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MUSTARD III – Ch. 12 | KT OLLA

TWO years were passing like air – those years of ETC, or Banji’s elementary teacher study...

And just while this dreamer was wrapping up his course, a higher programme for teachers got to Iwo. A township neighbouring his.

Well, this programme started in a seminary ran by an American church. The same one that Banji’s father once hosted in his place.

Now his son Joshua Morrow wanted a proper course...

So when he heard some Grade-II Teacher course (which certified one to teach high school) went right next door, he borrowed the funds, and plunged.

He plunged in the school promise at Iwo.

Banji wasn’t the kind of dude that only dotted his i’s and crossed the t’s. But he even crossed his seven with a standard stroke.

He liked what they call standard, then played with it.

It was the mid-50s and Morrow Jr took the two-year programme while adding some piano class.

The boy went for the teacher’s college ran by a church mission, the American preachers.

He attended classes, went to chapel, and learnt great hymns. For those Christians who built the place also preached the Gospel.

Now Morrow just wished to roam—or this boy called Tomorrow, to put it well.

So, the fledging youth took the sermons light, then turned to the sounds...

Or that smart play with keys called piano.

He took up a class with the young chapel organist. She was a Western missionary named Miss Rohm.

The lady went a few years younger than him, but she schooled Joshua spanking his stiff fingers.

So, with Rohm’s strokes of a ruler for every off-key, the older youth soon learned to play keys of church piano.

Then he picked beers too, and sniffs – and was instantly hooked.

He lost footing finding life’s path.

Now with the studies and piano, classes and late-night bars, a period soon passed on like tide.

For Banji’s final year came – with his final papers, too...

That time, Morrow passed on at 87 years old.


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