Carrying what does not belong to you unknowingly can cause serious problem to humanity. I'm the type who always observe critically before taking what I was supposed to take. Things have happened to me, but now I never allow myself to those things but rather allow those things out of my life.
It all happened in my place of work. I'm employed as a new staff to teach physics. Teaching in that subject has not been am easy job, but being new to the system is something that kept me struggling. Every so often, my principal calls my attention to some things that do not worth it. I'm new and do not have experience in the system, so I decided to tell my principal about my situation, which he agreed to.
This was just as a result of struggling to finish up the scheme of work before me. I had tried harder and this time I broke down totally. Even those in my landing knew my situation and were feeling deeply for me. After too much trial to finish up my scheme, I still did not finish up. I was called to question by the head of school. I told her the reasons behind not finishing the scheme of work which she understood.
When it was holiday week, the school normally organize a little party for the students, and also they do buy gifts for teachers. At least it was during the festive period. The head of school ordered for bags of rice and different food stuffs. She also ordered for cartons of Noodles. When I saw this, I was smiling seriously that I will take noodled home for my kids.
I asked my colleagues about the way they always share things which they somehow explained. I also asked them if they do add the noodles to the package, but this time they said the school does not add the noodles to the package. I was still doubting as the cartons of Noodles were just too much and after counting, it would serve all the teachers if shared per carton.
They were done sharing and the party was over. The head of school called everyone to come for the package. They all went, leaving me behind as I was somehow unwell. I observed my body, but then I knew I can still stand up to pick up my package. When others had picked theirs, I stood up and walked straight to the position where the packages were kept. I saw two different packages left in the sharing ground, but no one was there to direct me on where to pick mine. I just took mine and left. Others had gone, and I didn't have to wait too long as I had to go home to settle down.
ELEVATE
Getting home, I opened the package and saw a quarter bag of rice, a dozen of noodles sachets, two packets of Maggi cube, 2 kg of semolina and other things inside. I was happy that I was at least given the noodles and enough packages. I never bothered to ask my colleagues what they had in there's.
The following week, those teaching the Year 12 students were to report to the school take them lessons. I was not ready to go, but somehow was a must to go to the school. I left even though I had it in mind to reach my principal. Getting to the school, words started lingering in my hearings about a package that someone carried. They did not place it as carrying, but stealing. I knew no one would never have tried that and not even the teachers I'm working with. I asked my colleagues what was in their package. They mentioned those items in their packages which appeared to be the same and were a way far different from what I carried. I was shocked and deep in me, one thing was telling me to keep mute, but another was asking me to open up, at least it was a mix-up. I never knew those packages were made for the high-ranking staff.
Just to avoid being embarrassed, I went straight to the principal and opened up to him that I was the one who carried the package. I notified him that I thought it was meant for me, and the sack used to bag those items looked unique and there was no how one would not take from anyone. I deeply knew it was a mix-up, but then my principal understood quite well, but was still doubting if others would see it the same way he saw it to be.
I never gave up on the fact that everyone would understand that fact. The head of the school called an emergency meeting. The very first word he spoke was being sincere to ourselves. She began to talk deeply about what had happened to the package that was carried. Before she finished talking, I raised my hands. Everyone was surprised to see my hands up. She was still talking, but I had to make sure I made her to see me properly. She asked me if I had something to say. I stood up and told everyone that I was the one who mistakenly took the package thinking it was meant for every other staff. I told them it was just a mixed up which everyone agreed to. I also shared with them that no one was there to direct me on where to carry my package from. The head of school and others applauded my sincerity. She said she quite understood what I just said. “Some people would have just kept quiet without saying a word”, she said keenly.
“Next time you guys should know how to keep things so as not to mix up things that were meant to be for some set of people for others”, she added. I was exited that it ended that way.
