She is not contented.

“Teaching self-discipline to children is a vital part of the parenting job description.”

Mike Weiford

Happy new month everyone. I hope this August brings good tidings for us and may we always have reasons to stay happy and contented. I just hope the electricity is restored as I need to stay active today. The light only came last on Saturday afternoon and since then till now, there is no light and my power banks are down. My phone's battery is 34% at the time of writing this article.

Let me see if I would find an alternative though but it won't be like seeing the electricity come.

Two weeks ago on Friday, I was at home very early in the morning when I wanted to go out with a friend. This little girl that wouldn't be over 10 years came, all dressed in her uniform and came to me and begged for money, saying she needed to buy an exercise book to write her test.

I was curious why a girl would come to our house to beg for such a thing. I wanted to ask her of her parents. Perhaps asking if she talked to them about it before or if their school didn't provide any books for them. I was in a hurry and I quickly gave her #200 (a little cent though) that would cover her book and still have some change to buy goodies for herself. She thanked me and left.

The following Monday, she came around. She knocked and I noticed it was this same girl. What is she doing here again? I asked. It took me a long while before I opened the door and the next thing was to ask for the toilet. I saw on her face that this was not what she wanted. I asked why the toilet, and she nodded her head in the negative.

When she wasn't saying anything, I told her the key toilet wasn't with me and that she should be going home straight or to school. I asked if her house wasn't far, and she said no. Why then would she think of coming to me? Perhaps she wanted another money because I gave her the first time she came but I sent her away.

On the third day was when I was preparing to travel and I had already gotten dressed but was busy doing something on my phone when I heard a knock. When I opened the door, it was this same girl. This time around, she wanted food and she asked if I cooked anything. I asked where was her house and why would she be coming here every morning.

I sent her away telling her I don't have any food and can't give her any money. She left my place and went to another room. I was surprised. Is this what she use to do at every house?

It was then I knew she had food in her flask because when she went to meet another lady, she asked what is in her flask. I wasn't even focusing on her flask to ask what was in there. She said the food her grandma gave to her wasn't enough.

A little girl saying that? I couldn't believe it when I was told. This little girl isn't contented and she might have been to different houses before ours to be begging at such an age.

Her parents wouldn't know what she is always doing every morning before going to school. Asking for money. What does she want to use the money for?

She wasn't happy her grandma gave her food to school. Not every child would see such an opportunity.

The girl might easily be lured once they know how much she wants money. They might rape or use her for money rituals, especially in this era in my country. People are looking for any opportunity to use others in exchange for money and once they get to know someone like her, that would be easy work for them.

Not only that, she might be a victim of teenage pregnancy and her life would be ruined through that.

There are children like her who aren't monitored by their parents but believes their children are in school doing better. Whereas, they are doing something else.

She can easily be deceived by her friends or mates and that is the end.

Parents need to watch over their children especially when they aren't under their watch. Always go to their school to see what they are doing. Don't depend solely on teachers to do the work.

This is why I would always appreciate my parents because they tried to bring us up in a good manner even though lack of money couldn't help them achieve their goals. Ever since we started kindergarten till we finish secondary school, my dad had never missed a day checking on us except on some days he had events to organize with his band.

Children can be so cunny and this is why parents need to be wiser than them to always keep watch, monitor, and observe what they do.

Thanks for reading

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[August 01, 2022] (No 213 articles for the year)