PARENTHOOD: A CALL TO RESPONSIBILITY
In the heart of Miami, the heavens wept all night and the cold atmosphere with its chill was enough to send anyone back to bed. For Smith, it was another day to go to school. He loathed Mr. Nelson’s Mathematics class and whenever Miss Kathryn enters the class he wished the heavens would fall and bring the class to an abrupt end. Biology and Mathematics classes were just so boring and uninspiring to Smith.
Smith Harrison, a young handsome precocious boy of thirteen years old was considered a geek and bookworm by many of his friends due to his brilliance and his pair of white-rimmed medicated glasses. He was from one of the most influential families in Florida. Smith was a fragile kid for his age who got the attention of his teachers through his intelligence and wits when it comes to Public Speaking. He was however bullied by many of his mates and seniors because of the jealousy and hatred they have against him.
They would sometimes steal his notes, strip him of his money and valuables. Amidst all these persecutions meted out against him, he would never retaliate neither did he say a word against his oppressors. He was such a gentle boy who never had the penchant for complaints or excuses for failure. His quiescent nature and gentle mien began to unsettle his bullies but they could not stop because they enjoyed what they were doing. At the end of every session, he established himself as an enviable Jewel during the Prize-giving ceremonies as he won awards like a hunter scooping honey after stumbling on a bee hive.
The joy of family
A different boy emanates from the personality of Smith at home, he was specially loved by his parents because he was the first born of the family. He was however a source of serious concern for his parents as he always behaved unruly at home and vented his anger on his siblings at any slightest chance. He would sometimes flog Janet and slap Jack times without number. He gave the family an impression that all was not well with him. His busy father and his industrious mother were always occupied with one official assignment or the other and the best way they understood love was to send their children to good schools, get good clothes for them and give them money when the need arises. Confusion exists in decoding how heartless and wicked Smith who causes chaos in the family of the Harrisons comes back home with brilliant grades at the end of the session. Loved by teachers in school but a source of hate at home. Such contrasting characters baffles the mind.
On this fateful day, Dr. Harry Harrison decided to find out what happens in the High School whenever Smith was away from home. At around closing time, Harry dressed in his three-piece suit alighted majestically from his tinted Black Cadillac, his steps were like that of a Prince who was about to wed the most beautiful lady in town. To his utmost surprise, he spotted his son at a corner beside the school laboratory being maltreated and beaten by bullies. He removed his dark shades and rushed towards the scene. Panting and sprinting like an Olympic sprinter, he rescued his son from Stanley and Joe. He handed the bullies over to the principal. He was however overwhelmed with tears as he realized how much he has neglected his son.
Harry begged for forgiveness and promised to be a concerned father who would give more attention and care to his children. He made it a personal responsibility and not that of the drivers to check on his children in school; pick them up from school and also give them surprise visits.
Smith soon became that good boy both in school and at home. He was envied by many for his intelligence and comportment which was rare for children of his age.
THE END
P.S.: “Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain.” – English philosopher, John Locke
A call to parenthood is a call to responsibility and most notably be toyed with if the next generation is expected to boom with greatness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Osho Samuel Adetunji is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Nigeria’s premier University, University of Ibadan. He is a poet, a blogger, a Public Speaker, an on air personality with a knack for short stories, inspirational articles and poems.
He co-founded THE COURTROOM in 2012. He is the founder of KREATIVE DIADEM, a new initiative which kicked off on March 1, 2015.He is an inspirational young man who is addicted to going an extra mile in all facets of life. He is also a lover of football, tennis and boxing. You can follow him on Twitter with the handle: @inisamosho.
Coming up on May 1 in University of Ibadan
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