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THE HANDSOME BEGGAR
Once upon a time in a wealthy village called Nduru, there lived a proud woman who had three daughters. The eldest she
named Chima, followed by Ego and the youngest she called Ngozi. They all lived in a little castle at the west-end of the rich
land.
Chima was tall and beautiful, like her mother she was very proud, rude and heartless. She hates associating with poor
people and anytime she come across them she call them rotten rats.
Ego and Chima were like twins; they resembled in both facial looks and attitude, but Ego loved money so much. Like her
sister she doesn't associate with the poor and when ever she come across them she call them stinking rag. Ngozi the youngest
was short and ugly; she was the total opposite of her elders and for this reason the elders do not pay attention to her always.
She was full of heart and the wind bows for her sweet voice when she starts singing.
Then the time came when the great prince of Nduru was ready to pick his bride; indeed, he had a taste. He had already
refused to pick from the beautiful princesses his father; the king brought from other thrones, simply because he wasn't after
beauty. His heart longed for a kind-hearted damsel who is ready to attend or show love to the poor always and he wanted to
pick that person himself because he wasn't sure of the one his father would bring. The only way to pick such person he long
longed for is to pretend to be a very poor person in perfect disguise, and his father agreed with him because his son's happiness
was what he needed.
There he went; the handsome prince, the morning sun and the face of Nduru, who was now a beggar in sores and rags. None
could recognize him; hence, some pitied him and dropped coins into his little bowl and all he could say was thank you.
Sitting patiently by the side of the market square one morning, waiting for that lucky damsel that would show love to
a beggar he saw Chima and Ego passing by. He admired and traced them to their little castle, but later found out that these
girls always pass through a path in the morning and evening time everyday for water and fruits. So by the exact time he laid
helplessly on the path that led to their house and begged.
Aha! Right on time. Chima was passing by in the morning with two buckets of water when she heard the beggar begging her
for a little to drink. She looked at him like a hungry hawk that spot a chick and spat on the ground while the beggar felt
ashamed. Then she yelled at him saying, "You rotten rat! If only you were not handsome I would have chased you from this
path." She coursed him and left angrily.
Oho! Right on time. Ego was passing by in the evening with a basket of sweet fruits that can make ones tongue water -
then she heard the beggar begging her for a little to eat. She stared at him like a lion that has starved for thirty days
and spat beside him while the beggar felt bad and wanted to throw up, still she yelled at him saying, "You stinking rag!
If only you were not handsome I would have driven you from this path!" she then coursed him and left angrily.
The beggar shook his head because he was at the wrong place, as he was about making his leave he heard a sweet song from
the most beautiful voice he has ever heard; and the song was coming from the little castle. He knew the voice was not coming
from those that coursed him, and suddenly he forgot himself and vowed never to leave until he come in contact with the singer.
At sunrise he hid and watched the proud sisters passed by; his intention was to meet the singer. Then he walked to the
little castle and screamed painfully for water. Immediately the kind hearted rushed out, but seeing the handsome beggar made
her felt more pity. She thought he was dying and with fright she hurried in and brought out water and food. He ate, drank
and there was plenty to take along. He thanked her; truly he appreciated what she did. But that was the way she was, this
is why she was different from her elders. She couldn't help it when she come face to face with the poor, all the poor in Nduru
knew her by name. When she passes by they rejoices because she must give a little, and when she doesn't have to give she would
offer her voice.
Later she noticed the beggar was always staying along their path, and then she took it as a duty upon herself to give
him food at least once daily. She gave him cloth to lay on, slippers to put on, she brought him hope and basket full of laughter,
on the other hand he saw the mildness in her and many things her family couldn't see in her.
Then the great day arrived when the prince of Nduru will choose his bride, and all damsels must present themselves at
the great palace. They must be on their best; even some must have to borrow. They were all excited to be at the palace because
that is their day. There will be entertainment, refreshment and so on.
Some were praying to be the lucky one while some wondered who would be the lucky on. The prince must choose a beautiful
girl of course, so there was no room for ugly damsels.
There was Chima amongst the damsels, like a Lily amongst thorns. She was glittering like the sun and beautiful like a
rainbow. She was putting on expensive cloth like a queen and her eyes were as bright as the happy moon. She walked so slow
with great hope and within her she said, "Today the prince will be on his kneel begging me to be his bride, ohohohoho!"
There was Ego in the midst of damsels, like a rose amongst roses. She wore expensive perfume and smell like the sweetest
fragrance. She walked so bold in the palace because she knew she would be the lucky one, and within her she said, "When
I marry the prince I will be rich! Richer than the richest! Ahahahahah!"
