Jemmy's Pen

Part Three. Link to One and Two will be in the comment section.

The Queen felt bad and she didn't know what to do. She knew that very soon, the King could know about her affairs.

Meanwhile, the lost hair pin was picked by an Owl. He knew it was a treasure and he kept it safe. He has been watching the Queen every night with her lover. He thought about what to do to make the Queen confess her sins.

He decided to stay calm for sometime. He needed to see what the Queen could do next.

The next morning, the Queen told the guards to punish all the palace maids and guards until they confess.

Everyone kneeled down and was begging for their lives just then, the owl landed on the Queen's chambers and it was crying.

It was unusual for an owl to show up at midday so the King quickly summoned the chief priest.

When he arrived, he told the King that there was serious trouble in the land and especially the palace.

"Yes, there is. The Queen's hair pin was swapped and…." The king was trying to explain before he was cut short.

"No! The problem in the palace right now is much more than just the missing treasure". The chief priest said.

"The Owl will not leave…. the gods. They haven't said anything else. When they do, I'll find my way to the palace without you summoning me, Your highness". He concluded as he stood to take his leave.

The King was worried and he summoned all his chiefs to tell them what the gods said. Everyone was worried and the news began to spread.

When Sario heard, he was worried too but on the other side, he was happy. He thought that he was going to get to be with his child and lover.

The King summoned the Queen and he asked her if she understood what the chief priest meant but she denied.

He asked her if she knew why the owl was always crying at her roof alone but she still denied.

The security at her chambers were tightened and there was no way she could go see Sario so she sent someone to get him for her.

When he arrived at the palace, she decided to ask him what they should do but Sario said that he was not worried.

"I am ready to die to be with you. Anything that happens won't bother me. All I want is to be with you and our child". He said.

She tried begging him but his mind was made up. They talked and talked but little did they know that a maid was eavesdropping the conversation.

To be continued….

©️Jemilat Buhari Umoru.

Part Two. Link to part one will be in the comment section.

She has been living in the palace with another man's child and nobody even suspended it even till she was crowned the Queen of the land.

One night when she sneaked out to see her secret lovet, she accidentally dropped her hair pin. She didn't even notice it even when she reached the palace.

When it was time for her to take her bath, her maid noticed that the pin was missing and she drew her attention to it. She thought she left it somewhere in her chambers and she asked for an exclusive search.

Her maids searched the whole chambers but it was nowhere to be found. She was afraid because the pin was passed down from the very first Queen. It was one of a kind. It's only the Queen of the land that wears such.

She needed to be sure that the pin was found before she meet with the King. She decided to tell her secret lover and they searched the bush together. They didn't find it.

Sario promised to get her something similar and he traveled a far distance to get one for her. He traveled for days across the land and water before he got something that looks like the Queen's hair pin.

The Queen was thankful and he told his maid that she saw the pin inside her bag. Everyone believed her.

The next day, she went to meet the King at his chambers and he saw that the pin was a different one. He asked her but she denied it.

"Who dares tempered with your hair pin"? He yelled. Mabito couldn't deny it. She couldn't say anything either.

"The Queen's hair pin that has been passed down from generation to generation has a red flower on it, not this color that's darker than red". He explained.

"I saw that pin in my mother's hair for years before she passed it down to you. I can recognize it anywhere and anytime. That is the only pin the Queen of our land is expected to wear. Where did you drop yours and how did you get this one"? He yelled at Queen Mabito.

The King was so furious and he sent for Mabito's father immediately. He arrived at the palace that night and the King explained what was going on.

"I am giving your daughter three days to explain where she dropped her pin and how it managed to be swapped or she'll face my wrath".

Mabito's father went straight to her daughter's chambers and his daughter told him that it must have been swapped in the palace by someone who wanted to put her into trouble.

The next day, Mabito's father told the King and the king was angry. He summoned all the maids and guards and asked them who did such a thing.

Everyone denied the accusations laid on them and nobody was bold enough to tell the King that the Queen was looking for her hair pin a few days ago.

