TEEN MEMO

NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER

Among her age group, Daniella Ava Rogers was the smallest or rather ,the littlest but it was a good thing to know that she was the most mature mentally and most creative. Parents who knew her especially those who lived in the same estate used her as an object of example for other children in the neighborhood because Daniella was a well-mannered and meek young elrig. Despite all this, Eucharia would tell them to stop comparing two different children because they were different and because of this, they can't be the same. She further explained that comparing one's children with another's will make the child feel worthless and valueless.

"Everyone has their own special ability." She always said.

Most reasoning mothers agreed to her statement while others, green with envy said she was saying so because she had a godsend daughter who always brought joy and a ray of happiness to her life; a child who was barely boisterous and full of beans that would make her worry less.

Being an only child, Daniella got all the attention she desired. Everyday, she always learnt something interesting either from her world's #1 best dad or world's #1 best mum.

She learned to develop a positive mindset from Eucharia, her mother especially after hearing her birth story. She didn't know if she was sad that her parents passed through a lot or she was happy that she lived for her loved ones after the death of her brother whom she never met.

To crown it all in her own sentiment, God was the one who kept her alive so, she owed him a lot.

"One thing you should know is that no matter whatever you do to repay God, you can never be able to pay up the debts for everything He has done for you. It's like taking a big bucket and pouring a drop of water into the bucket. Can a drop of water fill the empty bucket?" Leonard asked Daniella on one occasion when they went strolling and Daniella then said that one day, she would pay God for everything He has done for her and her family.

"No dad! A drop of water can never fill an empty bucket" The smart girl answered as she pictured it in her mind.

"That's my champ. In the same way, the bucket is significantly all the good things that God has done for us and the drop of water is the little that we give God thinking that we have repaid him for everything He has done for us. There is only one way to repay God even if it wouldn't still cover for everything He has done for you."Leonard taught her.

"What is the way I can do so, dad? Please tell me... Please tell me." Young Daniella implored her father.

"Walk in the path of God. Walking in the path of God means observing His laws and non burdensome standards. It entails informing Him about any decision you want to make through prayer, praises and regular study of his word, the Bible. I didn't believe in God before because in school those days, we we taught that man originated from apes, chimpanzee, monkeys and all the rest of that group."

"So, what made you change your mind set on that?"She asked inquisitively, she was always eager to ask questions and she felt happy whenever she learned something new.

"There was this special day that I was on an evening stroll all by myself. Then, I decided to take a rest. I gazed and looked intently to the sky and saw the beauty of the clouds. I asked myself questions like: Is it really possible that everything came about instantly? Am I not sure that there is someone more powerful than a mere mortal chimpanzee? Many thoughts ran through my mind; I opened my heart for knowledge and that was when I discovered through the Bible that there is a wonderful creator in heaven, the most powerful Spirit Being who made everything. He can decide whatever happens at this moment and nothing is too extraordinary for Him. Ever since then, I changed my negative thinking about life and became a better person." Leonard concluded.

"Wow... Dad. The story was really interesting. Maybe I'd start reading my Bible everyday so that I can learn more about God. What do you think?" Dani asked.

"Perfect idea, Dani. Reading the Bible and meditating on its teachings everyday will remold your life and will help you improve your perspective on life. Also, prayer works. What is prayer?"Leonard asked to know if she was following.

"In school, I was taught by my Religious Education teacher that Prayer is an act of communicating with God, even when you don't see him face-to-face." She answered confidently.

"Authentic! Brilliant! Prayer has to do with talking to God. In prayer, you express your gratitude, feelings and problems to God. Like I said earlier, nothing is too extraordinary for God. God hears the prayers of everyone and he chooses the best time to answer them because He knows the right time for every situation. In prayer, tell God what you want Him to do for you but always remember to thank him first for whatever He has done for you. Are you clear with that?"

"Yes dad. In fact, I believe that God answers prayers because I prayed to him to help me pass my exam and of course, I brought home an A-game with parallel A's." Daniella said.

"Good one! Keep asking Him and He will answer in his own appointed time. In His due time, He will not withhold your prayers from getting answered." He concluded.

Daniella nodded and they went in their way.

* * * * * *

Eucharia and Daniella were in the kitchen preparing noodles for dinner. Daniella was fond of helping her mother in the kitchen without being implored or persuaded to do so.

While cooking, Eucharia was chopping the vegetables comprising mostly of carrots, spring onion and green beans.

Instantly, she received a call from one of her customers in her boutique whom she usually calls "Clients."

Her boutique was a fifteen minutes drive from their home. She left the kitchen to take the call. Daniella hoping to make her mum happy picked up the knife and decided to help her mother by chopping the carrots. She was a little bit scared that she would cut her finger and of course, she did. She yelled and blood was gushing out from her index finger on her tiny left hand.

Eucharia, on the other side of the room heard her scream. She promised to call her clients later because she had a little emergency on ground. She quickly grabbed the first aid box and treated the cut with mildness and care after applying direct pressure on the cut.

"Why did you have to cut any vegetables? You're still too young to handle such kind of knife." Eucharia said immediately after closing the first aid box.

