Chapter Six: Reading Texts for Comprehension – English Form One

Aika had one big problem. She loved sleeping more than anything else. Hence, she always arrived late at school. Every morning, her mother would wake her up, but Aika would go back to sleep; Aika’s mother tried everything, but nothing worked. So, that was her life for sometime.

Firstly, her mornings would start in chaos as she would rush to get dressed and have a quick breakfast. She would get out of the house and find herself running like a cheetah through the streets to make it to school on time. On the way, she would collide with other people and cause mayhem. Moreover, she would sometimes step into Machinga’s goods as she ran. This behaviour caused a lot of problems for her.

Next, her teachers and classmates would be astonished as she burst into the classroom, panting and untidy. Her English teacher, Ms Mpingo, would raise an eyebrow and say, “Aika, it is nice of you to join us… again.” Ms Mpingo knew Aika needed to learn the importance of punctuality. So, together with Aika’s classmates, they appointed Aika class monitor.

Finally, Aika’s unpunctuality became a thing of the past. She discovered that being punctual not only reduced her stress levels but it also allowed her to be more attentive in class and build better relationships with her classmates.

Over a hundred years ago, in Northern Nigeria, there lived a fierce chief called Apa. He was the chief of the Jukuns, a brave and warlike tribe, and they waged war on the peace-loving Igala people. At that time, the Igala people were ruled by a very beautiful queen, whose name was Ebule-Jonu. She was a good and just ruler. All her people loved her very much.

The situation became more and more serious, and the fighting grew fiercer and fiercer. Every evening, the women of Igala wept, as their husbands, sons, and lovers returned from the battle exhausted and wounded, or when some did not return at all. Many plans were made, but they brought no success. Ebule-Jonu became very worried.

After consulting a soothsayer, they received devastating news: victory over the Jukuns could only be achieved if they sacrificed their queen by burying her alive. The councilors were saddened by the news so were the rest of the people. After the councilors had broken the news to the queen, she did not object. She freely accepted to be offered as a sacrifice to reverse their fate and ensure victory to her people.

She set off to Idah, the market square, where she was buried alive. After three days the Igala people defeated the Jukuns and restored peace and their land.