Kindness is not an option

 

I heard a story today.

Of a man, seemingly in his 30s, who had the misfortune of being involved in an accident. The keke napep (tricycle) he was in crashed into a trailer. A messy sight I imagine. 

Amidst the chaos of searching out survivors and ameliorating the situation, someone found it a good opportunity to steal this young man’s phone. Perfect timing! 

He was soon rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention. Nigerian hospitals to the rescue! Without a deposit, I am sure you already know how the story went. No one recognized him. With no phone. There was no way to reach out to his family.

Another rescuer came. A good Samaritan this time. He decided to foot the bills. At least until the family come. Human life is too precious to waste.

It’s been three months now. No one has come to claim him. Apparently he fell from the sky at heaven’s opportune time. The young man laid unconscious, unaware of the lonely world he shall wake up to despite his recent popularity. If he survives, of course.

The media carried news of the accident. It’s survivors. Him particularly. A man at the cusp of his youth lying comatose in the hospital. They left all contact details of the hospital after giving out descriptions as much as his physique can permit and assuring his imaginary relatives that there is no need to reimburse the benefactor. In fact, the benefactor shall continue to support him and pay the hospital bills.

They need only to claim him. Imaginary because he must have fallen from the sky. That must be why no one claimed him. Even after 3 months. 

This motif is a recurrent one. The world has advanced. Spreading its tentacles beyond all space. People do not call or check up. In fact, people do not care. We’ve become modernized. A bit too modernized for our own good. 

There is a sudden preference for online friends who possibly know nothing about us beyond the pictures we’ve sent.

Kindness is not an option. It's a necessity.

Today, let us make a firm promise. To be intentionally kind. To reach out to family and friends more often.

To every Rose that grew from Concrete; Blossom!