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MUSTARD III – Ch. 8 | KT OLLA

BANJI read through the pamphlet and saw promise. He found several jobs he could get with just the standard grade...

Plus, the monthly cheques the jobs could fetch.

The young man was surprised; he stared at his momma for quite a bit, and then countered:

‘I know I can get a job with Standard VI! But I just want to reach the peak—get to the top of this thing called school, and land a top job!’

Oki nodded. ‘I know, Bamiji. And it’s why I brought home this thing.’

She tapped on the leaflet in-between them.

‘I wanted you to read it and see where to get money for more. To follow your dream and be more.

‘So, my good son, get one of these jobs. Save up some fund and go right on to big school—or what d’ you call it?’

‘High School, ma’mi,’ quipped Banji.

(He’d bowed in thought and didn’t look up. But Oki was up.)

‘High school... good! So get a job for now, then you can save for the morrow.

‘You don’t grow a full height in one day, Banji. But take it from me, you will reach that height!’

‘A-men!’ gasped the child.

No, those words didn’t hit Joshua small. They turned his gaze back ahead.

He dropped a heavy breath, and there fell the load. Then he looked up with a lightened face.

‘I suddenly feel hungry, Mother – and I’m heating this! I wonder why I starved myself over nothing—I’m not the next town head, after all!’

‘So you won’t waste my food from now?’ quipped the mother.

‘Nah, trust me! In fact, I’m cooking night meals now!’

‘No, leave the food to your sisters and I, Banji! You just face the books.’

‘Okay, Mother – leave my supper out; I’ll cook!’

Oki looked at him, then burst in a laugh. He joined her, chortling.

Then he stopped. ‘I mean it, Mother. I’ll fend for us. At least I’ll fetch my own meals!’

The middle-aged one smiled. She only smiled, got up and said good night.

‘Till morning, Mama!’ he called after her. ‘And thanks for tonight.’

Now that same day, Bamiji Morrow picked up his dream, and a life...

And some kitchen things.

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