Introduction

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Introduction

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Episode 01: Sugar Girl

 

Aduke, the revered “sugar girl” in her neighborhood, was renowned for her unwavering kindness. At the tender age of fifteen, she had earned the affection of many in her community due to her compassionate nature. Her reputation as a helpful and caring individual had spread far and wide.

One day, as Aduke strolled through the bustling market, she was called by an elderly woman managing a small shop. The woman sought Aduke’s assistance in displaying items on her table for sale. Without hesitation, Aduke eagerly helped, asking for guidance on which items to bring out.

Upon completing the task, the old woman insisted on compensating Aduke for her efforts. Declining the money, Aduke explained that she acted out of kindness and didn’t expect any payment. The woman, appreciating Aduke’s generosity, insisted, stating that it was a way to ensure Aduke’s willingness to help in the future.

Aduke accepted the money with gratitude, understanding the woman’s perspective. “Thank you for accepting it,” the old woman replied with a warm smile as Aduke left her shop.

As Aduke continued her shopping, she discovered that she had misplaced a significant amount of money intended for her purchases. Distressed, she paced back and forth, wondering what to do. Suddenly, a young boy tapped her shoulder, addressing her as “sugar girl,” while extending a neatly wrapped sum of money.

The boy explained that his boss had seen the money fall from Aduke’s purse and had urgently sent him to return it. Aduke, relieved and grateful, recognized the money and thanked the boy for his honesty.

Curious, she inquired about how the boy knew her as the “sugar girl.” He revealed that many people in the market had encountered her and shared stories of her kindness. His boss, having heard of Aduke’s reputation, wanted to ensure the money found its way back to her.

Aduke was touched by the realization of how far her acts of kindness had resonated within her community. At thirteen, she understood the significance of the trust and love she had garnered. The boy’s mission to return her lost money was a testament to the positive impact she had made on those around her.

Leaving the market that day, Aduke felt a profound sense of fulfillment. She reflected on how choosing kindness had not only enriched her own life but had also created a ripple effect of goodwill in the lives of others. 

Episode 02: In Search of Father

Chalky struggled to focus in class; the holiday season was approaching, and the excitement was palpable—everyone was eagerly counting down the days. But that morning had been anything but joyful for her. She had reluctantly dragged herself out of bed, her mother’s sharp voice still ringing in her ears, angry for reasons Chalky couldn’t understand.

She had spent most of her life living with her grandmother. However, when she turned eleven, her mother returned to reclaim her. “She’s growing up, Mother. I need to be in her life,” her mother’s tense voice echoed during one of their arguments.

Her grandmother, though loving, was firm. “She needs stability, a safe place. You’re too busy to take care of her.” Despite this, her mother was unyielding. She took her hand, her grip tight and determined, and led her away to start a new chapter.

As they left, Chalky’s mother muttered bitterly, questioning why her own mother couldn’t see that she was perfectly capable of raising her daughter. From that day on, Chalky lived alone with her mother. A few months after moving in, she was introduced to her father, but his visits were infrequent and brief, usually taking place at her school. Each encounter left her longing for more time with him.

“He’s so much cooler than Mum. She’s always too serious,” Chalky confided in her only friend, who understood her situation well—her parents had never been married either. “Why don’t you visit him at his place sometime?” her friend suggested, mentioning how she spent some holidays with her mother, even though she mostly lived with her dad.

From that moment, the thought of spending time at her father’s house began to take root in Chalky’s mind, becoming a secret wish she couldn’t ignore.

As Chalky walked home from school, one thought weighed heavily on her mind: she needed to see her father at his home. Although they often texted, his replies were sparse and irregular, and he would visit her school only when it suited him. Chalky never questioned why he ignored her messages; when he was around, he was always preoccupied with business calls, and their time together was fleeting before he rushed off again. Now nearly sixteen, she longed for more than just these brief moments with him.

Suddenly, an idea struck Chalky. “Why not visit him today? At least he wouldn’t have to rush off this time,” she thought. But then she remembered that he had a family she had never met and whom he barely spoke of. Chalky paused on her way, stopped a taxi, and directed the driver to a location.

“That’s quite far,” the driver warned, but Chalky insisted, promising to pay with all the money she had on her, hoping her father would give her the fare for the ride back home. So, without a second thought, Chalky set out on a journey to her father’s house.