To be continued…..

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.

Photo Credit: Google.

The Wise Owl and the Lost Treasure. Part 1.

Queen Mabito, the Queen of Sayii Kingdom has been seeing her ex lover secretly in the forest.

Every evening or every night, she could meet with her ex lover, Sario and they could walk to a spot in the forest where they made love or just talk.

Every evening, the Queen of Sayii Kingdom spends about 30 minutes or more time with Sario, her ex lover.

Nobody in the palace has ever suspected the Queen and nobody in the land has ever suspected Sario, the village hunter.

You might be wondering how they ended up in such entanglement. An affair between the Queen of the land and a village hunter.

Sario was Mabito's lover before she became the Queen of the land. She was not forced to get married to the then crown prince a few years ago. Nobody forced her.

She tried everything within her powers to be queen and she got to the throne. She got what she wanted.

On her way back from the farm one evening, she saw the crown prince taking a stroll with his men and she fell in love with him at first sight and she decided to be his wife by all means.

As at that time, her lover was nowhere to be found. She had waited for him for just three months and she concluded that he had been eaten by wild animals while hunting and she decided to go after the Prince.

First, she applied for a position as a maid in the palace and she was picked. As a beautiful woman, she made her way to the Prince and he became fond and attracted to her too and that was how she got married to him after a few weeks.

A few more weeks later, her lover came back to the village and he was heartbroken that his beloved woman was now married to the Prince of the land.

He wanted to fight for his love but then, he had no powers to fight. He knew that leaving his lover for a long time was not ideal.

Mabito told him that she was sorry for her actions and she still had feelings for him. They decided to settle to seeing each other every night because she had already been married to another man.

After 15 months of being the crown princess, Mabito gave birth to a son but the child was not for the Prince. She knew that the child belonged to Sario and she even told him.

To be continued…..

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.

Photo Credit; Google.

I've learnt so much from the person I am staying with right now.

My course mate was like; 'How old woman like you go dey stay with person? You don grow pass who dey stay with person naw. Haba!'

My course mate is right though. I am staying with my madam and I don't have that chance to receive guests or go out the way I like. E no really touch me sha o because I no first dey recieve any guests.😩

I have to be home before 6pm everyday and I have to take permission before going to some places, even school.😂

Mind you, I have my apartment. Like, a nice place for a student to stay but I dey my madam place for so many reasons.

Yes, it's not easy staying with someone but sometimes it's worth it. Everyone has flaws, na you go just know how to manage people.

Back to the lessons I've learnt so far; these are the four things she's always emphasizing on.

Eat well.
Don't be stingy for yourself.
Live your life because na one you get.
You don't know everything.

Let's sum up everything, my madam dey spend o. Lol. She's doing so well for herself. She buys the best.

She'll be like; 'even if the fish na 3,000 for one, abeg buy am. No go market go dey buy fish wey I no like. People wey dey chop am get two heads'?

When she wants to eat? She eats like there's no tomorrow. Person dey drink tea like five times for morning.😩😂

I agree with her though. Some of us don't spend on ourselves and trust me, if you diè today, next of kin go lavish that your money.

Some of you keep saving, you don't even take care of yourself. Don't tell me you don't have money o. You do! No be you poor pass.

You are a businessman but you don't even rock your products.

My madam owns a warehouse where she sells drinks and water. She no dey drinks sachet water o, na plastic, her products.

If you enter her room, everywhere is filled with drinks of all sorts.

'If na 10k come remain as gain for the month, no wahala but make I enjoy first o. Person no know when she dey dîè'.

Whenever she says these things, I'll just be smiling.

Omo. Life na one o. Eat the best food, wear what you sell, rock it, be your biggest customer.

I hope we don't work so hard for our next of kin to lavish when we are no more.

I am rooting for you big time and I love you so much. Fîghting.

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.

