Iyajebu, you have such a good memory. Remembering so much of what you wrote is a mighty task. As I read your recall in those Yoruba words, I saw for the first time how beautiful the lines have always been - short, crisp, rhythmically poetic. I read the story way back that time; but this is the first time I see the beauty of the lines. I wish I could get the book and read it all over and I am sure I will learn a few things in it. And I should appreciate those old story and the craft of putting them together because as a story teller myself one should have eyes for those things. Incidentally, the late author of Alawiye should be from Ogun State, your state, if I am right. Opa Iyonu should be for pupils between Primary Four and Primary Six. Brilliant man, the late author. I was so used to his series that when I entered secondary school and we read other Yoruba texts, I was in shock. It took me a long while to adjust, although I still recollect books used in secondary school such as Owo Eje, and xters such as Bankarere and Ajito Oba in another text which name I can't immediately recollect. Regards

Thanks, Runsaway, I recollect now. Mighty good of you. Enjoy this from my memory too. I recollect that I read Yoruba alphabet before I did the English alpahabet. This story is also from Alawiye: The title is - Aworawo ko ko t'ise, or something close to it. Aworawo sold water, but he was poor. His wife was always angry that he was too honest, but Aworawo insisted that his head would surely take him to where he is destined to be. There was a town that needed a king. The oracle said what they should do to find the right king, so that all would be well with the town. Pots were set in the palace yard. All water sellers were to come and fill the pots. Aworawo saw money in his pot, and he returned it to the palace keepers. No other water seller did. Aworawo became king. His wife was happy.

How many of such stories that shaped the xter of our generation should I recollect? There was the unserious boy in school who later pushed wheel barrow in the market, while his friend who was serious rode a car. There was Jokotola was greedy and would not work. He only waited for his father's wealth. The father died, Jokotola did not shed a drop of tears, but waited impatiently for his father's wealth to be shared. There was his half-brother who did cry, and did not care for the sharing of any wealth. The father woke up later. He didn't die, he only wanted to know who loved him, and who did not. Are these stories in our schools today? A reason we have lost so much of our values. Regards.

Runsaway, help, I read alawiye too in my elemenetary school. I have been trying to recollect the Alade hu Iwo story. Can you kindly tell it at some length to stir my memory? Will appreciate. Regards, T Manners