Form rag to Gold

The MOUNTAIN OF OBSTACLES

As Sekinat progressed to Senior Secondary School, she faced her greatest and most dangerous battle — THE SENIOR SCHOOL CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION (WAEC). In Nigeria, this examination serves as the decisive bridge between Ordinary Life and Higher Education. However, it demands heavy registration fees and expensive textbooks which Sekinat did not possess.

When she humbly approached her father Alhaji Bello and Stepmother Mama Risqat for financial assistance, the house erupted in cruel laughter and venomous anger. Mama Risqat shouted scornfully: "YOU WANT TO WRITE WAEC? IN YOUR DREAMS! Why should I waste my hard-earned money on a USELESS ORPHAN SLAVE? School is strictly for RICH CHILDREN like my Taiwo and Kehinde. Return immediately to the Kitchen where you belong!"

Her father, though kind-hearted, remained completely silent being fully dominated and terrified by his wicked wife. Sekinat left the compound weeping bitterly with broken heart. She questioned her destiny: "Is this how my bright dream will perish in darkness? Must I remain a slave forever?"

She retreated to her secret sanctuary beside the flowing River. Sitting quietly on a smooth stone, she watched the Water encountering heavy rocks yet never stopped flowing. As a true OMO OMI (Child of Water), she whispered to the River: "Oh Flowing Water... Teach me your Secret. SOFT BUT UNSTOPPABLE. FLOW THROUGH EVERY OBSTACLE WITHOUT BREAKING."

Sekinat embarked on THREE DAYS OF DRY FASTING AND INTENSE PRAYER. From dawn till dusk, she ate nothing and drank nothing, pouring her entire heart before Allah in deep Sajdah: "Ya Allah! If this Destiny is good for me, please OPEN THE WAY. If not, grant me the Heart to Accept Your Will."

ALLAH ANSWERED THROUGH HUMAN INSTRUMENTS. 🕊️

Madam Grace and Mr. Johnson heard of her rejection and suffering. They gathered secretly: "We cannot allow this Precious DIAMOND to remain buried in Dust." Combining their personal savings and resources, they paid the full WAEC Registration Fee and purchased necessary Past Questions and Stationery for Sekinat without her knowledge.

On the Registration day, Madam Grace called her privately: "Sekinat, dry your precious tears. ALLAH PROVIDES FROM SOURCES YOU NEVER IMAGINED. Your Name is Officially Registered."

Sekinat fell flat on the ground crying tears of Joy and Gratitude: "Ya Allah! Truly You NEVER FORGET THE WEEPING CHILD."

THE EXAMINATION PERIOD:

The atmosphere was heavy with anxiety and tension. Folashade and her group smuggled "EXPO" (Illegal Answer Sheets) hidden inside their blouses and bras. Taiwo and Kehinde copied recklessly from dull neighbours believing falsely that "MONEY BUYS SUCCESS".

But Sekinat entered the Examination Hall wearing HOLY CONFIDENCE. She carried only her Pen and her Pure Knowledge. Before writing, she whispered: "Ya Allah! Let my Honesty and Wisdom SPEAK FOR ME."

Subject after Subject, Sekinat answered perfectly displaying brilliance beyond her age. In Mathematics, she solved complex calculations effortlessly. In English, her Grammar was flawless. In Agricultural Science, she wrote like a born Farmer. She utilized every lesson learned from her Suffering and Hardship.

Meanwhile, Folashade was caught red-handed cheating and got DISQUALIFIED instantly. Taiwo and Kehinde copied wrong answers from confused students. Sekinat walked out of the Hall with a bright victorious smile. She understood clearly that HONESTY IS THE KEY TO EVERLASTING GLORY. She faced the Result Day with absolute Calmness knowing fully well that SUCCESS DELAYED IS NOT SUCCESS DENIED.