Jolted into ambivalence by the commencement of the 15th industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the span of 20 years, I resorted to an alternate activity for the rest of the day. My first lecture, of the three on the timetable, was the last for that Monday (14/02/2022). I was caught in the indecisiveness which saturated the school atmosphere, shortly after the news about the commencement of the strike was confirmed true. Students were outside the lecture halls in unusually large numbers, clustered as though the vultures had seen where the carcasses lay. Reluctantly, I left the premises.
At the bookstore. . . .
Raking the racks, analysing the titles, and sniffing the smell which permeated the ambience of the small store, helped in taking my mind off the thoughts bred by memories of conversations on the nature of the incessant industrial strike actions by the union, and the rift between the government and the union. Relishing in the temporal comfort, I inched closer to a tall man; his head was covered with an uneven mixture of gray and black hair. His stature was quite intimidating but his voice and polite response to my pleasantries helped my conception of him. The voice sounded familiar.
After having a good look at his face for about three times consecutively, I summoned the courage to clear my doubts. ‘Sir’, I began, with a tone of intimidation, ‘You were present at “this” event. And you were also the keynote speaker. . . .’
He looked at me, quite intently, and responded, ‘Yes. A good memory you’ve got’.
A conversation that would last for some fifteen minutes or so ensued. This man learnt about my education. We discussed his education also; how he is committing to learning the sciences independently through books and other relevant resources. The highlight of the conversation was the request he made.
‘Write a book’ he said. ‘Title it “this”’.
That came quite authoritatively.
Although we attended an event together last year, this meeting was our first time interacting with each other. He knows nothing about my hobbies, gifting, talents, nor capabilities. One just wonders how such a message will come in precise terms as this.
He further went on to descibe what the book should be like:
Just relate points from your personal experiences, in simple style and language. Worry not about researching fancy and quotable works. Stress not over constructing grand sentences and all. Leave such fine expressions for the philosophers and poets. People no longer want to be flattered with grandiose tenses. That was the distinction between Jesus’ teachings and the other books in the Bible. Do you struggle to read and understand Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John? People want something real and relatable. . . . So, write something simple. It doesn’t have to be a 200-page piece. It should be so little that I can read through the entire book on a few miles trip, say from Terminus here to Bukuru. Think about it. You can send it to me when it’s done.
The point here is this: I would not be violating any law outside of my mind (perhaps, against the culture) if I did not greet this elderly stranger. He wouldn’t bother as much as I may not. Yet, what turned the faucet for this unexpected encounter was a greeting followed by a quest to learn beyond just an answer.
This here, for me, is an encounter with an angel. I have met several; a result of caring not just about if my greeting was responded to, politely or not. Otherwise should not be the reason you miss out on your own encounters.
Imagine if the strike was not announced. . . . And the other ifs. . . .
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Hurray to strikes! Haha... Perhaps they are the marks on the calendar for angelic encounters... Was that the actual angel-man in the picture?
Great pieces. Nice encounters. Keep up the good work.