Page 18 - Language and Literacy Project StoryBook

them, I felt tangibly the intersection of my cultures more
than ever.

So, as I stood with BT in the darkness, I was excited
and giddy with emotion. The stage lights finally cut on,
and we walked on stage.

Bolatito, I am so happy that I have been given a daughter like
you. All A’s! Praise God!” I used BT’s full name for effect. I
wore traditional Nigerian dress, and I reminded myself of
my mother more than ever.

The audience was laughing. As the skit progressed, I
continued to use more and more broken English, using the
sayings that I used at home.

“You are telling me that you made ‘B’ in maths? A ‘B’ for
what? Ah-ah! I did not cross river and mountain for you to
come here and make ‘B’!” I expressed frustration at my
daughter for the subpar grade of an 89.

Finally, the skit ended with my final threat, one that I
had heard before from my mother’s mouth. “Come here
now before I give you royal slap!”

As I chased BT off the stage, the audience erupted in
laughter one final time before letting out one huge round
of applause.

Offstage, BT and I looked at each other in excitement,
still feeling the adrenaline after performing in front of
hundreds of people. Even though this was not our only
act, we both knew was the one that meant the most to both
of us.

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