A DREAM COME TRUE ( Student's inspiration to success in education, Chapter 9)

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

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Effanga arrived home safely, and the following day, he went to Asuama's parents to deliver the letter to them. Effanga was besieged by Asuama's parents and brothers, each person asking about his wellbeing. Effanga assured the parents about Asuama's wellbeing but did not tell them of the incident of the fallen tree and the snake bite as directed by Asuama. The mother tore open the envelope containing the letter, brought out the letter, and started reading it herself, skipping some words and sentences, which posed some difficulties for her. She admitted that constant devotion to domestic duties had made her intellectual power to degenerate and become rustic.

"Mummy, leave that letter to us. That is why you send us to school," Asanga pleaded

"Over to you, my son," she agreed and handed over the letter to Asanga. Asanga read the letter loudly and fluently:

"Dear parents,

How are you all? I'm fine over here. I want to inform you of the proposal by an American missionary to hire me as a house-help at Ifon. The man gave me two weeks to reply, either to accept or not. We have not discussed the details until we meet in two weeks' time. If the man will support my education ambition, it will be good. If not, I will not accept to serve him. Please, mummy, I want your approval and blessing. Greet Okutama, Asanga, Father, and others.

May God be with you all.

I am your son, Asuama. "

The mother was lost in thoughts while Asanga was reading the letter, and she blurted out.

"Did he say the white man will carry him away to "Obio mbakara" (the white man's land) to serve him there?" She asked in desperation immediately. Asanga finished reading the letter.

"No mummy," Asanga replied, "he said he would stay with the white man at Ifon."

"Let me take the letter to show to my brother first, before I know what to reply to him," she said soberly.

Mrs Akon Atanguma's only surviving brother, Chief Isonguyo Akanudo, was an ex-service man who fought during the Second World War. He was a well travelled and enlightened man who had been to Burma, Italy, Japan, and Britain by virtue of his military assignments.

When her sister, Mrs Akon Atanguma, arrived at his house, after exchanging pleasantries, she handed over the letter to him without even saying anything. Chief Isonguyo opened the envelop, brought out the letter, and started reading it silently. He took his time to go through the letter to the end. As if he was just back from a trance, Chief Isonguyo became excited as he read the letter.

"This is what I have been praying for, and I çan see God's hand in this thing," he announced excitedly to his sister with a chuckle.

The sister could not understand the excitement.

"Senior," she called her elder brother, "you mean my son, Asuama, has..."

Her brother did not allow her to finish her statement.

"I mean Asuama should not waste time, He should accept to serve the white man right away," Chief Isonguyo cut in.

"You see," he went on, "I know much about the Americans. They are good and liberal-minded, unlike other white men. He will treat Asuama like his own son and will not fail to send him to secondary school, if only he will be obedient, humble, honest, and hard working. "

He handed back the letter and the empty envelop to his sister, Mrs Atanguma collected the letter, raised it up with two hands as if she was about to present it to God, and looking up to the sky, she started muttering some prayers to God. She did this even as she went home.

A short distance away, she remembered that she had not bade her brother goodbye, and she went back to her brother.

"Senior, I am sorry, I will be going, thank you," she said.

"Tell him to be a good boy there that he is now the ambassador of the family!"Chief Isonguyo instructed.

Chief Isonguyo Akanudo was so revered by his sister. His opinions on issues were always taken as a bond, and, most of the time, they turned out to be true.

Mrs Akon Atanguma arrived home and quickly summoned his son, Asanga, to write a reply of the letter to his brother, Asuama. She did not care to present the response from her brother, Chief Isonguyo, to her husband before replying to Asuama. After all, what inputs would he make when he was opposed to Western education, Mrs Atanguma reasoned.

Akon Atanguma started dictating to Asanga.

"My dear son, Asuama, We have seen your letter and your request. We believe there is God's hand in this thing. We have given you approval to serve the white man there, but try always to behave well so that you don't spoil the name of the family. Remember that you are our ambassador there. Note: Don't follow him to 'Obio mbakara' (the white man's land) if he asks you to do so. I don't want to miss you! Stay well, my son. Your father, brothers, and uncle greet you.

I am your loving mother, Akon.

After three days, Effanga went back to Mrs Atanguma to collect the reply to Asuama's letter so that he could take it to Asuama in Ifon. Effanga arrived in Ifon and the following day went to Asuama's house to deliver the letter to him. Asuama was so elated when he saw the endorsement by their parents and uncle. He then disclosed to Effanga what had transpired between him and the American missionary a few days before Effanga travelled home. Effanga was happy to hear that, but he advised him to be of good conduct. Asuama had been praying since he had that dream, which he regarded as a vision. The more he meditated on the dream, the more his passion for secondary education grew and the more he desired to love to serve the American missionary.

The night preceding the day he would visit the white man to give his reply to him, Asuama was restless. He had sleepless night, obviously because of the joy and excitement. He was happy that he was leaving the plantation. At last, by 12 noon dot, he went to the missionary, Mr Williams Johnson. Mr Johnson, on his part, was patiently expecting feedback from Asuama. He had developed a very deep interest and love for Asuama because of his humility and attractiveness.

"Good afternoon, sir," Asuama greeted humbly.

"Oh my friend, Asuama, I'd been expecting you, I'm glad to see you. How are you?"Mr. Johnson said enthusiastically, trying to play down on his heavy American accent as he stretched forth his hand to shake Asuama's.

He beckoned to Asuama to sit down on a sofa.

Mr Johnson disappeared into the kitchen. Before long, he came out with a small tray containing fruit juice and two packets of biscuits. He drew a table and placed the tray on it before Asuama.

"That's for you. Feel quite free. This is your home, "Mr Johnson said graciously, as if he had a premonition that Asuama had accepted to work for him as a house-help. Asuama ate the snacks shyly, while Mr Johnson flipped through newspaper headlines with one eye on Asuama.

Asuama hardly finished half of the snacks when he thanked his host for his hospitality.

"Finish up. Those are all for you, "Mr Johnson urged Asuama. Asuama naively shook his head in rejection and thanked his host again.

"That's ok!"Mr Johnson responded with an air of resignation in his voice. He knew the food would be thrown into the refuse bin, and wasting food was what he did not so much like. Asuama, on his part, had been taught from his childhood never to finish any food given to him by his host. It would portray him as a glutton, mean, or poor boy. He adjusted his seat and spoke.

"Sir, I have come to tell you that I have accepted to serve you as a house-help, but I should be allowed to further my education," Asuama said - frankly but humbly.

"Asuama, leave that to me. We shall soon sort that out, do you understand me?"Mr. Johnson answered in excitement.

He saw Asuama's request as very thoughtful and necessary, but he had already made up his mind to accept him as his son and to train him as long as he was in Nigeria, if he would pass the probationary tests. They agreed on when Asuama should move into the house. Other necessary agreements were reached, and the "dos" and "don'ts" of the house were spelt out by Mr Johnson. Mr Williams Johnson was married with
two children. His wife, Lynda, was planning to join him in Nigeria from the United States of America in a year's time.

That is the end of chapter nine. See you in chapter ten.

I am @udyliciouz