Kingsley Ukwueze @kingsleysom

There's one memory that always brings a smile to my face – the African giant star apple tree, known as Odara in Igbo land. This towering tree, with its robust, well-built stems and broad leaves, held a special place in my heart. Climbing its branches gave me a unique sense of freedom and peace.

The ventilation up there was unlike anything else. The way the wind whispered through the leaves and the gentle sway of the branches made it my go-to spot. From that lofty perch, I had a panoramic view of the surroundings. I could see my home in the distance, surrounded by other neighboring houses. Watching the children play and the world go by gave me a sense of being in my own little kingdom.

Of course, the allure of Odara was not just the breathtaking view. It was also the abundance of delicious star apple fruit. The fruits were incredibly sweet, and plucking them after a long day at school was the perfect way to unwind. The joy of snacking on those succulent fruits under the shade of the tree is a memory I cherish dearly.

However, there came a day when my idyllic relationship with that majestic tree took an unexpected turn. In a moment of carelessness, I lost my footing and came crashing down from the heights I so often sought solace in. The fall left me shaken and, more importantly, shattered my trust in my arboreal haven. The injuries weren’t severe, but the experience robbed me of the carefree enjoyment I once found in climbing the Odara tree.

After that fateful day, my love for the tree waned. I missed the innocent and carefree moments of my childhood, spent in the embrace of the African giant star apple tree.

I was disturbed last night by a relentless buzzing, the familiar sound of mosquitoes on the prowl. No matter how many times I swatted, turned on fans, or used repellent, those persistent insects seemed to always find a way to bother me. I had made up my mind that enough was enough; I needed a more potent solution. As soon as the morning light filtered through my window, I headed out to buy an insecticide.

After a trip to the store, I had the insecticide in hand. I followed the instructions carefully and sprayed it throughout my room before retiring for the night. I decided to give the room some time to clear of fumes, standing outside for a while and patiently waiting for the action to take place. Finally, when I returned to my room, I felt confident that I could finally enjoy a mosquito-free evening.

However, as night fell, I was awakened by the familiar hum of mosquitoes. In disbelief, I turned on my flashlight, hoping to catch a glimpse of my adversaries, but there was nothing to be seen. I found myself questioning whether I was simply on the verge of numbness to the bites or if my mind was playing tricks on me. Perhaps, after battling with mosquitoes for so long, I no longer recognized the sensation of my skin being left untouched and the bites themselves. It seemed I could no longer differentiate between being bitten and simply the feeling of being preyed upon by the small, relentless pests so accustomed to bugging me.

Amani was known for his adventurous spirit and his unyielding curiosity about the world beyond the village. Every day, he would gaze up at the majestic peak of the mountain, wondering what lay on the other side.

One bright morning, as the sun cast its golden rays over the village, Amani made a bold decision. He announced to his family that he would set out on a journey to climb the mountain and discover the mysteries that lay beyond. His family and friends were astonished, but Amani's determination shone in his eyes, and they knew he was destined for greatness.

Armed with only his sturdy walking stick and a small bag of provisions, Amani set off on his quest. The climb was arduous, and the path was filled with obstacles. But Amani pressed on, driven by his unwavering resolve. As he ascended, the air grew cooler, and the landscape transformed into a breathtaking panorama of lush valleys and cascading waterfalls.

Several days into his journey, Amani encountered a wise old woman who lived in a humble cottage near the mountain's peak. She welcomed him warmly and offered him shelter for the night. Over a crackling fire, the old woman shared tales of the ancient legends surrounding the mountain and its hidden wonders.

Encouraged by the old woman's wisdom and kindness, Amani awakened the next morning with renewed vigor. He bid farewell to his newfound friend and continued his ascent, finally reaching the summit as the sun began to dip below the horizon. As he stood at the pinnacle, a sense of awe and wonder enveloped him, for before him lay a vast, uncharted land stretching as far as the eye could see.

