It's been two weeks since Mrs Jacob became the teacher of Class 7 and Moses attitude towards studies bothered her a lot. The young boy was very far behind his peers and the issue didn't start with Mrs Jacob becoming Moses class teacher.
Moses had always been like that since his parents enrolled him in school, he was very slow at learning and the only thing that he had an interest in was art which his parents weren't in support of. The little boy has tried convincing them severally but he never won his parent's heart. They find his response disgusting whenever they ask him what he wants to be in the future and he replies, "An artist"
"With my status in the society, my son must be more than just an artist," Mr Ajayi always reminded Moses every day before he left the house for school. Moses was banned from using any art material at home and it was so bad that his dad even paid a teacher to watch Moses in school.
"Moses let me have a word with you," Mrs Jacob said to him immediately after the closing bell rang and Moses went to her table.
"It's been three weeks since I became your class teacher and your class performance gives me a lot of concern. Do you have trouble assimilating in class?" She asked.
It was the first time in a while that someone spoke to him about his grades, his parents always did but stopped, they just paid the school to keep promoting him even though he didn't qualify for a promotion.
Moses only stared at Mrs Jacob and burst into tears. She drew him closer and patted him on the back. Moses then left the class to join his dad's driver who was waiting to take him home after he stopped crying.
Mrs. Jacob was more concerned about Moses and started asking questions from the old teachers. She discovered the boy's love for art, his dream of becoming a great artist and his challenges. She tried talking to Moses about them but the young boy wasn't ready to speak to anyone about his dreams anymore since nothing would change his parent's minds.
PTA was approaching Mrs. Jacob came up with a plan. On that day, Mrs Ajayi came for the Parents/Teachers meeting and after it ended, Mrs Jacob invited her to the class.
"It's my first time meeting you, I hope my boy is not causing you any trouble," Moses mom asked after they exchanged pleasantries.
"Not at all, Moses is a great boy but...," Mrs Jacob replied and was interrupted by Moses mom.
"He is not improving in class, I am aware of that but there is nothing we haven't done to help him," She replied.
"It happens like that, children's assimilation ability is different and Moses just needs special attention which I am willing to give to him after school," Mrs. Jacob replied.
"Oh, thanks a lot. He has an after-school teacher and his father might not agree to change the man, he has been Moses home teacher since class 3," Mrs Ajayi replied
"I didn't know that but being his class teacher, I might be able to handle him better," Mrs Jacob replied.
They chatted about the issue for some time and Mr Ajayi promised to relay Mrs Jacob's message to her husband and give her feedback after.
A few weeks passed and there was no response so Mrs. Jacob put a call across the Mrs. Ajayi.
"I had the intention of calling by the end of the week about what we discussed. Moses home teacher would be travelling soon and his dad thinks it would be okay if you handle him for a few months while the home teacher is away," Mrs Ajayi said to Mrs Jacob immediately after they exchanged pleasantries.
"That's okay, the coaching would be for free and I do appreciate it if you allow it to be held at my house. I also teach my son after school and it would be nice to have them taught together," Mrs Jacob replied.
"Thanks for your kindness, it can hold at your place but I hope you wouldn't mind me inspecting the place first?" Mrs. Ajayi asked.
"No problem, I stay a few blocks away from the school and it's a conducive place for Moses," She replied.
The news made Mrs Jacob happy and she was looking forward to the time. Mrs Ajayi came for the inspection and was impressed, she loved what she saw.
Moses started going to Mrs Jacob's place after school and he was happy spending more time away from home. A week after he started, Mrs Jacob handed a crayon box to Moses and told him to draw something for her.
He was surprised and happy at the same time. Moses drew a pack of wolves in the wild and Mrs Jacob was surprised, she wondered why Moses parents were against him doing art.
"Moses, I can allow you to do art every day for an hour if you promise to improve your grades in school. Do we have a deal?" She asked after the lessons that day and Moses promised.
Weeks passed and everyone saw changes in Moses. He looked happier and interacted with his mates, he answered questions in class and also got good grades in both class and homework. At first, people thought Mrs Jacob was helping him illegally but after Moses passed the promotional exams that weren't by Mrs Jacob, everyone who doubted believed Moses had truly improved.
"Can I go to Mrs Jacob's place today?" Moses asked his parents while having breakfast on a Saturday.
"It's weekend and she needs to rest just like you," His mom replied.
"I already told her and she said I could come if you permit me," Moses replied.
Mrs Ajayi put a call across to Mrs Jacob and she said Moses could come even though there was no agreement between her and Moses before the call.
Upon arriving at her place, Moses told Mrs Jacob about an art contest his classmates talked about, it was small with zero publicity. Moses was eager to join but Mrs Jacob was worried about his parents finding out.
She checked the competition and truly it wouldn't be publicized. Mrs Jacob paid for the registration and made it a duty to always take Moses to the location on Saturdays.
The competition started perfectly and Moses successfully reached the final. He was happy and Mrs. Jacob was proud of his achievement too.
A day before the last Saturday when the final would be held, the competition was hyped by a celebrity and soon there was an advert about the final everywhere online.
It came as a shock to Mrs Jacob and she knew a lot of things was at risk if Moses parents saw the advert. Immediately after school, she informed Moses about the development and he became scared.
On that day, Mrs. Ajayi came to pick Moses up herself and she told Mrs Jacob that she was going to pay for everything she did. Mr Ajayi couldn't contain his anger and he locked Moses in his room immediately after he arrived home with his mom.
Moses wept bitterly and promised not to do anything art if he was allowed to go to the finals but his parents wouldn't listen. Later that night, Mr Ajayi went to his room with a box and placed it before Moses.
"I used to be an Artist just like my father and grandfather but they didn't have anything to show for it. My father and grandfather lived in abject poverty because of art, I was also walking in their path and had to call myself back from living in poverty as well. I want the best for you that's why I wanted you to choose another path other than art. I don't want you to see me as a bad father and today, I will allow you to choose what you want," Mr Ajayi said to the boy who wept profusely.
Moses opened the box before sleeping and saw small paint containers, brushes and crayon boxes.
On Saturday morning, he was set for the final and after breakfast, his parents drove him down to Mrs Jacob's house before heading to the venue of the competition. Immediately they arrived at the venue, Moses was given his drawing material but he rejected them and brought out the box his father gave him last night.
Image was captured by me and edited with Picsart
He started painting and when everything was over, the judges chose Moses as the winner. Mrs Jacob was excited just like Moses parents who were eager to take the podium when Moses family were called. Moses improved academically and his parents supported his dream to become an artist after the final. Mrs Jacob was happy to help Moses get on track with his dreams.