"I'm so sorry, mum. I only wanted to make you happy but now, I made you tensed and pigged out. Will you forgive me for my little mistake?" Daniella said softly seeing the tension and nervousness in her mum's eyes giving the impression of a thought such as: 'What will I have done if something terrible happened?'

"I wasn't angry or frustrated about you. I was just tensed because I was scared that something bad might have happened to you. Please, do not ever touch anything that you cannot handle at such a tender age and something beyond you. Am I understood?"

"Yes, mum... I promise not to make you upset anymore. I would work under your guidance in everything I do till I come of age." Daniella promised.

Eucharia became relieved instantly.

"But mum, the cut will heal in no time, right?" Daniella asked.

"Of course. It will heal as fast as possible."

"Why is it that whenever I have a cut, it will heal before I realize but that not the case for my dolls. Once they break, they can't be fixed again!" Daniella asked in curiosity.

"Here's the reason; God designed our body in a unique way that no matter whatever accident, be at home, in school, on the road, wherever we are, we heal but for your dolls, they are man-made without life in them. God loves us, the humans He created, that is why He gave us good things to enjoy a perfect life. But sadly, Adam and Eve spoiled the wonderful prospect God had in mind for us." Eucharia said, looking intently as her daughter, who was paying rapt attention to her.

"That's so sad. So you mean that the world would have been a wonderful place if not that Adam and Eve went against God's order?"

"Yes... And soon, God will take control over everything." Eucharia concluded as Daniella nodded.

Daniella was fond of nodding whenever she was understanding something because to her, nodding was a sign of comprehension. It was her signal to the speaker that she understood what was being said.

* * * * * * *

In her third grade of elementary school, before the pupils went on their midterm break, their class teacher, a prolific writer and poet, who learnt English in college and graduated with an outstanding result, Mrs Tuna Cassidy told them to compose a poem on any theme without anyone's guidance so that she could be able to access and grade their creativity in terms of writing.

She wanted to use that as a way of encouraging the pupils to be creative, and the winner was going to get a trophy and other remarkable awards, the second and third positions weren't going to be left out; they will also receive a prize.

Mrs Tuna Cassidy was not a teacher because she had no other occupation, but because of her love for children and she wanted to use teaching as an avenue to enhance the creativity of the pupils.

Apart from that, the proprietress of the school called her to be the school's English teacher because of her academic excellence and success. She was fun to be with because she was this jolly good fellow and a jocose woman in her mid thirties.

Her thirteen year old daughter, Ciara became a professional writer at age seven, following her mother's footsteps.

Daniella loved Mrs Cassidy and wished to be like her someday in terms of her generosity, kind-heartedness and outstanding writing skills. She has made a lot of money on writing for clients and writing her own books, poems and even inspirational quotes.

The pupils were so determined to do well in composing their poem on hearing "golden trophy."

Not only will the winner receive a golden trophy but also have the privilege to be posted on the school's social media website with bragging rights as "The most creative pupil in poetry."

Pupils who were cheery about this didn't wait a bit to spill the news to their parents and of course, they did on their drive home.

Each pupil went home and commenced their homework. Some who felt that they were smart enough forgetting that Mrs Tuna was a poet plagiarized the poem of other writers, including hers without thinking it through.

Arrant nonsense!!!

Other pupils sought the help of their parents, guidance, older siblings in high school and college as well as relatives who had the knowledge of poem writing.

Meanwhile, Daniella wasn't like that. Though, her eyes were fixed on the reward but she wanted to be independent.

Her father, Leonard once taught her that her that independent girls are always the strongest and most confident which makes them handle whatever difficult task or situation that comes their way.

She sat on her bed, shut her eyes and thought of words she would combine together to compose a wonderful poem.

For the first five minutes, she had no single idea. She opened her eyes, said a brief prayer to God and shut her eyes again this time with all seriousness and solemness.

Before she knew it, ideas started running through her mind. She picked up her jotter and pencil from her study table; she penned down her ideas.

The first idea of hers wasn't interesting to read so she cancelled it. For the second idea, she wrote a few lines but the poem was unfavourable...to her. She cancelled it again. The third one was impressive and commendable. It goes this way:

I was born premature,

does that mean I would remain premature?

I am small in size and appearance,

Is that an indication that I will always remain small?

People call me smart,

Will I always be smart and reasonable?

I value my life now,

Will my life have value and be valued?

I have been born,

does that mean I would not die?

I have learned that things come and go,

but some things have come to stay.

God Almighty made these things possible.

I have decided to make Him proud.

She rewrote the poem into her assignment note and titled it "Polar Change."

Mouths couldn't explain how ecstatic and placated Daniella felt after composing such a poem. She was on cloud nine all day long to the point that Eucharia noticed her ebullience.

"So tell me Dani, what's the reason for this sudden happiness of yours as if you've being tickled pink. Tell me everything, leaving nothing to the imagination." Eucharia said.

Daniella, chuffed to bits, explained everything to her mother, withholding none from her mouth. Eucharia was pleased with her daughter and prayed that God would grant her victory in His due time.