Chapter 1 – Her Friend’s Suggestion
On a steamy day in Africa a deep and booming voice called out to Abidemi a 12-year-old young boy. It was his old mother. As Abidemi’s father passed away at the age of 50. He was old enough. As they were poor, they could manage only 2 meals a day. Abidemi was a very responsible and kind-hearted boy. He always helped others in times of need. That’s why everyone around liked him. He did not care about himself.
One day his mother Imani was very worried that how could she raise her child, get him educated and make him stand on his own legs. Day and Night she kept thinking of her child. She could not sleep at night. Seeing this Abidemi was also worried about her. For this, she went to a woman who could help her. Her friend Aba was rich but she never pretended. She suggested she shifts to India to Aba’s parents. She thanked Aba and said to her–“You are my true friend”. Aba said to her–“In friendship-to-friendship, no thanks. He will also get an education.
Chapter 2 – A Day in India
After a conversation she began to think about it and asked her son, if he was ready to go. Abidemi understands her feelings and in a second he said– “YES MOM”. After deciding to go to India. Imani said to Aba–“We are ready to go”. Abidemi was getting impatient and curiosity was burning in him. After they reached to the airport. Imani said to Aba–“I will remember your favor my entire life” and the plane took off. It was Abidemi’s dream to fly above the clouds.
After they reached, Aba’s parents were waiting there to pick them. They also welcomed them by offering them with sweets and Abidemi with toys. First they felt uncomfortable but when they were brought home and got their care, they felt comfortable. After some days Abidemi started going to school. On the first day of the school children treated him good. Days passed, his mother Imani also passed away due to oldage. At the last moment Imani said to Abidemi that–“Study well and give the world a new identity of yours.
Chapter 3 – A Painful School
After his mother’s death, he began to call Aba’s parents his own mom and dad. He aims to fulfill his mother’s wish. Day by day Abidemi was getting discouraged and demotivated by his friends comments on the appearance of his face and his body language. They all said to him–“In India, dark color faces kids are not allowed to get jobs”. He really got disappointed of his friends comments and he did not want to get negative thoughts in mind.
But they always wanted to get him out their way. He always kept his mother’s promise in his mind and always tried to focus on his work. But still he was not able to focus on his work. After returning back home he did not share his pain with his parents thinking they are old and would get mental pressure. But his parents knew him how he felt discomfort in school and were getting worried. They tried to make him understand that do not pay attention to what the children say, just concentrate on your work. They tried several times to make him understand focus on your work and prove yourself.
Chapter 4 – Motivate Teachings
But, still no improvement. Same happened Abidemi returned home with a sad looking face. As days passed Abidemi started to grow irresponsible and didn’t not pay attention to studies. He does not score good marks in exam or neither played better. He totally began to disrespect his parents and forgot all about the promise that he made to his mom. He also began to talk to elders as well as to young rudely. He even did not share his belongings with anyone. He did not help anyone in trouble.
His parents were really worried. So they decided, that only he would understand by Buddha’s teaching. So, one day when he was going to the bus stand, he saw a saint under a tree shade. Abidemi was pleased by the saint mediation. He went to him and said–‘Baba I am pleased with your meditation, please give me your blessing. At that movement he remembered his mother’s last words. He asked–“Baba if someone tried to fill our mind with negative thoughts, what should we do?
Chapter 5 – A Big Answer
The saint liked the question, to make him understand he brought Abidemi to the riverside under a tree shade and made him sit. And said–“See Abidemi world is full of people who are there to stop you, while others are there to encourage you.
Don’t pay attention to what the world says, you come here to live your world and to fulfill your responsibility. So, it depends on you whom you want to live with”. Abidemi realized his mistake that how he disobeyed his own parents who gave him good teachings and nurtured him.
After the conversation he kept his teachings in mind and went to school. There he didn’t pay attention to what his friends were saying and was doing his paper quietly. Everyone was shocked what happened to Abidemi. They all understood in just a minute that Abidemi has improved and is not anymore with us. Now Abidemi was improving day by day and his parents thanks to the saint who had helped Abidemi to become a good fellow.
Chapter 6 – A Changed Life
After the wisdom he had given to Abidemi felt proud of himself. He became a responsible and obeyed his parents. Once, again he showcased his talent in studies and his interest in sports. He started to take part in tournaments and competitions and winning prizes. But, mostly he liked to spend time on computers making and discovering new software. He had a keen interest in learning about programming languages such as PYTHON, HTML and JAVA. He himself decided to become a software engineer. His teachers in school were astonished by the sudden change he made in studies and participating in school functions.
One day while writing his school homework he suddenly remembered about the saint who had helped him to everyone’s favorite. He just threw his pen and ran out to the kitchen and pulled out a box of sweets and ran out to the same tree where he had seen the saint before and he didn’t see him anywhere but instead he saw a letter under a stone. He pulled it out and read it –
Two big tears rolled down from the eyes of Abidemi and he started to cry loudly. At that time his parents came and hid behind a large tree and mumbled to themselves – “There is a great bond between Abidemi and the saint. I think that we should live Abidemi alone for sometimes.
After an hour Abidemi returned back to home with sad looking face and sat down for studying. That’s when his mother came and hugged him tightly and said – “Abidemi this is a process of one’s life, whom you like have to go somewhere so don’t cry and go to sleep.
Chapter 7 – A Glimpse of Past
Days passed, years passed, in no time Abidemi became an adult man. He spend most of his day studying hard, he gave very little time for studying or helping his parents. His parents always encouraged him and told him motivational stories. They told him that – “We are there with you for a specific time after that you have to live on your own. They also told him that before starting any work you need to trust on yourself. This will help you to your work without hesitation. Years of hardwork, he passed the exam, his parents were very proud of Abidemi.
One day Abidemi was invited to display his presentation on programming languages. His parents, colleagues, his boss were invited as the audience. Some companies’ owner were also invited. While presenting his presentation he was feeling nervous, but then he remembered his mother’s last word and then began to present confidently. Everyone liked his presentation and gave him a huge round of applause.
While returning he saw beautiful temple decorated with garlands. He went there and worshipped to gods and goddesses. As he turned back he saw the same saint in deep meditation, he couldn’t believe his eyes. He ran to him and bowed at his feet. As soon as the saint opened his eyes, Abidemi took the saint in his old memories where he taught him good lessons. They hugged each other and said – “Baba, I found you back, you know how much I was missing you.
December, 2025
