TOO LATE TO CRY!

Papa had such high hopes for brother Uchenna. Everyone knew he was the braniac in the house. The one with the 'magic head' as the villagers called him. Right from when Bro Uche began learning the white man's education, he was quickly recognised as a genius. Easily, he outwitted everyone in his class, earning the white men praises. Everyone loved him. Everyone was envious of Papa. He would do our village proud, this we knew. But most of all, he would be the pride of Iyekelem clan.

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Soon, the white men started discussing with Papa. They spoke of Bro Uche's bright future. Said they had huge plans for him and were going to take him to their land, where he would study to become a doctor or an engineer. Of course, this thrilled Papa to no ends. However, Mama would have none of it. She trusted the white men not one bit, and despised the fact that they paraded themselves in fancy trousers and shirts, speaking through their noses in hardly comprehensible language.
As she would say,

"Onye obodo... na su so nso pardeen pardeen" It was a mock interpretation for "the ones from the other side. Always speaking gibberish".

It didn't help that they acted like they knew it all. Attempting to teach us things that were our fore fathers' business. She would sniff her nose every time the white men told us to till the soil this way... Or milk cows that way.

"What could they possibly know?" She always asked. -"They who have never touched the soil all their lives".

It was only normal and well expected that Mama would disagree. So she tied her wrappers tightly to her chest and stood her ground. No one was taking her Nkem from her. Unlike the farming ways, Papa could not win her over in this war. She was ready to swear with her breasts as she so threatened.

Soon, the decision was left in Bro Uche's hands. He asked for two sunsets to think about it and the white men gave him that. Papa does not know but I do. I saw how Mama snuck to his hut every night. I listened as she fed him tales and delusions. Bro Uche might have been the smartest in the village when it came to the white men's books but he was the complete opposite when the reality of life came around. "Gullible!", as Mr Jack would cry out every time Madu Ifeanyi misbehaved- that is what I would describe Bro Uche as. Again, it was no surprise when on the third sunrise, as we sat in front of Papa's hut with Mr Jack and Mr Williams, Bro Uche gave his verdict.

"I have thought about it. There is nothing in the white men's land for me. Our fore fathers have thrived so far with their farming. I shall love to continue the tradition. Papa look at yourself. We have become considerably richer with the white man's technology. I shall love to remain in this land I know and continue in the way of our fathers"

Needless to say, Papa was crushed. But good man that he was, he respected Bro Uche's wishes. So the white men sent me and Obinna, Madu Ikenna's son. And when we came back years later, I a doctor and Obinna an engineer, Bro Uche was a farmer in his own rights. Managing what little was left of our fathers' hard work as he dwelled richly in the wine house.

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These days when he comes for his regular check up to keep his kidneys in order, I see the bitterness and regret in his eyes as he quietly says
"I should have listened to the white men and Papa. I should not have heeded to mama's ignorance out of hate. Perhaps if I had not, maybe I too will be great. Just like you now Nene. But it is too late is it not? Now all that is left is the wine"

I no longer reply him. I was used to my words falling on deaf ears. So I just smile as I hand him his new dosage and bid him fare well, pleased that his children had not chosen this path of mediocrity.

LESSON

Opportunity they say comes but once. Opportunity missed may never be regained. Do not let people decide your destiny, take it by hand and own it. Do not let fear of unknown stop you from becoming great. Life is a risk and only thoss who are willing to take this risk go far in life. Do you have a regret story like the above? You can share so we learn from it.