It is obvious I'll go broke again before the middle of the month. I work 7am - 4pm teaching mathematics and computer education at an elementary school and also double as a Computer Operator for the school. With a meager salary the end of the month which is mostly inadequate to cater for my monthly expenses on feeding, accommodation and transport, I'm often incapacitated financially by the middle of the month. Survival is the main focus. Savings is simply out of the picture for now. In my bid to ensure the adequacy of this stipend till the month end and in a bid toward being prudent, i skip lunch. If you've being involved in teaching kids, you'll understand the importance of lunch. After an 8am - 12noon round of yelling and shouting, lunch is one of the things that help you keep your sanity for the next round. It's like the time-out in a boxing bout.It's the third week of the month on a sunny afternoon. I have just finished teaching (three periods with different classes). While I was taking a break, worrying about my present financial predicament and battling well accustomed pangs of afternoon hunger, the boy walks in; 'Uncle, it is Jamiu o! He thief my biro', he shouted. "Not again!" I said to myself, "can't I just wallow in my worry without these children barging in". "Go and call me Jamiu" I told him calmly. Almost immediately, I could hear his scream from the other room, 'THEY are calling you'. He probably saw, animatedly 'worry' seated beside me, and thus he - 'worry' and I had called for Jamiu.
I'll have to buzz Gbenga as a reminder. He owes me a few thousand. I'll also chat Nonso. I'll beat around the bush a bit and hope I get the opportunity to ask him about the thousand naira he owes me.
'Uncle, uncle', one of the boys said tugging on the cuffs of my sleeves to bring me back to reality. Oh! I practically didn't know they were back and or if they had even presented their cases. Judging by the look on their faces, they were expecting my judgment. With no idea about what had transpired and not wanting to be bothered, I should just give one of them my pen to settle the rift. All of a sudden, an idea came up immediately in my thoughts. Why not take time to listen to their story. Perhaps this might cheer me up and I’ll stop bothering about my present financial predicaments and the hunger pangs. Even if this will last only for some moment. I'll have to call witnesses from their class.
Yes, I listened to the different versions of the same story and in the midst of listening I envied them. They have no real issues to worry about despite this seemingly important biro-theft incident. Nonetheless, to them it's a big issue more crucial than my economic predicament or even that of the nation. Soon, they'll grow and realize that 'thieving biro' is just comedy from all life will throw at us. I smiled for those few minutes and paid for their happiness with my pen.