After an hour, Chalky finally arrived at the location. It was the address her father had given her about two years ago, indicating that he lived there with his family. Now, Chalky stood staring at the rows of houses, unsure which one was her father’s, as he hadn’t specified the exact address. Determined, she started asking everyone she encountered, mentioning the surname they shared.

Luckily, a man who was just leaving his house noticed Chalky’s confused expression and asked her what she was looking for. Chalky explained her situation and described her father using their shared surname.

“Oh yes, Mr. Carmen,” the man said. Chalky suddenly remembered that her father’s first name was Carmen, a detail that had slipped her mind. “This is his house,” the man pointed to a house close to his own. Excitedly, Chalky thanked the man and hurried towards the house he had indicated.

She began to knock on the gate, but there was no reply. After some time, the man who had directed her had already driven away, leaving her without further assistance. The weather was changing, and it looked like rain was imminent. Growing more desperate, Chalky knocked again.

Just then, a car horn honked. When Chalky turned around, she saw a car waiting for her to move so the driver could pull into the driveway. Excited, she thought it might be her father’s wife. The woman stepped out of the car and asked, “Can I help you?”

“Yes, please. I came to see my father, Mr. Carmen,” Chalky replied, this time using her father’s first name.

“Oh, he doesn’t live here anymore. I’m the new tenant,” the woman said. Shocked, Chalky stared at her as she unlocked the gate and drove into the house. More confused than ever, she didn’t know what to do. With no money to return home and feeling a pang of anger that her father had forgotten to inform her he had moved, she stood there unsure of her next step.

Chalky sat on a nearby pavement for a few minutes, the sound of raindrops beginning to fall around her. Then, something occurred to her—she could ask the woman for some money to get back home. She immediately knocked on the gate again, and when the woman reappeared, Chalky explained her situation.

The woman stared at Chalky for a moment before going back inside. This time, she left the gate unlocked. Moments later, she returned with some money and handed it to Chalky. Relieved, she thanked the woman and began her journey back home, hailing a taxi.

When she got home, Chalky found her mother with a few neighbors gathered around the street. “Where did you go? School closed hours ago,” her mother began to scold her.

Chalky remained silent as the neighbors explained how worried her mother had been when she hadn’t returned from school. It was confirmed that school had indeed closed earlier that afternoon. Feeling suddenly emotional, she started walking toward her mother’s house, with her mother following closely behind, thanking the neighbors for their cooperation in searching for her.

“Where did you go?” Chalky’s mother asked again as they entered their home. Chalky opened up, telling her mother that she had gone in search of her father. “That was so irresponsible of you,” her mother scolded. “Anything could have happened to you, and no one would have known—not even the father you went searching for.”

More calmly, her mother then asked, “Did you see him?” Chalky narrated everything that had happened and expressed her disappointment when she discovered that her father no longer lived at the address he had given her. “It’s almost dark now,” her mother said, “but next time, make sure you inform me about your plans. Anything could have happened, and no one would have been able to help you.”

Although still sad, Chalky apologized and promised to be more responsible in the future. Her mother explained that if she had told her, she could have easily called her father to ask for his new address and saved her the trouble of searching for his home. She also promised to get Chalky’s father’s new address but emphasized the importance of informing him before visiting, saying that it was the proper thing to do.

“And please, next time, tell me how much you miss your father,” her mother said gently. “You hardly open up to me about your feelings concerning him, and that’s why I thought you were fine with the way things are.” Chalky admitted that she had been afraid of making her mother angry by asking to be closer to her father. Her mother explained that, as a psychologist, she understood the importance of parent-child bonding and would never prevent Chalky from having that connection.

That day, Chalky realized that her mother truly supported her desire to be close to her father. She also learned the importance of being open and not making assumptions. Her mother said these lessons would benefit them both, helping them work together as a team.

Episode 03: The Prank That Went Too Far

 

Disappointed by the news that the school resumption date had been brought forward, Benson and his cousin Kiton found their plans for a grand exploration abruptly cut short. The two eight-year-olds had envisioned a summer full of adventures, even though they weren’t quite sure what they wanted to explore.

