My Neighborhood Watch #77 - Reporting Events Around us

You may be surprised seeing this picture, as you are supposed to see a picture of an unconscious boy who was beaten for pouring rice grains. Anyways, this was the only thing I could capture in the scene. I couldn't capture the unconscious boy because the situation was so devastating. Okay, what actually happened?

It was in our days when our parents would send us to buy cassava flakes or anything contained in black nylons that we would play with the bag after purchasing what we were sent to. We would twist the hand of the bag and sometimes fling it to and fro in order to have fun. Most times, the bag will tear as a result of flinging it to and fro, and the cassava flakes will spill on the ground.

Sometimes we were not that scared because the cost of living wasn't that hard compared to now, where people are struggling to survive with the biting economy that is surfacing. The nylons produced now aren't strong and are so very transparent that a small jerk can make them tear off. So what really happened?

This young boy was sent on an errand to purchase Long grain Rice in a local store for 3k, which is equivalent to 7.8 steems. As this boy bought the rice and returned, I was in front of my compound sweeping as the boy walked past. I saw him playing with the bag and warned him not to do so as the bag isn't strong. I told him to hold the under part of the bag, but it was as if he felt insulted. I minded my business.

It wasn't up to 5 minutes; I heard someone crying. Everyone came out to see what was happening only to see a young one wailing because he had poured rice grains on the floor, of which he was unable to pack. He kept weeping profusely, telling us how they'll beat him at home. Sympathisers held him by his hand to plead with his parents on his behalf.

I told the boy already, and he took me for a fool. Some people scolded the boy for being careless and overly playful. Some even said if they were his parents, they would have disowned him. In my mind I was like, You want to disown your child because of rice?

Rice in Nigeria is an essential commodity and not a commodity that should be joked with because of the price. This rice is sold at the rate of #700 naira a cup, which is equivalent to 2 steems. Now imagine just 3k is buying 4 cups of rice, and someone else stands to pour it on the ground. It can be so painful, but guess what the parents did.

The parents of the young boy did accept the apologies from the villagers, but later on that day, we heard that the boy had been taken to the hospital. What happened? The parents narrated while in tears that they were very angry with what the boy did. Someone lent them that 3k to eat in the morning and evening of the day. Now, they'll have to repay back what they haven't even benefitted from.

The mother narrated that out of frustration and anger, she beat the boy mercilessly and was also crying at the same time because life has been very difficult for them. All they have is put into the boy's school fees so he can be educated. Now, she was regretting ever laying hands on the boy, their investments. She wept profusely in the hospital, begging God to forgive her for making her son unconscious.

She begged God for a second chance if he survives this unconsciousness. She never meant to beat him to unconsciousness. She was just angered and decided to teach him how to be careful next time; she said. The doctor said the boy was unconscious out of the hunger that was biting his stomach plus the beatings from the mother.

I wasn't free to check up on him in the hospital but would be going this weekend. He has been unconscious for a week plus with little sign of recovering. Sympathisers felt pity for them and offered to pay their bills. There has been no good news lately. I wish the boy recovers soon.

A lesson to all parents, guardians, and teachers: no matter how angry you are, don't rain your frustration on anyone. Little did the mother know that a small jerk in her son's body would make her live in the hospital for weeks. We should always be careful as to how we instill discipline. Things we feel are little can cause us regrets in life. Please, your prayers are needed for this young boy.

Cc,

@xkool24

I invite @ruthjoe, @okere-blessing and @itikna09