LIFE AS WE KNOW IT

A Fictional short Story by @tolustx as an entry to the @stach Short Story Contest

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It is Samson’s induction ceremony. Today, he becomes a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. His joy overflows as he sees people from all walks of life celebrating with him and his colleagues. He has witnessed several induction ceremonies like this and has always dreamt of his own induction, and the joy that comes with it. What joy it would have been if his mother is alive and around to be a witness to his success story. Cervical cancer took her from the family about eight years ago.

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The induction lecture is on but Samson is lost in thought. He remembers the day he returned from school so sad, blaming his father for his low self-esteem. He had said... My classmates visited Santa Claus today, but I could not, because I could not pay. Last week, they went on an excursion, I could not go. Their parents give them money for lunch, but all I have is boiled yam or cassava or beans that mama gives me. His father, a peasant farmer could only manage to provide the most basic needs, like shelter, food and education. He is not learned but has promised to give whatever it takes for his children to be well educated. He comforted his son and told him a story on contentment. Told him not to be enticed by what others have else, he begins to steal. This is where life has placed us for now, but someday, I know that life will smile at you because knowledge will help you to pattern life and live life in a much better way. He said ”We live life as we know it.”
Samson looks at his father in the audience once more, he thought to himself, today, these words come to fulfilment, I surely know life a better way and so will I live it…