Adaobi did not for once allowed her children to suffer. With the little she made from her work, she ensured her children ate well enough, and it was a pity that Jade was the only one she could afford her school fees. The other three boys willingly dropped out of school, and volunteered to learn a trade when Adaobi, their mother could no longer afford their school fees. "Times are hard." She told them. They understood her perfectly, and did not hesitate to sacrifice their education for their only sister. Adaobi at first, disagreed with them. "No. I have promised myself that all my children will go to school and read 'big book'" She protested, using 'big book' to mean the highest level of formal education. In no time, her children won the protest, and she could not help but cry before them. "If only your father is even supporting us, it would have... " She wanted to say, but was interrupted by her eldest son, "Mama, don't even bring papa into this matter at all." "If Papa is the only means of going to school, then I will rather die of ignorance." Another son added. Later that evening, Adaobi called Jade and gave her motherly advise. "My daughter" She called. "Ma!" She answered, as she found a spot on the bed beside her mother. "You are our investment." She started. "Make sure you read and know your books ooooo..... inugo" She added, drawing her own right ear to emphasize on what she was saying. Although, Jade heard all what her mother said, but, her 6 years old mind was too small to comprehend them.
School was fun for Jade. Infact, she loved going to school. She would be the first to wake up in the morning, and long for school. On Saturdays, it took her mother efforts to convince Jade that there was no school. She would ask her different questions every weekend on why she wouldn't go to school on Saturdays. Although, the questions were disturbing, but, Adaobi gladly answered the ones she knew, while she postponed the unknown to later. Sometimes, she would simply send Jade on an errand to take her mind off the question. "She would read big book." Adaobi said to herself. Sooner than later, Jade grew old enough to understand that Saturdays are not meant for school. Or, maybe because her aunty in school taught them the song,
Monday, we go to school
Tuesday, we go to school
Wednesday, we go to school
Thursday we go to school
Friday, we go to school.
Tomorrow Saturday, tomorrow Saturday,
We stay at home. We do our home work
And on Sunday we go to church.
Two weeks away from Jade's 10th birthday, she was happy and grateful to her mother who promised to slaughter a chicken from the 5 chickens she was raring, just to mark a decade Jade was spending on planet earth. She was coming back from work that day, and in her usual way, she took Jade to the other side of the road to stay with Mama Titi, before crossing back to get her bags which were always loaded with enough unsold food from the canteen for dinner and breakfast for the following day. She had a bag on her head, and another small bag in her hand. But, she was lost in thoughts which made her move to cross the road with looking at her sides. An on-coming car whose driver was also driving and operating his phone...
© 2016. Austus Ofmat Nwanne
It is no longer news that some people are born with a golden spoon, while some are born with a silver spoon. Some are also born with plastic or wooden spoons. But, very many are not born with spoons at all, and these people have to create their own spoon against all odds, and still make it golden or silver. That is life for you. What would happen next to Adaobi as she crosses the road carelessly? How did Jade end up being a thief despite her enthusiasm for education? Join me tomorrow as we continue the story. Pardon me for not sending the story on time. The power holders have refused to release the light in my area.
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THANK GOD ITS FRIDAY !!!
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OFMAT AUSTUS NWANNE
Inspirational Speaker/Media Consultant,
Swift24 Multimedia Services.
+2348072970850
Mrtackle2009@gmail.com
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