27 April 2014

Peculiar Okafor: Lessons From the Teacher’s Horse

Dear Humans,
By the time you read this, I’ll dead. I am a Colt, but you can call me a Horse if you want. I learnt some of the greatest lessons in life which I feel would be of benefit to you. Read the story below and learn the lessons.

It all began on a bright day, I stood tied waiting for my master when I saw a man. He was one of the followers of the one they called Teacher. Then I heard the words, ‘The master has need of him’ and before I long, I was riding, bearing the Teacher. Little did I know this was to be no ordinary ride as before I knew it, Leaves were being laid out for me and my hinds no longer touched the floor, I was royalty and people bowed and sang praises saying ‘Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’ I rode round the city and though the Sun was hot and the distance wide, this was my best ride ever and I also learnt my first lesson.


The evening came and I was dropped back at my masters giddy and excited as I could be. The next morning was a rude awakening as no one seemed to notice me as I rode across the street and then I learnt my second lesson.
The next week, the whole town was agog with the excitement of new happenings. Everyone spoke in whispers about an arrest, a trial and possible killing of someone. I rode to the court where I knew the high priest would be and I saw the teacher being questioned and tried. I heard him say ‘thou has said so’ and I saw him being slapped. I wondered what the teacher must have done, I thought these people loved him? I turned to go back and on my way home, I saw one of the Teacher’s followers, the one called ‘The Rock’ and heard him deny the Teacher, there I learnt the third lesson.
I moved on keeping in moody state and then I heard the crow of the cock. ‘The Rock’ looked sober at the sound of this and seemed like he sought forgiveness from the teacher for denying him and there I learnt my fourth lesson.
I got home and heard my master talking with his friends, the Teacher was being tried for some crime and might be killed on a cross. I cringed because I thought the Teacher was a good man.
Days after, I rode my master to the square and heard the people chant ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ and was amazed at how these same people who had loved the teacher and shouted ‘Hosanna’ barely a week before were screaming for his crucifixion. Here, I learnt my fifth lesson.
It turned out that a robber was up for crucifixion alongside ‘The Teacher’. I heard the ruler ask who they’d rather have released and was surprised to hear the people chant asking for the release of the Robber. Here, I learnt my sixth lesson.
I ignored my Master’s calls and followed ‘The Teacher’ and the crowd to the venue, I fought back tears as I watched the Teacher being flogged and beaten, watching the crowd spit on his face. I saw the nails being put through his hands, I saw the crown of thorns placed on his head. I wondered why he didn’t respond or save himself, he had healed others and performed miracles, people said he walked on water and commanded the storm so why didn’t he do something to show these people how powerful he was. As if he read my thoughts, I saw ‘The Teacher’ move as if to speak and indeed he did in form of a prayer saying ‘Forgive them for they know not what they do’. This was my seventh lesson.
Not too long after that he cried ‘It is finished’ and then he died. Lots of the things the Prophets spoke about began to happen, the veil of the Temple tore, the cloud was dark as if God himself was angry after all he had called himself ‘God’s son’.
I lived long enough to hear more stories about ‘The Teacher’. They say he rose after three days, his followers became stronger and spread his teachings across the towns. I kept my lessons and taught them to my children and this is what they mean:
The first lesson taught me that having the right associations could lead me to places of honor and respect.
The second lesson was simply not to lose those associations thinking that I could attain great heights without the help of God and man.
The third lesson taught me that even those who love us can still abandon us in our time of need.
The fourth lesson taught me that when our loved ones abandon us, it is not always out of spite or hate, but sometimes because they lack courage.
The fifth lesson thought me that humans are fickle; they could praise you one day, and condemn you on the next.
The sixth lesson taught me that the human desire to be part of a crowd could be so strong they’d make a decision that affects them wrongly just to be accepted.
The seventh lesson taught me that in the pursuit of destiny, one could be betrayed, hurt and maltreated but the task on humans is to forgive and move on.
By carrying ‘The Teacher’, I learnt a lot from one of the greatest men that ever lived, listening to my master read the scripture. I wish all humans knew that having a clear sense of purpose, associating with the right people, ignoring the praises and boos of men as well as a heart willing to forgive is the path to greatness.
Yours sincerely,
The Horse.

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