Kasi has no one to blame

Kasi is an intelligent and friendly boy and he loves playing with his friends at his school and home. He always wanted to be on his friends’ good side, he wanted to make them happy all the time, so he did everything they wanted. He never said no to any of their ideas and suggestions, he just followed them.

One day, they were playing ball in school when their ball flew over the gate to the next compound. His friends told him to climb over and bring it back, without thinking he climbed and went over but he was caught on his way back. He was shocked to see his friends were nowhere to be found. They all denied being with him, rather they told the headteacher Kasi insisted he wants to climb when they said no. Kasi was in lots of trouble.

Kasi came home crying. “They told me to climb!” He insisted angrily when his parents kept asking why he climbed the gate. He didn’t understand why they were blaming him alone.

“Why didn’t you refuse?” His father asked.

“I said no, but they kept asking.” He cried.

Then, you keep saying no! Did they force you?” His father asked. Kasi shook his head.

You climbed because you wanted to, you had the option of climbing or leaving.” Kasi hung his head, he saw what his father was saying.

“I am sorry Daddy.” He apologized.

“Come here.” His father said and patted the seat. He sat down, lifting his head he told him.

“No one can make you do anything, people will always suggest and ask but the final decision is up to you. You know Adam and Eve did the same thing…”

“Oh! When they ate the apple?” Kasi asked.

“Yes, Adam said, Eve gave me, Eve said the snake told me. They blamed others just like you are doing but nobody forced them. They all paid for it, the same way you are paying for yours with suspension from school. Good friends will not push their friends into doing the wrong things not deny them.” Kasi’s father said as he left.

One week later, Kasi was resuming school after his suspension and his mother was taking him to school.

“So, what did we learn from this?” His mother asked.

“I need to have good friends. People can suggest things or give me ideas but it’s up to me to say yes or no. Saying yes to people always doesn’t mean they will like me more.” Kasi answered.

“Wow! That’s great!” His mother clapped and Kasi beamed with pride.

Since then, saying no has never been a problem for Kasi.