Afolabi Abiodun Amiola

THE UNGRATEFUL BOY There is always a saying that when you are thankful, your tank will be full. This is not the case for Evans who was born into a very rich family. He had a younger sister called Emily. Their father is a popular musician in town while their mother is a medical doctor. Their dad is tall, handsome, slim, and light in complexion while their mother is a beautiful, chubby, and fair woman. Their father is an American while their mother is a Canadian. Although Emily is a gentle, graceful, and quiet girl while Evans is a stubborn and ungrateful human being. No one listens to Evan's complaints because it is getting too much of him. He received a lot of gifts every day from their father even more than his sister Emily. When he opened his eyes in the morning, there are always a lot of gifts sitting beside his bed. All day long, he received one gift after the other. Yet, strangely enough, Evans took most of the gifts for granted. The only time he thought about the gifts was when one didn’t arrive or when Emily got a gift that seemed better than his. On one shining afternoon, Evans was feeling especially blue. A gift he has been longing to have for a long time still hadn’t arrived. He was surrounded by all the other gifts that had arrived, yet Evans wasn’t enjoying them because he is never grateful for what he had. Instead, he was angry by the absence of the gifts he longed for. “Why so sad, Evans?” the question coming from Emily. “That gift I have been wanting still isn’t here,” Evans shouted. Emily paused before replying, trying to know how to hit Evans with the right word. She said, why do you always never satisfied with what you have? There are a lot of children out there who never had half of what you have but still, they appreciate their parents for the one they have. Evans knew his sister was right. What a fool I have been for not being grateful for what I have. Mum was at the back of the door staring at them quietly. She went back to her room pretending as if she wasn’t aware of their conversations. She took a nap right there in her room. On the other hand, Evans apologizes to Emily for not being grateful all this while. Emily hugged him and said your family is a special gifts you can’t find anywhere. This put a smile on his face for the first time in a long time. As they were talking, their father just arrived home from a music concert. They were very happy to see their father back home. Their father bought a lot of gifts for them but none for Evans because he never appreciate one. It was a moment of mixed feelings for Evans. The joy and celebration of Emily was so loud to the extent that their mother woke up to check what was happening. She was so happy to see her husband and children joyful. Meanwhile Evans on the other hand was moody. Evans said,” I am sorry mum and dad for not being grateful for everything you have been doing for us. Emily laughed hard at him. Emily said,” you better learn how to be grateful in your next world. Mum, you know I am always grateful said Emily. Their parents burst into laughter. You are so funny Emily,” said their parents. But this is not the time to attack your brother. Emily now has gifts that are twice the ones of Evans due to fact that she was always thankful for what she has. This serves as a moral lesson for Evans to be always grateful for what he has no matter how little it was. “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want. Philippians 4:12