No one has mistaken me for anyone else, I swear if they do, it better be for good. I would no longer collect slap on someone's behalf like I did in that post I wrote ten days ago.
As much as no one had mistaken me for another person, I have mistaken people, not just once but it keeps happening everytime.😅
Now, let me tell you about it. It was a day a flogging frenzy went wrong. It all started when a parent asked me to ensure her child reads during break times in my office. I agreed, even promised to be the reading police, complete with trial exercises or quiz questions.
The girl has been complying. But on this particular day, she did not come to read. That day was even a day before exams and I was very unhappy that students were playing, believing that they are done with the term's work.
'Even if others are playing, should this particular girl who needs to improve her grades be playing too?' I thought to myself.
In a moment of sheer educational rage, I snatched up a cane and charged toward the girl's classroom. I burst in like a tornado, yelling, "Is this my office where you're supposed to be reading?" Without waiting for her defense, I handed out a whip of the cane, like an overenthusiastic security man. Haha
"Ma, let me explain" She begged.
"Explain what?" I replied as I gave her another whip.
"Will you hurry to my office now and start reading?" I yelled.
She took her note and left the class for my office.
"Ma, Ma" Everyone in the class beckoned on me, but I was not ready to listen. I was on a mission. Haha.
As I made attempt to leave, another girl who was rushing into the class met me at the door. She almost knocked me down because she was running.
If not that she did not come from the direction in which the other girl left from, I would have started flogging her again, believing she was the one.
They looked so much alike, I was confused. Then I began to stammer
"Are you not the girl I flogged now and chased to go and read?'
She said no. She added that although her Mother had begged me to allow her read in my office under my watch but She couldn't come that day because a teacher called for her and engaged her with something else.
"But I just flogged you now and sent you out of this class, were you not the one?" I asked again in disbelief.
That was when the class stepped in and told me that the one I flogged was innocent. That, this one was the real reading recruit, not the other. I was dumbfounded.
"Are they related?" I asked. But it turns out that they were not even from the same tribe.
Meanwhile, the innocent girl who had endured a needless whipping came back, probably to collect her pen or to witness my realization. As soon as she appeared, I asked sheepishly, "Should I kneel down and beg? Please forgive me."
"Why do you look so much alike?" I asked rhetorically.
She burst into laughter and assured me there was no need to beg. She was just shocked because I had never met her mom or had any conversation with her. When could I have been instructed to be her reading guardian? She also mentioned other teachers who always mix them up too.
I apologized profusely, and the whole class had a good laugh at the ridiculous mix-up.
Since then, I always ask for their names before having and discussion with any of them.
I still can not forget that incident ever. Haha
I have learnt not to jump into conclusion. It's crucial not to rush to judgment or react impulsively, especially when dealing with students or others. Mistakes can happen, and it's essential to gather all the facts before taking action.
More so, I have learnt the importance of patience, clear communication, humility, and a willingness to admit mistakes and learn from them.
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you enjoyed reading this. I appreciate your visit.
Yours,
No one was hurt, it was just a case of mistaken identify and I apologized already.