Odion Loves Thank You

Odion is a very clever ten-year-old boy who lives in Ajah with his parent and sister.

You will always find him saying, “Daddy I cleaned your shoes, you didn’t tell me thank you.”

“Mummy, I swept and cleaned your room; you forgot to say thank you.”

His parents always appreciated him but had to redo the work again. Odion in his eagerness to be praised never took his time to do the work properly.

One day, it was Mummy’s birthday. Daddy had told Odion to clean the kitchen before going to bed because they wanted to surprise Mummy with a clean house and full-day rest as part of their birthday present.

As usual, Odion rushed through the work; the plates were not properly washed, the water he used for cleaning the floor was not clean and he left the mop with the water and bucket in the middle of the kitchen floor when he was done.

He woke very early the next morning in excitement to see his Mummy and Daddy’s pleasure at the work he had done. Impatiently he joined his sister and father in singing a birthday song for Mummy. He smiled in pride when he heard Daddy say,

“Today we don’t want you to do anything but relax and have fun. I have done the laundry, ordered food, Odion has cleaned the kitchen and Sofia has cleaned the living room.”

“Aww, my babies,” Mummy said giving them big hugs.

“Mummy come and see the kitchen! You will thank me more!” Odion jumped excitedly.

“Okay, let’s go.”
Mummy stood up from the bed as they all went to the kitchen. When they opened the door a fishy smell hit their noses.

“What is that smell?” Daddy and Sofia asked as they held their noses. Odion had used the mop to clean up the dirty dishwater that spilt on the floor and in his rush; he forgot to wash it off before using the mop for the floor.

“I don’t know, maybe something has spoilt,” he answered carelessly. He turned to his mother who was rewashing the plates while his daddy took the mop and dirty water outside for washing. Odion asked “What do you think, did I try? I did it all myself while Sophia only cleaned the living room?”

Daddy and Mummy looked at themselves, then Daddy said, “Odion let’s go for Mummy’s cake.”
“Oh okay.” He replied. Sophia wanted to go too but Mummy distracted her with the birthday preparations.

On the way, Daddy said, “Odion, I want you to learn something, don’t climb a mountain with the intention that the world should see you, climb the mountain to see the world.”

Odion was confused and asked, Daddy what do you mean, are we going to climb a mountain?”

Daddy smiled and replied, well yes and no. First, do you know the meaning of excellence?”
Odion shook his head.

“Excellence is when you try your best when doing things, meaning you give your best efforts to all you do. Excellence comes from inside not outside. It is not for someone else to notice, but for your satisfaction and efficiency.”

Daddy stopped, parked the car and turned to look at Odion, “Let me give you an example; today we agreed Mummy will enjoy her day, but you did not do your part properly, she is right now in the kitchen washing the plates and cleaning up all over again. All you were interested in was getting praised and not doing the work properly.
I want you to be an excellent child; do you want to be an excellent child?

Odion was sorry to have disappointed his Daddy and Mummy.

“I am sorry daddy, yes; I want to be an excellent child.” He said.

“Good, let’s go get mummy’s cake,” Daddy said and hugged him. As they walked into the cake shop he told Odion,
“From today, whenever you do anything at home or outside, ask yourself, is this my best effort, or what more can I do to make this better? If you are seen and appreciated, accept it but if that doesn’t happen, move on and continue giving your best effort no matter what. Do you understand?”

“Yes Daddy, thank you,” Odion replied. He loved his Mummy and Daddy and didn’t want to disappoint them again.

Odion got back home and apologised to Mummy. From then he always gave his best efforts both in school and at home, he slipped sometimes but whenever he remembers daddy’s words, he corrected himself. He taught his sister how to be an excellent child.

His friends laughed at him at school for doing things nobody noticed or thanked him for, he was quick to answer with pride, “I am climbing the mountain for me.” When they saw he was not moved by their mockery, they gradually joined him too. They began to call themselves “The Mountain Climbers.”

Are you part of the mountain climber’s gang?