PS; My 100 day streak on Duolingo. My Korean classes are going well. Soon to be a Pro. Amen.🙏🥰

If you view my status on WhatsApp, once in a while you'll always see me bègging people to send their parents appreciation and encouragement messages and sometimes, airtime.

Anytime I make such a post, I am always happy that some couple of people do engage…. They do send the message then drop screenshots in my DM.

The reason why I am doing this is because our parents deserve to be loved and appreciated now that they are alive.

You won't understand who a parent is until you lose one. My Mom said she lost the biggest part of her the day she lost her Mother.🥺

Last night our neighbor kickèd the bucket and you need to see how her son has been crying. I feel very bad for the poor boy.

I had to put myself in his shoes. If I lost my Mom or Daddy, it would be difficult for me. I love my Daddy so much.🥺 Nobody can ever take the place of your parents.

Life sha! The thing is, that day will still come someday and we don't even know when. The day when you'll receive a call that a parent is gone. Sad! 💔

So.....why not love and cherish your parents now that they are still alive and in good health?

Send that 100 naira airtime. Stop waiting until it is 1,000 naira. You might wait till forever.

Send them text messages even if it's once a month. Tell them you love them and please, continue showing it in little ways until you make it big.

Good parents would always acknowledge your efforts be it small or big.

My Dad would always call to say THANK YOU anytime he receives airtime or text messages from me.

I am rooting for you big time and I know you can do this and even more.

May we live long. May our parents live long to eat the fruits of their labors. Amen.

Fightîng. 💪🥰💯

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.

One good turn deserves another.📌

Good morning, Sweets.😁🥰

When you think of anyone, please pray for them.

Good morning, Besties.❤️

In all you do, put God first.🙏

Good morning, Besties.❤️

Prayers can't cancel ignorànce.

Good morning, y'all.❤️

Lessons I Wish I Learned Before I Left University.

Get Your Volunteer and Internship Game On: They're Not Just for Experience, They're Resume Boosters!

Job Hunting Starts at least one year before Graduation: Don't Wait Till the Last Minute!

Request for Information Interview: It's Like Sneak-Peeking into Your Dream Job.

It's Not All About the Big Bucks: Growth and Benefits Can Be Worth More Than a Fat Salary.

You have the power to choose the Company You Love, Don't Wait for Them to Choose You.

Networking Isn't Just for Extroverts: Make Connections, Build Relationships, and Unlock Opportunities.

Embrace Failure and Learn from It: It's Not the End of the World, It's a Stepping Stone to Success.

Find Your Passion and Pursue It: Don't Settle for a Career That Doesn't Excite You.

Balance Is Key: Don't Forget to Have Fun, Take Care of Yourself, and Enjoy the Journey.

Never Stop Learning: The Real World Is a Classroom, and Growth Never Stops After Graduation.

©️ Cynthia Ogochukwu.

I honestly don't like a man that talks too much. Everything you see, you open your mouth and talk.

A man that can't close his mouth for 10 minutes without talking. A man who can't ignore some things.

I am not talking about a man discussing personal issues with his wife, boss, children or friends. I am talking about a man that just talks like a foól.

In the cab with strangers, he opens his mouth and talks. At the market, talk. Everywhere, chu chu chu.

A man that says everything he sees. Such men gossip. A man that talks anyhow doesn't respect a woman.

If he sees a fat woman, he'll talk; 'This one fat o, see back side'. If he sees a woman with a big front side, he will talk. A man that can't look at a woman once then removes his eyes.

Such men would tell their friends how many women they have laid with. They would even go ahead to describe the lady's body.

"If you see that girl eh, as I raise her leg up eh, guy if you see goods. Goods wey dey well o. We knack 40 times without a condom that night. Guy, the girl too go sabi o".

"That girl na something else o. No toast am, I don sleep with am 10 times. She be like wetin go get infèction and thank God say I use condom".

"My wife dey smell na why I dey carry side chicks. The woman don fade". Etc.

They can say anything. They don't have a single respect for women.

