Ofunna is the only child of Okoro and Nwada Ezike. He hails from Umuneke village in isi-Uzo town. Ofunna is a tall, good looking, well behaved and hard working chap. He always assists his parents in the farm and carries out his domestic chores diligently. Ofunna had a big problem which was his inability to make it academically. He wasn't the brightest student in class. He always performed badly, whenever the results for the term came out.
He was the object of ridicule by the other students. They made fun of him at any slightest chance they get. More especially whenever he fails to answer a question in class correctly.
They went as far as giving him the nickname "Olodo" (which means dummy). This made him cry profusely. He couldn't muster the courage most times to relate with his peers. He reported his dilemma to his parents, but due to their illiteracy, they didn't know how to offer help to their beloved child. All his father could do was to say some soothing words that would calm the disturbed boy down;
"Nwam Oga dicha nma"( my child, it shall be well). "Oburu iwu na mmadu ga ama akwukwo"( it is not a must that one should be intelligent or booksmart). These words would ease the tension in his heart for that moment. But the problem really worried him.
One certain day after brooding over the issue, Ofunna decided to take the "bull by the horn". He has made up his mind to right this exacerbating situation. He has decided to do anything possible to make sure he becomes one of the best in class.
After lessons that particular day, he approached his teacher and engaged her in a conversation.
"Please Ma, I want to be intelligent", said Ofunna. The teacher was surprised to hear Ofunna make such demand. She probably thought, he was one of those dull kids that are never concerned about their academic predicament.
With her eyes staring down at him with concern, she asked him, "how do I help you with that? The almost teary Ofunna responded, "I want you to teach me how to read".
She asked him about his parents to ascertain the level at which they are helping him and he told her that his parents are illiterates. The teacher now discovered where the root of the matter was. She then mapped out a plan on how to help him out and also admonished other students to be of help to him.
Ofunna made friends with the brilliant chaps
in class, who also assisted him in anyway they can.
As the term came to an end and the results was released, the unexpected happen...Ofunna made the sixth position in class.
The whole class celebrated him and it was the greatest thing of joy to the parents.
Thanks for the opportunity
We should not be too quick to write people off that fast. The intellectual unsound ones might have underlying issues as to why their performances are poor. This is where we teachers should devote our time to this ones in other to fish out the crux of the problem. They all still deserve a chance at redemption rather than condemnation.