Since Kiton had temporarily moved into his cousin Benson’s home due to the busy schedule of his business parents, Benson’s mother began to recite a quote she had formed: “the boys who know fun from back to front and sideways but tell lies too.” She said this almost every day.

“Kiton, I know you and your cousin are planning for this holiday, but I’m sorry to disappoint you. I was told the school resumption date has been brought forward,” his mother informed him over the phone, then asked him to hand the phone to his aunt, Benson’s mother. “Yes, I’m happy about it too. At least their playtime will be reduced,” Benson’s mother said as the two women conversed over the phone.

The next day, Benson and Kiton went out to play with some friends around their neighborhood. Suddenly, Kiton came running back home, breathing heavily.

“What’s the matter?” Benson’s mother asked as she sat in the living room watching a show, with Benson’s twin little sisters sitting around her.

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“They went to play,” one of the twins answered, but Kiton, with both hands on his knees, was still catching his breath. “Aunty, some boys want to beat Benson,” Kiton said.

Benson’s mother and his sisters immediately followed Kiton to the site he was hastily directing them to.

“What happened?” Benson’s mother asked as they approached the site where some teenagers stood talking with Benson. “What’s the matter?” she asked again upon seeing Benson quietly watching the boys.

“Ma’am, this boy deceived us,” one of the boys said, pointing closely at Benson. “He told us our ball rolled into that ditch,” the boy continued, pointing at a ditch not far away, “and so one of us volunteered to get the ball. But on entering the ditch, there was no ball. Then this other boy revealed it was just a prank,” the boy said, pointing this time at Kiton, with the other boys agreeing.

“Maybe he thought the ball rolled into the ditch. Is that why you’re threatening to beat him up? You better not try it. Benson, let’s go,” she said as she grabbed Benson by the right hand and led him away. “Learn to stop telling lies!” the boys began to yell as Benson left with his mother, sisters, and Kiton.

“You see what I always tell you about telling lies?” Benson’s mother began as they walked home. “Now these boys are calling you a liar.”

“Mom, it was only a joke,” Benson defended himself, with Kiton immediately chiming in, agreeing that it was meant to be a joke.

“Only a joke, and you allowed that boy to go into a ditch?” Benson’s mother said. “I’ve told you to stop telling lies. Nobody will believe you were only joking; a lie is a lie,” she insisted. Then, looking at Kiton, she added that he too was fond of telling lies. She began advising the boys to avoid lying, whether jokingly or seriously, as it was bad for their reputation.

When they arrived home, she sat the kids down and began explaining that if people think they’re liars, they won’t believe them anymore. She told them why lying was nothing to joke about, giving examples of how lies had landed kids and adults in trouble. She advised them to be truthful so people would trust and love them more, especially as they were growing up.

The boys were sober and promised to always try to tell the truth. The twin girls also gave their word, pledging to choose truth over lies.

Episode 05: Lucy’s Helping Hand

It was evening when April returned from work, a single mother to twin boys, Kimso and Threshy, eight years old. As she exited the taxi, she noticed her front door wide open. Annoyed, she wondered why the kids would leave it that way. Upon entering, she saw a broken glass on the floor, sparking fear of a robbery.

Uncertain, she debated whether to check upstairs or raise an alarm. Choosing the latter, she hurried to her neighbor Lucy’s house and explained the situation, fearing for her kids’ safety.

To her relief, Threshy walked in, surprising April. Her neighbor Lucy clarified that it wasn’t a robbery but the boys engaging in risky activities. Lucy had gone to April’s home to speak with her when she found the boys alone, and Kimso with a cut.

Lucy, noting the open door, suggested to April that she might have forgotten to close it when leaving with the kids. Sensing the need for a more consistent solution, Lucy gently recommended getting a nanny.

However, understanding April’s financial constraints, Lucy wisely advised her to start saving for it, incorporating it into her budget for future security. April disclosed that she was already in the process of saving for a nanny. However, she clarified to Lucy that she required an additional two weeks to accumulate the full amount.

Lucy acknowledged April’s effort and encouraged her commitment to ensuring her children’s safety. The understanding between the neighbors deepened as they worked together to find a suitable solution.

Lucy concerned for the boys safety, offered to watch the boys for two weeks. But asked April to promise that it would only be two weeks before she found a nanny. Lucy explained it was the duration she could watch the boys in April’s absence.