Amani's heart swelled with gratitude and a deep sense of accomplishment. He knew that his journey had only just begun, and he descended the mountain, eager to share the stories of his incredible adventure with his village. From that day on, Amani became a beacon of inspiration, his courage and determination serving as a reminder to all that boundless wonders await those who dare to dream and embark on their own extraordinary journeys. And in the village, his tale was told for generations, inspiring others to pursue their dreams with unwavering faith.

And so, the legend of Amani, the fearless young adventurer, lived on, a testament to the power of courage, curiosity, and the indomitable spirit of the human heart.

I spent the entire day cooped up inside my home, hoping and waiting for the electricity distribution company to restore power. My plans for the day included catching up on some reading, completing my online tasks, and perhaps even binge-watching a new series. However, my expectations were soon met with disappointment as the hours passed and the power remained out without even a hint of returning. It was as if the entire world around me had been swallowed by the darkness, leaving me alone with my thoughts and dwindling phone battery.

From the crack of dawn until the last glimmer of twilight, I sat by the window, eagerly awaiting any sign of the lights flickering back on. I tried distracting myself with some old-fashioned reading under the dim light of a candle, but it was evident that my mind kept wandering back to the hope of the power returning and granting me some respite from the darkness.

As the clock struck 7:09 am, I realized that there was no point in waiting any longer. I proceeded to gather all my devices in need of charging, including my phone, laptop, and tablet, and hastily made my way out the door. With a determination to still make something of the day, I set off to school, knowing that the library would be the perfect place to spend the evening and recharge my devices. The prospect of a productive night ahead, filled with studying and the comfort of knowing I could charge my devices, helped ease the disappointment of a day wasted in darkness.

I arrived at the quiet campus, the moon casting a silvery glow over the grounds as I made my way to the library. As I settled into a quiet corner, I couldn't help but appreciate the calm and tranquility that enveloped the campus after the hustle and bustle of the day. Eventually, I found a cozy spot with a power outlet and settled in with my books and notes, ready to make the most of my evening.

The hours passed by in a blur as I delved into my studies, savoring the luxury of being able to power my devices and have uninterrupted access to resources for the night. The library's serene ambiance provided a welcome backdrop to my focused study session, allowing me to lose myself in the tasks at hand without the distractions that often accompany working at home.

Late into the night, as the quiet hum of the library filled the space around me, I felt a sense of accomplishment and contentment. Although the day had started with disappointment, the opportunity to make use of the school's facilities and immerse myself in my academic pursuits left me with a renewed sense of purpose and productivity. As I packed up my belongings and prepared to head home, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the unexpected turn of events. Though the day had not unfolded as planned, it had offered a valuable lesson in resilience and adaptability, leaving me with a newfound appreciation for the simplicity of finding comfort and solace in unexpected places

Last week, I bought a fresh pair of shoes for school. They were pristine and white, and I was proud to wear them. But then, two days ago, I made a mistake that I'm still kicking myself for.

I had worn my new shoes in the rain and they ended up getting soaked through. After I got home, I decided to put them outside in the sun to dry. It was such a clear, sunny day, and I thought it would be the perfect way to dry them off. I left them out there for the whole day, confident they would be ready by the evening.

But as the day wore on, clouds rolled in, and the sun was chased away by thick gray blankets. I didn't even notice it was happening until it was too late. A sudden and unexpected rainstorm began to pour down, drenching everything in sight. I wasn't even thinking about my poor shoes— I was so used to the dry season that the idea of rain had completely slipped my mind.

By the time I remembered my shoes, it was already too late. They had been left outside in the downpour, completely at the mercy of the unrelenting rain. I had let them down, all because I wasn't thinking straight due to the unusual weather. When I went out to retrieve them, they were soaked through, no longer the sparkling shoes I had purchased just a week prior.

