When I was in primary school, I was seen as a bright kid, and was very reserved too. So parents around my street knew, and would never mind their kids associating with me.
In fact, a parent had to withdraw his child from a particular school and brought him to my school. The first day this kid came to school, the teacher asked him;
“Do you understand English?”
He responded in Igbo language, “Enyebeghi m English” meaning, “I have not been given English”.
The whole class erupted in laughter.
Because we lived on the same street, the parents of the boy asked me to please come around often to put him through some things. I will always go to his house after school and we will study together.
Well, not only did the guy pick up, he actually snatched 1st position from me in a particular term. As a child, I cried ehh.
But it didn’t stop our friendship then, I only studied harder and collected my position back, until I left for Federal school in my JSSI.
Today, that guy is very rich. In fact he was already rich while I was working in a factory, and I’m so happy for him.
We see once in a while.
Whenever I see him, I remember the ‘English’ incident, and also affirm that no child is actually dumb, and no matter how your kid is doing in school, it doesn’t definitely mean that they’ll do badly in life.
Just do your bit ,and keep them in your prayers.
ES
