THE SMART CHILD

“Mummy, I can’t do it, I am so dumb!” Annie cried from the dining table where she was doing her school work.

“Why would you say that?” Annie’s mother asked as she paused on her way to the kitchen.

Annie replied in a teary voice. “That’s what my teacher calls anyone who doesn’t get things right in class.”

“Oh really, why didn’t you tell me, I thought you tell mummy everything?” Mummy said as she sat and pulled five years old Annie onto her lap.

“I want to tell you everything mummy but, sometimes my mind tells me you will spank me if I tell you things.”

“Huh!” Mrs Attah, Annie’s mother opened her eyes in surprise at her statement. “Darling, why will you think that?”

Annie looked at her mummy, “because you do spank me sometimes when I do something wrong and you also shout too.”

“I agree I do that sometimes. So, I want to make a promise that I will stop doing that but you will have to help me by reminding me okay?” mummy said giving Annie a juicy hug.

“Do you also promise to tell Mummy everything?” Mrs Attah asked. Yes, Mummy, I will.” Annie looked at her book and remembers her school work, “but mummy is it not true I am dumb? It’s only dumb people who can’t get their works right and I am dumb; I am not fast when I do my work also.”

“No no no…” mummy kept repeating as she shook her head. You are smart!”
“I am smart,” Annie repeated. “Louder,” she said and Annie shouted, “I am smart!” “Great! We should not use such words on ourselves or others.” Annie’s mummy said.

“Why, mummy?” Annie asked.

“Good, you asked, because only smart people ask questions. Now to your question; nobody is dumb, people may do things that are not smart sometimes but that does not make them dumb. Does eating food make you food? Annie giggled in amusement and shook her head.

“When you use your pink crayon to colour your book what colour comes out?” Mrs Attah asked her daughter. “colour pink, mummy.” The little girl replied.

“Great! When God created you, he made you like him and you know God is very smart, then He gave you to a smart Mummy and Daddy. Do you think Daddy and I are smart?”

“Yes, you are the smartest mummy and daddy in the whole wide world.” Annie proudly answered.

“So why do you think you will not be smart, you are like the colour on the paper… a smart crayon gives a smart colour. Mrs Attah said hugging her daughter.

“You remember when Josh, your brother started walking, he fell sometimes but now he is getting better and he does not fall as much anymore,” Annie nodded in remembrance. “Do you also remember Sammy, aunty Temi’s son started walking before Josh? but look at them running together now. When you try things for the first time you may not get it properly, but as you keep trying just like Josh did when walking, it will keep getting easier. Some people may get it before you like Sammy did but that does not make them better than you, it means your way of learning is different. So, where is your homework? We will try it again and you will see how easy it is.”

“Okay, mummy” Annie excitedly jumped down from her mummy’s leg and went to bring her book. “I am smart!” she repeated to herself as she carried her book.

“That’s right,” her mummy replied.