A DREAM COME TRUE ( Student's inspiration to success in education, Chapter 4)

It's another week of the inspirational story that can lead to student's success in education.

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Mr. Effiom had become very friendly with Chief Atanguma's family. Indeed, the family had become his second home. There was no week that Mr. Effiom would not visit Chief Atanguma, at least two times. In all these visits, the headmaster would be served with sweet palm wine, which one of Chief Atanguma's closest friends, Usendia, would call "otonyong" (fresh and undiluted). It had become customary for Chief Atanguma to reserve some palm wine in a special calabash at a designated place for Mr Effiom, in case he visited the house and there was nobody around, so he could just walk to the place and got the drink. Such was the extent of Atanguma and Mr Effiom's closeness.

Mr. Effiom had not for some time had time to sit down with Chief Atanguma and deliberate on issues. He had been longing to do so, but the problem was that Chief Atanguma's household would only be available at home at dusk, when they would have all come back from the farm. Nobody would really blame them since their livelihood came from there. As it was his habit, Mr. Effiom did not like night outings. But that day, he decided to brace all odds to visit his friend, Chief Atanguma. It was exactly 7.00pm when the headteacher got to the house of Chief Atanguma. Getting to the compound, Mr Effiom clapped his hand in his characteristic manner. Asuama was the first person to recognize him and leapt like a gazelle to meet the headmaster and his mentor. He threw himself around Mr Effiom.

"Welcome, sir!". Asuama said, still holding the headmaster.

Mr. Effiom stroked his head affectionately and asked how he had fared in school that day.

"Fine sir, I got all the three tests one hundred per cent right," Asuama announced triumphantly. He was becoming bolder by the day. At this time, Chief Atanguma, who was eating a roasted yam with palm oil, came out wiping his mouth with his hand and was still munching the morsel. But quite unknown to him, he had soiled one side of his cheeks with charcoal and the other with palm oil, which almost turned him into a masquerade. Thank God it was dark, and it was not noticed by his friend, Mr. Effion.

After exchanging pleasantries, Chief Atanguma went straight into his room and then came out with a keg of palm wine. Other members of the family joined him at this point and greeted Mr. Effiom warmly and respectfully. Chief Atanguma served himself first, as custom demanded, to "remove the 'ifot," so to say (poison or 'witchcraft'). He then pushed the keg of wine to Mr Effiom.

"You are no longer a stranger here! This is your second home. I can not personally serve you again!"Chief Atanguma said jokingly, bursting into laughter.

Mr Effiom could not ignore such a kind gesture. He quickly threw in his joke, too. "Next time I come and I don't see anybody and my drink at the usual place, I will just empty the content up there for my use, "he joked. Mr Effiom was referring to the calabash of palm wine hung on a raffia palm in the compound just opposite them.

"Okay, try it, let me see. Do you think this is the way you handle chalk on the chalk board", Chief Atanguma retorted. Both men burst into laughter, while others stood chuckling at the jokes.

Asuama found his seat at the feet of Mr. Effiom.

He was stroking the headmaster's stockings and shoes. When his mother noticed it, she ordered him to leave the place, but Mr Effiom would not allow him. The headmaster said he had behaved exactly the same way as Asuama when he was Asuama's age. Mr. Effiom rather disclosed that it was out of his deep interest and passion for him that Asuama had come closer to him to examine the stuff he was wearing, which signified that, one day, Asuama would be like him. Mr Effiom was philosophical, hinting that those who have become people in the world must have had role models to pattern their lives after, and that Asuama was not an exception in this regard. Mr Effiom seized the opportunity to counsel Asuama's parents, and indeed other parents to try, first of all, to identify their children's flair or potentials and assist such children to develop them and then encourage them to be focused and passionate about what they desire to be in future. To such children, Mr Effiom went on, the sky would be their limit. He further disclosed that his first son, Etetim, passed through such tutorial and guidance and had now been groomed to study medicine after his graduation from secondary school.

This revelation fascinated Asuama. He must also be a medical doctor someday, just as Etetim would, he said to himself. Asuama was grateful to Mr Effiom for his words that night, which had gone a long way to redefine his future and rekindle his interest in education. This then became a passion that he must keep alive and focus his mind on. Asuama resolved within himself that night.

That is the end of chapter four see you in chapter four.

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