Charles stopped on his tracks when he heard someone call his name. He turned to discover that it was Nelly, one of the office cleaners at his place of work.
Charlse and Nelly graduated from the same higher institution. However Charlse was lucky to occupy a higher position in the office.
“Nelly, how far,” he reached out to him.
” I’m good,” Nelly answered while hastening up his steps to meet up with Charles.
Nelly had ran from the office to the bus stop in a bid to catch up with Charles. He was panting when he got to where Charles stood, waiting for him.
“It’s like you were running,” Charlse asked him, scanning his face.
“Yes. I was trying to meet up with you. I didn’t know when you left.”
“Ha! I hope all is well,” Chalse asked.
“Yes, it’s just that I need you to do me a favour. Please lend me some money. I will pay you back at the end of the month.”
“Today is just the 18th day of the month, and you are already searching for who will lend you money. what happened to your salary?”
“Remember I told you yesterday that my mother has been sick and was admitted in the hospital for treatment. The sickness has emptied my pocket.”
Charles dipped his hands inside his pocket and brought out wads of cash.
” See, this is money, but I will not give it to you. Just last week, you found huge sum of money while cleaning Managing Director’s office. Instead of you to take it, you returned it to him. I tried to advise you but you shunned me, telling me that you have integrity. Now that you need money, you have come to me. Listen, don’t you ever in your life, tell me to lend you money.”
Tears stood in Nelly eyes as he watched Charlse board a bus. He had no choice than to walk to his house and it took him many hours before he got home.
The next day in the office, the MD called for an emergency meeting. All the workers were wondering what the meeting was for, until he started addressing them.
” I welcome you all to this meeting. It’s going to be very brief. I want to announce to you that we have a new branch office.”
They all clapped.
” I have been searching for who to employ as the manager for the new branch, but something that happened last week put a stop to the search. I was in a hurry to go out, so I forgot some money in my office. I was amazed that one of the office cleaners, saw the money and returned it to me. So, Nelly has been promoted to a position of a branch manager. He will be proceeding to a one month management course to get him acquainted with the new position. He is also entitled to an official car, official residence and every other thing he needed for the smooth running of the office. I am announcing this so that you all will know that it pays to be honest.”
He turned and face Nelly,
” Congratulations Mr. Nelly. I have told the accountant to credit your account. Other information you need concerning your training will be made available to you. Congratulations! ones again.”
