Episode 1
SPARE THE ROD
'How dare you! Haven't I warned you against stealing? Whether you like it or not, I won’t take that from you. A good child must obey a simple instruction and must behave himself in a polite and responsible manner always. Therefore, return that handset to the owner or else you’ll be in serious trouble,‘ Aweda, Bamu’s father reacted angrily.
Again, Bamu was disappointed because not even the beauty of the handset he had stolen was good enough to tempt his father to change his principle. Similarly, Bamu wondered why his father so much hated him as he often rebuked him.
He was so troubled in his heart that he began to wonder whether Aweda was his true father.
Actually, Bamu never believed that he was
in any way wrong in any of his misdeeds because each time he caused trouble, no matter the gravity of the offence, Aduke, his mother would rather, fight to the last to defend her child. She would never accept that he was at fault. She believed that the best way to show love to a child was to pamper him.
Aduke and Bamu were very popular for their bad characters. Neighbours often pitied Aweda because he was considered unlucky to have got such a wife as Aduke and a child like Bamu. Aweda was known to be a simple, nice and honest man who commanded great respect in the society but unfortunately, his wife and child had continually dragged his name in the mud.
It was obvious that Aweda, Bamu's father was not a happy man. He was unhappy about his wife‘s unholy support of Bamu‘s bad deeds which had indeed corrupted him, thus making him a spoiit chiid.
No doubt, Bamu had become a source of sorrow to Aweda instead of joy. Every effort he had made to make him change his ways for the better had aiways proved abortive because of his wife‘s SUpport for the child‘s misdemeanor.
Nobody wanted to associate with Bamu any longer because of his evil ways.
Meanwhile, in her usual way, while was rebuking Bamu about the handset he stole, Aduke was in her room listening. As soon as Aweda lclt Bantu believing that he would return the handset. Aduke signalled to Bamu come into her room.
At that juncture, Bamu was relieved because he was sure of his mother‘s support. So, he rushed in to her. .
'Welcome my boy, i heard all that your father said. Don't mind him and don’t allow that to bother you at all. I’m going to handle the situation. So, relax and enjoy yourself.
‘Always remember that whatever you do. I’m always on your side and nobody will touch you or else i will give them more trouble than they ever expected. After all, you're my only child and I know the hell I went throngh before I gave birth to you. So. put your mind at rest, ‘okay,’ Aduke assured.
'Yes Mummy. I’m happy because you truly love me. I don’t know why my father hates me so much. After all, I’m his only child. At times, I wonder if he truly is my father', Bamu said.
Yes,he is your true father but you can’t blame him because he is an old-school type of
person. Just leave him alone. I can always handle him.‘
'Now let me have a look at the handset your father was talking about.‘ Aduke requested. Bamu brought it out and handed it over to his mother. Aduke loved it and reacted. 'This is beautiful! Honestly, you’re not returning this. In fact, I will be the one to be using it.’ Aduke said.
'But what about my father, won't he be angry with you?’ Bamu asked.
'Yes, my son, but I know how I’ll handle him. Meanwhile, whenever he asked you about the handset, you just tell him that you have returned it to the owner.’
Bamu was very happy. ‘Yes. you‘re my mother. How I wish my father would understand what he has been missing by not supporting me' Bamu said.
Moments later, Bamu left his mother and
went out.
image source:google