Past Mistakes; Memories we Kept.

“Life is a road with so many signs…” An artist sung. On a highway full of all kinds of automotive, operators are entitled to adhere to road signs. These act as rules to govern the transport industry. Every sign encountered, leaves the driver with a memory.

Makame was once told by his father to take account of all things he went through, since his childhood.

Makame: Dad, how will that be so?

Dad: Do you remember your past?

Makame: Not really!

Dad: How do you live then? How will you be able to live? Son, I made a lot of mistakes. My life is going forward because I vividly remember my past mistakes. I cannot afford to do the mistakes that I did. They really cost my youthful life.

Makame in an amazement, dared his father. “ Dad, what did you do so that I cannot do it also?” His father wished to make it known. He really wanted to tell him. Until the start his utterance, he feared the consequences. He valued his dignity, to save the conduct with his son. He just told a story…

“ My friend traveled with his daughter from Malaba to Webuye, to visit a famous boutique. Nanjala, seeing so many long-distance trucks on that highway, she marveled. She shared her amazement with her dad.

Nanjala: Dad, why are so many trucks on this road?

Dad:This is an international route. The Trans African Highway.

Nanjala: Really?

She was amazed more. She remembered her history assignments. This made her understand more about the road transport topics in class.

‘ Life is a road with so many signs.’

As they journeyed a little while, Nanjala’s joy was corrupted by along traffic jam, caused by the amazing trucks. Everyone in their van got anxious and impatient. They started alighting, one after the other, at an interval. She got impatient too, and on her alight, she took a leave as it was to all who preceded. She went into a nearby joint for a refreshment where sooner she met a gentleman who aurally seemed promising, as he created illusive images in her mind, through story telling. He coincidentally asked to take Nanjala to a famous boutique.

‘ Life is a road with so many signs.’

Her former disgrace, anger, impatience and anxiety, that robbed joy when her picnic to the famous boutique was delayed and almost stopped, came to an end. A black, beautiful, new vox wagon car awaited her at the restaurant door step to enter. It was life illuminating. She entered royally. She joyously entered and boarded seat number one, next to the illusive driver, journeying into her dreamland. Her day was so much enjoyable. She never remembered her dad. It was the tip top of her joy in Webuye town.

But really, what would her father do, journey forward to Webuye, or go back home and report about her lost daughter? I really wanted to find out. So, son, I asked my friend. ‘ I could not do a thing!’ he answered. ‘I could not go to Webuye.’ He added. ‘ Did you not get anxious about your lost daughter?’ I insisted to source more information. But… ‘ Not really. I believe that people learn. I know that life is a road with so many signs…’ he concluded confidently.

Son, I have no doubt that currently Nanjala rarely makes mistakes. I believe and I have seen her making marvelous progress in her life. What she went through in Webuye taught her a lesson. So take account of your past.” He explained to Makame, feeling creative and having kept his dignity.

BY: EDWINE MTANGE.