Within the short distance and time that I entered the taxi to the point where we were, there was a war going on in my mind. As usual, like it occurs to everyone, the War of the Mind is mostly initiated by the glances of the sight of the eye, the sounds to the ear or what the body feels which either way becomes a debate of Yes or No (Do or Don't) decision for the mind to conclude on before the individual takes the action.
Few times, the person involved (self) takes an authoritative decision when the battle's duration isn't quick and getting late before the winning side of the two opponents of decisions (that is usually depicted by the reasons which resonates to why the person has to take the choices of actions) is singled out. The usual manner is to wait for the winning side to be detected before such takes the action of choice based on the winning side's decision.
The former was what I experienced when I highlighted from the car and apologized to the driver because my eyes caught the sight of a beautiful, old familiar face and figure. While I was in the car for that short time, I was contemplating on getting down to see if she was who I thought she was or just forget it and move on. Guess who she was - an old friend, mate, siblings or family?
Immediately I got down and confirmed she was the person I thought she was, I knew my action was worth taken. You wouldn't believe my next line of action. Just by the roadside, where there was hardly a pedestrian way, I moved closer to her and in front before she passed me unnoticed, I prostrated and greeted her.
She was shocked and looked at me with a strange face suspiciously even while I was smiling and happy to meet her. I greeted her and while she was speechless at who could be standing in front of her with well shaved beards, honouring her in such a respectful manner by the roadside, I unveiled my identity and our relationship in the past, stating where and when we met in few sentences.
She (Mistress Dupe) was one of the teachers who despite her disciplinary nature then in my primary school (Christ Reigneth N/P School - CRNPS), was loved by virtually most of the pupils when I was in the primary classes because she was in charge of selling snacks for the pupils, cultural activities and outings.
Even though she only teaches the kindergarten and/or nursery classes, she knew the names of most pupils in the school and interacts jovially with them. I bet she was a Sanguine. I remembered I and few of my mates attended her wedding; two of us (I and the other girl) led the others to sing a farewell song for her and she dances with us too. Since she was getting married to a prince not in the same town, she stopped working at our school after her wedding.
I remembered we were shedding tears and waving our hands until she enters the bride's car and zoomed off out of site. A quick fast forward to the present; she exclaimed and greeted me with so much joy and happiness, asking where I was schooling and what I was studying. She was very happy with what I did in courage and she also narrated how one of my mates then (who I couldn't recollect by the full name she mentioned) denied and embarrassed her when she confronted him or her, after greeting and explaining where she knew him or her.
She sent her regards to my parents and we had no other choice but to bid each other farewell. In no such time, I boarded another taxi with so much exhilaration, why? Because I met an old time teacher who wasn't even my class teacher. What would be my reaction if I came across those that taught me? You wouldn't think less of my actions.
The essence of this story is to encourage anyone out there teaching (in school, home-as parents, church etc) especially those in the teaching profession not to relent in impacting lives. Also to encourage the now (and then) pupils and students (young or old) not to be ashamed of the teachers that once taught them (or are teaching them currently) whenever they come across them near or afar.
You might want to say it can be done towards those teachers that were (or are) good to you, or those that were (or are) sparring the rod but I'll like to urge you to do the same for those that did (or are doing) otherwise.
Teachers are Nation Builders. The fact that you both are still alive irrespective of your current status is a testimony that would either respect you both for your past relationship or make you feel ashamed. But either ways, it is a chance to appreciate yourselves or apologize for wrongdoings in the past and make restitution. Who knows what the future holds or might be?
Teachers are Nation Builders even though the status of their profession have been depreciated and their pay degraded which are not encouraging in our country - Nigeria unlike other professions. Teachers are the foundation of every profession. Just the way we refer to the youths as the leaders of tomorrow, teachers are also Future Builders because their impact cannot be written of in one of the most crucial and important sector of every nation's development - Education.
Would you pls give a shout out to all teachers out there?
Flaming Sword🔥🗡
Oluwayomi Dada✍️
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