Chapter 2 If you are filled with pride, then you will have no room for wisdom

About 9pm, everyone was already asleep. The trees rested, the birds were exhausted, the moon brightened everywhere, and the breeze blew, and spread coolness to the whole place. Mallam Balarabe was seated on a long bench with Al-warith, they were at the compound that was as big as a football stadium.

"32yrs ago", mallam Balarabe began. "Your mother saw the first light of the world, I was very happy for having a child; I danced, rocked like a reggae artist. I thanked Almighty Allah for giving me the precious gift. Unfortunately, an hour later, your grandmother gave up a ghost, my joy turned to sorrow, I lost the woman of my life, but I had no choice, only Allah knows best. It took me months to get over her death. I was optimistic because I had my daughter.

I worked so hard just to satisfy my daughter's needs. Sometimes I carried her on my back to work. People do laugh at me, but I never care. Hmm! I could remember the day I lost my job, at that time, your mother was very sick, she was 5yrs old then, she had a heart disease. I cried a lot, I howled and tangled, it was a very sad period. Tirelessly, I ran from household to household and office appliances to seek for help, but no one helped. I was so helpless; I didn't even know what to do next. I went to the hospital to check on my daughter but her condition got worst. The doctor told me to bring the sum of 2.5 million naira in 72 hours if I still cherish my daughter's life.

This prompted me to go out there to hustle. People who say 'loneliness is a disease' were right. I was so lonely and helpless, anxiety was all over me. I went from place to place, I helped people to carry their bags and doing odd jobs, I worked day and night.

It was just a day left, and all the money with me was not up to the quarter of the money needed. I was in tears; I rushed out to see if I would get some help. As I was running from street to street, a beautiful woman called for my assistance and I helped carry her luggage. We got to her house, and she told me to wait outside; she went in and never came out. I was carried away by the beauty of the house. I checked the time in my old leather wrist watch, it was then I realized that I had spent 30 minutes outside. I was so worried; I dropped the luggage and went inside. It amazed me that as big as the house was, no one answered my knock. I rushed outside to check on the luggage, I was confused. Suspiciously, something in me whispered and pushed me to open the luggage which I did. As I opened the first luggage, I saw pieces of papers, I opened the second luggage, I saw wears and a letter, but when I opened the last luggage, I couldn't believe what I saw, I saw huge amount of money that I had never seen all my life. Moreover, I decided to open the letter to see if I would find some vital information. The letter read:

My dear husband

The money in the big luggage is yours; it's only 10 million naira. Pay the hospital bill of our daughter and use the rest for your welfare. The papers you saw in the smallest bag are not mere papers, they are envelopes that contains gold and diamonds, sell them and start a business. Don't be scared and please use the money wisely. I'll always be with you.

Your wife

After Al-warith had listened to the content of the letter, he was so emotional. "So how did you use the money?" he gently asked. Hmm! I quickly rushed to the hospital; I paid the medical bill of my daughter. The operation was successful, I was so elated to see my daughter on her feet again and fortunately, a week later, she was discharged.

I sold off the gold and diamond; I opened a textile industry and employed people in Gidan-lafia, our neighbouring town. I bought a new house also in Gidan-lafia, large hectares of land for farming here in our community and invested in some other businesses. I earned a lot from my textile industry. Your mother attended the best school, hmm! It was then I believed that life is beautiful. Money is vital. With money, you can buy anything you like, visit different places you love, and marry as many wives as you want (Mallam Balarabe and Al-warith laughed loudly). Conversely, money can be evil, It can tempt you to do bad things in life, just know that Gods' time is the best. It was a good feeling to see my daughter happy; it was an unbelievable transition in our lives. Some months later, I didn't believe that gossipers were still alive; they went around spreading propaganda that I did money rituals. It hurt me so much; it even hurt me most when my daughter came home in tears, because they called her names too. "Didn't they know that no condition is permanent, that the only constant thing in life is change", Al-warith expressed. I wondered also son. They failed to believe that with a little seed of imagination you can grow a field full of hope. Anyways, I attempted to sell all my properties.

At night, the words of almighty Allah rolled all over my mind that call upon me and I shall answer you. I made sure my daughter was asleep, I performed my ablution and made a dua (prayer). In the process of supplication, I dozed off. I saw a garden with beautiful trees and ripe fruits. Everywhere was so white and fine. I heard a voice, the voice called my name, my name was mentioned thrice and I was told to fast and prayed for three days and I shall see the miracles of Allah. I hastily woke up with sweat all over me. I gave thanks to almighty Allah and returned to bed.