If you ever find such a man and he said he loves you, FLEW because he has already discussed how he would pin you on the bed with his friends.

He has already bragged about you to his friends and anybody who cares to listen. Sometimes, he even places a bet on your head.

When most guys suddenly start chasing and stalking you, they have placed a bet on your head with their friends. Especially if you didn't agree to be in a relationship with any one of his friends.

'Wetin you wan set, if I fit collect her number and she agrees for me, you go gimme the thing….'

You'll think he is so much into you because he will literally follow you everywhere until he gets you, uses you and dumps you.

Such men are the worst. After the whole thing, when you pass, he and his friends would be laughing at you. Sighs.

May we not fall into such baits.

So, Sis before you say YES, confirm and reconfirm o.

A man is not supposed to say everything he sees. So, FLEW from such men.

The brèakfast dey always hót.

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.

Between me and Bango, one of my eating spoons this morning.

Bango: Aunty Riri, do you know I like you?

Me: (Swallow the meat I was chewing) Oh, really? Thank you but why?

Bango: You eat so well and you don't stress all of us at all.

Me: (Surprised and curious) Ahh! Really? What do you mean by that?

Bango: A lot of folks out there don't know how to eat. They don't know how to put food inside their mouths. They keep dragging us, like making us crash with their teeth. Teeth sef don tire. (Frowns).

Me: Oh, that? Thank you. (Smiles at Bango and he smiles back too. Continues eating).

I totally understand what Bango was talking about. Some of y'all don't know how to eat. You don't even know how to chew.

You don't take care of your utensils. Don't you know they can feel? They've got sense organs too.🌝

Treat them with care. When you want to put food in your mouth, don't allow the spoon to jam on the teeth as if the spoon and teeth were having issues before.

Take food in slowly. Open your mouth a little bit and bring out that soft towel inside the month called the tongue.

The tongue is responsible for welcoming the things you bring into the mouth with the help of a spoon and even a cup.

Stop making all those sounds while eating, it's sad for the spoon you are using at that time.

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.

I made my first million today.🥰💃

I was coming back from school very tirèd this afternoon. The sun was so hôt, one could think it was fàlling from heaven down to earth.

I was walking home with my earpieces on, playing one of my favorite songs by Alpha Blondy; God is one.

Just then, I heard a horn from a car and when I turned to look at it, I saw a very beautiful Mercedes Benz driving in my direction. I was not on his way.

Looks like he wanted to ask me for directions so I decided to stop and see who the person was and what he wanted.

"Hello, beautiful. Why are you walking under this hot sun"? The young dude asked. He wore plenty of beads around his neck and one could say he is from a royal family.

He engaged me on a little talk and I was just smiling. After talking for about 5 minutes, he asked for my account details. 'Fine girls are not supposed to trek under the sun". He said and I was blushing like a he-goat climbing a she-goat.

I was so happy. I called my bank details for him and he transferred the sum of One Million Naira to me. I was so surprised. So, good people like this still exist? Wow.

He showed me the debit alert and we were waiting for me to receive the money in my own account when my mom woke me up from sleep with a broóm.

"Pissy, p**sy for house. As old as you are, you still dey wewe for bed. Common carry that bed go outside before I brèæk your hèàd. Old woman like you still dey p**s for house for afternoon sleep. Shame! Your mates are married".

My Mom didn't stop the însults. I am not too old naw. I am just 19 years o. Or am I too old to just wet the bed? I just get big body naw. I was not even bothered. I was just àngry at her about the money.

So it was all a dream? Mtchewww.😩💔

I was pàinèd!

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.

Get a new tooth brush today.

One tooth brush is meant for 3 months only.🥰

11 things I observed in Idah, Kogi State, Nigeria.

This isn't my first time visiting Kogi State but it was my first time visiting Idah, Kogi State. So, here.🤗

📌 Almost all the women out there can ride a bike. If you come outside the main road, in the space of two minutes, about 50 bikes would pass and at least 40% would be driven by a woman.

