Little Things Count.

 Hello eku, dee de iwoyio.

I would like to share another short story with you again this month. Enjoy it.

I noticed we had grass growing rapidly inside my new compound, so, I and my neighbor decided to get rid of them.

I asked around and found someone who would do it.

Brought him to the compound, and showed him around, so he said he'd clear it for 3K, but we can also negotiate.

Inside me, I was surprised because the work was too big for that amount. So, I told him we would give him 5K instead.

The dude was overjoyed. He ran off to get his working tools, got back, and was almost starting off.

I asked him to halt, and confirmed if he's had something to eat.

He said -- No. That he has yet to eat since the evening before.

I quickly prepared tea, bread, and fried eggs for him.

Chai! Tears out from the guy`s eyes when I gave him.

He finished eating, picked up his tools, and worked enthusiastically with all his heart.

At intervals, I'll stop what I was doing inside to check on him. Sometimes, chat and laugh with him.

So, he rounded up for that day and said he'd be coming around the next day to pack the dead grass.

I gave him the 5K despite the fact that he had not completed his work.

He was really excited. I told him to take my contact so he could reach me before coming the next day, he said he would have loved to, but he didn't have a phone

He said he sold it 2 weeks back, so he could eat. All he had left was his SIM.

I felt his pain, but I remembered I had a phone I wasn't using, so I gave it to him+N500 for a recharge card.

Tears just roll from the guy's eye instantly.

And he said, one of the deepest "God Bless You", I've ever gotten in my life. So, he left excitedly.

And, for me -- I slept like a baby that night.

The dude came the next day and continued the remaining task with so much passion.

I shared the rice I had left with him for breakfast, and by 12 noon, he was done with the whole task.

He thanked me endlessly and left.

I got a call very early today from him, and he gave me great news.

He said his former boss that relocated from Ibadan to Abuja, reached him on the phone immediately after he inserted his SIM into the phone I gave him.

And that his boss told him he's been trying hard to reach him for weeks and finally sent him N100k this morning.

He expressed his appreciation for my favor which made me emotional.

The lesson of the story is; always do little things you can do, to change people's lives. It might be little to you, but that might be the answer to their long-standing heart desires.

 These bits of kindness may not come in monetary forms.

• You can tell people kind words.

• Give them a bit of your time

• Hear them out

• Give them warm hugs

• Never despise or look down on them

• Applaud them when they carry out duties for you

• Make them feel like the humans that they really are.

And, you might just be saving a life in the process.

We celebrate those who were born in March. Wishing you nothing but the best on your birthday.

Have a wonderful month everybody and stay safe!

Eric O. Thompson

YAJ.