THE DILEMMA OF A FATHER by Casmir Ekoh

-


A father begot several children, and three of them among the men became very prominent and outstanding! They jostled for superiority and influence among them and in the society. They spared nothing to achieve this. Of course, they were casualties in the process, even leading to unintended deaths, and the siblings took sides among the three, leading to divisions along that line.

Each of the three prominent men of that man was buoyed up by the fellowship they commanded, and each time any of them looked back and saw the crowd they commanded, they spoiled for war the more. Each was jostling for the attention of the father to side with him.

But the father knowing the implications of doing this, refused to take sides. He implored them to see themselves for what they are, brothers, knowing there are less fortunate fathers envious of him. He knew the enemy could use any of this his squabbling children to gain access into his family and destroy it.

He preached peace to no avail. Each of the three had basket full of evil the other committed against him, but the father preached forgiveness, knowing he will be the ultimate loser should the enemy step into the cracks. He made enemy of the youngest especially, who felt the father was most unreasonable not to side with him against the first son, whose evil deeds caused the death of their mother.

But the father's major concern was for the unity and cooperation of his children, in order for the enemy not to come into his house. He also said he knew all his children were very strong, as they took after him. But he also knew their strength will not withstand the collaboration of one of them with the enemy, against the other brothers. Experiences had taught him that.

This is his dilemma.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

REGINA

-
Image
The room always went quiet when Regina was disappointed. Not because she shouted. She rarely did. But there was something about the way she spoke that made people listen… or shrink. “What we should be focused on,” she said, looking at them one after the other, “is the people.” Three employees stood in front of her. A young man and two women. None of them could hold her gaze for long. “Their voices. Their experiences. Not what we think they want. Not guesses.” She paused and rubbed her forehead for a moment, like she was trying to hold on to her patience. “I’m not impressed.” The words were calm, but they still landed heavily. “No ma,” one of the women said quickly. “We actually went out. We spoke to people...” “Then show me that,” Regina replied, cutting in gently but firmly. “I want to see it in your work. I want to feel it. People who have actually lived through abuse, not something that sounds imagined.” Silence. “Next week,” she added. “On my desk.” “Yes ma,” they said...
Read more

THE PART SHE PLAYED

-
Image
A s she stood at the entrance of the building, Zina asked herself: What exactly brought me this far? Love? Her passion for acting? Or the reminder of what they owed her? But there were three things Zina knew for sure: One — she was born for the stage. Two — Dare’s smile still did things to her stomach. And three — Obinna still hated her guts. Ivory Reel Productions buzzed with laughter, camera clicks, and the clipped rhythm of ambition. It smelled like stories in the making. She told herself she was just dropping by. A quick hello. A peek at how far they’d come. Zina paused at the glass door' not to check her reflection, but to steady her breath. Inside, nothing had changed: Black-and-white frames of film history. The electric tension of dreams.  The scent of sweat, lights, and nerves. They built it together; Dare, Obinna, and Kenna. The three boys who once ruled her childhood like rowdy gods. She was the odd one out back then, the girl they laughed at on the school b...
Read more