In a small, sunny village in Nigeria, there was a busy marketplace filled with bright fabrics, fresh fruits, and the smell of tasty food. People were chatting, laughing, and haggling over prices. The village had a special person called the town crier. His name was Chukwu, a tall man with a booming voice that everyone recognized.
Chukwu was known for his loud and clear announcements. He wore a traditional agbada, a colorful, flowing robe. His big round face always looked serious when he made his announcements. Today, he was supposed to announce something very important.
Chukwu walked to the center of the marketplace, where everyone could see and hear him. He rang his bell, “Ding ding ding!” The crowd gathered around, curious about the news.
"Make I tell una something!" Chukwu started. The crowd went silent, waiting.
"What is it?" asked Mama Nkechi, a plump woman selling oranges.
Chukwu opened his mouth, ready to shout the important message, but nothing came out. He had forgotten the message!
Chukwu scratched his head, trying to remember. The crowd began to murmur. Papa Emeka, the village elder, stepped forward and asked, "Chukwu, wetin be the message?"
"I... I don forget," Chukwu admitted, looking embarrassed. The crowd burst into laughter. Chukwu's face turned red.
Chukwu decided to make something up. "Er... the chief say make we all dance!" he shouted. The villagers looked at each other, surprised. Dance? In the middle of the day?
But then, Mama Nkechi started clapping, and soon everyone joined in. The whole marketplace turned into a spontaneous dance party. People were dancing, laughing, and having a good time.
Chukwu tried to dance too, but he was very clumsy. He tripped over his own feet and fell into a basket of tomatoes. The tomatoes flew everywhere. The children laughed and clapped.
"Chukwu, you sabi dance o!" one of the children teased.
Just then, the chief himself walked into the marketplace. He saw the dancing and the mess of tomatoes. "Wetin dey happen here?" he asked, looking amused.
Chukwu quickly stood up, covered in tomato juice. "Chief, I... I was telling everyone your important message," he stammered.
The chief laughed. "I never ask you to tell anybody to dance," he said. "I ask you to remind them about the meeting tomorrow!"
The crowd burst into even louder laughter. Chukwu had forgotten the real message and made up a silly one instead.
As the crowd dispersed, still giggling, Chukwu sighed in relief. He had made a mistake but ended up making everyone happy. As he walked home, he thought about what to say at the meeting tomorrow. He was determined not to forget this time.
But little did he know, the villagers were already planning to ask him to dance again at the next announcement!
Chukwu's unexpected announcement and clumsy dance had turned an ordinary day into a joyful memory. Everyone went home with smiles on their faces, looking forward to the next time Chukwu would entertain them with his antics.