Tone:
* Nostalgic: The poem starts with a longing for the past, a simpler time before the arrival of the colonizers. The tone is wistful and nostalgic, reflecting the speaker's yearning for a lost innocence.
* Critical: Okara's tone becomes increasingly critical of the colonizers and their impact on African society. Words like "unnatural" and "unnatural language" reflect a strong disapproval of the imposed Western values and culture.
* Satirical: The poem employs satire to highlight the absurdity of the colonizers' actions and their attempts to erase African traditions. The use of exaggerated descriptions, like "the man's mouth became a gaping hole" when he tries to speak the "unnatural language," creates a humorous, yet biting commentary.
* Hopeful: Despite the criticism, the poem ends with a glimmer of hope. The speaker's closing statement "But I am glad to be alive" suggests resilience and a determination to maintain African identity in the face of oppression.
Mood:
* Melancholy: The poem evokes a sense of sadness and loss for the past. The speaker mourns the disappearance of traditional values and the erosion of their own identity.
* Anger: There is a palpable undercurrent of anger towards the colonizers and their actions. The poem's tone suggests resentment towards the imposition of Western ways and the destruction of African culture.
* Irony: The poem creates a sense of irony by contrasting the "once upon a time" narrative of a happy and peaceful past with the harsh realities of colonialism. The idyllic picture of the past is juxtaposed with the speaker's struggles in the present.
* Defiance: Despite the melancholic and critical tones, the poem ultimately ends with a sense of defiance. The speaker's statement about being "glad to be alive" suggests a refusal to be completely defeated by the colonizers' impact.
Overall, "Once Upon a Time" is a poem that uses a multifaceted tone and mood to convey the complex experience of African people under colonialism. It's a powerful and poignant exploration of loss, resistance, and the enduring hope for cultural survival.