El Hadj is studying in Paris He is one of the young Senegalese men who have come to Paris since the French colony became independent to get a good education so that he can serve his fatherland on his return Unexpectedly he is suddenly confronted by a problem with his residence papers just because he has arranged an extension too late His pleasant life filled with good prospects has gone in one fell swoop He faces a dilemma He can stay illegally in France the country where he feels at home where he has his friends has fallen in love and can drink water from the tap Or he can return without graduating to the 3rdworld country of Senegal to use the knowledge he has acquired It is not only a practical choice It comes down to the question of who he is who he thought he could be