It was so pleasing to watch and it made me want to learn how to ride a back as soon as possible.

📌 Student's lodges are less expensive over there but the bathroom and kitchen is just too small. It could take only one person. What if Merlin comes around and we want to bathe together?

I love big bathrooms and kitchen spaces, please. The one in my school is two times bigger but I still take plates and clothes outside to wash.😩 I get wahala o.

📌 Most students are Muslims because they are always seen putting on hijab. I was convinced that 90% of the students are from Kogi State or maybe they just adapt to the environment. Just saying sha.

I loved the decent dressing over there. Unlike Auchi, students cover their body completely over there.

📌 I visited the college there and guy, I won't go there for 1 billion o. Just kidding. Gimme 2,000 naira only and I'll relocate there in a twinkle of an eye. Hehe.

The thing is that they are so few and they wear uniforms.😭🤣 I told my friend, if I was to be there, I'll know the names of everyone in my department including the ones from other departments. I was literally counting students.😃

📌 People over there are just too friendly. Just a day, I got 5 friends and 2 crushes.😩 I can't cheat on Merlin please. One even offered me Malt and biscuits . One day, dem go use food take carry me go.😂

📌 That side of Kogi State is beautiful. The roads are okay and it is clean too.

📌 Dem no dey put bulb wires for fence o. What I mean is that, they don't protect their fence. The fence over there is not as tall as myself. I can jump in and out of the student's lodge. Why you come put the fence if not for security purposes?

One night eh, I heard people jumping in and out of the Lodge. I was afraid.😩

📌 I didn't see plenty of hotels and eateries like Auchi. I saw only one hotel and it was still under construction. They don't do night businesses here I concluded.

📌 There is no LIGHT o. They didn't bring light in the first 72 hours I spent there. I work online. I cried for help.

My power bank went off and my two phones. I had to go charge my devices for a fee. 100 naira for my small phone, 150 for my browsing phone and 200 naira for my power bank. Ahh! 😃

📌 You can bring in another person to stay with you after settling the landlord. It's the same thing in UniZik.

Unlike Auchi, if you are two people or more staying in a room, there will be an additional fee.

If your visitor would be staying for more than 3 months, the landlord would ask you to pay for the person too.

📌 The people over there g*t respect o. Ahh! Someone would greet you 50 times in one day. "Good morning our visitor", "Good afternoon, fine girl", ''Good evening, Ma'', ''Good day''. Ah! Ahh! Una no dey tire?

I come dey reason say I dey Yoruba land. It was so cool. Unlike Auchi, na pass me, I pass you. Who wan address him classmate with SISTER or AUNTY or BROTHER?

In addition to the above. Idah people are so good, they are friendly and I enjoyed my stay. The pictures I took are evidence.🥰

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.

Two of my course mates launched their brand today and they both threw a party.

It was not supposed to be on the same day but it just happened and it wasn't changed because one will be in the afternoon and the other in the night.

The time for the first party was said to be 1 o'clock pm and it will end around 6 o'clock pm and then we'll move to another person's party. The whole department was invited.

The invitations were sent out last month and so, everyone is expected to arrive on time, isn't it?

At 12pm I called the celebrant and told her to please describe the place to the cab that was going to take me there and she was surprised.

"Ahh! Buhari, 1pm never reach o. Na 1pm I talk for the flier naw", she said to me on the phone.

I told her not to worry. I don't do African time, Biko. She explained the venue to the cab man and he said NO to the price.

No wahala. Few minutes later, I found another one and I didn't call her. I was able to describe it to him myself. We agreed on 1,000 naira and he started the ride.

I got there at 12:30pm and they were still arranging chairs. What!? Seriously? Na so una dey do for this Nigeria. Nigerians and African time. Tueeeh.😩 E pàin me ooo.

I didn't say anything, I got a chair and sat down. I dey wait. 🌝

Just then the manager walked in and greeted me. I was just smiling from ear to ear because he was singing praises to me for how punctual I was.

