The Bush Boy

It's a chilly Monday morning, and the birds are singing and the trees are still sleeping. Frank walks down the lonely path towards the community secondary school. Deka village is a farming settlement, and most of the farmers cultivate maize. The Community Secondary School was built by the villagers. Frank is one of the best students in the school. He is regarded as the future of Deka village. He is seen as a role model to other children.

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Frank enters the school premises and notices a white SUV parked by the principal's office. Frank looks at his friend Mike and says, "Our principal has bought a new car." Mike smiles. I hear that some men from the city are here to test our students for a scholarship program."

The bell rings, and all the students are gathered at the assembly hall. The principal, Mr. Cole, walks up to the podium. "Good morning students, we have visitors in our midst, and I can tell you that they are here with some great news, and I can say that it will be of great benefit to the school and this community. Let me bring you to the podium, Mr. Mark." The principal stepped down from the podium, and the students clapped as Mr. Mark stepped on the podium. Mr Mark adjusts his tie and clears his throat. "I am a representative of the Education for All Foundation. Our Foundation is based in the United Kingdom and has branches in all the countries of the world. This year the foundation has selected your school to benefit from our scholarship program. We will be picking the top two students with the highest scores from our scholarship exams. And will be given a full scholarship to study at any university of their choice in the United Kingdom." The students clapped, and there was excitement in the air. Everyone was determined to get the scholarship.

Mike looks at Frank and says, "You are the most intelligent student in this village, and I am sure that you will win the scholarship; the rest of us are just fighting for just one spot." Frank smiles and taps Mike on the shoulder. "My friend, we will get the two spots."Frank and Mike agree on a day to be studying together for the exams. They see it as an opportunity to better their lives.

"Good morning, Mazi Eze and Nne; I am here to see Frank." Mazi Eze smiles, "Welcome, my son; Frank is inside. I am happy that you boys are taking these scholarship exams seriously, and I know the gods will favor you boys." Mike bows his head to affirm Mazi Eze's prayers. Frank comes outside with a trap in his hand. Mazi Eze looks at Frank with astonishment. "Frank, what are you doing with a trap?" Frank smiles and says, "Papa, I want to go set a trap, so I can use my catch to celebrate my scholarship to the United Kingdom." Mike, shocked with what he just heard, rubs his head. "Frank, we can set this trap after the exams tomorrow; let us go and read." Frank smiles and says to Mike, "You go ahead; I will join you later."Mazi Eze looks at Frank and says, "Better listen to your friend; you can set this trap tomorrow." Nne tells Frank to listen to Mike and his father, but Frank insists on setting his trap that evening. "Since you insist on setting the trap this evening, make sure you don't go far into the bush," Mazi Eze tells Frank. Frank nods and leaves for the bush. Mike is disappointed and leaves for the school library.

It's 8 p.m., and Frank is not yet back. Mazi Eze rides his bicycle to the school, but the security guard informs him that the only person that came to school was Mike. Mazi Eze rides to Mike's house. On getting there, he meets Mazi Okeki, Mike's father outside. "Mazi Eze Good evening; join me and have a cup of palm wine," Mazi Okeki says. "Mazi Okeki, I have not seen my son; he went into the bush to set a trap." Mike rushes out of his room and bows as he greets Mazi Eze. "Sir, I have not seen Frank since I last saw him in the morning."
"Mazi Eze, it is best we go into the bush and look for him," Mazi Okeki said. The two men move into the bush immediately. The comb the whole bush, but to no avail. They begin to wonder what would have happened to Frank. Frank has never gone deep into the forest for hunting. They return home tired and disappointed. Mazi Eze meets Nne crying, and he tries to console her. She screams, "He should have listened to us."

The exams are over, and Mike rushes to Frank's compound to check if he is back but meets a crowd of people gathered. He feared the worst had happened. On reaching the crowd, he sees Frank lying on the floor. Mike could not bear to see his friend in pain. Frank has a fractured leg. Mike asks what happened to Frank, and he was told that he fell inside a ditch in the forest and broke his leg. He was rescued by a hunter who went to check his trap.

Frank looked at Mike and said, "I didn't know the decision I took would lead to me missing the scholarship exams. I had worked hard for the exams, yet I still let myself down."

Mike tapped Frank on the shoulder and said, "You will surely have an opportunity, but the first thing is for you to heal from this fracture."