Grateful, April agreed, acknowledging the need for support and safety. Lucy emphasized their role as neighbors, promising to help and support each other. April and her kids walked home together, feeling relieved and grateful for the newfound support.

Episode 06: A Resolution to Act

 

Mr. Bijon attempted to use his eyeglasses on New Year’s Eve, only to spot a moving object. Alarmed, he quickly shone a light on the it, discovering a small scorpion. Startled, he fetched a sturdy object to hit it, but hesitated, realizing the scorpion was still on his eyeglasses.

Fearing an attack, he contemplated pushing it away but was too afraid. After a tense moment, the scorpion moved towards him, prompting Mr. Bijon to retreat, allowing it to hide under his bed. Relieved but aware of the potential danger, he recalled a childhood tale about a hungry bird that found grains, surrounded by indifferent cats.

The bird, eager to eat the grains, witnessed the cats start chasing a mouse, presenting a perfect opportunity. However, fearing the cats might return at any moment, the bird observed the grains from its perch, contemplating how to reach them before the cats returned.

After a while, the cats did come back, bouncing on the grains and devouring them all. The disappointed bird remained hungry, realizing that hesitation had cost it the chance to seize the opportunity.

Determined, Mr. Bijon decided to face the challenge, learning a valuable lesson about confronting fears. As he carefully searched for the scorpion, he reflected on the significance of taking action, making a commitment to apply this newfound wisdom in the coming year.

Episode 07: Knife in the Room

 

Dentrick, Aisha’s oldest child, was just nine years old. Despite his young age, Dentrick possessed an outgoing and sociable nature, often captivating the attention of both children and adults alike. Aisha frequently boasted to her friends about his ability to effortlessly connect with others.

One day, while Aisha and her close friend conversed in the living room, Dentrick appeared from the kitchen wielding a kitchen knife, clumsily attempting to gain his mother’s attention. However, engrossed in their discussion, Aisha and her friend remained oblivious to Dentrick’s actions.

After a few minutes of playful handling, Dentrick carelessly dropped the knife on a nearby table and momentarily left the room, completely forgetting about the knife.

Shortly after, Aisha’s youngest child, five-year-old Idris, picked up the knife unnoticed. He approached the women, still engrossed in their conversation, holding the handle and accidentally stabbed his mother’s friend on her thigh. She screamed in pain, startling Idris, who stared in shock.

Aisha, shocked and confused, began to run to her bedroom immediately to find her first aid kit. However, when she rushed to retrieve it, the kit was missing.

Frantically searching for the kit, Aisha rushed to Dentrick’s room asking for her first aid kit. Dentrick reminded her that she had left the first aid kit earlier in his room.

Aisha quickly located the kit and returned to tend to her friend’s severe bleeding. Aisha immediately applied direct pressure to the wound with a sterile bandage to control the bleeding, and then she cleaned the area of the wound assuring her friend that she will be fine as Aisha apologized to her friend in the process before she finally covered the wound with a clean cloth.

After the first aid treatment, Aisha continued to apologize to her friend, who acknowledged their responsibility in the incident. “We were supposed to be looking after them,” her friend said to Aisha, who agreed. Dentrick had confessed to leaving the knife carelessly after failing to get their attention.

Recognizing the importance of vigilance around children to prevent accidents, Aisha and her friend learned a valuable lesson about the necessity of constant attention to their little ones’ safety. They were also thankful there was a first aid kit available to manage the injury immediately before heading to the hospital.

Episode 08: Turning Wheels

 

Hade had stopped her car frustratedly as it hit a sharp nail, emitting a distressing sound; her tire had just burst. Confused, she sat in her car unsure of what to do next.

She considered leaving the car behind and returning home, but then remembered her home was quite a distance away. “I wouldn’t like to leave this car here,” she uttered, realizing she didn’t have extra money for the month to buy a new tire.

Dismissing the idea of repairing the damaged tire, she had sworn to never reuse a repaired tire after the incident with her son, whose repaired old tire burst while he was driving on a highway. He had been lucky to escape an accident, and since then, repairing a damaged tire was not an option for Hade.

