Walking through a popular semi-ghetto in Ibadan in 2012, I noticed that some street ‘roughians’ were gathered on the main street thereby making it tedious for people to pass. I managed to pass through their rank when one of them called me a stupid person for walking through their rank. I asked him if it was right for them to stand on the main road. He called me stupid again. I looked at myself and looked at them, I noticed that we were worlds apart. They were just looking for who to fight. I walked away. After all, we know who was stupid here.
Before I walked away with the insult, another guy had started dragging with them when one of them also called him stupid. The guy was well dressed and looked prim. He was replying them verbally and shouting with them. Before we knew what was happening, they pounced on him and a fight broke out. People gathered to intervene in less than 2minutes but the deed has been done. They broke the young man’s right arm already with a heavy flow of blood from his nose and his head.
The lesson here:
1. Always know your worth when it comes to some people. They will do things
that will make you angry but see them as those who have their yam burnt already
and they are looking for those who will bring their fresh yams for burning as
well.
2. Eagles don’t play with chickens. Never waste your energy on those who just want to drag your dignity into the mud.
3. Verbal abuse doesn’t reduce your monthly salary neither will it reduce who you are. Walk away from trouble makers.
It is good to be “stupid” for some people because where you are going is far. They have reached their own destination and their destination is to debar others from going forward.
Be stupid. It pays
Oluwaseun David ADEPOJU
