We were watching a debate show on a TV network, the debaters were kids. The topic was: between father and mother, which is better, which deserves accolades.


MY FATHER: Mustapha, you are seeing your mates right? Look at how they are vibrant and smart. They are making me feel as if I wasted my money on your schooling. 


MY MOTHER: God forbid! Who told you he is not brilliant ahbeg let's be guided.


MY FATHER: like mother like son, no wonder! I said it, he takes the brilliance of his dull mother.


MY MOTHER: Are you talking to me? See I hate rubbish o.


MY FATHER: truth be said, can you read smoothly before? If not that I married you,  you sure would have been worse off than your son.


MY FATHER'S FRIEND: papa mustapha, this argument is useless, besides, I am with mama Mustapha, you can't judge a kid like that...


FATHER: Kai! Ok, Mustapha give your thoughts on that topic. 


[I was confused not knowing what to say.]


MY FATHER'S FRIEND: he means you should either propose or oppose.


ME: oh, I should propose to who?


MY FATHER: You see, I told you, he has an empty skull.


MY FATHER'S FRIEND: he means you should support the notion.


ME: the motion right?.


MY FATHER'S FRIEND: yes, notion


ME: I cracked my throat and began to stroke my beardless chin. Ehmm. Father...


MY FATHER'S FRIEND: ehen, continue


ME: f-father is the one that is important more than the mother, because...


[This time, everyone was silent, all eyes was on me]


ME: because the father is the one that put the child stressfully inside the mother's womb, trying by all means not to shift her womb. 


[My father's friend lifted his eyebrows while father opened a small cubby, meant for snuff,and snuffed a finger full right into his nostrils. My mother picked up her handkerchief and wiped her sweaty face. My brother, Hakeem unplugged his ear piece]


ME: while the mother was just lying flat receiving the child. With these few proposings of mine I think I was able to…


MY FATHER: Will you shut up!


[Before I knew it. I received a thunderous slap from my Father. Everywhere was dark...it was dark my brother…it was really dark]


Presently I'm in an orphanage home


™Mustystrange


[The debate show]