THE PRICE OF A DREAM
1607 Words
CHAPTER TWO
THE PRICE OF A DREAM
The school bell rang just as Joshua entered the compound.
Students hurried toward their classrooms, some laughing and talking loudly while others ran because they did not want to be late.
Joshua walked quietly.
He adjusted the strap of his old schoolbag and headed toward his classroom.
As he entered, he noticed something immediately.
Everyone seemed to be talking about the upcoming examinations.
The final examinations were only a few weeks away, and the teachers had already begun warning the students that anyone who had not paid their school fees would not be allowed to participate.
Joshua slowly took his seat.
His friend, Samuel, leaned toward him.
"Joshua."
"Yes?"
"Have you paid your fees?"
Joshua looked at him for a moment.
"Not yet."
Samuel frowned.
"Your mother hasn't gotten the money?"
Joshua shook his head.
"She is trying."
Samuel lowered his voice.
"You know they won't allow you to write the examination if you don't pay."
"I know."
"What are you going to do?"
Joshua looked toward the blackboard.
"I'll find a way."
Samuel smiled.
"You always say that."
Joshua smiled back.
But deep inside, he was afraid.
He knew that this was different.
This was not just another school bill.
These examinations were important.
If he passed, he would be able to continue to the next level.
If he failed to write them, he would lose an entire year.
For a boy like Joshua, losing one year was not a small thing.
It could mean losing his chance completely.
His mother could barely afford food. Paying his school fees was becoming more difficult every term.
Joshua looked around the classroom.
Some students were discussing the universities they wanted to attend.
One boy said he wanted to become a doctor.
Another wanted to become an engineer.
Someone else wanted to study law.
Joshua listened quietly.
He also had a dream.
He wanted to become a businessman.
He wanted to build something that would employ people instead of begging people for work.
He wanted to own a house where his mother would never have to worry about rent again.
He wanted his younger sister to receive the education she deserved.
Most importantly, he wanted to prove that the circumstances of his birth did not have to determine the direction of his life.
But dreams were expensive.
Not because dreaming required money.
Because pursuing a dream required sacrifice.
And Joshua was beginning to discover just how expensive his dream would be.
During the first lesson, the mathematics teacher entered the classroom.
"Good morning, students."
"Good morning, sir."
The teacher placed his books on the table.
"I hope everyone is preparing for the examination."
"Yes, sir."
He picked up a piece of chalk.
"Today, we are going to revise some of the topics we have studied this term."
Joshua opened his notebook.
His pen was almost finished.
He pressed it against the page.
Nothing happened.
He tried again.
Still nothing.
He shook it.
Then he scribbled several times at the corner of the page.
Finally, a faint line appeared.
Joshua sighed.
He looked at Samuel.
"Can I borrow your pen?"
Samuel handed him one.
"Keep it."
Joshua looked at him.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Thank you."
"No problem."
Joshua smiled.
He bent over his notebook and began writing.
For the next hour, he concentrated on the lesson.
Despite everything happening around him, Joshua loved learning.
School was one of the few places where he could forget his problems for a while.
When he was studying, he did not feel poor.
He did not think about unpaid fees.
He did not think about the empty cupboard at home.
He did not think about his father's absence.
Books gave him a place where possibilities still existed.
But that peace did not last.
During the break, the school bursar entered the classroom with a list.
The students became quiet.
"Students," she said, "I have been instructed to remind those who have outstanding fees that payment must be made before Friday."
She began calling names.
One after another.
Some students immediately raised their hands.
"Paid."
"Paid."
"Paid."
Then she called Joshua's name.
"Joshua."
His heart sank.
"Yes, ma."
"Your fees are still outstanding."
The entire classroom became silent.
Joshua lowered his eyes.
"I know, ma."
"When will you pay?"
Joshua swallowed.
"Very soon."
The woman looked at him.
"I have heard that answer before."
Joshua said nothing.
"You have until Friday."
"Yes, ma."
"If you don't pay by then, you will not be allowed to sit for the examination."
She turned and walked away.
Joshua remained still.
He could feel several eyes on him.
Someone at the back whispered something.
Another student laughed.
Joshua pretended not to hear.
Samuel touched his shoulder.
"Don't worry."
Joshua nodded.
But his mind was already somewhere else.
Friday.
Three days.
How was he going to find the money?
