SHORT STORY BY EZEKIEL MOSES ON CORRUPTION

A client of mine told me a funny story, true life story that happened yesterday, here is how is goes:

(All passengers in a bus, there is shouting and pandemonium, the bus is on fire, everyone rushes out trying to save their lives, Mr. John rush out)

 MR JOHN: My friend could you please hold my laptop for me let me help put off this smoke.

SMART: Pops man no P                                                                  

(MR JOHN hurriedly move closer to the bus helping to put of the fire, few minutes later)

MR JOHN: Where is my lap…. I mean where is this guy… (To people standing by) I gave one boy wearing red T shirt my laptop. (Everyone looks around, still no response, he gets more confused) My God my laptop has been stolen, my laptop (Seats on the floor) Why me…oh my God!

FRED: Oga why you dey  shout now?

MR JOHN: Someone just made away with my treasured possession

FRED: You say?

MR JOHN: Oh! Sorry that pikin where dey here before done steal my laptop

FRED: Na watin you want talk be that whe you de speak all that big big English?

MR JOHN: Sorry ma men, how you won help me?

FRED: Wrong question, the right question is how much you want pay?

MR JOHN: Please help me ma men, I will pay you 500 LD (Liberian Dollar).

FRED: Now you are talking, I know that thief ma men, le go to his house. (FRED takes MR JOHN to SMART’S house, with some  witnesses, they waited for a while SMART’s parents says hes not at home, they are all worried about the news, but waiting to see him for enquires, they left after a while)

MR JOHN: Good day POLICE.

POLICE: How you do boss man?

MR JOHN: I alright oh! My men one pikin just steal my laptop now.

(He took the police officer to SMART’s house, they waited a long time before he retires to leave)

POLICE: Ma men, you want your laptop back?

MR JOHN: Yes boss man, that’s my office

POLICE: You will need money ma men. (He took the officer’s contact, agree to meet him in one hour, MR. JOHN hurry home, took his wife’s phone and a few valuables, he spoke to a few people who are not willing to lend him some money, he finally got a buyers for his valuables, took a bike back to the officer, who is seating a a bear parlor in his uniform, he hands him 2000 LD)

POLICE: (Smiling) You do good ma men, you go home, no need to worry, I will get your laptop from that pikin, that pikin na bad pikin ma men, I already have you house address no need to worry ma men.

MR JOHN: Thank you officer, I will be expecting you. (He takes his leave)

(THREE HOURS LATTER, there is a knock at the door, the noise of the TV set fills the room)

MR JOHN: Oh! Thank you ma men, you have no idea what this laptop mean to me, sure you have arrested that bastard?

POLICE:  No boss men.

MR JOHN: Why ma men?

POLICE: The pikin say he help you keep the laptop, so that someone will not steal it.

MR JOHN: What him lie ma men, I don’t even know him from Adam, if not for that pikin FRED that took me to his house? Well?

POLICE: This is Monrovia Ma men, don’t sleep while walking anything can happen, not only in Lagos shine your eyes.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Corruption is not limited to a nation, a people or race it is fast becoming a global disease. An innocent man trying to help others, trapped in a rubbery case, the so called good Samaritan FRED exploited him, same as the POLICE an officer who is supposed to protect innocent citizen, drinking in uniform and collecting bribe just to enforce the law he is trained and paid to enforce. Watch what you do, it might just come back to you, shun corruption today! It pays to live right.