The consequences of our actions

A young man saw his primary school teacher at a wedding.
He went to greet him with all the respect and admiration.
He said to him:
"Do you remember me, Teacher?"
The teacher said: "No, introduce yourself."
The student said: "I was your student in the 3rd Grade, I am the one who stole the watch of a child in the classroom. I will remind you but I am sure you remember the story."

One of the boys in my class had a beautiful watch, so I decided to steal it.              
He came to you crying that someone had stolen his watch.
You asked us to stand so as to search our pockets.     
I realized that my action would be exposed in front of the Students and Teachers.
I will be called a thief, a liar and my character will be shattered forever.

You asked us to stand and face the wall and close our eyes completely.
You went searching from pocket to pocket, and when you reached my pocket you pulled the watch out of my pocket, and you continued until you searched the last student.

After you finished you asked us to open our eyes and to sit on our chairs.    
I was afraid you will expose me in front of the students.

You showed the watch to the class, and gave it back to the boy, and you never mentioned the name of the one who stole the watch.
You never said a word to me, and you never mentioned the story to anyone.

Throughout my school life, none of the teachers nor the students talked about me stealing the watch.      
I thought to myself you saved my dignity that day.

Do you remember me?
How can you not remember me, Teacher?
I was your student and I am sure you remember the story, that I stole the watch and you did not want to embarrass me. This story is unforgettable.

The teacher said: "I can't remember who stole the watch that day, because I searched the pockets of all of you while my eyes were also closed."

OK sir, the consequences of that singular act in my life was tremendous. Firstly, I made up my mind that I would never steal again no matter my condition as a sign of honour to you.

And  secondly, I made a vow that I would work hard in life to be a successful man, so that I can compensate your kindness and generosity towards me.

Today, to God be the Glory, I am a CEO of one of the most successful IT company in Africa and I will be grateful if you can honour me with your presence at a dinner with my family.

At the dinner, the reception was warm and ecstatic because my family over the years had been eager to know the man who saved me from what could have the saddest day of my life.

We talked about so many things, his work, his family, his general beliefs about almost everything.

Mr Adegbite is now retired and working as a peasant farmer and living a life of a Nigerian Retired Primary School teacher at Iyana-Ipaja, an outskirt of Lagos.

When he was leaving, I asked my driver to take him home with our new Toyota Venzer 2015 model.

And also, my last born has pleaded with the whole family that he would  love to present our token gift to him in a special way and we all obliged.

At the of point of presentations, my son came out from his room and brought out a flat  envelope which was wrapped in a poly bag. He asked all of us to closed  our eyes and turned our back and he presented the gift to my teacher.

We all laughed and joked about it all. He was surprised that I relates the almost 30 years incident to my family.

He left in a joyous mood with my driver. He was so so surprised that the Venzer Jeep belong to him, when my driver handed over the key to him, that the instruction was to give him the key. The Jeep has already been registered in his name

He was even more surprised and in mouth agaped when he opened the envilope and discovered that it contained a cheque of #3m and a document for  3 bedrooms flat apartment at Oko Oba Medium Cost Housing all registered with his name. That was actually what my wife wanted. Always good to have a good wife with gracious thoughts.

He and his family came back the following morning in their New Jeep to appreciate the gesture. Everyone was happy and we became a big and one family.

I have course to thank God for giving the grace to honour a man who taught me a great lesson in WISDOM AND HUMILITY

Education needs wisdom. We should be able to be such Teachers, such Parents, such Leaders and be able to always strive to save others from all uncomfortable situations as much as we can and in all such circumstances.

We should always calc ulate the consequences of our ACTIONS on others.

Thanks for your patience in reading through.