Naomi had lost her school fees on her way to school. She had kept it carefully in her school bag, but unknown to her, when she rushed to meet up before the school gate closed, she forgot to zip the bag, and somehow the money fell out without her knowing.
As she walked under the morning sun, tears rolled down her cheeks. She was crying so hard that people passing by looked at her, but no one stopped.
A man sat in his small shoemaker’s shed by the roadside. He looked up and saw the girl crying.
His heart moved with pity and he quickly stood up. “My child, why are you crying like this?”
He asked gently. Naomi wiped her face with the back of her hand and sniffed.
“Sir, I’ve lost my school fees.” “I don’t know how. I’ve searched everywhere, but I can’t find it.”
The man stepped closer. “Calm down, my daughter. Tell me what happened.” Naomi explained. “I live with my mother and stepfather.
My mother worked as a teacher before she lost her job. And my stepfather is the one feeding us.
He is very strict and will deal with me mercilessly. He gave me this money to pay my school fees today.
He told me not to come back home without the school receipt. If I don’t, he will deal with me and maybe even send my mother and me out of the house.
The man’s heart broke. He didn’t have much. He was a poor shoe maker, struggling to survive each day by polishing and making handmade shoes by the roadside.
What he made that month was the only money he had left. But when he looked at Naomi’s face, he didn’t think twice.
How much is the school fees? He asked softly. “4,000 naira,” Naomi replied in a shaky voice.
Johnson reached into his faded trousers and brought out a small bundle of notes. It was all he had made that month.
He was saving it for rent. Slowly, he placed it in Naomi’s hand. Here, take it.
Go and pay your school fees, he said with a weak smile. Naomi’s eyes widened in surprise.
Sir, are you sure? Yes, my child, he said, nodding. You remind me of my grandson at home.
Be serious in school. Don’t follow bad friends. One day you will be great. Naomi held the money tightly and wiped her tears.
Thank you, sir. I promise I will make you proud. When I become rich, I will never forget you.
I will look for you and help you, Johnson smiled and nodded. Make sure you don’t forget my name.
