8,000,000,025 people in the world and the question remains;
"What makes you special?"
Well, Hassan was determined to prove his worth in a world where only, the rich and famous proper.
Alarm rings.
Hassan: It's 3am and I'm yet to write my report on the recent robberies in the neighbourhood.
I'm exhausted.
(Mum comes in).
Mum: Hassan, you're still awake?!
You should be fast asleep by now, you know you have an interview at that bank tomorrow.
Hassan: Just a couple more minutes, Mum.
Mum: (Shots door in frustration).
End of dialogue.
Now, Hassan was a graduate, with a bachelor's degree in Accounting and yet, struggled to find a job. The country's aim was fully focus on uplifting people of already prominent position to even higher heights, regardless of their inefficiency in their position of authority. Hassan always had a goal in his mind - to change the state of his country.
How daring! Such an escapade was termed as "foolish" by his friends and others he told about his goal. After all, people have died in a bid to secure a good future that would last forever and yet the country was basking in utter pandemonium, to say the least.
It was quite unfair to Hassan, because he was a very talented lad.
Apart from the degree mentioned earlier, he was a skilled painter as he sold pieces of his artwork at a market Square and each day he sells over 50 copies.
That would be a contributing factor to his new found goal of wanting to 'change the state of his country'.
Now, it was about 6:00pm in the evening, and a knock on Hassan's door was heard. He opened his door to see his friends who were eager to see him for some reason.
Bola: Brother Hassan, tomorrow is the D-day. Hope you're ready?
Hassan: Bola, you want to kill me with tension.
Ahmed: We have to constantly remind you, so you'll leave this painting stuff and focus on what's important.
Hassan: And what is that if I May ask?
Ahmed and Bola: The job of course!!
Hassan: (rolled his eyes), you know I'm only doing this interview because all of you kept pressuring me to make "real money", I'm acting cool with painting and working towards my goal.
Ahmed: Don't start with that stupid goal again. Even Jesus Christ can't change the state of this country, so quit sticking your head in the mud.
Bola: I'm honestly tired of your nonchalant behaviour. The only reason I want you to get this job is so you'll be taking care of me.
(Hassan and Ahmed burst into a loud laugter).
End of dialogue.
After wining and dining with his friends, Hassan slowly watched the sunset close in on him as the "D-day" was expediting quickly into the present. He lay on hid bed and thought to himself; 'What do I really want to do?, Do I really think I could make a difference?'.
He rolled in frustration as he kept reminiscing on the several times his friends have told him to give up on what they called a "stupid goal".
He needed to cool off some steam for the big day ahead. He made his way to the kitchen, made a cup of coffee to drink. After that, he relaxed for a while without little wonder of what the next day holds.
He made some researcher about the company he was going for an interview, and this was what he did to eclipse his day.
The break of dawn, the ever familiar cock crow, and the horns and noise evolving from the streets. His heart pumped and ready for what he thought would be a walkover. He already resolved in his mind that he didn't really care about the job but was sure he'd get it.
He made his way to the company, and during the interview, the following conversation ensued;
Interviewer: Next!!
Hassan: Good morning, ma. I'm Akinlade Hassan and I'm here for the job.
Interviewer: (Looks at him in a condescending manner).
I see. Well, what makes you think you're the right person for the job?
Hassan: I'm a multi skilled person with a lot of experience working in this field self employed and also, I'm --
(Interviewer cuts him off).
Interviewer: So, you don't have an official experience?
How much did it take you to get to this building?
Imagine paying that for the next 6 months, I'm sure you haven't spent that much before.
Hassan: Excuse me! Did you just insult me?
Interviewer: Please sir, when you're stable enough and have "proper" experience and money to support yourself, you could always apply for another job.
Next!!!
End of dialogue.
And just, like, that. Just like that, Hassan got ousted from an interview for a reason he deemed as ludicrous.
Even if he wasn't invested in the job, he was determined to make his goal of 'changing the state of his country', a reality.
He got home, seething as expected, until he received a phone call from an anonymous number.
One of his paintings had gone viral! One of his friends had sent the painting to his sibling, who works as an attendant in a museum abroad, and the painting was stumbled on by a curator in the museum.
She loved it so much and decided to include it in the museum's "Artwork of the week".
It was bought for over $100,000 dollars and the money got paid directly into his account and Hassan let out a loud scream that made the birds to fly away from the roof of his building.
His mum rushed in and he related the whole thing to her. They were ecstatic, to say the least!
Hassan thought hard and deep about what to do with this money, whilst pondering on his goal too.
He eventually took the bold step of setting up a foundation for the gifted and named it;
"Harnessing true talents", where kids from different backgrounds and statuses were welcomed to show their skills.
He used this medium to accomplish his goal to some extent and he realised something and said;
'You can't change the world completely, but you can make it less miserable'.
Images were generated from Meta AI.
Thanks for reading!