Three days later, as I left home for work, hmm! Many people began to chant my name "sai Balarabe maikudi, sai Balarabe." Almighty Allah is indeed the greatest, I went to work with joy and my staffs were happy to see me.

Some years later, your mother graduated from the university. She was very happy and I was too. Not quite long she took over my business; she handled the business with passion.

Few months later, a slim, tall man came to ask her hand in marriage. He spoke with civility which made me like him. He was a rich and very hard-working business man though, he had three wives already.

On the 2nd of June 1995, they got married. High notable entities graced the wedding. Your mother was such a good dancer; we all danced and celebrated till sunset. That innocent man who married your mother was your father; you look so much like him.

They lived happily, their business grew steadily, and their love blossomed. But the only problem she encountered was from the other wives. She complained about them to me severally but patience was the only solution.

"But grandpa she should have reported them to my father", Al-warith said.

"Hmmm she did son, but your father told her the same too. You see son, tolerance and patience are the keys to a successful home. When you were born, your father was very happy because you are a male child". "oooh grandpa, does that mean I'm his first child?" Al-warith asked.

"No son, your father had nine children before you, but they were all girls. Your father was very happy because he found an heir and the one who will hold on to his name".

Tears dropped to his cheeks like a tap water, his eyes were as red as a burning fire, his voice drifted and weak as he stammered.

"On the 14th November 1996, mallam Balarabe continued, your parents were shot by an unknown person. You managed to escape, your mother's maid saved your life that night, and she brought you to me." Al-warith was in tears after he heard the death of his parents.

"How could human beings be so wicked grandpa?"

"This is life son, be careful in anything you do, and never trust anyone", Mallam Balarabe said.

"Grandpa, I have strong feelings that one of his wives or even all are responsible for their death" Al-warith uttered.

"Don't be quick in judgment son; I surely know that one day, the truth will reign."

After Mallam Balarabe narrated the whole story to Al-warith, they consoled each other and went to bed.

The next day, it was a bright morning in Gidan-kowa. Al-warith woke up fit and set for school.

"Grandpa, I'm prepared for school."

"Okay son, take care of you and May Almighty Allah protect you."

"Ameen grandpa", Al-warith responded.

Mallam Balarabe was thus anxious about his grandson, he moved in to his bedroom, laid on his bed and was lost in thought.

"Hmm! he is really growing fast and smarter. Now that he knows the whole story, I think we need a change of environment. Or, why do we have to leave? I think I have to seek the opinion of the wakilai (elders) regarding this matter, I shall send for them by noon, today is Wednesday, Al-warith do stay for extra lessons."

At exactly 1pm, the wakilai (elders) were already present. Mallam Balarabe offered them some drinks and kolanut.

"Why the urgent call?" Saidu, one of the elders asked.

"Hmm! Nagaisheku (I greet you all) my noble elders, thanks for responding to my call, may Almighty Allah bless you abundantly."

"Ameen", the elders responded.

"I told my grandson everything about his birth and parents last night, and I'm not comfortable", Mallam Balarabe stated.

"Not comfortable, maikake nifi? (What do you mean?) He is your grandchild or is he hearing some stories out there?" Yusuf, one of the elders asked.

"Not at all, I'm only scared, I'm scared that he might harm himself or someone."

At that time, the elders were confused; they looked at each other concurrently and began to laugh. .

"Hmm! Remember our people do say, a young man who has learn how to climb a tree, will always have a strong heart that can never be broken by any circumstances. Al-warith is a smart and intelligent boy, he can't do such thing." Musa, one of the elders said.

"Yes he's smart and intelligent, but also bear in mind that a child will always behave like a child. Any time I look into his eyes, I see vengeance", Mallam Balarabe stated as he adjusted himself on the seat while the elders were all silent for a while.

"This is serious, so what is your plan?" Shehu, One of the elders asked.

"I need a change of environment; maybe he will forget the past and move on."

"Hmm! okay we've heard you, but our people still say that if you consider a matter properly, you see its solution." Hakane (exactly) as the elders supported the statement.

"We understand how you feel but exercise a little patience", Yahaya, one of the elders uttered.

"That's what I want to do my noble elders, please allow me." Mallam Balarabe revealed.

"Alright, but you have to tell us where you are relocating to", Musa said.

"Honestly, I don't know yet, but you will all be the first to know", Mallam Balarabe assured them. They all had fun till they left for their various homes.