I won’t, Naomi said. He placed his hand gently on her head and whispered a prayer.
Then he returned to his small shed, still with no food for himself, but he was happy to help.
Naomi ran toward the school before the gate closed. She looked back once and whispered, “God bless that man.
When Naomi got home, she looked tired but a little calm. She had paid her school fees and had the receipt in her school bag.
Her mother was sitting on a small bench, looking worried and stressed as usual. Naomi greeted, “Welcome.”
Her mother said, “Did you pay the school fees?” Naomi nodded slowly. “Yes, Mom. I did.”
Her mother stood up, relieved. “Good. That’s one less problem. Let me see the receipt.”
She brought it out and gave it to her. But then she looked down and said, “Mom, I have to tell you something.”
Her mother frowned. “What is it?” Naomi swallowed hard and said, “I lost the money on my way to school today.”
Her mother’s face changed immediately. “What?” “You did what?” “I lost it, Mom. I don’t know how.
I kept it in my school bag. I searched everywhere. I cried,” Naomi explained quickly.
Her mother’s voice rose. “Naomi, how could you be so careless? Do you know what that money means to this house?
Your stepfather will starve us again. He warned me. He’ll say I’m useless. He may even send us out.
Naomi’s eyes filled with tears again. I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to. I was so scared.
I thought about not coming home. Her mother turned away, breathing heavily. But then someone helped me, Naomi added quietly.
Her mother looked at her again. Who? Naomi smiled through her tears. A man? He’s a shoemaker by the roadside.
He saw me crying and asked what was wrong. I told him everything. He gave me 4,000 naira.
He said it was his last money, but he didn’t mind. He told me to be serious in school and not to follow bad friends.
Her mother blinked, confused. Wait, he gave you money? Just like that? Naomi nodded. Yes, he was kind.
He said his name is Ogre Johnson. For a moment, the room was quiet. Then her mother sat down slowly.
“God bless that man,” she whispered. “A stranger helped my daughter when even we had nothing.”
“Naomi, we must go and thank him. This kind of kindness is rare.” Naomi smiled.
“Yes, Mom. I want to thank him, too. I promised him that I won’t forget him.
When I become rich, I’ll look for him and help him.” Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder.
And I believe you, daughter. God will help you. While Naomi and her mother were planning to visit Ogre Johnson to thank him, something terrible was already happening on his side.
That morning, Johnson was sitting quietly in his small shoemakaker shed by the roadside. He had a few handmade slippers placed on the table.
Business was slow, but his heart was still full of hope that he would soon find customers.
Suddenly, he heard loud noises. People were shouting. Big trucks and men wearing uniforms were coming down the road.
One of the men held a megaphone and shouted, “All roadside stalls and sheds must be removed.
This is government land, you were warned.” Before he could even pack his things, they started pulling down his shed.
His handmade shoes and slippers, along with the ones customers gave him to fix, scattered all over the ground.
His old umbrella was thrown aside. He begged them, “Please wait. Let me pack my goods.
But no one listened. They pushed and broke the wooden shed completely. Johnson stood, his eyes filled with tears as he watched everything he owned destroyed in minutes.
Where will I sell now? His eyes glistened with unshed tears. How will I feed my grandson?
The women beside him were also crying and begging, but it was too late. The trucks had already moved to the next street.
Johnson carried his small hammer and walked home slowly under the hot sun. His slippers were dusty and his heart was heavy.
All he could think about was how to tell his grandson Andrew the bad news.
But as he turned the corner to their house, he stopped in shock. Andrew was already standing outside crying.
Their bags and few belongings were thrown outside the gate, the land lady, a chubby lady with a hairy face, stood there with a wicked smile.
Ogre Johnson, she said, “I told you. I warned you. You have not paid house rent for a year and 6 months now.
I’m tired of your excuses. You and your grandson must leave now. Johnson’s mouth opened, but no words came out.
He rushed to his grandson. Andrew, are you okay? Andrew nodded, wiping his tears. Grandpa, they threw everything outside.
I begged them to wait for you, but they refused. Johnson turned to the landlady.
Please give me a little more time. I just lost my stall today. I don’t even know where to go, please.
But the woman turned away. I have new tenants coming. I don’t run charity. I have children to feed and bills to pay.
Go and sleep in the street if you like. She walked back inside and shut the gate.
Johnson and Andrew sat beside their bags. The sun was going down. People passed by.
Some looked, some whispered, but nobody helped. Johnson held his grandson close. I’m sorry, my child, he said, his voice shaking.
I tried. I really tried. Andrew rested his head on his grandfather’s shoulder. I know, Grandpa.
You’re the best grandfather in the world. God will help us. Johnson looked up at the sky.
His lips moved slowly as he whispered, “God, I don’t regret helping that little girl.
If I had to choose again, I’d still give her my last money. I just need a miracle now.”
That night they slept outside on the cold ground beside their bags. No food, no roof, no light, but Johnson still held on to hope in his heart.
The next morning, Johnson and his grandson Andrew woke up early. They hadn’t slept well.
The cold ground had made their bodies stiff and their stomachs were empty. Johnson sat quietly for a moment, then turned to Andrew.
“My son,” he said, gently tapping his shoulders. We cannot stay like this. Let’s go to the next city.
My old friend Simon lives there. Maybe he can help us. Andrew nodded. He trusted his grandfather even in hard times.
Johnson sold their small television set and used the money to pay for two bus tickets.
It wasn’t much, but just enough to take them to the nearby city. They sat at the back of the old crowded bus, holding their bags tightly.
The journey was about an hour, but it felt longer. Johnson kept looking out the window, praying silently in his heart.
When they arrived, they walked slowly to the street where Simon lived. Johnson hadn’t seen him in a long time, but he remembered the house.
He knocked on the gate gently, hoping and praying that his friend would still be there.
A few seconds later, the gate opened, and there stood Simon, surprised and speechless. “Simon?”
