On Saturday, the 13th of April, I woke up early, left my wife and my children at home and rushed to my farmlands to plant the maize seeds. I was very excited. The excitement came from the rainfall that fell the previous night. Oh, I was happy 😋
We had been expecting the rain all along. It fell in insignificant bits and this was giving those of us who love family some sort of worries. We had the worries because we were already in the month of April and yet we couldn't start farming because of insufficient raja fall.
So, when the rain fell, the only happy thing for me to do was to go and plant my maize seeds. So I went and did a good job planting my maize seeds.
The maize seeds I had with me were from a friend who gave my wife some maize for food. There were plenty so I thought I was wise to keep some for planting. Looking at the seeds, they were very viable.
Now why the mixed feeling?
I had gotten done with planting my maize on Saturday happily and excitedly. On Sunday we were in church. The brother who gave us the maize is a member of our church. After the church service, we had a discussion together. Then I joyfully informed him that I had planted the maize he gave me.
Shocked and full of pity, my friend exclaimed: “That maize I gave you? You have to uproot them and plant another one!”
“Why?”, I asked. He then explained to me that the maize seeds in particular have been scientifically configured not to produce seeds when planted. He said they were special seeds but one can't plant except one buys from the company producing it.
Now, my joy of planting maize on Saturday has turned to sorrow for wasting energy and time to plant seedlings that will only grow but not produce seeds.
What a weekend of happiness and sorrow blended together.