Narrator: The story takes place in a little town in the interior of the country. In such places well known in Ghana, people from other parts, because of their various occupations, are compelled to live in this town, Akutuase, and pursue their daily duties under the most austere conditions. The literate folk in the town find it necessary, in order to make life more pleasant, to run a social and literary club. The club in fact is the academy of learning in this little community. To show how earnest the members are in the deliberations, we present to you one, just one incident in the club room.

It is evening in Akutuase and as that day happens to be a club meeting day, we find a group of the members in front of the cocoa shed (which is used as the clubhouse) waiting for the President in order that the day's business may begin.

Nkansa: I wonder what is keeping the President at home. I am sure he is still drying his cocoa beans … ha … ha … ha.

Asante: You cannot say anything about anybody without making fun of him. I wonder what is wrong with you.

Nkansa: You mean what is right with me. There is nothing wrong with me but there is everything wrong with you, my dear Asante.

Asante: Don't call me ‘My dear Asante’, you are not even half my age, yet you think you are my equal.

Nkansa: God forbid … imagine me being of such a mental disposition as you are.

Asante: What do you mean by that, eh … what?

Nkansa: If you don't understand the language, I am afraid I am not going to teach you now. (Laughter.)

Asante: So you are laughing, are you? You always encourage this boy to be proud. I must warn you that if he abuses again and I decide to beat him, no one should interfere.