I have always loved giving. Infact, my mum was the one who taught us how to give. She would give out almost everything she had just to see others happy.
I remember how one time, she gave a neighbor part of the money for her child's school fees because she didn't want to see him stay at home while others were in school.
To her, God rewards us for giving.
So, I grew up with that mindset that we should give, and I believed that giving to others who do not have enough would make the world beautiful.
There was a day I got some amount of money to make paints for a customer. I already calculated my profit from the money and I kept it aside as I was planning to get a new phone as the one I was using was giving me a tough time.
I was working on my laptop one morning when suddenly I got a call from a friend. He was sounding like something had happened to him and I became bothered.
"What's the matter?" I asked him
"I'm in a very serious need now. I need to pay up for something and the deadline is tomorrow." He was panting.
I probed further, asking him what exactly it was but he kept on insisting that he would explain to me when next we met. "The money is just 30, 000 naira. I will pay you back by next week, as soon as I get paid."
I checked my account balance. It was the exact money I had with me. It was the money I was saving for a new phone.
I trusted him and quickly sent the money to him.
When it was time for him to pay back, he kept on posting me. I would be the one to call him and each time, he'd give an excuse.
When I could no longer hold it, I went to his house and I met him drinking with some friends. I called him aside and quietly asked him for my money because, I really needed it.
The next reaction shocked me. He started shouting at me, calling other guys there to tell them how much of a fool I was.
"And na just 5000 naira him borrow me. Na wetin de make am come my house come insult me! How much be 5000 naira?"
I was dumbfounded. Why would he lie that it was just 5000 naira?
The friends were already gathered around me and one of them was even threatening to beat me up.
I quietly walked out and went home. The first thing I did was to block his number. Later that evening, he came to my house to plead with me, but I kicked him out.
From that day, I learned that not everyone deserves to be helped. When next I want to help someone, I would think about it and know if the person truly deserves my help
Another thing I learned was that, when I want to give to someone, I shouldn't expect anything in return, even if the person wants to borrow from me. I'd give what I can, knowing fully well that it won't affect me at the end
~This is my response to the Thoughtful Thursday weekly prompt~馃槅
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Thank you for reading through.