COMPARE AND DESPAIR
Ade and Emeka have been friends way back from their university school days. They were one of those few people of different tribes that school life brought together.
Ade is a Yoruba boy. He is dark in complexion, 5.6ft height and has two tribal marks on his cheeks; which was given to him as a sign of adulthood in his hometown.
Emeka, on the other hand, was a complete opposite of Ade's physique. He is fair in complexion and average height but whenever both of them were walking along each other it seemed to be that Emeka is a dwarf— this actually gave them the nickname DAVID AND GOLIATH among their peers and course mates.
During school orientation, both of them were sitting at the same seat on the bus heading to the auditorium. When Ade handed his money to the driver asking for his balance of three hundred naira but the driver was indeed giving him two hundred naira.
“My money is remaining one hundred naira Sir” Ade was trying to let the old man know that he offered money to one of his passengers that stopped earlier as balance but the driver seemed not to understand him.
It was all thanks to Emeka, who came to his rescue and explained in detail to the old driver in Igbo language. Their bond of friendship was ignited since that incident.
Ade is a Yoruba boy. He is dark in complexion, 5.6ft height and has two tribal marks on his cheeks; which was given to him as a sign of adulthood in his hometown.
Emeka, on the other hand, was a complete opposite of Ade's physique. He is fair in complexion and average height but whenever both of them were walking along each other it seemed to be that Emeka is a dwarf— this actually gave them the nickname DAVID AND GOLIATH among their peers and course mates.
During school orientation, both of them were sitting at the same seat on the bus heading to the auditorium. When Ade handed his money to the driver asking for his balance of three hundred naira but the driver was indeed giving him two hundred naira.
“My money is remaining one hundred naira Sir” Ade was trying to let the old man know that he offered money to one of his passengers that stopped earlier as balance but the driver seemed not to understand him.
It was all thanks to Emeka, who came to his rescue and explained in detail to the old driver in Igbo language. Their bond of friendship was ignited since that incident.
They were the serious type at school and they complemented each other on their field of weakness and strength. After five years of schooling and NYSC; both had to toil in the labor market and it was so unfavorable for Emeka.
Ade was now working as the managing director at OJI & CO OIl and Gas company. Actually both of them applied for the job but somehow Ade was employed among Emeka and other applicants.
Ever since then it has been from one job interview to another without a positive result. Ade has also been looking out for vacancy in his work place and other yet nothing.
Ever since then it has been from one job interview to another without a positive result. Ade has also been looking out for vacancy in his work place and other yet nothing.
It is a Monday morning and Emeka was already dressed up in his white long sleeve shirt and navy blue trousers; well ironed and tucked in with his black leather belt.
“This should be the last interview. I am fed up with all these disappointments. Look at, Ade just bought a new car for himself and am…” he murmured as he took his file of credentials and went toward the door.
“This should be the last interview. I am fed up with all these disappointments. Look at, Ade just bought a new car for himself and am…” he murmured as he took his file of credentials and went toward the door.
Just like every other job hunt, Emeka was not employed. He stopped a Keke( Tricycle) looking all frustrated and angry.
“Why can't I be like Ade?
Just half his luck. We finished school the same day. I have same qualification but he's up above and I am just beneath” he soliloquized
Lost in thoughts he didn't hear the Keke man asking for his bus stop
“Where are you stopping, my son” (in Igbo language)
The Keke driver stopped and went to the other end meant for the passenger, where Emeka was and touched him.
“Why can't I be like Ade?
Just half his luck. We finished school the same day. I have same qualification but he's up above and I am just beneath” he soliloquized
Lost in thoughts he didn't hear the Keke man asking for his bus stop
“Where are you stopping, my son” (in Igbo language)
The Keke driver stopped and went to the other end meant for the passenger, where Emeka was and touched him.
The Keke driver indulge him and said to Emeka;
I know you must be going through a lot and you have a lot on your mind but I would like to share a story of a farmer and his son with you.
A rich farmer in a faraway land had many plantations and animals but he was afraid that his only son knew nothing about his line of business and that his investment would die off when he was no more. He had to teach his son the tricks in farming. So the farmer called upon his son and told him to select any beans seed, get two jars filled with soil and plant. The farmer's son was reluctant till his father told him that his inheritance was in line, if he didn't adhere to his instructions. So he got a blue and red jar filled with soil and planted the beans seeds. Few days later, the blue jar plant germinated a bean sprout while the red jar plant didn't show any sign of germination. More days went by, the blue jar had its cotyledons emerging yet the red jar was still showing no growth. The farmer's son called his father's attention, telling him that he didn't know why the red jar plant refused to germinate despite the fact that what he did to the blue jar plant was the same as the red jar plant. His father advised him to give it some more days and the following day the red jar plant had sprouts on them. Weeks later, the red jar plant looked more greener, healthier and rich in nutrients than the blue jar plant ever was.
The Keke driver concluded by telling him that all he needed was time and when it comes,he will be like the red jar plant that seems not to grow but finally did, even more than the blue jar. And the world may try comparing you with your peers or your mind tells you so but know this; everything has its time and season. It may be theirs now but that doesn't mean yours won't come. Stay positive and focused because your time to shine is close by, closer than you ever imagined.
I know you must be going through a lot and you have a lot on your mind but I would like to share a story of a farmer and his son with you.
A rich farmer in a faraway land had many plantations and animals but he was afraid that his only son knew nothing about his line of business and that his investment would die off when he was no more. He had to teach his son the tricks in farming. So the farmer called upon his son and told him to select any beans seed, get two jars filled with soil and plant. The farmer's son was reluctant till his father told him that his inheritance was in line, if he didn't adhere to his instructions. So he got a blue and red jar filled with soil and planted the beans seeds. Few days later, the blue jar plant germinated a bean sprout while the red jar plant didn't show any sign of germination. More days went by, the blue jar had its cotyledons emerging yet the red jar was still showing no growth. The farmer's son called his father's attention, telling him that he didn't know why the red jar plant refused to germinate despite the fact that what he did to the blue jar plant was the same as the red jar plant. His father advised him to give it some more days and the following day the red jar plant had sprouts on them. Weeks later, the red jar plant looked more greener, healthier and rich in nutrients than the blue jar plant ever was.
The Keke driver concluded by telling him that all he needed was time and when it comes,he will be like the red jar plant that seems not to grow but finally did, even more than the blue jar. And the world may try comparing you with your peers or your mind tells you so but know this; everything has its time and season. It may be theirs now but that doesn't mean yours won't come. Stay positive and focused because your time to shine is close by, closer than you ever imagined.