Standing all alone on the right end was Ngozi, like a maid in midst of princesses. She was putting on her best and really
it was not that good. She felt inferior because such occasion is not for people like her type; but it was a taboo for a damsel
to stay at home on that day. She stood all alone wishing she was a beautiful girl, and within her she said laughing to herself,
"Among all these beautiful faces only one will be chosen, and that one does not even know herself."
Then the beggar walked into the crowd and started begging. The damsels drove him away and called some of the servants
to throw him outside the palace. He walked to Chima but before he uttered a word she rebuked him and quickly ran away to the
opposite end because she didn't want him to touch her cloth. He went to Ego and she did even worse, but Ngozi again received
him and gave him all she had at that moment and promised to give more later. After showing great appreciation to her the beggar
asked her why she was all alone. It took a little time before she explained with tears in her eyes. The beggar pitied her
and wiped her tears away with his dirty hands; yet, she was happy and thanked him for his concern.
Then the beggar turned and walked straight to the thrown, while the damsels coursed and yelled at his madness - he ignored
them and when he got there he screamed, "Stay still every one!" Then the king who has been watching the drama came
out and said, "Behold the prince of Nduru!" Every damsel present was confused and speechless.
He clapped his hands twice and immediately the servants came, watched him clean and clothed him on his royal apparel in
front of everyone. Really he is the prince! Some cried and use their body to beat the ground, while Ego and Chima fainted
instantly. Ngozi froze; still she couldn't believe what she was seeing.
The prince passed the beautiful and expensive damsels and walked to the ugly one, he held her hands and said, "Father!
She is the one I told you about," His father smiled proudly and said, "You are a wise man son, now I understand
beauty is not all that matters!" Hearing that Ngozi collapsed in the arms of the great prince.
At sunset they married and it was a seven days celebration in the great land. Ego and Chima regretted their response to
the beggar and never again they treated the poor bad. Ngozi became the queen of Nduru and together she the ugly damsel and
the handsome beggar ruled the wealthy land happily ever after.
FROM THE AUTHOR
The poor person is not a different creature, the beggar may be an angel on your doorstep, therefore let us accept people
the way they are. Let us show love to the poor at all time and in any way we can because the reward is big. Luke 14:12-14
THE TALE OF IBRO; THE WRETCHED MAN
So many years ago there lived a wretched man who thought poverty was the worst thing that could happen to a man. Then
one morning he made a decision to destroy himself by night time if no one would be able to convince him that poverty is not
the worst thing that can happen to a man.
So he bathed, clothed on his usual dress and slippers, ate the little he had for that day and headed to the junction of
the most busiest path of the village. His intention was to wait for a passer-by whom he would ask the question that was troubling
his heart. When he got there, he crossed his legs and waited patiently for a passer-by.
Suddenly! In no time, there was a young woman walking by, it seemed she was not in a happy mood but something must be
done. So he raised his right hand up and stopped her, "Excuse me ma! My name is Ibro and I want to ask you just one question."
The young woman turned deaf and ignored him, yet he ran to her and begged for her attention. She saw how serious he was then
decided to listen to what he had to say. After she stopped he thanked and asked her, "What is the worst thing that can
happen to a man?" She shocked hearing such from the stranger. Truly, she never expected such question but she replied,
"So, this is the question you wanted to ask. Well, I have a question for you too: have you ever been rejected?"
Ibro remained speechless because he couldn't answer her question. Then she continued, "Shine your eyes very well my friend,
some of those that are beautiful and well dressed have the worst problems on earth. Look at me now, I am very clean and beautiful,
but I have an incurable disease that will kill me soon, and now that I need my people most they all turned their back on me.
That is the worst thing that could happen to a man - please don't remind me of my past." She explained bitterly and
went away weeping. But Ibro was not convinced; he concluded that she must have done something evil and the gods must have
thrown courses upon her. Even if she was telling the truth, poverty is also a disease that could kill.
He turned back and saw a well-known drunkard staggering along the path, he agreed not to call on him; instead, the drunkard
walked to him and started teasing him, "Ibro, what are you doing here? Are you tired of life? Or you want to commit suicide?