As she sat in her car thinking, a vehicle pulled up, and in the driver’s seat was a new employee who had started working at the same company as Hade. She couldn’t remember the man’s name at that moment, but he called her name with a smile, asking what the matter was. Hade explained her ordeal, and the man simply went to his trunk and brought out a new tire.

“This one will do,” he told Hade, who, surprised, only nodded. “You can have it,” the man said. Curious, Hade asked why he was giving her the tire for free.

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The man began to express his gratitude for all that Hade had done for him at work. “You helped me; I was totally dependent on you as a senior colleague to guide me when I resumed work, and you did,” he said, pausing the conversation to ask if Hade knew someone who could fix the tire. Hade revealed she didn’t but could make some phone calls. The man quickly suggested that he fix the tire, explaining that he worked as a mechanic in his former job.

Hade, still surprised by the help he had given her, began thanking the man, but he interrupted once again, telling Hade he had been recommended for a promotion all because of his good performance as a result of all he had learned from Hade.

“Thank you for guiding me when you didn’t have to,” the man said. But Hade, claiming to have no idea of her impact on the man, appreciated his words too. Then, after the man ensured the tire was safe, Hade drove home.

As Hade drove, smiling, she remembered her mother’s saying, “Good deeds pay off.” Indeed, her good deeds had paid off today, which she least expected.

Episode 09: Dusk of Disclosure

 

It was late afternoon when Isaac arrived at the event where Taley was disclosing her health status. Isaac could see how perplexed most of the crowd were, that someone with her social status would publicly announce her HIV status. He could hear some groups already forming, criticizing her, while others applauded Taley.

“Being a celebrity, announcing it this way is a good thing because it will reduce stigmatization from now on,” a man said loudly, prompting applause from those around him for Taley. Isaac observed Taley’s smile, but also sensed her confusion in her eyes. She was his cousin, and he wondered what thoughts were running through her mind. Isaac pondered who had persuaded her to make this public declaration, knowing she was a private individual.

He also knew Taley had always been an advocate for others, but this approach seemed like she was putting herself at a disadvantage. “This is too much for Taley,” Isaac said to himself.

A few minutes into the health education session about the stigmatization of HIV/AIDS individuals, Isaac began to notice Taley becoming anxious.

“What’s the matter now?” Isaac wondered, pushing his way to the forefront through the heavy crowd. He spotted Taley scrolling through her phone, and then it struck him — “Oh, it must be the media. She must be seeing online reactions.” Contemplating whether to check his own phone for the online responses, Isaac decided to focus on watching Taley closely instead.

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The event was eventually cut short after he noticed Taley’s manager talking to the organizer. “How did they manage to talk her into announcing her HIV-positive status so publicly like this? This is wrong,” he thought. Then, Taley was taken off the stage and the event ended.

Still avoiding going online and wondering about the comments flooding Taley’s page, Isaac called his mother and told her about her niece hosting an event to announce she had HIV. He anticipated his mother’s confusion, but also trusted she would strive to understand Taley’s actions. “She shouldn’t have done that,” Isaac heard his sister Geneva say in the background as he spoke to their mother.

The next day, Geneva called Isaac early in the morning to inform him that Taley had called their mother. Taley asked to stay at their home for a while, needing her closest family around to shield herself from the public pressure.

“Perhaps she should have taken more time to consider before sharing her health status,” Isaac remarked to Geneva, who agreed. They both acknowledged Taley’s good intentions to inspire others with HIV and reduce stigma but criticized her rushed approach.

Isaac pointed out that Taley had been diagnosed only a week ago, suggesting that neither she nor her family had fully come to terms with it. He emphasized that there might have been better ways for Taley to handle the situation, implying that her approach was rushed and perhaps not well thought out.

Geneva chimed in, emphasizing the importance of preparation before going public—controlling platforms, managing media dissemination, and establishing strong support networks. “Taley didn’t do any of these things, not even taking time to think it through,” Geneva lamented.

“Whether it’s HIV or any other decision, she needed to give it careful consideration to avoid missteps,” Isaac added.

“Wisdom is important. I don’t blame Taley but the people around her who give her advice. She needs to find better advisors,” Geneva said. She then disclosed her plans to Isaac to speak to Taley about improving her team of advisors. Isaac agreed to the plan, adding that having the right people around would alleviate a lot of stress. Then, he and Geneva both ended the call.

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 28.07.2020

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