Growing up, I had very strict parents, and that helped save me from a lot of troubles, though I felt like they were stopping me from enjoying my childhood the way that I wanted to. But sometimes when I think of how many times their strictness saved me, I come to realize that they were strict for a reason, and it had a lot of impact on my life. There are times when some actions I would have taken would have ended badly for me, but if I remember how my parents will react if they hear I was involved in such a thing, I find myself not wanting to be involved anymore, and when other kids go ahead and do that thing, it always ends up bad, and I end up being grateful I did not take any part.
As kids in our neighborhood, those who attended the same school were closer and always had each other's backs, and that is how I met Princewill. We attended the same school, though my parents did not like our friendship since he was known to be rough, but we attended the same school, so breaking us apart was impossible. We go to school together and spend a lot of time together, but all of a sudden Princewill, who I know is not from a rich home, started spending like someone from a rich home; he started spending ten times more than usual.
Before the reckless spending started, we only bought snacks and ice cream during lunch break, but now he even buys toys and gifts other students money and some of the toys he buys. He became very famous in school overnight, as he had students flocking around him just so they could benefit from his reckless spending, and he did not disappoint them, as it was the same thing every day; it was more like the source was being refilled whenever he took out some money.
"Hey bro Princewill, what happened? Why the sudden change? Did your lunch money get increased, or did you win a lottery and never bothered to tell me about it?" I asked since I smelled a rat; something was definitely wrong.
"No, bro, but I was supposed to tell you, last week my uncle, who lives abroad, paid us a visit, and he left me some money for upkeep." Princewill responded as he patted me on the shoulder with a smile on his face.
"Even if your uncle leaves some money for your upkeep, I do not support you spending it like you are doing." I said with a straight face.
"The money is too much, bro; once it gets to a point, I will reduce how I am spending it." Princewill responded as he handed me a bundle of money. "Hold onto this one; tomorrow I will bring more for you so you know that it is much." Princewill added as he went back to the ice cream truck to purchase more ice cream for him and other students.
I was just sitting down under the mango tree where we always have lunch, wondering what was really going on, because some things really don't add up. If an uncle really visited them, I would have heard about it either before the uncle's arrival or after his arrival. I know Princewill to be talkative, so how was he able to keep this visit from an uncle from abroad a secret?
"I really do smell a rat; there is something fishy going on." I said to myself,
His reckless spending went on for about three weeks; he had everyone convinced that the money was from his uncle abroad, but I was not convinced at all, and all the money he gave me I kept in my box at home. I felt the need to share with my mom what was going on but kept it to myself.
In the fourth week of his spending spree, his mom showed up at school with tears rolling down her eyes. She was crying bitterly and lamenting about how Princewill had lavished all the money she kept for the business she planned to start. The principal did not waste time; all those who he spent the money on were asked to pay at least half of what was spent on them so as to help the innocent woman start her business, even if not the way she had it in mind. The parents of every other kid were invited to school except for mine because I returned the money in full, and since it was quite a lot, they did not see the need to call my parents to school, but Princewill's mother told them everything, and they were glad I was able to smell the rat and not spend the money given to me.
