A Bitter Lesson

It's amazing how children have the highest curiosity level. I understand that we all started that way, and before you know it, we are already adults filled with so much knowledge that wasn't gathered in a day but through years of experience, but as children, they outright ask you what is on their mind or just go ahead and feel it themselves.

It's another Saturday morning, and the sun had barely risen, thankfully, I don't have to wake up too early to prepare the kids for school, but having kids who wake up before the alarms leaves me no choice but to get up, locking my bedroom door is of no use, as their constant cry and dragging of the door knobs as if to pull It out wouldn't let me have the peaceful morning sleep I so desire.

'Mummy mummy, let's pray it's, morning'

My youngest daughter yelled as she gave her little self entrance on top of the bed, as she tried to wrap my favorite headtie around her head in the most awkward manner,

Eh! This girl would have scattered the wardrobe, I imagine the state of the wardrobe now, she definitely has added extra chores for the day, and I've not even started any yet,

'Mummy, I'm hungry,' my oldest 7 years old daughter whined', rubbing the sleep from her eyes

'How can food be the first thing you think about in the morning, Oya come and pray for us,' I replied her

This is a morning ritual I've made sure my daughters get used to, not that I was the overly religious type, but I feel starting the day with prayer sort of gives us the strength to carry on the day, and as they say, catch them young, what better time to inculcate this habit in them if not now. I love watching my girls learn the value of gratitude and faith.

A few minutes later, I freshened them up as they waited impatiently for their breakfast, I thought they said boys had the biggest appetite, but that of my girls was as big, I'm grateful though, as it is better compared to picky eaters.

As I fried their eggs, also getting their toast ready, I had already made myself a cup of coffee, and was sipping the hot coffee minutely, I shouldn't have made it this hot but somehow I always end up making hot coffee, sipping it bit by bit, taking my time to savour every taste of the coffee as its energy effect kicks in and helping me stay active all day.

My youngest wandered back into the kitchen,

'Mummy, make me coffee too,' her eyes filled with plea

This isn't my first time giving her the same reply I had always given her,

'Coffee is not for children, don't worry, I will soon make your sweet Milo chocolate tea'

I turned and continued what I was doing, while my helpful older daughter helped with the tea cups and also set the table

"AH! Mummy, come and see O!"

I almost spilled some hot oil while flipping the eggs,

"These children' I muttered, what is it now? I'm almost done,

My little Peace let out a cry, this girl can't hold this hunger for a little while this morning I thought.

Her older sister insisted I come and see, letting out a mischievous laugh while her sister cried, this girl, I continued, and briefly, I was done, carrying their breakfast to the table so they let me rest for a bit,

As I stepped out of the kitchen, I couldn't help but join in the laugh, Peace had managed to scoop a spoonful of my favorite Nescafe coffee into her mouth from the messy sight I saw in my front, she kept spitting it out, scrunching her face to express the bitter taste on her tongues, also crying.

I must have forgotten to cover the Nescafe in my hurry to get their breakfast done soon, but the curiosity of this child met with her, I dished their breakfast and cleaned her up, giving her a little water and a spoon of sweet Milo chocolate to erase the bitter coffee taste, and that was the last day she showed interest in my coffee. Even when I offered her, she took to her heel, lol. She has indeed learned a bitter lesson.

Image 1 is AI generated
Image 2 and 3 are mine