THE HUNTER AND THE GOAT

 

I was thinking this morning.... Last week I noticed an anomaly in one of my bathrooms. Whenever I open the sink tap, water flows from the shower tap. I couldn't understand why and had to call my plumber. When he arrived, I relayed the problem to him. He just turned the hot water knob and the problem was solved. He then explained that the reason the shower tap flowed when the sink tap was opened was because someone had left the hot water tap in the open position. I thanked him as he left. Zero kobo requested.

Same day, my young wife came to me with one of her handbags that the hook in the handle/strap had pulled off. This had happened days before, and she had taken it to a cobbler but it had happened again. As soon as I saw the problem, I depressed a portion of the hook and it snapped into position. Problem solved. My young wife stood there puzzled but smiling and then said, 'you mean it was just pushing this hook the right way that the cobbler took N5,000 for?' The cobbler had made sure he didn't fix the strap in her presence by asking her to come back in 30 mins.

Both actions were simple. But the mindset behind them was very different. One saw “turning a knob” as too small to be paid for. The other saw “pressing a hook” as an opportunity to make quick money. What exactly is work that deserves to be paid for? At what point does ‘easy money’ become something else entirely?

The reflection reminded me of an African proverb that says a hunter that comes back home with a goat, is a thief. The reasoning behind the proverb is that goats are domestic, while hunters are meant to hunt in the forest. You can't go hunting in someone's backyard. Could that be the case of the cobbler?

Does making easy money make one a thief? Could that be regarded as a low hanging fruit? When next you see a poor Nigerian gets into a political position and few months after, comes back home with luxury cars, just remember the proverb. Easy money feels good. But money earned with integrity feels better — and lasts longer. "Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, but he who gathers by labor will increase” (Prov 3:11).

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

Happy Sunday!

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey