9. Through the help of Oketch s son,Madika,ochola wrote his first letter home to his brother Abiero.Ochol had not written a letter before.He could not read or write and he felt uncomfortable at the idea of asking people to write for him.Abiero his brother could read and write.He was amongst the first group of boys who had gone against their parent s wishes and attended the white man’s schools.Ochola loved his father and was afraid of making him angry.
In those days it was difficult for boys who went to school to find women Willing to marry them.Stories went round that those who went to school grew cunning like the white man.This made them lazy husbands who might fail to keep the family and tribe safe from their enemies.But that was many years ago, people who had been educated were now becoming richer and richer.those who could read and write had better chances that their friends who couldn’t.Ochola couldn’t ignore the magic of sending a message to friends by means of making marks on a piece of paper.He gave a little piece of thought.It was difficult to know what to say first.”start now” he said to the boy he had taken on to write the letter for him.The boy bent over the paper and waited for Ochola to dictate.
“To my brother,Abiero,”Ochola began.”I would like to tell you i have arrived in the land of Tanganyika.This land is very beautiful.It has many hills and valleys like the land of seme and the soil is very fertile.There are different kinds of soil from light rich earth to heavy clay.There is a very high rainfall.A wide area near our home is covered with thick bush consisting of broad leaved trees and long grass.
I have fenced a large area of land for myself.Many people live here and those who do are mostly our people.I hope to plough a wode area next season.I would likd to know how our father health is.Tell him I shan t forget my home.Nyapoli is well.she is busy planting vegetables at the back of the house.As we don’t want to buy from those others anything we can grow ourselves.Now i have no more words.If you get this letter please reply.
Nyapol was?