The Old Man's Predicament

image source: Meta Ai

“Hey, my friend, please come”, the old, rusty-looking man called out, pointing at John. He stood behind a big fenced house. From the gate, it was difficult to see a complete human, but only the head. The building does not look like a residential house but an event centre. The main building has a big hall and a large car park. Beautiful flowers adorned the fence from the outside, giving it a distinct beauty from all the houses around. The entrance to the house has a security post on the left. The security post is a self-contained apartment.

“I”? John asked,
“Yes, you please”, the old man responded.
John wondered what challenges the man faced that needed his help. However, he had already made up his mind that even if the man should request money, he wouldn’t give it to him, not that he wouldn’t want to, but because he did not have it.

John walked slowly towards the old man. He could see him clearly. He was old, probably in his late 80s. His grey hairs were untrimmed, his clothes were not too good on him, and his beard and moustache grew and almost covered his mouth.
John had been using this path to work for more than a year and had never met this old man. Probably because he hadn’t paid attention. Has he got closer to the man, he opened the gate and asked John to come.

He told him not to be afraid. “No problem, Papa”, John responded, showing that he wasn’t afraid.
In his hand was a bowl of water and a kitchen knife. It was obvious that the man was cooking. He went inside and came out with a chair.
“I am very sorry to interrupt you in your journey this evening”, the old man apologised. “Pardon my manners, but I need to do this because tomorrow is not promised. Would you not mind if you sat for a few minutes?”

John was still surprised at what was happening and what could be so important that the old man would want to share with him without asking to know if he was going for something important.
“My son”, the old man said, interrupting his thought. He sat on the ground close to the security building. It was obvious that he was the security man. “Life is full of ups and downs. You might be poor today, and tomorrow you are swimming in wealth. You might be rich today, and tomorrow you may be swimming in poverty and lack,” the man said. He continues, “In this life, do not joke with your family and a few true friends. This is because your outcome in life depends solely on them.

The man’s words captured John’s attention, and he took the chair and sat looking sternly at the man. It was clear that the man knew him from afar; he called him by his name and also mentioned his profession.

“John, I know that’s your name, and you’re working as a private school teacher in the neighbourhood.”
“That’s right”, John responded.
“Good”. The old man said. Then he continued. “My life would not have been like this if I had listened to the advice of my foster father many years ago. He had told me that if I want to win in life, I must own a business. As young as I was, it did not make any sense to me. I had a good-paying job, and I thought that the money would keep coming, but in a short time the money vanished, and before I could realise it, I was already old, no family, no true friends and no good job”
John knew that the old man was dying and needed a young person to share his frustration about life, at least so that he wouldn’t make the same mistake he had made. Nothing is worse than living a life of regret. Many old people have lots of experiences about life, and they would love to share them with young people.

“Moreover”, he said, looking at John, “do not depend solely on your teaching job, otherwise you will die poor. Try as much as possible to take risks. In life, there are two things involved it's either you win, or you lose. If you win, you celebrate, and if you lose, you learn a lesson.”

John was wowed at the old mam’s wisdom. He had never heard of such wise words before. It was getting dark, and the old man was hungry. He brought out some slices of yams and palm oil and asked John to eat with him, but he declined and thanked him for the advice. He stood up and went home. The following morning, on his way to work, the old man’s residence was full of people. He inquired and was told that the man had kicked the bucket.