Story by Elizabeth Nweke
Class: Basic Four
Edited by Mr Akeem Alao
An old man was spreading a rumour that his neighbour was a thief. The young man was arrested. Some days later investigation revealed that the young man was innocent. He was released from detention, but felt sad because of the humiliation he had received through the accusation. When he could no longer bear the disgrace coming from people, he decided to take the old man to court.
In court, the old man told the judge that his accusations were just harmless comments. The judge therefore told him, “Before I pass judgment on this case, you will do something for me,” the judge said. He added, “Get pieces of paper and write all the comments you have said about this young man and throw the pieces away. Then come back tomorrow to hear my judgment.” He did as instructed.
The next day, the judge told the old man to produce all the comments he wrote the previous day. The old man responded that he could not retrieve them before they must have been blown away. “Same way this young man cannot retrieve the damaging comments you have passed on him,” the judge said. “Simple comments can destroy one’s honour to the extent that it will be difficult for one to fix it,” he added.
The old man thereby realised his mistake, and he sought forgiveness.
Elizabeth is a basic 4 pupil at Kith and Kin Nursery and Primary School
