Chord DESTINY POWER : Episode 8

Mwaba: I accompanied one of my friends to buy something.
Martha: looking scornfully at him again. Your school friend or your girlfriend? There’s no smoke without fire. I have investigated the lady. Her name is Stella. (Mwaba is shocked) The more you go out the more I keep eyes on you, watching.


Elijah: Mwaba I’m so disappointed, since you do this in our presence what will you not do at school? You have started keeping late night at this stage?
Mwaba: (Prostrating in apology) I know I am guilty. please pardon me Dad! I promise that I will turn over a new leaf.
Martha: No matter how a pig is warned against dirt, it will still go back to wallow in the mud. (She looks at him queerly and hisses)
Mwaba: Mum, I promise to change. I’m so sorry. please.


Martha: Sorry for yourself. Unless you change or else two rams cannot drink water from the same bucket at the same time.
Elijah: If a child realizes his guilt, he does not spend long on his kneel. Anger does no one any good but patience is the father of disposition. Forgive him since he has promised not to do so again.
Martha: Okay rise on your feet. (he stands and sits between them) If you heed to our advice, your life will be long, peaceful and full of happiness. Take your studies seriously and behave yourself well.


 Then, you make us happy by spreading the family name abroad. There is a time for everything. Obedience is better than sacrifices! (At this point in tine, Elijah receives a call from professor Bwalya, his classmate in primary school who is a lecturer at the University of Excellence in Copperbelt province.
Elijah: (Dropping the cell phone and jumping with joy) This is a good and fantastic news.
Martha: What’s it, dear?
Elijah: Guess!
Martha:::: We won a visa lottery?
Elijah:: No.


Martha::: Make it quick, please! My ears are itching to hear.
Elijah::: Mwaba has been admissioned to University of Excellence for Medicine and Surgery. (Mwaba and Martha jump up from the seat, singing, dancing and embracing each another)
Martha::: What a good news! (kneeling and bowing in praise) God I thank you.
Elijah:: Mwaba, you can see that a good child is a pride to the parents. Kill one of the ducks for your mother to cook a delicious meal in the evening for celebration. (patting him on the head fondly) A carbon copy of his father.


Martha: hmmm jokingly If a child behaves well, he is the fathers child, but if he behaves rudely, they say, he is the mothers child. Dear,do you think any other woman can give you a brilliant child and a replica of you as I did?
Elijah:: (Smiling) To see that a beautiful bird like Peacock is among the birds. That is why you are dearer to me than thousands of other women. You know, a good wife is her husbands pride and joy; but a wife who brings shame and disgrace to her husband is like a cancer in the bones.
Martha: Thank you. I love you so much darling.
Mwaba: What of me, Dad?


Elijah::: A dollar earned is far more valuable than a hundred dollars found. You are so precious like a diamond to me.
Mwaba:: Thank you, dad. You are also dear to me like a fragile mirror.
Martha::: If your father is fragile like a mirror, what of me?
Elijah::: (Bursting into laughter) Are you jealous of me darling? They burst into laughter again.
Richard::: You are worthier than a glittering gold ornament mummy.
Elijah::: You called your mother a precious gold, and you compared me with a mere mirror. A looking glass for that matter!


Mwaba::: It is not really so, dad. That mirror is as fragile as the eyes. You know that without eyes, the whole body is full of darkness.
Elijah::: (snuggling him closely and patting him on the head) Thanks. You will live long and prosperously.
Mwaba:::: Amen. Dad, when do I take off for my registration?
Elijah::: You will join a night bus on Monday. Your registration will commence on Wednesday.


Martha::: Dear I’m scared of accidents that always occur between Lusaka and Kitwe road at night. Mwaba is too young to travel such a long distance. What if we drive him to school?
Mwaba::: I’m no longer a kid, mum. At least, I have travelled to different parts of Zambia during our excursions. We visited Victoria falls in Livingston where electricity is generated. We visited Kariba Dam, No. 3 mine shaft in Chililabombwe and lake Bangweulu in Chilubi.
Elijah::: Your mother is such a caring and loving mother. She loves you so much beyond your thoughts.


Travelling at night is dangerous because of the rampant arm robbery attacks. Apart from this, drivers cannot drive at night without taking alcohol. Prevention, they say, is better than cure. I will do as she said because I will like to hand you safely to the professor.
Martha: (Drawing Mwaba closer) Please my dear always remember what we have been telling you, keep away from bad company. Don’t imitate bad behaviour and face your studies. University is a home of learning not ballroom dance. (patting him on the head fondly) You are the only apple of our eyes. (Tears of joy fill her eyes and she breaks into panegyric) A descendant of a family that makes wealth so much attractive a child born into wealth. The bona fide payer of My bride-price and one that makes me confident always...
Pleaser my dear remember the son of whom you are.


Mwaba::: (pauses for a while bends his head and looks up with tears of joy) I Promise that the Professor would not give any bad reports about me. I will always be of good behaviour…(Martha wipes his tears with a handkerchief) I know how much you love me. I will never let you down. I promise to follow your advice.
Elijah: Thank you..Your mother has spoken well. I don’t have more to add than to tell you to be more careful. The University is full of distractions. If you are not focused and committed to your studies, you will derail. Please, keep yourself away from bad company and concentrate on your studies.
Mwaba: Thanks Dad, thanks Mum.

Written by Mr Vincent  Kalanda

WATCH OUT FOR EPISODE 9