The scene is set in the early 1960's.

"The kitchen and bathroom will have to be cleaned today."
"Yes, sah"
Master got up quickly and went into the study. Ugwu's confused fear made his eyelids quiver. Would Master send him home because he did not speak English well, id not know the strange places Master named ? Master came back with a wide piece of paper that he unfolded and laid out on the dining table, although the people who drew this map decided to put their own land on top of ours. There is no top or bottom, you see.
Master picked up the paper and folded it, so that one edge touched the other, leaving a hallow between. "Our world is round, it never ends. Nee anya, this is all water, the seas and oceans, and here's Europe our own continent, Africa, and the Cango is in the middle. Farther up here is Nigeria, and Nsukka is here, in the south-east, this is where we are." He tapped with his pen.
"Yes, sah"
"Did you go to school ?"
"Standard two", sah. But I learn everything fast.
"Standard two? How long ago?"
"Many years now, sah. But I learn everything very fast!"
"Why did you stop school?"
"My father's crops failed, sah."
Master nodded slowly. "Why didn't your father find somebody to lend him your school fees ?"
"Sah ?"
"Your father should have borrowed!" Master snapped, anf then, in English, "Education is a priority! How can we resist exploitation if we don't have the tools to understand exploitation ?"
"Yes, sah!" Ugwu nodded vigorously. He was determined to appear as alert as he could, because of the wild shine that had appeard in Master's eyes.
"I will enrol you in the staff primary school, " Master said, still tapping on the piece of paper with his pen.
Ugwu's aunty had told him that if he served well for a few years, Master would send him to commercial school where he would learn typing and shorthand. She had mentioned the staff primary school, but only to tell him that it was for the children of the lecturers, who wore blue uniforms and