so many bicycles on the streets Xi Lao?” Amin asked “Yes! That’s our major means of transportation.”

As they cycled back, Amin waved Xi Lao good bye and said “Magic Bicycle take me home?

How long do you think Amin was gone?

“Come with me to my house” Xi Lao said “my mum always welcome guests.” Amin was surprised, he didn’t know what to expect as he cycled beside Xi Lao!

Xi Lao’s house was a beautiful white bungalow, Mrs. Lao was in promt of the house tending her little flower garden, she was wearing a Kimono (Chinese traditional dress) and welcomed Amin with a beautiful smile. She invited him in an served him tea in a tiny tea cup on a low table. The tea was green and had a minty flavour.  As Amin took the last sip of the green tea from the tiny tea cup, Mrs. Lao placed a bowl of rice before the boys with some yellow sticks on a tray. Xi Lao’s face broke into a smile as he saw the look face broke into a smile as he saw the look of amazement on Amin’s face! Those are chopsticks for eating food like spoons” he said to Amin Xi Lao picked up two chopsticks and began to eat the rice.  Amin tries to copy him but he could not pick even a grain of rice.

What do you think Amin will eat can Amin stay long in China?