Chorus:

ACT ONE

It is a land of abundance and peace. There are crops to be cultivated, palm, cocoa, rubber, groundnut, beans and the soil is good for cultivation. The rivers are filled with aquatic lives; fish, lobsters, shrimps and crabs. There is no hunger. There is plenty to eat and drink. It is a land of milk and

honey.

ACT 1, SCENE I

(It is onshore; a river in the background and canoes are berth at the brink a typical fishing community. A woman comes on stage carrying her catch of the day's fishing a basket filled with fish, crabs and lobsters. Her husband meets her.)

Papa Comfort:

Mama Comfort, you returned early. How was today's catch?

Mama Comfort:

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Papa Comfort, the catch was good; you can see my basket filled

with a large quantity of fish! I pulled in fish with every throw of the net. I've not even gone far before my basket is filled with fish.

The river is practically brimming with aquatic lives.

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Papa Comfort: The catch will bring us a good

sum, with the demand for fish on the increase. I having been promoted in the company to the position of Chief security officer!

Mama Comfort: Promoted? You don't mean it!

Why didn't you tell me?

•

Papa Comfort: Now I've told you, anyway. I

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wanted to keep it until bedtime, but

guidzil \borgy • I couldn't keep it to myself any grivrins ogale longer when you carried in that tiw bellit 19%and basket of fish and the radiance on (roil aisam bwod your face!

W° Mama Comfort: Yes, when I carry the fish to the

market, the people from the upland will pay good money for them.

28W Papa Comfort: Yes, God is certainly answering boll

our prayers; we'll not go hungry.

We'll be able to pay the children's

school fees and still have enough put aside for a rainy day. Come, Honey. Let me help you to sort them out.

Mama Comfort: You're a darling, what would I have done without you?

Papa Comfort: You're the one who's the God

send. (He gives her a pèck on the cheek and together they carry the basket of fish inside)

Lights fade out.

ACT 1, SCENE II

(Mr Bright and Mr Greg are in a restaurant owned by Madam Joyce. They are at a round table with bottles of chilled beer. They are facing each other, drinking their beer while chatting.)

Mr Bright:

(He raises his glass which is half-filled with beef; sips the beer and drops the glass on the table) How

is your family, Mr Greg?

Mr Greg:

Thank God. we're fine. The harvest was bountiful and my rubber trees are doing well . since the rubber manufacturing company came to this land, business has progressed.

We're not complaining.

Mr Bright: How right you are? The coming of

the expatriates has improved the economy and commerce is simply booming. I now export palm oil since my production has increased due to the processing machine that I installed last year, business have risen.

MrGreg:

(Pouring beer from the bottle into his glass.) God is simply wonderful

Mr Bright: (Noticing that the bottle is empty.)

Shall we have another bottle of beer?

Mr Greg:

Ofcourse... you're generous.

Mr Bright:

(Raising his voice to call the bar owner) Madam Joyce! Madam Joyce!

Madam Joyce: Yes! (She comes and stand's before them.)

Mr Bright: Bring us two more bottles and they should be chill.

Madam Joyce: Yes sir. (Going in to bring the

drinks, and then pauses as an afterthought and says.) There's goat-meat pepper soup-o.

Mr Bright: (Stares at Mr Greg as if to pass on

the message: Mr Greg nods, almost imperceptibly) Okay, bring two plates.

Mr Greg:

Are you aware my son will be getting married in two months" time?

Mr Bright: How could I? I'm just hearing that for the first time.