Tell me the truth, you need someone to give you palm-wine, don't you?" Ibro remained speechless because he did not want
to exchange words with Emeka the drunk. If the drunkard talks for a while and no one reply him he will continue his journey
to no-where. And suddenly, at that moment, Ibro considered asking him his question - sometimes the drunkards are right you
know. While Emeka the drunk was still teasing him he threw the question in, and all of a second Emeka became very excited
and gladly replied - staggering, "Ibro, you have asked a very good question. Honestly, no one has ever showed such care
to me; you are the first that wants to know the best thing... oh sorry the worst thing that have happened to me and I will
tell you. Eight years ago, Obi and I went to mama's spot, and there I remember very well that I drank only fourteen bottles
of palm-wine, and when I got home I received the worst insults of my life from my wife. Because I vomited six times she concluded
that I was drunk, and I knew very well that I was not drunk. To prove to her that I was not drunk I started marching and singing
our national anthem. But, she was still shouting at me, and then I gave her just one slap to cease her noise. When I woke
up I could not find my wife and children again. The worst thing that could happen to a man is when his wife run far-far away
from him and the best thing that could happen to a man is when he is married to palm-wine. You are a poor man Ibro, drink
palm-wine and become rich, very rich!" He resumed teasing Ibro and staggered away. But the wretched man still was not
convinced, he concluded that Emeka was a drunkard - he may not know what he was saying, and at the end of his conclusion he
said he rather remain in poverty than to be a drunkard like Emeka.
Oh, what a hard day for Ibro! It was getting close to the evening and no one was able to convince him. As he was wondering
weather to give up he saw a youth passing by, then he agreed to give a last try. He called the youth and asked him; on the
other hand the youth was very co-operating and replied speedily, "Mr. I don't really know what to say but it seems you
so much need this answer, so I must tell you what I think about it. I am a very rich young man. I have many assets but I
cannot enjoy my wealth. Actually I came to this village to find peace and I hope you will help me after I give you the right
answer. Fifteen years ago, someone paid me to kill a woman, and ever since I killed her, her ghost keeps chasing me from one
land to another. Wait a minute! She is here! Look at her, she is here!" The youth screamed with great fright and ran
away as fast as he could; even Ibro got scared and fled.
After running a short distance Ibro calmed himself and was beginning to be convinced. He was so cold and scared; it seemed
everyone that is well dressed and beautiful truly have one problem or the other, like what the first lady said. But this
time, he was the one trying to be stubborn. He really wanted to kill himself since life meant nothing to him. He has finally
given up, and in his mind he was thinking of what method he would use to kill himself.
As he was walking home he saw a little boy walking all alone, his left hand held a small book and he was just smiling.
Ibro chuckled; he wondered if the little boy knew anything about life, and deep down he said to himself while staring at the
little boy, "What would be in the mind of this little boy now? look at him walking and smiling at the same time. I was
as smart and charming like him when I was little, and I never knew poverty would make be resemble midnight today. I pray he
should not see poverty later in life. What about if I ask him, what would he say? Well, let me have one last fun with a kid
before I die." After wondering he called and asked the little boy, and the little boy's response captivated the mind
of Ibro.
"Sir," said the kid, "This is a very simple question that is very easy to fail. We care so much about the
present and what people think about us, but we do not pay attention to nature. Some are hungry but have very little to eat,
yet some are hungry but there is nothing to eat. Some are poor, sick, lost, and they feel there is no hope, and would want
to commit suicide but they don't want to listen to the wind. If only they listen they will hear the wind saying that, 'It
is not the mosquito that causes malaria but the plasmodium of the mosquito.' But I must tell you the truth and the only answer
to your question: the worst thing that could happen to a man is when he dies and goes to hell, but the best thing that could
happen to a man is when he knows Jesus Christ." The little boy explained further using scriptures from the little bible
he was holding. Ibro was very attentive; tears were crawling out of his eyes. Finally, he was convinced that his problem was
not a serious one, and the most unexpected person found solution to his problem. Not knowing what to do at that moment he
started thanking God that he has not done any damage to himself before he met the little boy.
Later in the night that same day that he was suppose to kill himself he accepted Jesus into his life in the little boy's
church. And there he ate the most nutritious meal. Few weeks later he got a good job and things went perfectly well. Later
he became a very wealthy man with a wife and two kids, and he used his wealth to wipe off poverty in his land. But, he never
forgot his encounter with the little boy who died few years later after he repented.
FROM THE AUTHOR
There is always a solution to any problem; one should not conclude that there is no solution to his/her problem. And to
commit suicide is not a solution to a problem.
When you have a problem discuss it with someone; don't let your problems perish with you. Tackle your problems like Ibro
did.
You must ignore the shame and discuss your problems with someone. Also, you must put it at the back of your mind that
it is not everyone that will be able to give solution to your problem. Rather, the person that may have the solution to your
problem may be the most unexpected person in the midst.
Endurance Ubogu
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