He went to the freezer and got me a can of Malt. I smiled. "A little prize for being punctual", he said as he handed it over to me.

At 1pm, they were still arranging and fixing things at the venue. Deep down, I was disappointed. Nigerians!!!💔

On my brand launching party or any grand celebration I'll be doing, 1pm will be 1pm. I don't do African time and I'll be very lucky if my man will be like me because I was trained like this by my family.

From my grandparents down to my mom. Event dey start by 1pm, we'll leave home by 12pm. Anything fit happen for road, you fit forget something and decide to come back to home pick it. You'll have at least an hour.

Meanwhile, I dey the second party.🥵🥰

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.

I have a big scàr on my right lap and anytime I flash back to what happened there, I feel very sàd.🥺

It happened so many years ago when I was just 7 years old and in primary 2. It's been a long time but I still remember everything like it happened yesterday.

I was preparing noodles and my younger brother was very hungry. He asked me to give him some raw ones but I refused so it doesn't reduce in quantity.

I believed that if I should give him some, both of us might end up eating everything raw and not preparing any.

He started crying and struggling with me while I was trying to put the noodles into the pot of hot water. I didn't mind.

He continued dragging it and that was how the pot fell off the stove and the hôt water poured on my laps, giving me a very big scàr that's still there till today.

When the hot water reached my skin I crièd out loud but there was no one to help. It was just me and my brother at home.

I couldn't move for some time and it looked like the hot water touched my brother because he was crying too.

I stood there, watching my lap turn to something else. It hurts to see your beautiful body and skin change. I was helpless, I couldn't help myself too.

We didn't eat the noodles again. My brother and I crièd ourselves to sleep on the spot. When my Mom returned she was sorry and she took me to the hospital.

"If you had given him even a little, we wouldn't have been going to the hospital today". My mom said on her way to the hospital. I didn't say anything, I was just cryîng. I was hûrt.💔

She also blamed herself for leaving me and my brother at home. She realized that I was too small to go near the stove. She felt bàd too. I saw it on her face.

It's over 15/16 years now and I still recall how much time it took for the wound to heal and still leave this scàr here.

I couldn't go to school for some time. Even if I was going out, I would raise my clothes up so it doesn't touch the spot.

I didn't like how people were always staring at me. As little as I was, I felt bàd for myself. I felt bad carrying my skirt up and people seeing my lap with ink.

Mom has to be very careful when bathing me and I was always cryîng.

I am glad it's over now. I have plans of telling my children this story too so they don't end up like this.

I might not even allow my kids to go close to fire until they are ten years old. The traumà and paîn was too much for me at seven. I wouldn't want any of my kids to go through it too.

I'll also school them on letting go of some little things especially when it has to do with their siblings. If I had given my brother little when he started dragging it, I wouldn't have gone through all that.

What do you think? 🥹

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.
Non Fiction Story.

The picture is not related to the story but the guy's smile is giving. 🥵🥰

It is not SHOW OFF, na you dey view people success with ènvy and jèalousy.

May this Sallah celebration bring us joy, prosperity and spiritual enlightenment.

May it deepen the bonds of love and unity within your family and community and may it inspire us all to be compassionate, selfless, and devoted to serving humanity.

Barika De Sallah, Beloved.🥰🤗

In the stillness of anticipation, I wait. Seconds turn into minutes, minutes stretch into hours, and yet you remain absent.

Time becomes an elusive companion as it slips away, carrying with it the fragments of my hope. How many times must I bear witness to this heartbrèaking rîtual? How many times must my heart ache with disappointment?🥺

Promises, like whispers of sweet melodies, fluttered from your lips, carrying the weight of your commitment. "I'll be there," you said, "by 12 pm without fail." With each vow, my heart yearned to believe, to hold onto the faith that this time would be different. But the hands of the clock continue their relentless dance, and you're nowhere to be found.

