Section 1 — The opening and the household
- What happens: Adjoa introduces herself, her village and her family of three women.
- Points to note:
- The oral opening ("They say I was born in Hasodzi") sounds like a story told aloud.
- Setting: Hasodzi, a big village in the Central Region of Ghana.
- Family: a household of three generations of women; the father is absent and spoken of with disapproval.
Section 2 — Adjoa and the adults
- What happens: Adjoa describes how adults react unpredictably to what she says.
- Points to note:
- "never, never, but NEVER" — Nana's emphatic order not to repeat some remarks; the capital letters show the speaking voice.
- The contradiction: some of Adjoa's remarks are forbidden, others are laughed at and repeated — so she learns to stay quiet.
- This shows how children's (especially girls') voices are controlled by adults.
Section 3 — The legs
- What happens: the long-running debate about Adjoa's thin legs.
- Points to note:
- Nana disapproves because the legs are slender / thin and long. (2025 specimen Q1(xiii))
- Nana's reasoning: thin legs cannot support child-bearing hips; a woman's role is to marry and bear children.
- Maami defends Adjoa but is silenced by her mother and by reminders of her failed marriage.
- Adjoa sees no problem — her legs serve her well — and wishes her two favourite people would stop worrying.
Section 4 — The argument about school
- What happens: Maami insists on school; Nana thinks it a waste of time.
- Points to note:
- Maami, unlettered herself, wants her daughter to escape ignorance.
- Adjoa walks five kilometres each way and loves it: school is nice.
- Education is the path by which Adjoa's talent is discovered.
Section 5 — Selected for the district sports
- What happens: Adjoa, who has secretly won races for years, is chosen for the junior section of the district sports; Nana goes to school to check.
- Points to note: Adjoa's modesty (she never boasted); Nana's disbelief; the news shifts the household's view of her legs.
Section 6 — Nana's new care
- What happens: Nana washes and irons Adjoa's uniform daily, walks to school to watch, and looks at her legs with new eyes.
- Points to note:
- Actions speak louder than words: Nana says she does not care for races, but her care shows pride and support.
- The charcoal iron borrowed from a neighbour and the stiff, shining uniform are signs of her effort.
Section 7 — The cup and the ending
- What happens: Adjoa wins the cup for the best all-round junior athlete; Nana carries it on her back like a baby; Nana admits thin legs can be useful; Adjoa says she thought so all along.
- Points to note:
- Symbolism: carrying the cup like a baby — the achievement replaces the baby as the thing precious enough to carry on one's back.
- Nana's change: tradition bends when faced with real achievement and love.
- Adjoa's final thought — her legs were useful for more than child-bearing. (2027 specimen Q1(xv))
- Maami's silence at the end — speechless with joy; perhaps she feels vindicated.