Episode 8
REWARD OF Obedience
Two years later, Abe's class graduated from the school. They all had fantastic results and were rated the best class in the history of the school. The Principal was very happy because he was conVInced that with their results, none of themwould be denied admission into any
Nigerian University.
Abe and his friends had the most outstanding result. They won both the school's scholarship award courtesy of the Old Students Association and the Federal Government's scholarship award On the graduation day, the Principal could not hide his feelings when he announced that he was going to miss that class especially the four friends who were very close to him. But he confessed tobbe happy because some decent,
disciplined and responsible future leaders would soon emerge. He was also optimistic that his. dream would certainly come to pass in no distant time.
All parents of the graduating students were very happy. They all expressed their appreciation to the Principal for instilling discipline in the students. They pledged their further support for his programmes aimed at making the students become responsible and taking the school to an enviable height.
The news about the performance of the school’s graduands thrilled Aweda, Bamu's father. He was happy for the children and praised them for making the town and their families proud. However, he was sad because of his son‘s inability to complete his education as a result of his waywardness.
He expressed dissatisfaction over Bamu's wayward lifestyle to his wife and blamed her for corrupting the boy. But Aduke would not agree with her husband. Instead, she accused him of showing hatred to Bamu. The fact that Bamu was in money made her belieye that Bamu was wise by his decisions.
' After all, your boy whom you hate is very
rich and doing very well compared with his colleagues. You should be proud of him for the fact that each time he arrived in town, people gather round him to beg for money. I wonder what kind of a father you . e who would not be happy for his son's success. My adviceto you is that you ~ better turn a w leaf before it is too late.'
Aweda laughed and shook his head. He
wondered at his wife's reasoning and regretted the fact thatAduke had not changed. 'It is sad that you still live in a fool's paradise even at your age. That Bamu 1s rich today is not a mark of success. In fact, I am sorry for both of you I am sure that one day it will dawn on you both that there IS no shortcut to success. I pray that it will not be too late for you to change.
'Liar! You are lying. If you like, change and i f you like don't change, one day y0u will just die of hunger. Good for nothing husband.’
So as to avoid unnecessary trouble, Aweda
excused himself and went out.