I brought them inside, trying to undo the damage, but it was clear that the rain had taken its toll. My once pristine shoes were now waterlogged and stained. I should have been more vigilant, should have heeded the change in the weather, but I had let my guard down, only to be caught off guard.

Now, I'm left with a pair of soggy, sorry shoes, and I can't help but wish I had been more attentive. It's a lesson I won't soon forget: in the ever-unpredictable weather of life, it's important to always think ahead and not take anything for granted.

Living with a neighbor who constantly shouted at any little thing was exhausting, to say the least. It seemed like she was always the loudest one around—laughing, snoring, even walking in a way that could probably be heard several floors up. It felt like her voice became the soundtrack to my daily life and I was desperate for a change.

I couldn't take it anymore. I decided to confront her one day, feeling the frustration boil over. To my surprise, her reaction was unexpected. When I addressed the extreme loudness that was causing so much irritation, she didn't take offense. Instead, she listened and surprisingly, things began to change.

The girl turned a new leaf. Quietly, her laughter softened, her movements became more considerate, and the house felt strangely peaceful. I thought her calmness when I brought up the issue could have been a way of mocking me, but as time went on, I realized it wasn't an act.

As she transformed her behavior, my feelings towards her began to change. What was once a strong dislike turned into a growing sense of fondness. We started talking more, and our initial animosity slowly evolved into a budding friendship. It was an unexpected turn of events, and I found myself looking forward to the possibility of a closer relationship in the long run.

Sometimes, the greatest surprises come from the most unexpected places, and the lousy neighbor who once filled my life with noise was now becoming a welcome presence on the quiet street we both called home.

Once in the animal kingdom, there was a lion who constantly boasted about being the strongest and most fearsome creature around. He would challenge any animal he crossed paths with, and time and again, he would prove his dominance at the field of battle. When his opponents gave up, the lion would chase after and eat them, much to the cheering and medal-giving joy of the village.

One day, a very confident lizard with a quick wit and loads of courage arrived in the kingdom, accompanied by his friend, a wise old goat. The lion, not expecting anything different, immediately challenged the lizard to a battle. Normally, when the lion charged, his opponents would scatter in fear, but this time, the lizard stood his ground, much to the surprise of everyone.

The lion, taken aback and bewildered, saw the lizard approaching with precision and determination, not a hint of fear in his eyes. Startled and nervous, the lion hesitated and then turned and ran for dear life, leaving the lizard nodding with satisfaction and proudly collecting all the medals from the awestruck onlookers.

From that day on, the lizard's unexpected courage and bravery earned him a reputation as the greatest warrior of all time in the animal kingdom. Even the lion couldn't argue with the new title, and the village erupted into celebration, marveling at the newfound hero, who had proven that sometimes, the smallest and most unassuming creatures could achieve the most astonishing victories.

Last week, the scorching heat became unbearable as the electric supply in my area started fluctuating. I relied on my trusty fan to keep cool, but alas, it fell victim to the power fluctuations, leaving me in a sweat-soaked predicament. The fan, my cherished life-saver during this period of heat, was now out of commission.

After the initial heartbreak, I resolved to economize so I could purchase a new fan. I meticulously budgeted my money for food, savings on transport, and every penny I could save. My budget was tighter than ever, set at a modest fifteen thousand naira.

On Friday, I set out to the market with hopes of finding a replacement fan within my budget. However, to my dismay, I discovered that the lowest price for a reliable fan was twenty-four thousand naira. I couldn't afford to make the purchase on the spot.

Disheartened but undeterred, a newfound humor kindled within me. Pocketing my hard-earned money, I made my way back home. Along the journey, I decided to treat myself by buying some much-needed food supplies. Though I couldn't afford the fan I desperately needed, managing to secure provisions lifted my spirits.

As I returned home, I felt a sense of accomplishment despite the setback. I resolved that the fan would have to wait; I would make do with the stifling heat for a little while longer. After all, the highest I could do was to sleep outside should the nighttime heat become unbearable.