On The Valender Of My School Hall: A Lesson From A Tinny Creature

At long last, 2015 is almost at an end and we thank the Almighty for the gift of life and good health. To my fellow brothers and sisters, I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year in advance. To my numerous readers and Facebook followers, I thank you all because you are the reasons for my write-ups.

All your advise, suggestions and encouragements are all appreciated. I cannot do without you all.

Its another Christmas and new year season but I wish to share this piece with all my cherished readers.

In front of Sam Hall in the School of Agriculture - Kwadaso where I had my tertiary training in Agriculture, one day, a lesson was learnt and it has been a lesson that has brought hope and inspirations to me achieving my dreams in life.

In July 2014, as part of our academic calendar in school, we had to embark on an external attachment programme. Fortunately, I undertook my internship at the Horticultural department of the Crop Research institute in Kwadaso. Because of this, I partly resided in my School accommodation. One afternoon I decided to come out and take fresh air on the valender of the hall. Some 5minutes after sitting on the wall of the valender, I saw a wall-fly busily building its housing unit at one corner of the wall pillar. A wall-fly is a bee-like insect usually found in the corners of buildings and other structures. They are common to those of us who have tasted village stay before. They come with pain stings like a bee but bigger in size than bees.

As I sat on the wall, I saw this small animal will fly some distance away and will bring back some bulk of mud from God knows where. I continued to watch the animal with seriousness because I realise one thing at that moment....even animals feels they need a home? A lesson was learnt.

The phenomena continued until the animal realized that it was getting dark so it needs a break.

In that faithful night, the thought of the little animal struggling all heart out to build a home was on my mind. The determination and zeal with which this little fly used in building its home right from the first day was so amazing. To make a great confession here, after thinking for hours in the night, I decided to frustrate the little animal intentionally.

The following morning was no work day so I didn't go to work. Perhaps, a good moment for me to over study this animal? I said to myself. About 7:30am, the wonderful creature has started work on its project. At a moment, I decided to cause some distraction. I knowingly destroyed in full all this animal has labored for over 24 hours. I left the premises after destroying it but this animal has come to continue its building project the next day. This tinny fly wouldn't give up. Anytime I destroyed it, the animal will restart its destiny and passion in building a home for itself and family. At a point, I felt this animal has defeated me and so I was left with nothing than to allow it continue its work. All this while I never informed any of my hall mates. I wanted to make sure nobody else could by fault or default cause any harm to this beautiful creature.

THE LESSONS LEARNT.
Sometimes, it seems it doesn't matter how hard you work, there are always occurrences to set you back. Save money and before you realize emergency comes along and takes away every last cedi you have managed to save. You start building your dream home, and before you realize, all your hard work goes down the drain. As human, we pray for years for marriage and children, finally become pregnant. After months of complications and constant hospital visits, you go through the excessive pains of childbirth only for your precious baby to die some few days later.

Folks,as the holy book says, " we wrestle not against flesh and blood", in this world we are in a constant battle against destructive forces - human and inhumane. The one who doesn't give up is the one who wins.

I learnt some lessons from that little fly who was so determined, perhaps, to get a home for herself and family. So brethren, never give up on your quest to build your dreams. Never ever stop that dream of yours!

Whenever you wake from sleep to see a new day, think that there is a new opportunity to do something.

One day, just as I gave up on that little fly after her determination over passed my suppression, so shall your detractor(s) give up on you.

I was glad that, even after school, I went to campus for a program and realized that the structure was filled with larvae of the fly. I exclaimed, yes!

Finally, the world is going to have more kinds of determined and life changing wall-flies.

Let's keep on pressing hard for our labor shall not be in vane.

Once again, I wish you all the best of the merry season.

The writer:
Richard Sarpong
(Agriculturalist and entrepreneur)
Email: [email protected]