A boy in junior secondary school was sent home from school because of the inability of his parents to pay his fees for 2 consecutive terms. Immediately he came out of the school gate, he saw huge sum of money on the ground. The money felled out of the pocket of a man who was trying to remove his handkerchief from his pocket.

The boy called the attention of the man and pointed at the money.

“Sir, money just felled from your pocket.”

“Ah! thanks so much.” The man really appreciated the boy. He was surprised that a boy of that age could see money and not attempt to steal it.

” What is your name?” the man inquired.

“My name is Micheal.”

” Why are you outside your School compound? You should be in class studying.”

” I was sent home because my parents could not pay my school fees. They have been promising the school authority that they would pay, but there is no money. Last week, I was given a letter that I shouldn’t come to school this week if my parents didn’t bring money. Even my parents told me not to come till they are able to get the money, but I pleaded with them to allow me to come. I didn’t want to stay at home.”

” Why did your parents refuse to pay your school fees?”

“My father lost his job. early this year. Things has not been easy since then.”

The man was touched by his story, fortunately, he was a rich man. He inquired about his class and the amount for the school fees. The boy told him.

“It’s alright, I am impressed by your character. Let’s go inside, I will pay the school fees for the entire year for you.”

The boy was full of appreciation.
As both of them were entering the compound a thought flashed through the boys mind. He tried to ignore it but couldn’t, so he called the man’s attention.

” Excuse me sir, can I ask for a favour?”

“Go ahead,” the man encouraged him.

” You promised to pay my fees for the entire year, which is 3 terms. I wish you can use the money for one of the terms to pay for my form teacher’s son.”

“Why?” The man asked.

” My form teacher is a widow. She is the only one taking care of her children. Yesterday, I overheard the proprietress of the school. telling her that if she didn’t pay the son’s school fees, they will send him home. Afterwards, I saw her crying.”

” It’s alright I will see what I can do,” the man promised. He made up his mind to pay for both the boy and his form teacher’s son.

He was surprised when he met the form teacher. The woman was living in his street. After the exchange of pleasantries, he told the woman his purpose for coming to the school. The woman quickly took him to a corner that is a bit far from where the boy was.

” Don’t try it sir. That boy is an unfortunate human being. He is a truant. Even when his parents give him money for school fees, he embezzles it. If you want to pay school for people, I will recommend good boys who you can pay for.”

The man thanked her and left. He told the boy to take him to the principal’s office. When they got there, he left the boy outside and went in.

“Good afternoon sir,” he greeted the principal.

“Good afternoon sir. Please how may I help you?”

“I saw one of your students outside the school compound. His name is Micheal. He is in JSS 3. Upon enquiry, he told me that he has not paid his school fees. But I suspected that he might be one of these children that are not serious with their studies.”

“No sir. Micheal is a good boy with a good heart. Infact, he is a very intelligent boy. The challenge is that his father lost his job. Since last term till now, his fees has not been paid. I have been trying to cover up for him but the school proprietress discovered recently.”

” Alright sir, I am here to pay his fees. Let me have the total amount for his fees this year. I want to settle it.”

When he came out, he handed over the receipt to Micheal. He was overjoyed, but all of a sudden, he remembered his request.

“Please sir, what of my form teacher’s son?”

The man placed his hand on Michael’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry about him. His mother doesn’t deserve such a gesture. Look around your school and pick another person, I will pay for that person. You have really won my heart and I promise that you will not be embarrassed again because of School fees till you finish your studies in this school.”

As he was stepping out to the school, the form teacher saw him again.

” Sir, are you still around? I thought you have gone.”

“No, I have not gone.”

“I hope you remembered what I told you. Don’t waste your money on that boy.”

” Yes I remembered, thanks so much. But I want you to remember this: don’t fight anyone that didn’t offend you. If you do, you might be fighting yourself. That boy was begging me to help pay your child’s school fees. I have actually agreed. But when I met you and heard everything you said, I needed no one to tell me that you don’t deserve it. Be careful of fighting the innocent. it will always backfire. Have a good day madam.”