Introduction to the twin who refused to collect biscuit!
The short story – the twin who refused to collect biscuit – is a one of my classroom stories. Storytelling is an effective tool for teaching young learners. The concept and imaginary of a story well told, lives a lasting perception that enhances assimilation and permanence. I particularly recommend short – 5 minutes – stories as either part of introducing a lesson or illustrating a concept.
I wrote this, the twin who refused to collect biscuit, for teachers to use as part of introduction to a lesson – Lesson Note Primary 1 First Term Spoken English Language Week 1. The teacher that intends to go with my recommendation should spare no effort in ensuring a realism in telling the story. More so, take care so as not to over dwell in the story.
For the sake of better output, I recommend the teacher paints or draws – creates – the pictorial representation of the characters in the piece. Don’t worry about your pitiable painting/drawing skills, kids love imperfection J. Endeavor to use local names for the twin in the story – Ejuma and Okopi are the respective names for male and female twin in Akweya local community. I use twin for personalization with both the male and female pupils.
NOTE:
This piece in itself may not serve the purpose and pleasure of reading. For the intention is not to serve as companion at leisure but to hint the underlying concepts – that the accompanying lesson is meant impart. Therefore, if you seek the pleasure of reading; I recommend one of the numerous medieval classics – search here. I bet any of those will appease the wrath of your disappointment. Let me below to write for the kids in my heart.
The Twin Who Refused to Collect Biscuit!
This is Ejuma and Okopi – narrator shows the ugly painted pictures J. They are twins – explain the term. Yesterday, Ejuma and Okopi went to market with their mother. At the market, Ejuma and Okopi met their mother’s friend, Ochanya – a female name. Ochanya speaks only English Language; because nobody (of the twins and mother) understands her language. Now, the twins’ mother told them – in their Akweya language – to greet her friend. The children murmured the greeting to their mother’s friend. So, their mother commanded them to speak louder. Then the twin greeted their mother’s friend, Ochanya, louder. But their greeting made everyone to laugh! – |teacher asks why everyone laughed>> It was because they greeted good morning in the afternoon.
However, Mrs. Ochanya only smiled. And she responded correctly. She was happy that the children greeted her. So, she said to Ejuma, “check hands with me” but Ejuma did not. Then Mrs. Ochanya turned to Okopi. And she also said to Okopi, “check hands with me”. But Okopi also did not! Instead of checking hands with their mother’s friend, the children looked at her.
Nonetheless, Mrs. Ochanya really wanted to thank the children for their good behavior of greeting her. So, she thought of what to do for them. After thinking, she turned to them. And said, “come and take biscuit”. Sadly, both Ejuma and Okopi did not move an inch. The woman got angry. She did not give the children the biscuit. She now thinks the twins are just stubborn.
Discussion
Succeeding the narration, the teacher asks the pupils’ opinion on the story:
- Do they think the twins were truly stubborn? The answer is no. Because being stubborn shouldn’t have stopped them from collecting the biscuit
- Why then did they not do the things Mrs. Ochanya asked them to do? That is because the twins did not understand what she said.
Subsequent to the discussion, the teacher tells the pupils that in order not for them to be like the twins; they have to learn to greet and the simple things people would tell them to do. Then s/he tells them that they are going to start the learning thence. In conclusion, the teacher explains the objectives to the pupils.