MAGIC MIRROR… Unedited (STORY 3) Continuation….

Abigail was the first in the family to woken up, she went outside and stood at the Terrance having her fearful eyes fixed at the entrance gate, as the furious wind move her turquoise blue tonic carelessly.

She stood that way for thirty minutes before others woke up and met her there astonished, her father with a swift command, instructed her to go inside and get prepared for school.

When she was ready for school, together with her younger ones their driver drove them to school on their new car. Getting to the school they went to the assembly ground where many other students were already assembled.

They shimmer in their blue and white silk uniform with a pair of black shoe to match. The school uniform was one of the best in the locality.

Chika Okpara rang the bell which was meant to communicate to the students that it was time for the morning assembly. When all the students had gathered in the assembly ground in four straight lines starting from the junior class to the senior class in ascending order.

Mr. Kinsley Ozoilo the Civic teacher was the one to conduct the assembly for the day he gripped the micro phone ebulliently and began with an opening prayer as he said: “we pray in Jesus name, father creator of heaven and earth, we thank you today, for making it possible for all of us to be gathered here before you this morning. We also thank you for our parents, for the teachers and the school authority. Eternal father we humbly ask you to bless and direct our activities today. In Jesus name, Amen,” he prayed. After this prayer, he instructed the students to get hold of their morning assembly manual for the morning hymn. They are to sing hymn sixty two (62), as he commanded: “1 2 go,” and they began:

When I survey the wondrous cross

On which the king of Glory died

My richest gain I can’t but loss

And pour contempt on all my pride

 

Forbid it, Lord that I should boast

Save in the cross of Christ my God

All the vain things that charm me most

I sacrifice them to his Blood

See from his head, his hands, his feet

Sorrow and love flow mingling down

Did eer such love, and sorrow meet

Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were whole realm of nature mine

That were an offering far too small

Love so amazing, so divine

Demands any soul, my life, my all.”

After the hymn, a portion of the bible was read to the hearing of all the students. It was I John 3:16, which says: for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whomever believeth in him will not perish but have eternal life,” the teacher proceeded in giving words of exaltation centered on the bible verse. “Students,” he called out, as he began, “God is telling us this morning that He love us and this kind of love God have for us is an unconditional love, that will explain better why he sent His only begotten son to die for our sins, so that if me and you rejects our bad ways and believe in His son Jesus Christ whom He sent, we will have eternal life. That means living happily with Him in heaven. And we all know that heaven is a very beautiful place to be. I am concluding this morning by advising us to try hard and love God with all our heart and also our neigbours, those in great need of our assistance. Thanks and God bless you.”

That was how he sums up the short sermon. Mr. Ozoilo was a smart teacher, he is near average and slime in nature. He was both humorous and mean in his affairs with students.

Immediately following the words of exaltation was the National Anthem, every student stood at attention as the National Anthem was being recited; it was followed by the National Pledge and the school Anthem.

After all these he invited SS2 students to give the morning information. When they had done that, the principal made some crucial announcements after which the students went back to their respective classes.

Usually in most secondary school, first period was meant for English language because of it high importance. As such Miss Faith the English teacher went to Abigail’s class which was SS2. On reaching the entrance of the class she met aunty Beatrice their form teacher both were very good friends, they exchanged greetings snappily because it was a rule that when a teacher arrives the class last, he or she would be surcharged, as such Miss Faith was conscious of that she was one the school’s best teachers; she was very intelligent and productive. While teaching her soft, sweet voice rings like a bell that one can hear her three blocks away from the classroom where she teaches, one unique quality she was known for was her ability to control her class without using cane, she had an influential authority over the students.

As she stood erect and her chocolate complexioned face radiates courage, as she had her sharp eyes fixed on the students.

“Good morning students,” she greeted.

“Good morning teacher,” they replied.

“Our today’s topic is NOUN,” she announced, faced the white board and wrote down the announced topic.

“Who can tell us, the meaning of the word NOUN,” she asked. Three students raised their right hands up.

“Ok, you, but before you answer the question, you have to tell the class you name,” she stated.