I arrive ahead of time, a testament to my devotion, my eagerness to share moments with you. I eagerly scan the empty screen, searching for a glimmer of your presence, longing for the connection we once shared. But the digital abyss mocks me, echoing my loneliness and echoing your absence.😞

I've expressed my sôrrow, my frustràtions, my teàrs. I've poured my heart out, hoping that my words would carve a path to understanding. Yet, they seem to vanish into the void, swallowed by the vast expanse that separates us. How can love thrive when punctuality and reliability, the threads that weave the fabric of trust, unravel so effortlessly?

In this relentless cycle of waiting, my heart bears the weight of disappointment. Each time you fail to show, a little piece of my faith crumbles, leaving behind fragments of doubt. I yearn for stability, for the reassurance that you will honor your word, that you will cherish our precious moments enough to be there when you say you will.

But as the days turn into nights, as the hours fade into oblivion, the truth becomes undeniable. Your chronic tardiness is not a mere oversight but a testament to your disregard for my feelings, my time, and our connection. And as I stand here, broken and weary, I realize that I deserve more.🥹

Love should be punctuated with reliability and respect, not marred by brokèn promises and endless waiting. The sands of time may continue to slip away, but I refuse to surrender my self-worth in the process. It is with a heavy heart that I must confront the painful truth: the foundation of our relationship is crumbling, weakened by your inability to honor your commitments.

So, as the clock strikes yet another hour, I g*ther the remnants of my shattered hope. With trembling hands and a resolute spirit, I turn my gaze toward the horizon, where a new day beckons. It's time to release the burden of unfulfilled expectations and reclaim my own worth.

Farewell to the waiting game, for I deserve a love that is unwavering, a love that cherishes time as much as I do.💔

I deserve better! 🤧

I believe you are very familiar with this saying that, 'Spoons too dey lost for house, person no go even know how'.

I used to hear it a lot from many Nigerian Mothers aside from my Mom. What my Mom says most often is: 'Sometimes, una go plenty, sometimes una go small. I no know as una take dey waka go hide for under my drum'.

When I was going to school my Mom gave me a dozen of spoons, which is 12 pieces and half a dozen of förks.

Till date, none got missing. They are still complete. 12 spoons and 6 forks, altogether, 18. Surprised? Me too.

So, I decided to hold a meeting with them this morning while I was doing the dishes.

"Wait o, since I carry una come this school, una never lost o. Una sure say no be something else una be? I bin think say spoons and förks too dey lost for house. Why una own come different?". I asked, staring at them.

All the spoons laughed in uniform and I was surprised. "What is funny"? I asked them.

The eldest of all the spoons decided to be the spokesman and after clearing his throat, he began.

"I'll be very honest with you, Riri. Spoons no dey lose for house o. It's either we waka go back of drum, big containers or person come carry us and he no return us…."

"So, why una dey waka like that? I cut him short with a question.

"We get tired of staying in one place naw. Don't you get tired of staying in one place after a long time as a person? Same with us". He answered.

'Oh! So, spoons do get bored like humans. Awnnnn. Na everyday person dey learn new things'. I thought.

"The thing is that, if you are a clean person, your spoons won't get missing for long". The spokesman continued.

"Every individual should learn to clean their kitchen thoroughly. Like, 4 times in a month. Take the drums outside, sweep your kitchen floor, check the back of your cooking gas, you'll find your spoons there if Mama Nkechi didn't take them".

"If you give out your spoons to your neighbors, remember to ask them to return it. If you do these your 12 spoons will be 12 even after 5 years". He concluded.

"Thank you so much, Pakso". I thanked him. You need to see the smile on his face when I addressed him by his name.

Now, I understand everything. I've come to realize why sometimes my Mom's spoons are much and some other times they are little.

I understood why I still got 12 spoons and 6 forks even after spending three years in school.

I stay alone, I don't give out my kitchen utensils. Why would they go missing? I clean my house thoroughly every Saturday too. Awnnn. You should do the same thing too. You will, right?

©️ Jemilat Buhari Umoru.