After school, Joshua did not go straight home.
He walked to the market.
He had decided to look for work.
Anything.
Loading goods.
Cleaning shops.
Carrying bags.
Sweeping.
Whatever could bring him money.
He approached several traders.
"Good afternoon, sir."
"Good afternoon."
"Please, do you need someone to help you?"
The first man looked at him.
"Help me do what?"
"Anything, sir."
The man laughed.
"I already have workers."
Joshua moved to another shop.
The response was similar.
Then another.
And another.
By sunset, his legs were aching.
His stomach was empty.
He had not found work.
He sat beside the road and watched people moving through the market.
Some were carrying baskets.
Some were pushing carts.
Some were closing their shops.
Joshua looked at his hands.
They were rough from helping his mother.
He clenched them.
"I won't give up."
He stood and started walking home.
When he arrived, he found his mother sitting outside.
She looked exhausted.
There was a small bowl beside her.
"You're late," she said.
"I went to look for work."
His mother looked at him.
"Work?"
"Yes."
She sighed.
"Joshua, you should concentrate on school."
"I am concentrating."
"Then why are you looking for work?"
"Because of the school fees."
His mother's eyes filled with tears.
"I will find the money."
"How?"
She looked away.
"I'll borrow."
"From whom?"
She didn't answer.
Joshua sat beside her.
"Mama."
She turned toward him.
"I don't want you to stop school because of me."
"You are not the reason."
"Then who is?"
Joshua looked toward the road.
"Life."
His mother remained silent.
After a moment, Joshua continued.
"I know things are difficult. But I don't want to spend my whole life struggling like this."
His mother touched his shoulder.
"You won't."
"How do you know?"
"Because I believe in you."
Joshua looked at her.
Those words meant more to him than money.
That night, after eating a small portion of rice, Joshua went to bed.
But he could not sleep.
He stared at the ceiling.
Friday.
Three days.
He needed money.
He thought about his dream.
Then he thought about reality.
For the first time, a frightening question entered his mind.
What if his dream was simply too big for his circumstances?
Joshua turned to the wall.
He closed his eyes.
"No," he whispered.
He remembered his mother's words.
Where you start in life is not where you must finish.
He repeated them silently.
Again.
And again.
Until sleep finally came.
The next morning, Joshua woke up with a decision.
He would not wait for someone to rescue him.
He would find a way.
Before school, he helped his mother prepare the snacks she sold by the roadside.
Then he went to school.
During lunch break, he visited a mechanic workshop near the school.
A middle-aged man was working beneath an old vehicle.
Joshua stood nearby.
"Good afternoon, sir."
The man looked at him.
"Good afternoon."
"Sir, do you need someone to help you?"
The mechanic wiped his hands.
"What can you do?"
"Anything you teach me."
The man studied him.
"Do you know anything about mechanics?"
"No, sir."
"Then why should I employ you?"
"I can learn."
The man smiled.
"Everyone says that."
Joshua remained standing.
"Please, sir."
The mechanic looked at him for several seconds.
Then he pointed toward a pile of tools.
"Clean those tools."
Joshua immediately began.
For the next two hours, he worked without complaining.
He swept the floor.
Carried tools.
Cleaned parts.
Fetched water.
When he finished, the mechanic looked at him.
"You are a student?"
"Yes, sir."
"Why are you working?"
Joshua hesitated.
"My school fees."
The man nodded slowly.
"Come after school tomorrow."
Joshua's eyes brightened.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, sir."
"But I cannot pay you much."
"Anything is fine."
The mechanic smiled.
"What is your name?"
"Joshua."
"My name is Mr. Emmanuel."
Joshua smiled.
"Thank you, Mr. Emmanuel."
As Joshua walked away, he felt something he had not felt in several days.
Hope.
It was not a huge opportunity.
It was not the solution to all his problems.
But it was a beginning.
And Joshua was beginning to understand something important.
Sometimes, God does not open the whole road at once.
Sometimes, He gives you just enough light to take the next step.
Joshua walked back toward school.
His pockets were still empty.
His school fees were still unpaid.
His problems had not disappeared.
But his attitude had changed.
He had found a small door.
And he was determined to walk through it.
He did not know where that door would lead.
He only knew that he had to keep moving.
Because a man may begin his journey with empty pockets...
But he does not have to finish it that way.
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