“My name is Moses, a NOUN is a name of a person, animal, place or things,” he answered with a smiling face that had been his normal posture whenever he answers any question correctly.

“Clap for him,” shouted the English teacher, “that is good of you,” she added as the students made a single random clap.

She taught for thirty minutes and left the class, after she had giving the students take home assignment.

As she was leaving the class another teacher came in. This time it was Uncle Edward the Mathematics teacher. The students had little or no time to make noise, though some stubborn ones like Abigail insist on making noise during lesson time. This was the case as Uncle Edward looked behind and discovered four students conversing while he was teaching. Angrily he summoned them before the class, they were: Joseph, Abigail, James and Kizito. The teacher asked them to kneel down and they knelt down. He went to the window where he kept his cane and picked it up as he approached them. The four students started shivering and panicking; Abigail started crying as they were asking for mercy. The teacher put up a deaf ear and flogged them severely.

Immediately following this incidence, the teacher continued from where he stopped, he was solving a Mathematical problem using the Almighty Formula as the students gazed at him motionless. He was a good teacher and a renowned Mathematician.

Lessons continued from teacher to teacher until it was time for dismissal.

When the bell for dismissal had finally been rang Abigail and her three friends pick up their bags and headed to the gate.

“Why are you students rushing as though something is after you?” asked the gate man.

“What is your business, Mr. Gate Man, please open the gate let’s get going the school had dismissed,” Joy replied harshly.

“Why are you shouting at me,” retorted Musa the gate man.

“I am sorry Mr. Gate Man,” she said and they laughed.

Musa opened the gate and they jumped outside still laughing.

“This gate man is becoming something else oo!” stated Emmanuella.

  “I don’t even know why he should be harassing students as if he is one of our teachers,” added Joy.

“Ya that remind me, Frank told me that uncle math’s dealt with you today. Is that true?”

“Yes, don’t mind that old teacher, I will definitely teach him a lesson of his life,” Abigail threatens.

“What can you do? And be reminded that it is a teacher we are talking about here. So address him with some respect, okay,” said Joy.

“Hold it there! Miss good girl. As for the question just watch out he will not be in school tomorrow, uncle math’s will suffer for what he did to me today.” She stated.

“You are speaking empty words Abigail you can’t do him anything, you know that. Please girls let’s forget this issue.” Emmanuella insisted.

The three girls continued discussing on reaching the Mapol Junction, Joy took left, Emmanuella took right and Abigail continued forward. They bided each other good bye as they separated.

It was another eventful school day, after morning assembly teachers walked towards the staff room, on reaching the entrance, the door was locked, they waited as they lamented, “where is Uncle Dean, for goodness sack,” it wasn’t long, the dean of studies approached and opened the door. They trooped-in, full of energy for the day’s work.

When they were all seated the form teachers went into their classes and called the roll call while others were preparing to execute their first task. Some were writing their lesson note, while some others were marking student’s assignments. And they were some group who are not writing notes or marking but were busy conversing and laughing.

They look of the staff room this morning were a little bit lighted; the wall was painted orange colour. Roasters were pasted on designated areas. These was written on one of the calendars: “A teacher is a councilor, A teacher is a motivator, A teacher is a director, A teacher is a guider etc.”

The arrangement of tables and chairs were in parallel. In most cases two teachers shared a table. Exercise books & pen were seen all over because these speak more of who a teacher is.

Uncle math’s was not in school, as predicted by Abigail. She had used her magical power on him, she casted a spell of severe headache on him and that was why he had not come to school.

None of the teachers had thought of him, not until uncle Kinsley came in and said: “Teachers, uncle math’s just called me to inform us that he would not make it to school today.”

“Why?” One of the teachers who were a sanguine by temperament interrupted abruptly.

“He told me over the phone line that he was admitted into the hospital for severe headache,” he replied.

The teachers were amazed, as sounds of murmuring were heard from each corner.

The school day was well spent and all went home. Uncle math’s resumed school after three days.

The story continues in three days time. CHECK HERE….